Full Corners, Cut Squares and Cut-to-Shape

Oh boy...

**(You have to read the end of this post first! I figured out your problem at the end of typing all of this!!)**

OK: you can't be confused between these two Scott #s - the 'stamps' - designs - are completely different.

Very simple:

Are there 2 small heads on it? (Columbus & Liberty) (If yes, it is U348!)

If it is one large head, (Mr. Franklin!) then it is U76.

Since you said 'Columbus & Liberty' then my guess is U348.

ALWAYS - Pictures needed! As pictures are complicated on this site, links as examples:

This auction is for U348-U351 (yours should be the 1c blue in this auction!):

www.ebay.com/itm/US-U348-U351-set-MNH-cut-squares-/201830477246?hash=item2efe08adbe:g:4bAAAOSwfVpYrw6S

This one is U76:

www.ebay.com/itm/U-S-MINT-U76-CUT-SQUARE-CV-17-/391711438463?hash=item5b33d2367f:g:Ud8AAOSwOgdYrOg0

Now, let's learn how to understand the Scott catalog listing:

Looking at the listing for Scott #348:

The first entry - that should say '1c Deep Blue' - with mint price of $2.25 & used price of $1.25 (my Scott catalog is 2012 US Specialized in this case, so you may see slightly different prices) - that is the listing for a 'cut square' - in very fine condition, cut in a 'square' shape - with good margins all around. (Like in the auction listing!)

The 2nd entry - is the value/listing for an entire - meaning not a cut square - but an 'entire' envelope! See another auction listing for an 'entire':

www.ebay.com/itm/US-U348-U351-set-unused-entires-/201830445068?hash=item2efe08300c:g:ohMAAOSw2gxYrwdh

(Notice a much higher price!!)

The 3rd listing is for an entire, with a special cancel, and the same for the 4th listing. These listings (#2, #3, & #4) - are NOT variations - they are different items entirely - a cut square vs a full envelope.

The info printed above these listings explains the 4 'variations'. One of the main differences, for this stamp/stamped envelope, is periods - literally meaning a 'dot' at the end of a word, like when we type english sentences! You can compare your 2 copies to see which of the 4 'types' you have. In the full envelope ebay auction, on the 1c blue, you'll see 'periods' after the words America & Cent on that envelope. On the cut square auction, (the first one I pasted above) - you'll see 'periods' on the 1c & 5c but not on the 2c & 10c.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no watermarks on these envelopes/cut squares (U348) and I'd be very curious how you determined that - especially in a library! (You need a watermark tray & lighter fluid - they'd probably freak out if you were doing that in a library!)

As to colors: Scott doesn't mention any color variations on the U348 - they were all printed in deep blue. However: keep in mind - these are pieces of paper, printed in 1893 - 120 years ago. The printing quality of that day was not what it is today - and different print runs / batches - could've (& did!) have subtle variations in the ink. The ink quality of the day was also not the same as today. Further, environmental conditions - over the last 120 years - would also have had an effect on the color. So different 'shades' is common & expected - but not intended on this issue & not listed in Scott.

Like I said: cut squares are tough! (U348 is actually very easy. The U76 is much much harder - compare Scott 'design' #s U23, U34, & U35!) (Make sure you understand the difference between Scott # - U348 on your stamp - and the 'design' # - whicb is U76 on your stamp) - wait - that's your problem!! The first # is the scott # - the 2nd # - 'U76' - is the DESIGN Number!!

You have to learn how to 'read' the Scott Catalog first!! Look at the U348 listing. U348 - in 'bold' - is the Scott Catalog #. The 2nd # - 'U76' - is the 'Design' # - so you know what 'design' the stamp is - and it is listed next to the description of the picture, above the listings. Read the introduction/'how to use this catalog' section at the beginning of the catalog first!!! (next! before reading anything else!!)

Good grief! Another 'mystery' solved!!

I feel your pain, Edith! Back in the day when I believed I had to collect everything that had spaces in my Scott National album, I eagerly advanced to my pile of cut squares and ephemera. Eagerness soon became consternation followed by frustration and finally culminated in a hissy fit which involved gnashing of teeth and loud invective cursing which would have made my stevedore cousin blush. I am not a great fan of minutia (id est, “stamp collector” as opposed to “philatelist”), and my infatuation with this aspect of stamping soon waned into nonexistence. I removed the offending pages from my album and tossed them into the recycling bin.

Bobby my solution was similar.I scraped every printed page and use a blank slate.Catalogs often lack enough detail to be able to tell exactly what they are trying to tell you.Without multiple examples to compare it often ends up as you say #@*^#@!

A stockbook is a good idea. I will need to see what I can find on the magical ebay.

Oh... well, there goes that theory and all of my confidence for my history test tonight. 
Note to self#2: Studying history consists as much of paying attention to the dates as it does to the fascinating stories.
I'm off to study more!

All have the same watermark (Watermark 11) but show different segments of it that are oriented differently. Here is an image of the complete watermark and portions of it overlaid on three of the cut squares (not exact but close enough to get the idea).

Mystery solved! Thank you.

Expanding on Ryan 's description, here is a comparison showing one with no meridian and the other with the meridian.

Ok, I very tentatively think I have this batch sorted out. It is hard to capture the colors with my scanner, but this is pretty close. The oriental buff is a very "pinkish" paper, while u317 is only slightly pinkish, so I think it is that amber manila. (?)
The ones listed as u315 are clean enough that I think they were not originally white, so I guess that is manila. However, except for that one VERY white cut square in the u311 corner, I am not entirely sure what these ones are because they are either too dirty or too aged/yellowed for my untrained eyes to discern their true identity.

Today's challenge:



This is about 2/3 of the red 2c Washington batch. Wish me luck!

I will have you know that with my soon-to-be-found expertise I intend to charge per hour, however, I accept payment by check, PayPal, in stamps, or in lobsters.