I usually first try to determine hard and soft paper types by their translucency (and use perf tips and 'snap' test as additional verifications). This article may be helpful..
http://www.stampsmarter.com/learning/Manuf_PaperUsedForUSStamps.html
As far as gum, it is hard to tell on such close up images, is it possible you might be able to scan the entire back of the stamp?
Don
My opinion; soft paper, originally gummed. I am not 100% sure that your arrows are pointing to remaining original gum or something else on the back of stamps.
Don
Actually I find that high magnifications of the perfs is the best way to tell if gum is original or not. It s not hard to cover the center of the stamp but keeping the perfs clean is very difficult. The re-gumming usually results in globs of gum sticking to the sides of the perfs and this can usually be easily seen with a magnified high res scan. Neither of your stamps show this and I would conclude that neither has been regummed.
Hello friends,
I'm trying to identify two things in the picture attached, paper type and gum, and I'd like your input.
Question 1: The stamp I'm trying to identify above is listed as appearing in either:
A.) "Hard or soft, white, wove, thin to thick" paper or
B.) "Soft, porous paper"
Which type of paper do you believe this is?
Question 2: The stamp I'm trying to identify above is listed as appearing as:
A.) "Gummed"
B.) "Not gummed"
Do you believe this stamp is originally been gummed or not?
I see some dark spots on the back of the stamp down in the paper, but I can't tell if this is remnants of gum.
Your thoughts and insights are most appreciated!
In the image below (both are A44) you can certainly tell a difference.
re: Paper type and gum question
I usually first try to determine hard and soft paper types by their translucency (and use perf tips and 'snap' test as additional verifications). This article may be helpful..
http://www.stampsmarter.com/learning/Manuf_PaperUsedForUSStamps.html
As far as gum, it is hard to tell on such close up images, is it possible you might be able to scan the entire back of the stamp?
Don
re: Paper type and gum question
My opinion; soft paper, originally gummed. I am not 100% sure that your arrows are pointing to remaining original gum or something else on the back of stamps.
Don
re: Paper type and gum question
Actually I find that high magnifications of the perfs is the best way to tell if gum is original or not. It s not hard to cover the center of the stamp but keeping the perfs clean is very difficult. The re-gumming usually results in globs of gum sticking to the sides of the perfs and this can usually be easily seen with a magnified high res scan. Neither of your stamps show this and I would conclude that neither has been regummed.