Identifying US Washington/Franklin Stamps
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2023
- I share my US Washington/Franklin stamps and spend some time going over the tools you need to identify yours. These are considered some of the hardest stamps to identify, but I think I can make it easier for you.
I’ve put the summary tables, some useful links and other tools on my blog for reference at kensstampcollection.blogspot..... Special shout-outs to The Swedish Tiger and Stamp Smarter for running websites that made me smarter about these (and other) stamps.
Although most of the images in this video are from my own collection, I want to thank Wikipedia for some of the public domain images I’ve shared. I also want to credit the Scott Catalog for images of the watermarks and stamp types. Their copyright page states that this kind of educational use is permitted by them. Thank you.
I was going through old postcards that belonged to my grandmother & found several washington & franklin stamps from between 1905 & 1913 I believe. I am still learning & not sure exactly what i am looking at so thank you for this information!
That's what I do these for. Glad it was helpful.
I live this stuff. Subscribed 🎉
Glad you joined
I will take this video and put it in my file when I start this series. I love how your albums are set up. Hope you are doing well and thank you for your time to produce these Philatelic videos. As always Happy Collecting the other Ken
It's a pleasure. All good here. Happy collecting, Ken
Well done, Ken. I’ve found a few different techniques for identifying these W/F stamps…this is very helpful.
Glad it was helpful. I'm guessing you edited this because you found my Germania video. Hope that was good for you too. BTW. Send along the PDF of the pages you are making. I'd love to see how you approach them.
I just inherited a ton of stamps from early 20s up. I'm completely overwhelmed
How fun. Is this your first time stamp collecting? And are you going to take up the hobby? Overwhelmed is a common feeling with almost every new batch of stamps. Take it bit by bit and enjoy what you have. I sort first by country usually. Then I work through one of them, knowing that I have a bunch of fun waiting in that overwhelming pile when I'm ready for the next one.
And I think I'm going to pass the baton on to someone who is more qualified and who has an appreciation for it
Thanks for putting in the hard work to make the identification of these series more approachable. I still need to improve my identification of perforations though! Good series to work onthat particular skill.
One suggestion for a future video - small treasures that can be found in some vintage USPS stamps - in particular some from the period of the late 1960's to early 70's. A few of these stamps could be checked for tagging with a UV short and long wave light. The presence or absence of it on stamps from this period can differentiate between a very common one and scarce one. Rarely will you have a stamp worth thousands but you may find a stamp that would be worth a few dollars versus a few cents - one example is the Mississippi Statehood stamp from 1967 (Scott 1337 and 1337a). I only have a shortwave UV flashlight so I usually do not check unless the difference is quite significant. One example is Arkansas Navigation 6 cent (Scott 1658 and 1658a).
To find a vintage stamp series that has a rich variety of perfs and formats new collectors can try the flag stamp issues from the late 1960's into early 1970's also.
Good suggestion. I'm aware of tagged vs. untagged in some of the regular issues. I also recently became aware of the broken-hat version of the Columbian stamp. Such an interesting topic.
I love those 1908 Washington Franklin stamps !!!! Very interesting your entire video !!
Thanks for watching! I enjoy your videos too
Great video!! Love these Washington/Franklin issues!
Me too
Another great video, Ken. This set isn't my cup of tea, but I appreciate your decision tree process. I remember reading a blog years ago (Apfelbaum?) where he hypothesized that during the Washington-Franklin era, philately was extremely popular in the US, but the US issued very few stamps. Philatelic appetites were not satisfied. So philatelists 'created' more stamps for their albums by treating these minor die types to be 'major' items. Hence the major catalogue numbers that exist to this day in Scott, where any other country / catalogue would list the die type differences as minor varieties, if at all. I'm not a US collector, so the story may be so much fluff, but I like the idea that there was a time that postal services weren't issuing *enough* stamps! 😂PS - I start looking for a new video on your channel every weekend. So grateful for what you're doing.
That's so interesting. I can see how if you were a collector back then, you'd be looking for more fun in your collection. I hope it's true. Glad you are enjoying my channel.
Hi Ken, I stumbled across your channel this weekend and watched several of your videos. This Washington/Franklin video and how you break it down via 3 puzzles or categories makes perfect sense. I am going to try this method on my collection. Thanks for sharing.
So glad it was helpful. Love to hear how it goes for you
I'm still sorting a couple large lots, but now I know what to pull out into a separate bag and hopefully in the next month I will dive in. Thanks for the information. It will be extremely helpful.
I'm still sorting a couple large lots, but now I know what to pull out into a separate bag and hopefully in the next month I will dive in. Thanks for the information. It will be extremely helpful.
I'm still sorting a couple large lots, but now I know what to pull out into a separate bag and hopefully in the next month I will dive in. Thanks for the information. It will be extremely helpful.
I'm still sorting a couple large lots, but now I know what to pull out into a separate bag and hopefully in the next month I will dive in. Thanks for the information. It will be extremely helpful.
