re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Interesting. The one on the right is clearly bigger. My Scott 2017 catalogue doesn't list anything.

 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

roy

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

 
5 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

earwaves

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Well, I'll certainly take the word of some who goes by "Banknoteguy!" Thanks, too, to the ever vigilant Roy regarding Jumbos. I began to consider that after I had posted. Nice cork cancels on the ones you guys posted. And thank you, Joesm, for reporting on your Scott's, which is six years newer than my Specialized.

So now I've got to decide which one I should put into my album: the one with wider margins or the one with more intense color and those cancel bars for Zach to peer through?

If you didn't already have one, which would you choose?

Login to Like
this post

Harvey

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Isn't the price for the last one a bit extreme? It's a really nice copy with a very interesting cancel that's very much like the Maltese Cross used on early British stamps - but $8000!!!! I don't think so! My copies of 179 and 185 are not very well centered, but if I replaced every stamp with ones that are better centered, where would it end? I have some beautifully centered stamps and some poorly centered ones, they average out OK.

Edit: What is the one US stamp I would like to get my hands on? I have a really nice #1, but can't seem to find a #2 at a reasonable price. I need 3 stamps to finish page #1 of my Liberty album (#'s 2, 8A and 13, they leave out a few), it might take a while! Maybe some day. I have a few others, including the higher value Zeppelin, but #2 is my quest!!

 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

earwaves

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Harvey, here's what you might expect for a $473 Washington #2. I held my breath and bid on it during a Kelleher auction a few years ago. Of course, the price included a generous (to itself) 20% commission plus eight bucks to ship.

It's hardly a beauty, with its poor scissoring and 1.5 frame lines. I did have better luck with a folded letter I got for a fairer price last year. Luckily I don't drink, smoke, gamble or, thanks(?) to the pandemic, go anywhere, so I can blow some of my pension on philatelic vices. Like almost every geezerly stamp collector these days, it's quite a different hobby from when were were kids.

 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

Harvey

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Joe, from another Joe, the letter is amazing!!! I would gladly pay $500 for a relatively nice copy of #2 such as yours! I know that you'd never sell, but how about leaving it to me in your will. Just kidding! If any of you run across one in similar condition for about $500 give me a shout! Just curious about something else, what would you use for a search on E-Bay for this stamp? Usually I can just use "US stamp #2" or "US stamp 2". Neither works well because of the huge number of denomination 2 cents. I tried "US stamp first series" and various other things as well with little luck. I sometimes get lucky with "first US stamp". Any suggestions?

Login to Like
this post

Harvey

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

The only thing I can think of is that the stamps might have been rotary printed for a period of time, but one would assume this would be mentioned in the calalogues. Rotary printing, as you know, stretches the paper in the direction of turning by a small amount. But again, this would be noted in Scott's and the two versions of the stamps would have different numbers or at least an "a" connotation. Also, maybe another plate was used that was a slightly different size.

Login to Like
this post

Harvey

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

You're right, rotary pressed stamps didn't start until 1914. So, unless there was another plate for a short period of time, your guess is as good as mine. Is the width the same, it is very hard to tell on the grid system? I checked my US specialized and the only other possibility is the much newer souvenir sheets and then there would be a different date on the stamp, 1992 instead of 1892. A real mystery!!!

Login to Like
this post

vinman

20 Feb 2022
12:26:07pm

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

It is probably the paper that was used. Depending on how the paper was made and feed to the printer could determin if and how the way it shrunk. U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing were always experimnting with printing techniques.
Here is a link for an exhibit from a later U.S. issue and how different papers affect the size of the stamp design. The exhibit and study were used to add new numbers to the Scott catalog.
https://www.rfrajola.com/PDR2018/Rufe1/R ...

 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

earwaves

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Re paper: If there were various wetting, stacking and drying methods, wouldn't the image size also change? I tend toward the earlier suggestions about jumbo margins, i.e., that stamps adjacent to jumbos might suffer tight margins.

Harvey: I didn't mean to mislead you on the price of my 10c Washington folded letter. I was just embarrassed to post that I paid more than $700 for it. I agree that it's a very nice piece, especially the brightness of the paper. These old letters are usually difficult to read, but not this one. In the next post here, I'll copy and paste my notes and transcript of the letter.

In eBay, I usually have good luck using this format: "US Scott #2 stamp." Same with other countries, e.g., "GB Scott #2456." It'll be no surprise, though, if a 10c Wash doesn't show up on eBay. Try some of the other selling sites mentioned on Stamporama. I think I got my #2-stamped letter via HipStamp.

 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

earwaves

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Here are the highlights and transcript of my #2 letter:

Transcribed by Joe Kowalski, March 2021
Note: For clarity, I fixed a few misspellings, added a couple of inadvertently missing words and changed some punctuation. Certain capitalized nouns might have been acceptable when written, so were left as is. Writer’s edge sentences and my notes are at the end.

