Show Your US 1851-57 Imperforate Stamps

ioagoa - I will try to make them closer to 300k next time (my scanner gives me the max size before scanning and I only find out after it is actually scanned what the actual size is, so I pick something bigger than 300k knowing it will come out lower and I guessed too small

Hi eyeonwall --

Interesting to hear how you size your scans to get them down to the SCF max file size -- and sounds like a bit of trial and error is involved.

I will say that your scans are actually quite nice given the file size limitations -- and on the 4 stamps you posted a few days ago, "high magnification" was not something that I needed to do in order to nail down the platings -- although -- on that plate 4 stamp I was tempted to ask for a higher resolution scan.

Another thing you might want to try for SCF purposes -- which is what I do -- is I make my original scan at 1200 dpi -- then use the free program "Irfanview" (which was recommended here on SCF) to re-save the file with a pre-selected maximum file size -- which in the past I have set to 200kb -- but starting now will be 300kb

The program is free -- and I have found it to work well for this purpose -- as in comparison to other techniques I have tried, it seems to do a reasonably decent job of preserving as much image quality as possible when shrinking the file size. If you search on "Irfanview" here on SCF, there are a number of threads where it is discussed. Might be worth a try?

In any event -- next time around -- if I find myself struggling to plate a stamp due to image quality -- if the file size is significantly under 300kb, I will request a better scan -- and if close to 300kb, I will ask for a 1200 dpi scan to be emailed to Don as he has graciously offered to post it up when need be - (which I anticipate will be infrequently).

Regards // ioagoa

Hello to all,

I continue to learn from the group and appreciate all the information that is provided. I recently reviewed the following article and it peaked my interest.

https://www.uspcs.org/resource-cent...-1851-issue/

As a result, I obtained the following stamp for some research. It has a 2017 APS Cert as genuine with red cancel (POS 11R1L) and "added fake perfs". After reading the article, I would consider this to be more of a privately rouletted stamp than one having fake perfs. This is clearly not one the of 6 identified private roullettes in the article but it could be added the list of items where a second copy would make it interesting.



In checking the partial cancel "ttevil" against Jim Fortes postal site this helps narrow the city down to roughly 35 targets. The Red color may help reduce that even further.

I am not sure I have a specific question on this one but any comments or feedback are welcome. If anyone is aware of additional articles or research in this area that would be appreciated as well.

As always, thanks.
Hobsun

Update: I have been provided feedback that the above is just a fanciful creation by someone playing around with an knife or blade and that is most likely the case. I will be adding it to the collection with that notation. Always fun to learn and add items that are different. The linked article on "Private Roulettes" is still worth a look if you have not seen it.

I can't help but think of a toy from the 90's playmat's 4-1 workshop

What?

This perf hole has multiple passes (three or more)


Looks like it met this (or similar, with a less sturdy blade) hence my thought about the toy
(A knife or blade would be consistent in being thin to thick the deeper it goes into the paper)
Maybe sowing needle marks?


This also seemed like it would be a task to do with a scalpel-top circle (I count 5 passes), also the notch (bottom circle) wouldn't make sense (accidentally touching a moving blade?)




Just my thoughts, nice thought provoking piece!

I picked up this #9 pair last weekend. I got it for the blue cancel (can only make out the G) and for the right stamp (although I would be happier if the upper right corner wasn't at an angle)



closeup of right stamp



On the back there are pencil notes:
23L and what looks like a partly erased 14 with an L above it
Dirty plate (doesn't look smudgy to me)
another L
1854 & possibly an erased signature

There is an "I" on Franklin's face on the left stamp.

The plate info on back is 23L1L (second L raised). The 4 (if that's what it is) is extraneous. You have positions 22L1L and 23L1L. The "dirty plate" refers to the plate's worn state by 1854, resulting in impressions that were not sharp. The plate was cleaned probably in late 1854, and subsequent impressions were much sharper and clearer.

Thank you for the clarification on the "4". So you are saying I have an inferior worn impression? It doesn't look bad to my inexperienced eyes.

"Inferior" is a value-laden term that really doesn't apply. It is what it is. You have an excellent pair of classic US stamps.

Nice stamps, Jackpot! Can you show a cropped, larger image if the 3-cent stamp?

Thanks