Riverside Stamps
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Suspect Scott #352, Used Single.
If real this is a modestly expensive stamp with a Scott Catalogue value of $190.00 Used. The Experts Book states that the #352 is often faked by adding perforations at left & right and trimming top & bottom a Scott #343, adding perforations at left & right to a Scott #343S or trimming perforations off at the top & bottom of a Scott #331. Fakes can be made from the #331a booklet but that would mean trimming the perforations from the top and/or bottom and adding perforations to the left or right edges.
A check of the watermark reveals a normal double line “S” at the top of the stamp that reads horizontal which eliminates the possibility of a #331a booklet single being used to make the suspect.
The height of the suspect is 24.375mm at the left, 24.25mm at the middle and 24.5mm at the right, very much shorter than the ideal height of 25mm but according to The Experts Book height is not a determining factor for the #352.
Below is a comparison of the suspect’s perforations against the known good perforations of a Scott #331. As can be seen from the images below the suspects left and right perfs match the known genuine perforations. The left perforations gauge to 11.935 while the right perforations gauge to 11.99 which is within the tolerance. The perforations show the signs of being genuine.
The top edge shows the guide line and therefore is a natural straight edge. A search of the P.F. certificate database shows numerous genuine examples with a guide line at either the top or bottom edge. The bottom edge on the other hand is rough and wavy and in no way looks like a genuine B.E.P. cut edge, there are no indications of perforation remains on the bottom edge
Conclusion: In my opinion that the suspect is a Scott #331 with the perforations trimmed off the bottom and the top is a natural straight.
Reference material used:
- The Expert's Book. A practical guide to the authentication of United States stamps. By Paul W. Schmid.
As always comments and suggestions are always welcome.
To Contact Riverside Stamps:
Email:
Mike Girard - Owner / Operator / Web Master:
g1rardmn1099@comcast.net
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