5f171.webp

Posted on Dec 5, 2025

5¢ Olive

5F17.1

Plate Flaw in LL

Two line plate flaw in Lower Left. We may actually be able to tell the story of this one.The "Early Plate Position Pair" (see above, to the right of Multiples) shows the Upper Left corner of a pane of the 5 Cent which appears to be from an early printing. Note the intensity of colour in the letters of the Counter. Also note the position of the Guide Dot at the Upper Left of stamp 1 and the vertical Guide Line which goes from stamp 1 into the top margin. There is a small section of shading to the left of the guide line in the top margin (to the left of the 'F'.) In this early print, stamp 1 does not show any damage.The "Late Plate Position Pair" shows wear in the letters of the counter, particualrly so in the 'F' and 'C'. The Guide Dot, the Guide Line and the shading to the left of the 'F' are still clearly present, but worn.The two generally parallel lines of Plate Damage in and above the left '5' of stamp 1 are now clearly visible.These two Upper Left Pane corners are very likely from the same plate and are markedly different from that of 5T8.1, which shows no Guide Line, a Guide Dot in the UL corner of stamp 1, but in a completely different position and illustrates the Retouch in the upper left.


Plate Flaw in Zone 17
Plate Position is Unknown

Earliest Recorded Use: Dec. 2, 1897
Latest Recorded Use: Jan. 10, 1898