How Much Of A Story Do The Plate Numbers Tell?

How much information can one really get from the plate numbers?

Not sure what the question is here, but yes the plate numbers can sometimes tell a lot. Scott 634A (Die II) is only known on 6 plates (#19644-5, 19744-7) where standard #634 (Die I) is known on nearly 100 times that number, 508 plates. Thus if you have a plate block or plate single with one of those 6 plate numbers you can be sure it is a 634A.

Durland does not report which plates are known with 634b carmine lake, but Hebert lists these 4 are known: 19951, 19965, 19995, 20020, and acknowledges there may be others.

These 4 plates are also common with the normal 634 carmine so having a plate block with one of those 4 numbers does not guarantee a 634b, but it is worth a second look because it is possible.

Well I happen to run across a letter from a J.C. Schiff I believe a stamp dealer from Ny. But it was pretty much stating my great grandfather's credit towards an auction and he thought some plate numbers that my grandfather x 1 owned were scarce, value, and he would like to purchase them from my gpops. Ran across another few records. I had no idea Scott~used to sell stamps. Amazing seeing records like .40cents in 1928.thank you that was very informative. It seems that there are quite a few catalogs I might need to consider investing in. Thank you sir#128591;