Is This A Franklin Scott 596?

Hi everyone,

First time poster here. I recently found an old stamp collection in an attic and in the binder were 2 postcards with 1c Franklin stamps. I figured they'd be the common stamp but just for the hell of it I looked up the dimensions of the 594 and 596 varieties and to my surprise it looks as though it is the Scott 596. According to the guide I used, the dimensions of the 596 should be 19.25 x 22.5 mm with 11 perforations. I'll upload a few pictures. Am I missing something here or did I get lucky? Are they worth anything in this condition?

Thanks!

Welcome.
Please use the from search function, enter '596' in the 'Search For:' field and then select 'subject only' in the 'Search In' field. This will return dozens of threads in which the 596 is discussed.

Don

Thanks Don, I have done some research but I am specifically looking for another opinion on the images I provided from someone who knows more about this than I do. Unfortunately the search feature can't do that for me

These never get solved in these threads. If you believe that you hit the stamp lottery against all odds I would spend a few bucks and send it off to the Philatelic Foundation for review. We are talking a $175,000 stamp here. Two at the same time! The odds are astronomical but people spend more than the cost of a cert on dinner. Go for it.

I'll definitely send it in then. I am mostly just curious if anyone here can see something that would eliminate the possibility of them being 596's.are the perforations correct?

No, do not send it in, lets see if we can walk through this.

The numerous 596 threads all mention the same common identification misconception - that a hobbyists cannot 'measure' a stamp to ID it as a 596.

Always start with the assumption that you have the most common varieties; this prevents confirmation bias. There are several methods in the 596 threads which will quickly help you determine the ID of your stamp.

The very first thing that a hobbyist should do to ID a stamp is determine the perforation gauge. A 596 has a perforation of 11 x 11. What is the perforation of your stamps?
Don

Clearly not a 596. 11x10.5

Mike, you ask the correct question here:



Put away the micrometer. Identifying stamps from the Washington/Franklin and 4th Bureau series (your stamp are 4th Bureaus) should start with an accurate determination of the rate of perforation with a quality perforation gauge.

Rogdcam's advice to "send it off" puts the cart before the horse and is a waste of time and money. I agree fully with 51studebaker and rlsny, your stamps can be easily ID'd here. Although you do not show the date portion of the postmark, the "Buy U.S. Savings ..." slogan did not appear until mid 1935, which is well into the use period of #632, which was a work-horse issue. The stamp with the wavy-line cancel appears to be perf 10.5 along the long side. Bottom line, carefully gauge the perforations first.

John - It was tongue in cheek advice given the context of my comment. The odds are astronomical against this being a 596 let alone two 596's. Right?

Sorry, tone is very difficult to convey. You start your post with a false statement that "These never get resolved in these threads", and when you end your post with "Go for it", it is just plain bad advice and needs to be called-out and debunked. People come here with serious questions and flippant replies which are not understood as "tongue in cheek" are counterproductive. It's also not a matter long odds. it comes down to objective and accurate measurement.

Sorry Mr Becker.

Looks like I should cancel my cruise plans lol

I figured there was something I was missing at first so I am not at all surprised. Thanks for helping me identify them!

Best of luck Mike. Keep on looking!

Mike
I did not simply want to give you the identification because my philosophy is...


Hopefully you have learned about needed to always start the ID process with gauging the perforations and making the best assumptions. There are a number of good tools and many pages of free information on identifying US stamp here http://stampsmarter.com/
Don

Agreed Don. I jumped in with the answer because the thread went quiet and I didn't want him to go wasting money on a cert. Seems a lot of people coming here either don't have perf gauges or don't have experience in using them. But, will continue to try to encourage people to learn for themselves.

R