Help With A Possible Scott #554d

Hi,
I have come to a dead end trying to identify this. Would really appreciate some experienced eyes on it please.

The short answer is no.

The longer answer is that you have a Scott 634, which is perf 11x10.5
This stamp is very close to 2cm high, which is the same width as the functional part of a perforation gauge. When a duplicate image is rotated and the bottom perf holes aligned (see oval overlay), note that the top hole are mis-aligned by half a hole distance. The only basic stamp with this design and perforation difference is 634 (or 634A, which your stamp is not a type II), which is one of the most common and later peforation varieties also consistent with the partial slogan cancel promoting savings bonds in the mid 1930s and after.

Thanks very much for your response. I am very much a newbie and I'm now wondering - does your sideways self-perf check work for all the stamps with different top and bottom perfs?

It is best for a newbie to obtain a perforation gauge and become adept at using it.
These comparisons only work easily for certain stamps/issues. In this case the most common option in most collections is the 11x10.5 which conveniently is the easiest to demonstrate - especially with only an image to work with.

You got me there! I have been putting off getting a gauge.

If you don't mind, can I ask your opinion on something else? I'm unsure whether I should soak old stamps to remove the hinges?

Most older stamps are easy to soak ... I'm talking about used stamps. However, some have ink issues which makes them bleed out and color the underlying paper. Check the notes in the catalog to see if you have a stamp that may be this type.

Parttime is correct for foreign issues. Except for certain revenue issues and a scarce early double paper type, all US issues off paper can be soaked.
I suggest that you access the stampsmarter. com website for additional info.

Alas, that stopped being true decades ago. Most modern stamps cannot be soaked off without using dangerous chemicals.

Not entirely true. I find that some self adhesive stamps from several countries will successfully soak off leaving zero gum using Cold water. Test each series as some will and some will not from the same country. Others that will not soak can be removed from the paper with a food grade chemical called D-limonene.

Thanks very much everyone.

I have a few interesting but very grotty old stamps that I now have the confidence to soak and de-hinge after residing for nearly ninety years in my dad's album.

I am enjoying using the Stamp Smarter resource - a great tip. Thanks yet again.

I have a lot of stamps to investigate and I hope it's ok if I come back with questions when I inevitably get stumped?

Cheers