therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Feb 5, 2014 16:34:28 GMT
I've borrowed a micrometer from a friend so I've been examining some of my early issues a little more closely. The Unitrade catalogue makes a number of references to 'thin paper', 'thick paper' and 'very thick paper' particularly in regards to some of the First Cents Issue (#14, 15, 17, 18). There are also a few references to paper thickness in the listings for #4 and a few of the earlier Admiral printings. Sadly the only numeric measurement cited I could find is contained in a footnote for #15, refering to #15iii 'very thick paper'. The footnote expresses that the very thick paper measures from 0.0042 to 0.0045 inches. Does anyone know of any guidelines for thick/thin vs. normal paper for any Canadian issues?
I've measured and recorded the paper thickness of a number of my Province of Canada Issues so far. Here's a snapshot of my findings;
#1 3d Beaver on Laid Paper - 0.0020"
#4 3d Beaver on Wove Paper - 3 copies - 0.0020" (thin?), 0.0025" and 0.0030"
#4vii on thin oily paper - 0.0020" (purchased this stamp labeled as 4vii)
#8 1/2d Q. Victoria - 0.0030"
#12 3d Beaver perf 11.75 - 0.0030"
#14, 15, 17, 18 - 16 stamps measured.
All but one falls into the range - 0.0025-0.0030"
One copy #15 - 0.0035"
Based on my findings I want to call "normal" 0.0025-0.0030". And I want to call the #15 at 0.0035" thick paper. Does anyone have any other opinions, or some research to reference?
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Ryan
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Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,721
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Feb 5, 2014 22:01:15 GMT
I recall answering a similar question once on SCF, so here's my reply back then. This dealt specifically with Small Queens but I would imagine the paper thickness range to be the same on the older stamps as well.
Ryan
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Feb 5, 2014 23:46:45 GMT
Ryan, this is perfect! I will be measuring my Small Queen stamps next, likely over the weekend when I get a bit of spare time. I too think it's safe to assume the same thickness ranges translate to the earlier issues. This will definitely help narrow down the identity on some of my stamps!
I will post my Small Queen findings here when I am finished the measurements.
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Feb 9, 2014 22:04:08 GMT
Finished measuring my Small Queens in my main collection today. Most stamps fell within the medium range expressed in Ryan's post. Compared to the the first four issues the results were pretty similar with the majority, 32 of 43, stamps falling between the 0.0025-0.0030" range.
In total I measured 43 stamps from the Small Queen era, #34-45.
11 stamps measure in the thin range 0.0020-0.0026"
26 stamps measured in the medium range 0.0027-0.0034"
6 stamps measured in the thick range 0.0035-0.0040" and thicker.
Here are a few of the notable extremes;
#35a 1¢ orange perf 12 - 0.0040"
#35 1¢ yellow orange perf 12 - 0.0045" - Possibly 35ix? (thickest)
#36 2¢ green perf 12x12.25 - 0.0040"
#39 6¢ yellow brown perf 11.75x12 - 0.0022" (thinnest)
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Feb 16, 2014 18:48:46 GMT
Phase three of the paper thickness study took me to the Admiral Issue today. Only three of the listings in the Unitrade (2013) contain reference to paper thickness varieties, those being; 104 1¢ green, 107 2¢ green wet printings, and 114 7¢ brown dry printing. It seems the paper thickness was pretty consistent in the Admiral issue. George C. Marler reenforces this feeling in The Admiral Issue of Canada; Here are my findings for #104 1¢ green; 18 stamps were measured including straight edged stamps. 17 stamps fell within the range 0.0030 and 0.0035". 1 stamp measured 0.0040" appearing green. I have now labeled this one 104vi green on thick paper. The copy of 104vi was actually in my doubles/study book where I keep my 'seconds' as the stamp is not very well centred. Unitrade values 104vi with fine centreing at $15 so this one has been moved to my main collection.  Here it is, though the scan does nothing to express the paper thickness;  I measured my wet printing copies (two) of 107 and my only dry printing copy of 114 and they were all within the 0.0030-0.0035" range. |
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Post by nitrolures on Mar 15, 2014 3:16:39 GMT
What type of micrometer are you using? I don't yet have all the study references but am planning on jumping both feet into my large queens and hope to eventually have an example of all the duckworth paper varieties. The VGG technical report on the recent 32 goes into some great detail on the laid paper and comparisons as well as referencing thickness variances. 2c Large queen on laid paper #32 |
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Mar 15, 2014 20:18:05 GMT
Nitro, I am really no expert on micrometers. I borrowed this one off of a friend who used to be a machinist. The only markings on the unit are the range of measurement, being 0-1", and the precision, being 0.001". It's an analog unit with enough space between the witness marks that my measurement are estimated to the 0.0001" level of precision. All I really got from my buddy was the instrument in hand with a quick lesson on how to read/use it.
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firstfrog2013
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What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jul 28, 2014 18:49:12 GMT
from all descriptions I believe this may be the thick paper variety.Less than two hours into the queens and I'm nutso already.  |
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therealwesty
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Sorting my Small Queens
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Post by therealwesty on Jul 29, 2014 1:38:30 GMT
Do you have any way of accurately measuring the paper? The link earlier in this thread describes the general range for thin/medium/thick papers in the small queens.
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firstfrog2013
Member
Posts: 3,276
What I collect: BNA Liberia St Pierre U.S. Bolivia Turkey
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Post by firstfrog2013 on Jul 29, 2014 3:21:28 GMT
No way to measure but it is definitely "heavier" than the other hundred or so.
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Post by jimbooregon on Jul 23, 2015 13:40:07 GMT
Nuts, now I have to add micrometer to my "must-haves" 
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Post by jimjung on Jul 24, 2015 10:47:02 GMT
You can buy a micrometer that is made in china for about $50-60 on eBay. I have one and it works great !
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,721
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Jul 24, 2015 20:57:29 GMT
I use both a micrometer and a paper thickness gauge. The thickness gauge isn't as accurate but it's great for checking large numbers of stamps. It's far quicker than using a micrometer, which needs the spindle turned out far enough to get the next stamp in place for measuring. With a thickness gauge, you just press the lever with your thumb and the spindle retracts enough to easily get the stamp in place. If I need more accuracy I'll use the micrometer, but most of the time I use the thickness gauge.  Ryan |
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