Could This Be A, "482A"?

Stamp Smarter is a good place to start, it is free and comprehensive enough to serve as a good starting point. This tool helps folks learn the ID process and can ID most W/F stamps in 3 easy steps.
http://www.stampsmarter.com/feature...rank_ID.html

Additionally, there is a wealth of addition W/F resources on Stamp Smarter including a good tool which helps hobbyists understand the 'source' stamps for altered W/Fs.
http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa/WFFakes.html

And of course there are over 100 pages of information in the 1847usa section here including detailed color images on the various types and identification assistance.
http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa/1847Home.html
http://www.stampsmarter.com/1847usa...ankmain.html
http://www.stampsmarter.com/learnin...Designs.html

You will also find helpful articles on the W/F production processes like these in the Stamp Smarter library
http://stampsmarter.com/learning/Ma...methods.html
http://stampsmarter.com/learning/Ma...ermarks.html
There are also free download for other books like Johl's Postage Stamps Of The 20th Century
http://www.stampsmarter.com/learnin...me_USID.html

The above is certainly enough reading for a few days. But beyond the novice level there are a multitude of books, articles, and other refences (many require investment) which can greatly deepen an understanding of the W/F stamps.

Don

I think collectors tend to get overwhelmed by sheer numbers. If one remembers to check perfs first, then watermarks, and then types it becomes much easier.

Paul Schmid's "The Experts Book" is one of the best reference works for the W/F issues.

There certainly is no lack of reference material in most areas. The problem with reference material is that it usually comes with a cost and for the person that found or inherited a collection most of the time the only question is what's the value?

Serious collectors invest in the reference material but the beginner or temporary holder of a collection isn't going to invest hundreds of dollars into reference material only to find they have $25 in value. The beginners that do pick up a basic catalog basically look at one column and don't actually read the catalog footnotes and introduction.

I usually start with The Micarelli Identification Guide to U.S. Stamps: Regular Issues, 1847-1934 [Charles N. Micarelli]

stallzer,
I agree, and just as important as cost is the desire to get information in real time. In today's world the concept of ordering and waiting days for a reference book or article to arrive is obsolete. Some hobbyists are fine with spending money but are put off with by having to then wait to get answers to their questions.

The old recommendation of 'go to the library' is not embraced by many people today. The recommendation of 'join a specialty society' works only if the person is willing to spend money and/or if the society has a quality website with real-time access to applicable content.

It certainly is easier/cheaper to use this community or other free online resources. This tends to rub the 'old school' folks the wrong way; they had to invest a lot of time/money in their education.

But time always changes everything and I think there is value in having empathy for anyone who shows interest in our hobby. My opinion is that many (most?) casual collectors are not going to go invest hundreds or thousands of dollars in reference materials. A full set of catalogs is now what? $800 (US)? Wow.
Don

For anyone with a passing interest in US Stamps, they absolutely need their own copy of the Scott (US Specialized) catalog - a new one isn't necessary. . .Any other reference book is optional. I just looked and Amazon has a 2014 edition for $14.

This is so true. Using the search function here will answer most questions or point you in the right direction.

Thank you all for your suggestions. This first reference book I purchased was Scott's 1840 - 1940. I borrow copies of other Scott catalogs from my local library. I recently purchased a 2019 Unitrade and joined BNAPS. I have used Stampsmarter. I will investigate the additional links provided by Don. Stampsmarter is by far the best online tool available. Knowledge in this hobby is cumulative. I think many experienced collectors can credit someone in their past as a mentor during their early years in this hobby. You guys are my mentors.

Right now I'm trying to build a collection of Types of Washington stamps for easy reference. Having something in front of you for comparison makes identification more accurate. My kingdom for a TASCO booklet on the Washington series.

gettinold,

I know that experts use different source material. I know of one regarding US local stamps titled, "Identifier for Carriers, Locals, Fakes, Forgeries & Bogus Posts of the United States, Vol. 1: A Study of the Identification of the Local Stamp Adhesive from the Forgeries and Bogus Posts"

I would love to find a book on the Washington's and Franklin's. That would be gold.

NanoPhilatelic

I ordered the book recommended by Philazilla. It is produced by Scott and I am hoping they put forth a better effort for this publication. The cost of the book "Used" isn't too bad. The book recommended by Turff49 is quite pricey. Ten times more than the book I ordered. I am reluctant to throw that type of money at a book without knowing what's between the covers.

I am still exploring all that Stampsmarter has to offer. It has become my go to source of information. Beats Scotts hands down.

That book is available on disc too, or it was.

What does, "sound the Gong" mean?

It's a reference to a 1970s television show called "The Gong Show". It was a talent show where the contestants usually had no talent. The judges would ring a large gong to end a bad performance.

Robert