Show Your US 1857 Perforated Stamps

Looks octagonal, probably a French transit marking.

This #26a is under-inked, and kind of bland-looking to me. But it's a pretty special stamp as 1857 three-centers go because the perforations don't touch any part of the design.

That's a beauty Classic

Gary, that's a nice stamp. Hard to find one clear on all sides.
Here's a 26A with recut right inner frame line. This one is on a decent cover.

That's a nice inner line recut example, Stephen.

Does anyone know if there is a standard reference for plating the 1857 perforated 3-cent stamps?

Thanks for your kind comments, Caper and Stephen.

#26 plate position 60R23 - engraver's slip outside of right frame line:

Similar to one posted earlier a city delivery hand stamp

Finding multiples on an envelope is always nice. When I first saw this envelope for sale the rate didn't seem to match the address - US to Scotland 6c?



Curious I opened the listing and looked further and found a picture of the back of the envelope. Then it made more sense.

Interesting, Caper. That's a one-of-a-kind piece of postal history! Thanks for showing it.

stallzer, that's a beautiful strike of of the city delivery hand stamp. And a July 4 date!

Does anyone know the size of their perforation holes? I got around 0.020" diameter for them.

Loving this thread as well!
Here's a cover!


And the back has been expertised...

That's a nice strip, Laurie. The top stamp is a major "curl in hair" variety. Also the notation on back is from Morris Fortgang, a very prominent philatelist of an earlier generation and APS Hall of Fame inductee.

laurie - your cover was expertized by Morris Fortgang.
He was a very accomplished student of the 1c stamp; especially the Ty V/Va varieties. If I recall, he passed away around 1959-60 or so.

caper - that's a neat usage. I always appreciate how people franked covers. Exhibitors would probably abhor that, as its kind of difficult to show off. I currently have a cover, where a strip was pasted on the front and folded around the back. A prior owner/exhibitor cut the back of the envelope and unfolded it so you can see the full strip. Turned covers also provide for challenges to show.