I have what appears to be a MNH US Scott#519. Perf 11, Wmk 191 stamp from 1917. My Scott Specialized says that old stock of imperf #344 were returned and officially perforated to the then standard Perf 11. I have been online investigating this stamp, as I do not say positively until I have a cert in hand. But it is passing muster. I referenced a website that had a similar dilemma and his stamp was returned fradulent. http://riversidestamps.com/Scott519.shtml I have no affiliation with this company, just referencing their interesting analysis of this stamp.
The perfs line up to the 10.94 perf gauge as required. The perfs look torn and not cut. From my perspective the frame is very straight in relation to the perforations. One tell-tale sign is that the perfs are not even to the frame. This stamp has gum and looks to be undisturbed. I am NOT en expert, and do not have a comparison copy. I have not investigated color.
The provenance of this stamp is from an interesting MNH/LH collection assembled up to 1989 and bought in Chicagoland in 1995. There was a Scott #2 on piece, but no reason to have any stamp like a #519. The Wash-Franklins were sparce...mainly $10-40 range stuff. The collector liked joint line pairs so I built pages for those.
Anyway, I want to test out an Expertizing service. What recommendations does this fine forum have? I think I have a potential winner.
I also did a double check with a specialist gauge and the stamp lines up perfectly with the 11-72 perf gauge. I now just need to figure out the best way to pack and mail.
I need to say that working with Mr. Weiss was extremely pleasurable, with great communication (answering all of my questions), and sturdy return packaging. He did this examination and certification in a one day turnaround. Highly recommended.
This stamp was hidden in plain sight, poorly mounted in a neglected National album from the mid 90s, having survived 4 moves. Now it will reside on a new album page, largely bare as I do not have many unused US Wash-Franklins!
Only recently am I taking a concentrated effort to find out what I have in my collection. I think my wife is also seeing how much fun I'm having, and was excited for me when the registered letter came back from Weiss.
Cheers,
Don
(we are having a third child in Sept , so hopefully the stamp won't need to be sold for diapers!!)
Congratulations, Don, on your "lucky" find. (It's a lot easier to be lucky if you don't mind a little hard work.)
My #519/Weiss experience was not quite as fortunate. I had my #519 for sale at my EBay store, when I received an Email from Bill Weiss, informing me that mine was a fake!
I immediately pulled the listing and started researching fakes. It seems that #519 is a prime candidate.
, so hopefully the stamp won't need to be sold for diapers!!)