The Plates
| Home Plates Plating Statistics Color Identifying #10s Philly Cancels Plate 5L Rust Links |
Nine different plates were used to print the 1851-57 Imperforate 3-cent
issue. Eight of these plates bore the plate numbers 1 through 8. The
ninth (actually the fourth plate placed into service), bore no plate number, and
thus was called plate 0 (zero) by Carroll Chase. The impressions of three of the nine plates were reentered one or more times with a transfer roll in attempts to deepen them. Plate 1 was extensively recut by hand after the second reentry, resulting in the third, or late state. These reworked plates, along with the original (first) states, are considered separate plate states, for a total of 13 plate states. Plates with two or more states are said to have had an early (e), intermediate (i), and/or late (L) state. The diagram and charts below briefly describe the history of the plates and inks, as well as the characteristics of recutting that enable plate identification: |
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Elements of the Stamp Design The diagram below illustrates the key elements of the stamp design. Knowledge of these elements is necessary for plate identification and for referencing recutting varieties.
Basic Plate Identification Guide
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History of Plates and Colors
The following chart, in two parts, shows a linear comparison of the progression of plates and colors for the issue. The months shaded orange represent the months the orange brown color was distributed. The months shaded red represent the months all other colors were distributed.
Approximate Months the Plates Were Used, and the Corresponding Colors
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PLATE |
1851 |
1852 |
1853 |
1854 |
1855 |
1856 |
1857 |
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1 Early |
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1 Intermediate |
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1 Late |
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2 Early |
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2 Late |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 Early |
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5 Late |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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0 |
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Approximate Distribution Months for Primary Colors |
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COLOR |
1851 |
1852 |
1853 |
1854 |
1855 |
1856 |
1857 |
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Orange-Brown |
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Brownish Carmine |
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Claret |
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Dull Red |
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Rose Red |
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Orange Red |
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Yellowish Rose Red |
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Some notable observations from the above chart are as follows:
The earliest known use of the 1851 orange brown was July 1st. The last
1851 orange browns were distributed to post offices in December 1851. In
the mid-1850s it was highly unusual for a stamp distributed to the public to be
used more than a few months after distribution. Therefore, imperforate
3-cent stamps bearing April, May, or June postmarks advertised as orange browns
should be eyed with suspicion, although scarce usages of 1851 orange browns in
the second half of 1852 are known.
Dating the the brownish carmine and claret shades to one of their two
distribution periods is a difficult matter since plates 2L and 3 were in use
during both periods. Identifying the stamp as a plate
1L impression is a sure way to eliminate the 1856 classification.
Likewise, brownish carmine and claret stamps printed from plates 4, 5L, 6, 7,
and 8 can only be 1856-57 impressions. Also, the Philadelphia CDS was used
only with blue ink until January 1854 when black ink began to be used
exclusively. So a
stamp printed in the brownish carmine or claret shade with a black Philadelphia
CDS surely is an 1856-57 printing. Stamps printed from plate 2L or 3 in
the brownish carmine or claret shade may be distinguished from their quality of
impression, as these plates became worn by 1855.
The appearance of the yellowish rose red shade coincides almost directly with
the temporary removal of plates 2L and 3 from service in late 1855. This
fact aids considerably in separating yellowish rose red printings from the
sometimes nearly identical dull reds. However, some plate 2L/3
printings are known in the yellowish rose red shade.