Identification Help Needed.

I ended up with a small stamp collection that was with a lot of 60's toys. Been trying to figure this all out. I did run across one that I wanted to get input on.




This really can't be a 554d?

Another interesting 554, no perf top or bottom, plus off center. Could it be a B?

Welcome.
The best approach to IDing stamps is to assume that you have the most common varieties. It is similar to finding a couple of lottery tickets on the ground, the odds that you happened on to a huge windfall is slim.

You can find more information here
http://stampsmarter.com/1847usa/192...ntifier.html
http://stampsmarter.com/1847usa/192...4vs634A.html
Don

Your second stamp is a coil, Scott 599, with the natural joint-line showing at the left side. Normal, common.

It might be useful to take this ID and go through the Stampsmarter link above and see if you agree.

599 is only saying 10 vert perfs. Mine has more which is why I ruled it out.

And no not trying to win the lottery, just learn about them. Ended up with 336 stamps to go though. lol.

599 is perf 10 vertically, thus it has 10 perforations per 2cm. It is a rate, not a count. (The stamp is more than 2cm tall, thus will have more than 10 perforations.) Search the site for the proper way to use a perforation gauge.

I understand the perf per distance, but it's still 11 perf just along the colored area. 12 Total cause the top being taller.

Stop. Counting. Perforations.

Wherever you got this idea, discard it. No, really, discard it.

If you want to really enjoy stamps, it does require certain "tools of the trade", which includes a perforation gauge.

I am working on learning.

No clues on the first pic posted?

How about a easyish one. 319, leaf is separated but no corner bum. The line looks to have a wave in it higher then the bump should be in a type II.

All of us are a bit handicapped to offer advice without knowing what reference source you are using to attempt these identifications, thus it is hard to know where to start from. A printed catalog, an online listing/database, ebay or ?

The first two stamps can be narrowed greatly (if not totally) by the perforation rate and format (sheet, booklet, coil), in fact the second can only be the coil 599. The first has several lookalikes.

Don offers sage advice to first assume each stamp is the most common type, then work forward. The US is a large, literate country and most US stamps of the twentieth century are printed in very large quantities to be the workhorse issues of their respective eras. The exceptions are rare because of exactly that - they are rare, and will not typically be found in small beginner accumulations. We are talking odds in lottery winning terms. You are more likely to be struck by lightning.

I had already been pointed to
http://www.stampsmarter.com
and
http://www.theswedishtiger.com

And I understand there is zero chance of rare.