Ce2 Type1 Varieties B & C

I have been collecting the SC# CE2 and the varieties as identified by the Scott Catalog. I have an examples of the Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. I also have some of the Type 1 varieties. For example, I have a Type 1A that clearly shows the three (3) thin red lines and the one (1) thin blue line in the registration area as defined by Scott's. That one was easy. The definitions for the Type 1B & 1C are the problem. Scott's says that each one has two (2) thin red lines and one (1) thin blue line. The only distinction is that on the Type 1C, it has one (1) long thin red line and one (1) short thin red line along with the thin blue line. None of the potential candidates I have with two (2) red lines have lines of equal length. One is always longer. Can anyone provide any clarity in the interpretation of long and short???

Pictorial examples of each (Type 1B & Type 1C) would be really nice.

Bob

*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

The United States Stamp Society's (USSS's) Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog show all four types in color. The 2020 edition has it on page A18. For type one varieties, it references The United States Specialist, November 1972 beginning page 503 for detailed illustrations. For sale here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/U-S-1972-U...353049963196
[ EDIT: Now sold]
The lines in question for the varieties were added to both left and right panes of plate 21491 and only the left pane of 21493 during later printings.

The USSS also sells for $12 post paid, The Airmail Special Delivery Stamps Of The United States by Ralph L. Sloat. Sloat was the author of the 1972 article mentioned above. The book includes, "A specialist chart in color shows the various red and blue markings on the plate blocks."

Thank you very much for the information. I have located a copy of Mr. Sloat's book and should receive it next week. The description you provided is just what I am looking for.

Now on ebay these are Type 1, 2, 3 and 4 plate blocks. There are more than a handful of Type 1b. If you sort the CE2 listing by price, highest to lowest, the types tend to group. I direct your attention to the type 1b examples as they, as a group, display what Scott mentions as the inconsistency of plate wiping and printed ink variations.

As I was preparing the photos I found this I believe is a Type 1A, listed as a 1B in the title. It is the sellers ID "pb2917" in the title.



These are the other listed Type 1B items--

I have always thought that this is a very pretty stamp issue.

Parcelpostguy, I agree with your assessment of the Type 1A. I even contacted Steve (the dealer) and told him it was mis-identified 2 weeks ago, but he has not changed the description yet! I already have a beautiful Type 1A, so I do not need two. Most of these I have looked at under magnification, but they still do not clarify the definition of long versus short in the Scott Catalog. I have the book by Mr. Sloat on the way. Hopefully, that will answer my questions. I will let all know if I find anything definitive.

Kindest Regards

OK, here is what I have come up with after more research and reading Ralph Sloat's fabulous book on the Airmail Special Delivery Stamps of the United States. What follows is sort of a check list of the factors that must be present to qualify a candidate as one of the experimental types of the SC# CE2 Type 1 (A, B, or C)

For the SC# CE2 Type 1A, all of these factors must be present:
The plate block must be of the Type 1 issue
a. Red arrow on the midline
b. Red and blue lines are both thin (narrow)
c. The Red plate number must be 21491 with NO "F" present
d. There must be multiple (3) red lines, one of which may be under the blue line

For the SC# CE2 Type 1B, all of these factors must be present:
The plate block must be of the Type 1 issue
a. Red arrow on the midline
b. Red and blue lines are both thin (narrow)
c. The Red plate number must be 21491 with WITH "F" present
d. There must be multiple (2) red lines, one of which may be under the blue line

For the SC# CE2 Type 1C, all of these factors must be present:
The plate block must be of the Type 1 issue
a. Red arrow on the midline
b. Red and blue lines are both thin (narrow)
c. The Red plate number must be 21493 with NO "F" present
d. There must be multiple (2) red lines, one of which may be under the blue line

These are the only plate numbers that were used for the experimental registration markings that constitute the Type 1A, Type 1B, and/or the Type 1C varieties.

Good explanation for this thread's completeness. I had mentioned the plate number requirements in my first post, 21491 and 21493.

In my post with the photos from ebay, I pointed out that one 1b was actually a 1a. I did not point out the plate 21494 listed as a 1b did not belong as any 1a, 1b or 1c but that did not stop it from being listed by the seller as such. I was wondering if someone would see and comment on that.

Not just on CE-2, but in many cases, "experimental" equals "hard to find." So you have some 1b options, but your search for 1c may take longer. However now, you will be able to recognize it when you see it. Good luck.

That is the upside for owning the book. The downside is the book may give you ideas for other hard to find goodies.