New York September 28th 1849
My dear Ellen
I received your letter yesterday and hasten to say a word in reply. I have to say that your uncle had withdrawn Mr Roberts for the present on account of the great expense in sending out missionaries by Cheques, they all would advise not to appoint another for some time to come.
If we do not send your articles soon, the Canal will be closed. I would think you would be happier housekeeping than to board. It seems strange for me to be so far away from you that I cannot witness your joys or sorrows in which I have so long sympathized so intensely and I have been so accustomed to tell you every thing that concerned me intimately, that I often when alone speak aloud to you and smile. I do not weep at my own words that have no audible answer.
I am not at all troubled or unhappy however. I have done much sewing through the Summer, thinking my arm would probably be too lame when the cold weather came. I have made Sarah a pretty patch work quilt with her assistance for her Bed, and H. and H. M. quilted it for me. H.M. made Sarah four pairs of drawers and “Tilda” can, and is doing, the stitching beautifully for the Shirts – I have not yet had a dress made or bought and I am consequently almost destitute, as I have not had one in the last year, save that dark wrapper last winter. I had my straw Bonnet enlarged after you left and never had one more becoming than it is. I will send you a pattern of the fall Ribbon I yesterday bought for it. I have also purchased a large long woolen shawl which I think you would like. It seemed strange to go alone to choose and buy it. It is quite dark; it has a green and dark brown stripe in the border. This is quite new for me to write to you about my clothing.

Page 2:
Now I must change my theme and I wonder I did not sooner commence, but I wished to free your mind of anxiety about me. We yesterday heard from Joseph. They were yet at Oxford. Their little Mary Louisa had been sick most of the Summer and this morning he wrote that her little spirit took its flight to a fairer world on high to be an Angel there. I could not weep for her, but I know what her poor stricken mother must feel and I must try when I can write to speak words of sympathy and tenderness to her. I told you in my last letter that it was not thought Sister Kidder could live; she is a little better now.
Mr Atwater called on Wednesday evening. I told him I thought he might have told me he was going to be married. He said in reply that he did not know it himself, when he left the City. The young lady had been two years in Georgia teaching in a private family, had long been an acquaintance. They had been engaged, he said, and paused, but did not add how long. He had thought to be married in the winter, but from some circumstance or circumstances he concluded to be married sooner. Her health had always been delicate in the North. She is subject to a cough and he thinks he may have to send her back to Georgia this winter, says the family are anxious to have her come, and if she grows worse, rather than have her die, he would consent to her returning. They board at the Battery Hotel. He said she knows no one in the City and seemed anxious to have her come to see us, promised to bring her up, made an arrangement to bring her up some day and to come in the evening himself.
How is your husband's throat? You have neither of you spoken about it lately. I feel anxious to hear.
I hope you may receive this while with your friends at home but am almost at a loss about sending, as it will take too long to go.




Page 3:
My own health is much better than it was, and they say I am increasing in flesh. My eyes are not much better. The Doctor had not seen me for some time until this week; when he looked at me for a while steadily, his countenance brightened and with apparent gladness he said, “Praise the Lord! You are a great deal better.”
Your uncle went with us two weeks since to High Bridge. He was much pleased and interested.
I believe I told you we were going to Tarry Town on Saturday. If we do, it will be the first time I have slept out of my own Room since I came from Middletown— I might say much in the way of urging you to visit us, but I think I would be wasting words; you would not come without Mr Roberts and we should want him to come; and if you did come, you would hardly be seated before you would be anxious to start back to see him, fearing a thousand things would happen to him. I do not expect ever to feel your place supplied and I be would thankful not to be separated, but we are and in the Providence of God most probably will be and I must not, will not repine. I often feel it is a dream as if it could not be otherwise,
I want alone to Mrs P's on Tuesday to meeting. It was one of the most heavenly places I ever was in, “Joy like the evening dew distilled and all the air was love.” On Wednesday, attended the Female Missionary prayer meeting this day to Class, and today (Friday) take tea with Caroline Thorne in company with Mr D.W. Clark and our Preacher and their wives.
I trust you will have a Grace given you to hear patiently and cheerfully the trials of Itinerancy, no small share will be sufficient. After all the failures and dark and desolating thoughts that come up before me about our church and people, Methodism never seemed so precious, so glorious, and I was never so happy because I was privileged with a name and a place among these people. And I think I would go with them to prison and death but, Oh, I must forbear; write, I must not, ought not. Mr Roberts need not fear that he be thought fickle; your uncle will take care of his character in this respect.
My love to your relatives at Gowanda. Much for Mr Roberts and yourself from your truly affectionate S.B. Lane.



Sentences Squeezed into the Margins
Page 1: I have never thought to tell you that brother Collins sent you a little straight China cup or jar as a pencil rest or a pen holder.
Page 2, left edge: Your uncle and sister H.M. send Susan their love.
Page 2 left margin: Sarah talks on and on about you and sends kisses.


End Notes
1 Perhaps because she was a New Englander, the writer carried over British usage and did not use periods at the end of Mr and Mrs .
2 increasing in flesh: gaining weight
3 repine: complain
4 Phrasing from Deuteronomy 32:2. Two years after this letter, similar wording appeared in a hymn. Might it have been sung in churches before its publication?
5 Itinerancy: Methodist system in which bishops assigned ministers to preach on a circuit, rather than have their own congregations.

Login to Like
this post

earwaves

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Harvey-- "private listing - bidders' identities protected"

Here's a pretty good explanation:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying-Q-A/how-do-people-become-a-private-listings-bidder/qaq-p/22730113

I like the part about people bidding on "embarrassing items."

Login to Like
this post

DannyS

20 Feb 2022
08:08:32pm

re: 179 Taylor Size Difference

Certainly the direction of the 'weave' on wet laid paper in a 1928 Siam issue is suspected of causing size differences in the stamps. The thing we see is shrinkage with a larger vertical size causes a smaller horizontal size and vice versa. Hope that makes sense. (I know what I wanted to say, but I'm not sure I said it.)

 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.