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:
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
| PLATE | PERIOD STAMPS FROM PLATE DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC | INNER LINES | ORANGE BROWN (#10)? | UPPER RIGHT DIAMOND BLOCK RECUT? | TOP LABEL BLOCK RECUT? | FRAME LINES | GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RECUT LINES |
| 1(e) | 1 Jul – 15 Aug, 1851 | Two (91) None (64) Right only (33) Left only (12) |
Only | About half with (rarely two) | Most with one straight line at top | Thin, but usually clear | All thin |
| 1(i) | 12 Jul – 15 Oct, 1851 | Same as 1e but often not as clear | Only | Same as 1e but often not as clear | Same as 1e but often not as clear | Same as 1e but often not as clear | All thin and often slightly blurred |
| 2(e) | 23 Jul – 1 Dec, 1851 | Two | Only | One straight line at top, except one which is gouged out | Always one straight line at top | Heavy and clear | Clear and fairly heavy |
| 0 | 6 Sep – 15 Dec, 1851 | Two | Only | Always one straight line at top | Always one straight line at top | All heavy | Clear and heavy |
| 5(e) | 19 Jul – 1 Dec, 1851 | Two (197) Right only (3) |
Only | Lightly – one straight line at top | Lightly – one straight line at top | All clear but somewhat light | Light but clear |
| 1(L) | 6 Oct 1851 – 15 Mar, 1855 | Two | No Experimental Orange Brown though (#11) |
Top gouged out except two which are not recut | Top gouged out | Strong and clear | Top half of upper right diamond block gouged |
| 2(L) | 7 Jan, 1852 – Mar, 1857 | Two | No | Same as 2e but sometimes fainter | Same as 2e but sometimes fainter | Same as 2e but sometimes fainter | Heavy and fairly clear. One or more frame lines usually weak at some point. Commonest plate. |
| 3 | 15 Jan, 1852 – Mar, 1857 | Two | No | One straight line at top, except two not recut | One straight line at top, except three not recut | All heavy | Clear and fairly heavy. “Three rows” plate. |
| 4 | 28 Mar, 1855 – 1 Sep, 1857 | None | No | Rarely | Always one straight line at top | Bottom line always heavy. Left line usually faint and too close to design | Faint left frame line, no inner lines, and recut upper and lower label blocks. |
| 5(L) | 13 Jul, 1855 – Mar, 1857 | Two faint (192) Right only (8) |
No | Lightly – one straight line at top | Lightly – one straight line at top | All recut. Often faint. | Recut lines are faint, especially inner lines. Many positions show spots of color from rust damage to the plate. |
| 6 | 18 Feb, 1856 – 1 Sep, 1857 | None | No | Not recut, except one | Not recut, except five | Four (rarely three) lightly | Bottom frame line always faint (at least part of way) except for top and bottom row positions, most of which were recut at least partially, a few fully. |
| 7 | 9 Feb, 1856 – 1 Sep, 1857 | None | No | Never | Never | Four (rarely three) lightly | Bottom frame line always faint (at least part of way) except for top and bottom row positions, most of which were recut at least partially, a few fully. |
| 8 | 14 Apr, 1856 – 1 Sep, 1857 | None | No | Never | Never | Four (rarely three) heavily | Heavy frame lines, especially bottom, but no other recutting. |
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. Please click image of chart to enlarge
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.
