Another "Might Be" 26A

With one of the lots I'm working through there were a dozen stamps marked 26A. So far none of them have been. This beauty looks to me possible, but also, not definitive. I need someone to straighten me out on this one.

Looks like a 26 pair to me. One must always leave a bit of wiggle room when a clean break in the frame lines are not visible due to perf holes but the straightness of the frame lines also leads me in that direction. The fact the frame lines are not touching the diamond blocks is the only thing visible I see that is present in 26A's ... but it's also a 26 trait too.

They are nicely centered!

Well count me as not very surprised.

Hi rlsny --

Late to the party on this one -- but I agree with Caper -- your 1857 3c pair is definitely a Scott #26 -- top stamp is a C relief and bottom stamp a D relief -- so the pair is either from rows 3 / 4 or rows 7 / 8.

As Caper mentioned -- the side FL's are straight -- (i.e., as they were recut using a straight edge guide) -- versus #26A where they were recut freehand.

Generally speaking, although there are certainly exceptions, on Scott #26A, the bends in the side FL's, and the relationship of the side FL's to the design, look very much like what you would see on an 1851 3c imperf (i.e., Scott #10 / #11).

In any event, I am 100% confident that your pair is Scott #26.

Regards // ioagoa

Thanks ioagoa - always good information