Ken, the watermark is the most difficult aspect of this series. In fact it is for ne the biggest distraction. Perf 12 always comes with a watermark. Still feel it is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Those watermarks are tough, and in some cases, you can't see them at all. Hate that.
Hi Ken. Thanks for another hugely informative video, well presented. I really like the methodical procedures. I don't collect USA stamps, or see myself collecting them in future, but one never knows. Nevertheless, knowledge about something makes it so much more enjoyable. One encounters collections with US stamps, or see videos with US stamps etc., and knowing more about what one is seeing, lets one appreciate and understand more. 🙂
I'm glad you stopped by to watch
What countries do you collect from ? I just inherited a ton from all over the world
Me or GreatStampAdventure. I collect mostly regular issues from all over the world.
I think you asked Ken, but just in case: I relatively recently (well, already a year ago) started collecting. I so far chose a few countries and topics to collect, but in reality I am still collecting worldwide for now. Wow, what a wonderful inheritance!!!! You must enjoy all the stamps! @@user-fy1vs9co5p 🙂
Recently inherited quite a few steps that came from a famous person who are the not name. Please contact me if you're interested in looking at some of these very old Washington Franklin as well as China and Iraq stamps
How fun. I hope you are a collector now. I'm always happy to look. I never buy stamps from this channel, but I have a blog entry with suggestions for selling listed in my about page.
Thank you for the video on one of the more challenging areas of US philately. Evidently there were numerous complaints about the 1902 series, so it was suggested that all US stamps show this particular portrait of George Washington; as the father of the country. The Postmaster General adopted this suggestion, along with keeping the portrait of Benjamin Franklin as the father of the Post Office. This, until the 1922 series came out. I find it rather easy to separate the offset printing as those stamps have a different appearance from the engraved issues. If I am correct, when these stamps were current, there were complaints about the appearance of the offsets. There is a very rare variety that may be worth mentioning. Due to a malfunction in the perforating process, a few of the perf 11 stamps have either the top or bottom side perforated 10. These are quite rare, but who knows when one could show up. One time I purchased an old album for about $25, and found a perf 10 five cent carmine, so anything is possible.
I can see the difference in the offset issues, but I'm never sure enough about them to trust my gut. They look "flat." haha. I mean, there's something about them that don't pop. I don't know if it's sharpness, or color fading, or what.
Is that 10x11 stamp one of the 1 cent Greens? I didn't call out all those perf differences, for sure. Perhaps I should have!
Aside from the difference in appearance , the key to recognizing the offset issues is in knowing the die types that were used for the 2 and 3 cent values. The die types used with the offsets were not used with the engraved issues. The die types used with the engraved issues were not used with the offsets. These types are fairly easy to recognize, and they make it easier to separate the engraved issues from the offsets. The gray green color of the offset 1 cent makes it easy to distinguish it from the green 1 cent engraved stamp. The offsets were only perforated 11; imperforate; and 12 1/2 for the 1 cent only. They may also be found with vending machine perforations. The 1 cent perf 10 x 11 is Scott 542 and is not rare. The stamps that are rare are perforated 11 on three sides and perf 10 on either top or bottom. Scott lists 12 values, from 1 to 50 cents, with that rare variety. There was a problem with the horizontal perforations in a row so, as a temporary fix, a horizontal row of a few sheets of each affected value was made to be perf 10. When this was repaired, all rows went back to being perf 11.
Thanks for all this
I have the 3 cent Washington. Found it randomly. I don't collect at all. Its post marked. Is it worth anything?
Most likely, it’s very common. There are some rarer ones, but even those aren’t wildly valuable. Happy collecting
Thanks for this video.I have several hundred assorted values of these and need to catalogue them. Looks like u sort them like I have in the past . i have never delved into the booklet types. How do u tell the difference between the ones that have straight edges on sheets and a booklet stamp? I do have a digital microscope for the close detail and differences in paper such as rag . I do have a pair of coils that have a clear patch from the making of the coils. I also have some shermacks but few. Actually a lot of the trimmed looking stamps were hand cut in the mail rooms of large businesses at the time.the same actions were made when perforating stamps for company use only or so i was told.Person said that getting the stamp with a Number on it mattered more than if it was perforated or not or looking perfect. just stick it on the letter the post office would take it idea. Some companies mailed thousands of letters per day.
On those booklets, I haven't figured that out yet. I noticed on some there is a guide line, I'm guessing those are sheet edges, but I'm not sure.
I've heard of those coil splices, but haven't seen one yet. Fun find.
Enjoy yours
Is there an app that I can show the stamp and get the value of the stamp right from my collection at home is there a catalog I have to buy or what is the app please
I don’t know of an app, but a lot of people use google image search to get links to web pages suggesting values. The Scott catalog is the gold standard for US stamps. Most libraries have a copy. They can be expensive to buy, but used ones aren’t too bad. Borrow first to make sure it meets your needs. And realize that catalog values are about 10x what you can sell for
My friend was going through old photo albums and found a post card collection from about 1912 to 1955. A couple dozen are the one cent Washington and Franklin varieties..maybe 4-5 different ones. Shouldshe buy a book? What’s the best way to value and possibly sell them?
