Sorting my 3-cent Small Queens - A Beginners Guide

I am a relatively new collector and by no means consider myself an expert.  When I first started acquiring Small Queen stamps the process of sorting and identifying them seemed almost intimidating, especially the 3-cent.  The subtle nuances of colour shade and paper types seemed almost impossible to decipher for a new collector.  I am offering a beginners guide, that is; a guide written by a beginner to describe the process I used to start making sense of my 3-cent Small Queen accumulation.

The 3-cent Small Queen comes in two major Scott/Unitrade numbers.  Here's the breakdown in very broad strokes.
#37 encompasses the first Ottawa and Montreal printings, basically 1870 to 1888.
#41 encompasses the Montreal Gazette printings and the second Ottawa printings, basically 1888-1897.
My aim was to positively identify my #37/41 stamps for placement in my alblum.

Step 1 - Forget the colour and paper varieties and stick to something concrete; measure the perforations.  Though perf'ing stamps can be a little tricky, if you can get a good perf measurement you will have an objective way to start sorting your accumulation.  Upon perf'ing your stamps you should end up with 5 basic piles.  Keep in mind that Small Queens may not exactly line up with these measurements, but try to find the closest match for each stamp.
-12 (or just under 11.75-11.9)
-11.5 x 11.75
-11.5x12
-11.75x12
-12x12.25
There is a rare 12.5 all around, #37d (copper or Indian red) but these are pretty hard to find.  If you find one, that's awesome, send it off to be certified!

First the easy ones; Perf 11.5 x 11.75, 11.5x12 and 11.75x12 are from the early Montreal period.  These are most likely #37.  Perf 12x12.25 are likely printed at the Montreal Gazette, or could be from the second Ottawa these are most likely #41. 

Perf 12 all around could be from the first Ottawa or second Ottawa so these will require further examination.

Step 2 - The perf 12 stamps will require a little closer examination.  Those measuring just under perf 12, so 11.75-11.9 are most likely from the first Ottawa period.  This can be verified by checking the grain of the paper weave.  Boil the kettle and place the stamp in the jet of steam, watch and see which way the paper curls.  If the top/bottom of the stamp curl up/down this indicates a horizontal weave, if the sides curl up/down the paper is of verticle weave.  Perf 12 (or 11.75-11.9) and horizontal weave is likely from the first Ottawa printing, so #37.  Perf 12 and a vertical weave is likely from the second Ottawa printing, so #41.

Step 3 - Sit back and look at the colours.  In my observation #37 tends to be duller in colour and appear a bit more red.  #41 appear bright and has a strong orange or vermillion shade.  If your perf and paper weave assessment follows true to this colour trend I think you can be pretty confident you have separated your 37s and 41s.

One Final Check - Have a look at the cancellations on any used stamps.  If you assume a stamp was used pretty close to its printing date this can help verify your sorting.  Remember though, a stamp may have been used later than when it was printed.  So a late cancel date may not totally exclude a stamp from an earlier printing period.  Again #37 were printing 1870-1888, #41 typically printed 1888-1890.

Hope this helps.  Again, this is a guide to how a beginner started to make sense of an accumulation of 3-cent Small Queens and is by no means a perfect or definitive guide.  Any corrections, additions, or further observations are absolutely welcome.