Two Proof Sheets Of #17 From Same Plate Different Size Stamps

Hasn't this been a thread topic before?

The sheet you have on top has a total printed width which is smaller than the under-sheet. The total printed height is also longer than the under-sheet. This is consistent with these two sheets being printed on slightly dampened paper, but cross-grain to each other, which shrinks differently with the grain vs across the grain. I see nothing more.

During actual production, I suspect the pressmen were careful to feed the sheets in the same direction to get a consistent result to the dried sheets. This drying effect would have been common knowledge back then.

Agree with John Becker. For the above examples:

Vertical paper grain wet printed: 18.25mm (narrower) x 22.75mm (longer)

Horizontal paper grain wet printed: 18.5mm (wider) x 22.5mm (shorter)

The following is a general illustration of this: