Expertising Stamps, Moving On From 1869 Pictorials To Earlier 1861 Issues

I am looking for ornaments in the upper corners, suspecting this is a 65-E11. What do I need to understand to get this right??

It is not 65-E11, which has four rounded corners for the design. Everything in the design above both 3's and below the "U" and "S" are the ornaments they are talking about.

Look at PFC 195546.
http://pfsearch.org/pfsearch/pf_grd...runupcoming=

Thanks for the response. The link didn't seem to work well, got a lot of code back but no images.

When referring to Scott Specialized, the A25 narrative in the Identifier of Definitive Issues section says:

"See the essay section for type A25 in brown rose on perf 12 thin, semi-transparent paper with with smaller ornaments in the corners which do not end in a small ball."

Being brand new at this, I tried to look that info up in the Essay section and found the E11 info, by mistake, because as you say the E11 has no ornaments at all, much less the small ball.

So, that leaves me wondering why I can't seem to find the proper A25 info (as quoted above) in the Essay section. It is near my bedtime so I will look harder when I have rested.

Thanks again, you are awesome!

In the Scott catalog, right at the end of the essay section and just before the proof section is the 3 page section with the first designs. 65-E11 is listed there.

Yes, I found the E11 info the first time, that is why I miss id'd it.

Do you know where to find in the Essay section the A25 info referenced to in the IDENTIFIER OF DEFINITIVE ISSUES A25 section, as it says "See the Essay section for type A25...with smaller ornaments in the corners which do not end in a small ball."?

I'm being redundant but not trying disagree, just can't find the right info in the Essay section.

I am using the 2017 Specialized Catalog. I suspect what was being referred to in the Identifier of Definitive Issues is on page 823: the 65-E15h, for the brown rose essay.

Your stamp is a 65. It has balls in the corners. The upper left one is not very visible but the other three corners are easy to see. It is a small round circle in the corner. Thus, you do not need to look at the essay section. However, when you do, I agree that you found the correct one mentioned. 65-E15h It is mentioned in the front because originally this essay was considered scott number 56. It was later removed from the regular listing and placed with the essays. None of the essays have the larger corner design of the finished stamp.
Keep reading your catalog and asking questions. It is good to see someone working through the process of learning and asking questions.

The fact that its postally used is another clue towards 65.

Essays aren't valid for postage.

Another fact I didn't know but makes sense. I guess my 65 lost it's balls!

Moving on, I found a grill, but which one? I'll break out my ruler and see if I find something. My very first grill id attempt, wish me luck.

Ok, right off hand it looks taller than it is wide and measured like an E-grill as well; scott 88 perhaps? Remember, I am a virgin...

Close up of grill; I am doubting my first thoughts, it actually seems bigger that I thought.