Don't automatically presume that you have the most valuable stamp. Rule out the lowest value first. The odds are that the lowest valued stamp is the one that you'll have 99.9% of the time.
Newer collectors tend to gravitate towards the most valuable when trying to ID a stamp. That's the wrong way to go.
The stamp you think that one might be, is worth a king's ransom. Therefore it is not 544,
because #544 is very valuable. There is a good reason why a real one is worth a lot.
There are VERY FEW of them.
You are much more likely to land on Pluto, than discover a rare stamp like that. Just enjoy
the hobby first, for what it is, a relaxing pastime, and forget the elusive pot-of-gold.
"Flat plate mint stamps often will have setoff (residual ink) on the gum on the back."
Gumming is done after stamps are printed, not before, and so ink picked up on the back of a flat
plate stamp has nothing to do with whether or not it is mint or used.
Thank you all for weighing in. Some of you mentioned that I should enjoy stamps for what they are and not be focused on their value. I may be new to stamporama, but I'm not all that new to stamp collecting. I very much enjoy collecting for the beauty of the stamps and for their value. If you only collect for the eye appeal, that's great too. I am still learning and appreciate those of you who share your wealth of knowledge to those like me. I am hoping to walk away having learned. That's what is most important to me.
It was requested that I upload better images. I hope the ones I have suffice for identification. Thanks, Jonathan
I bought the millimeter gauge from the Hobby Lobby store for $10. It's the only one that was available for sale. What would you suggest to be a better measurement tool? Maybe a digital gauge? Thank you for your advise.
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin 19 Jul 2015 12:57:27am
re: Please Help Identify
The subject of perforation gauges and other measurement tools was addressed in some detail HERE
For United States stamps, the Sonic Imagery Labs Precision U. S. Specialty Multi-Gauge has proved itself helpful for me.
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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke"
"I bought the millimeter gauge from the Hobby Lobby store for $10. It's the only one that was available for sale"
Hobby Lobby has a perpetual "40% off One Item" coupon on their website. You can either print it out, or just show them the coupon on your phone. I have it bookmarked and never buy anything without it! That $10 gauge would be $6.