How fun. Those early postcards are quite common, probably not valuable, but sometimes they can have some value based on the postcard itself. I don't know much about those. I wouldn't recommend buying a book unless she wants to start collecting. Start first by borrowing one from the library. Most local libraries have a Scott catalog.
I wrote a blog post about my limited advice for selling a collection: kensstampcollection.blogspot.com/2023/09/kens-advice-on-selling-stamp-collection.html
I hope that helps.
Hello brother Very useful video❤ Thanku
Glad you watched
Hi how you doing I have cuple Washington stamps how to know if san valuable ?
Such a great question! The first step is identifying what you have using the techniques from this video, perforations, watermarks, etc. Then, you'll be able to figure out the catalog number. You can look up on eBay for what those catalog numbers are selling for (not what they are offered for). Or, you could probably check out a Scott catalog from your local library. For these stamps, you can guess that they are worth about 10-20% of the listed catalog value, depending on the stamp and its condition.
Thank you
maravilha...por favor com possível tradução
Gracias.
Tengo que confiar en la traducción automática. No sé español lo suficiente como para traducir. ¿La autotraducción no funciona?
I have a few stamps i would like to sell.. where do you suggest?
If you are interested in advice about how to sell a collection, I'm not very good at that, but what limited information I can share, I've put in my blog here: kensstampcollection.blogspot.com/2023/09/kens-advice-on-selling-stamp-collection.html
I have over a thousand pieces what are they worth
Very hard to tell without more detail. Could be worth as little as $10 up to the sky’s the limit. Your best bet is to find a dealer you can trust and bring them to them in person. You could also get a catalog from the library if your up for that. Expect to get about 10% catalog value with some patience; less if you sell as a lot. Honestly, most collections are worth less than $100.
Hi Ken my name is Melissa and does my husband Mike
Welcome to the channel
i have a stamp collection I inherited but they are all hinged so probably all worthless
Don't be so sure. While most inherited collections are of low value, some aren't. And, it's not unusual for valuable older stamps (Pre-1920) to be hinged. If your modern stamps are hinged, then, yes, that would be an indication of a lower value collection. Still, there's always sentimental value.
well, I know nothing about than he stopped doing stamps in 70a and 80s
thanks for the video. I have US stamps if you are interested . 1908 etc...
Aw, thanks. I'd love it if you found a new collector who could enjoy them.
@@KensStampCollection do you know any? . I can send to your mailbox
Not really - but, perhaps they will make themselves known in this comment and you two can connect that way.
Bom dia tenho 1270 stamp word rare pra vender original $30.000
I don't buy stamps or collections through this channel. And if you are interested in advice about how to sell a collection, I'm not very good at that, but what limited information I can share, I've put in my blog here: kensstampcollection.blogspot.com/2023/09/kens-advice-on-selling-stamp-collection.html
I have a Red TWO CENTS Washington
Sounds like you have a whole lot more than that. Have fun with it
Actually, the best way to identify these series is to get a Micarelli identification guide.....really is not much trouble at all with that resource at your disposal.
Thanks for the reference
I have something similar, could someone rate it for me?
Oh, excellent. There are a number of on-line stamp forums where you can share what you have and get feedback. There are also catalog at the library which can give you a decent idea of what you might have. Good luck!
Thank you
Hi I m from pakistan
I have a 3 stamps of uk I sale my stamps
Welcome to my channel! I don't buy stamps or collections through this channel. If you are interested in advice about how to sell a collection, I'm not very good at that, but what limited information I can share, I've put in my blog here: kensstampcollection.blogspot.com/2023/09/kens-advice-on-selling-stamp-collection.html
I have a 1922 George Washington green 1 cent stamp. Attached to a Christmas post card from December 24th 1922.
Old Christmas cards are great
@@KensStampCollection i havent bought a guage. If i have 11 then its very valuable hooefully ill find out.
Oh, you don’t need a gauge for one stamp. Count the number of perfs in 2 cm. That’s the gauge. Good luck!
I have a $.13 if you wanna buy it😅
Thanks! I make it a policy not to buy through this channel.
Honestly, even as an avid philatelist such as myself, I cannot begin to be enthused about collecting all the varieties of these series. Why? The vast majority are worthless, their attractiveness mediocre, and the differences in design so minor that you would have to be clinically dignosed as obsessive compulsive to WANT to complete the series! I own the high values mint and will retain the low denominations only if they fall into my lap and are in perfect condition. I have better things to do with my time......like watching my grass grow. ;-) I have the money and one day may ask a dealer to put the series together for me and give it to myself for Christmas....😅 I am only slightly more enthused about collecting shade varieties of the 1861 series.....gawd!
Feeling grumpy today?
@KensStampCollection My emoji should tell you I was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But, like many collectors, I find no joy identifying stamps of these series. Your method is not bad, but a Micarelli truly makes it almost effortless. Do you have one?
@@patiencezero-xc9zl I haven’t got one yet. I’ll check it out at the Spellman, they certainly have a copy. I’m assuming you are being tongue in cheek, yes