The simple differentiation between the notorious Scott delisted ‘China Clay paper’ and actual blue paper is that blue paper stamps have 35% rag content and a watermark. The 35% rag content replaced wood pulp and makes the stamp paper look darker.
The old ‘China Clay’ paper was a misnomer for many years and even today you can find old certs saying they are legitimate but Scott delisted them because it was found that they were the typical wood pulp paper but the pulp was made during periods of drought and the mill ponds used for the water supply was dirty. So today some people call them ‘dirty water’ stamps but they are not actually a paper variety. (Unless we are going to start calling every change in mill pond water a new variety.)
Don
Mr. Neiss suggested I should go ahead and post this scan!
Thank you Mr. Neiss
1898
@Vinman
Your posting DTG 02 Nov 2023 01:46:10pm, I made these scans myself, are you having problems reading them?
1898
@Vinman
1898
See scans (2 each) for some background and history for the right and proper blue papers. of 1909
I also have information (brief) on the china clay paper if anyone is interested!
1898
re: Blue Papers
The simple differentiation between the notorious Scott delisted ‘China Clay paper’ and actual blue paper is that blue paper stamps have 35% rag content and a watermark. The 35% rag content replaced wood pulp and makes the stamp paper look darker.
The old ‘China Clay’ paper was a misnomer for many years and even today you can find old certs saying they are legitimate but Scott delisted them because it was found that they were the typical wood pulp paper but the pulp was made during periods of drought and the mill ponds used for the water supply was dirty. So today some people call them ‘dirty water’ stamps but they are not actually a paper variety. (Unless we are going to start calling every change in mill pond water a new variety.)
Don
re: Blue Papers
Mr. Neiss suggested I should go ahead and post this scan!
Thank you Mr. Neiss
1898
re: Blue Papers
@Vinman
Your posting DTG 02 Nov 2023 01:46:10pm, I made these scans myself, are you having problems reading them?
1898