Plating Wizard Guide: Mastering the Process of Elimination
🎯 The Core Philosophy: Plating is a Process of Elimination
Finding the correct plating position for your stamp is NOT about finding the perfect match immediately. Instead, it's about systematically eliminating stamps that don't match until you narrow down to a small, manageable set of candidates. The Plating Wizard is designed to help you eliminate stamps efficiently by filtering out those that don't share the characteristics visible on your stamp.
Think of it like this: You start with 2,600 possible stamps. Each characteristic you identify on your stamp (plate number, relief type, guide dot position, inner lines, recuts) helps you exclude stamps that don't have that characteristic. Your goal is to reduce those 2,600 possibilities to fewer than 25 stamps—or ideally, just a handful—that you can then examine closely to find your match.
How the Elimination Process Works
The Systematic Approach:
- Start Broad: Begin with 2,600 stamps (all positions from all plates)
- Identify Observable Characteristics: Look at your stamp under magnification and identify what you can see clearly
- Apply Filters Strategically: Use the wizard to eliminate stamps that don't match what you observe
- Watch the Count Drop: The live stamp count shows you how many possibilities remain after each selection
- Refine Until Manageable: Continue filtering until you have fewer than 25 stamps (ideally 5-15)
- Examine Candidates: Review the remaining stamps closely to find your exact match
💡 Key Concept: Every Selection Eliminates Stamps
When you select a plate number (e.g., "1E"), you're not just saying "show me 1E stamps." You're saying "eliminate all stamps that are NOT from plate 1E." This is why strategic selection is so powerful—each choice narrows your search space dramatically.
Understanding the Plating Wizard
The Plating Wizard is a powerful filtering tool that allows you to describe your stamp's characteristics and systematically eliminate stamps that don't match. Unlike the older "Classic Wizard," the Plating Wizard provides:
- Live Stamp Count: See in real-time how many stamps remain as you make selections
- Four-State Recut Controls: Precise control over how recuts are filtered (Ignore, Require, Include, Exclude)
- DeVere Card System: Advanced gap analysis and guide dot position codes with 12,625 integrated factors
- Clear Selections Button: Quickly reset all filters to start over
- Organized Sections: Logical grouping of characteristics for easier navigation
- Enhanced Descriptions: Clear, detailed descriptions of each recut variety with visual directional icons
The Wizard Sections: What to Filter and When
The wizard is organized into sections that follow a logical filtering sequence. Here's what each section does and when to use it:
| Section | What It Does | When to Use It | Impact on Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select Plates | Filters by plate number (1E, 1i, 2E, 5E, 0, 4, 6, 7, 8, 1L, 2L, 3, 5L) | If you can identify the plate from color, style, or other factors | Each plate has 200 stamps, so selecting one reduces possibilities to 200 |
| Select Reliefs | Filters by relief type (A, B, C) | If you can see the characteristic relief details in the design | Roughly divides remaining stamps by 2-3 |
| Select Guide Dots | Filters by guide dot location (None, Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left, Lower Right) | After checking the four corners for guide dots under magnification | Divides remaining stamps by approximately 5 |
| Select Primary Inner Lines | Filters by the 9 most common inner line configurations (#1-#9) | After examining the left and right inner lines carefully | Significantly reduces results—often by 70-90% |
| 🔄 Misplaced Relief | Filters stamps with misplaced relief transfers (four-state logic) | When you can identify characteristic misplaced relief features | Moderate reduction—varies by selection |
| 📍 Guide Dot Variations | Filters by specific guide dot patterns (4-state controls with stamp counts) | After identifying unusual guide dot configurations | Precise filtering—some variations affect fewer than 10 stamps |
| 📍 Margin & Centerline | Filters by position on the sheet (edges and center, four-state logic) | If you have margin stamps or can identify sheet position | Reduces to 10-26% of remaining stamps depending on selection |
| Advanced Recut Controls | Filters by 28+ specialized recut varieties in organized categories (four-state logic) | For fine-tuning when you still have too many results | Can reduce results to single digits with precise selections |
| 🔬 DeVere Card System | Advanced gap analysis, guide dot position codes, and frame line characteristics (12,625 factors integrated) | After basic filtering when you need precise identification; includes Guide Dot Position Codes, Frame Line Open Corners, Gap Analyses, and detailed segment/corner analyses | Ultra-rare guide dot codes (2-8 stamps) are extremely powerful identifiers; can pinpoint stamps with high accuracy |
| 💬 Chase Comments | Filters by common comment terms (RUST marks, re-entry, four-state logic) | When your stamp matches documented Chase characteristics | Moderate reduction—useful for specific cases |
| Comment Search | Text search within stamp comments/notes | For advanced users searching for specific documented characteristics | Varies widely depending on search terms |
Understanding the Live Stamp Count
One of the most powerful features of the Plating Wizard is the live stamp count displayed prominently at the top of the form. This real-time counter shows you exactly how many stamps remain after your current selections.
- Start at 2,600: All stamps are initially available
- Watch it drop: As you make selections, the count updates in real-time
- Aim for under 25: This is a manageable number to review manually
- If it hits 0: You've over-filtered—remove some selections or check your observations
- If it stays high: You need more specific characteristics to narrow results
The Four-State Recut Controls: Advanced Filtering
The Plating Wizard features sophisticated four-state controls for recuts, guide dots, margin filters, and Chase comments. Each option displays a stamp count showing how many stamps it affects, helping you identify rare characteristics that are powerful identifiers. These controls give you precise control over how characteristics are filtered:
| State | What It Means | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| ⚪ Ignore (default) |
This recut is not used for filtering at all | When you haven't looked for this recut or it's not relevant to your stamp |
| ✅ Require (AND logic) |
Show ONLY stamps that have this recut (Multiple "Require" selections = stamp must have ALL of them) |
When you're certain your stamp has this specific recut |
| 🔍 Include (OR logic) |
Show stamps that have ANY of the "Include" recuts (Useful for "could be this OR that") |
When your stamp might have one of several recuts but you're not sure which |
| ❌ Exclude | Show ONLY stamps that do NOT have this recut | When you're certain your stamp does NOT have this recut |
Understanding Require vs. Include:
- Require (AND logic): Use when you need ALL selected recuts to be present. Example: "I see recut #11 AND recut #15 on my stamp" → Set both to "Require"
- Include (OR logic): Use when you want stamps with ANY of the selected recuts. Example: "My stamp has either recut #12 OR recut #13, I'm not sure which" → Set both to "Include"
- Exclude: Use to eliminate stamps with specific recuts you definitely don't see. Example: "My stamp definitely does NOT have any triangle recuts" → Set all triangle recuts to "Exclude"
Strategic Filtering: A Recommended Workflow
Recommended Step-by-Step Process:
Step 1: Examine Your Stamp
Before touching the wizard, spend time with your stamp under magnification (10x minimum, 20x better):
- Look at the corners for guide dots
- Examine the left and right inner lines carefully
- Check the relief characteristics
- Look for any unusual recuts, lines, or markings
- Note the stamp's color and overall appearance
Step 2: Start with Guide Dots
Guide dots are often the easiest characteristic to identify definitively:
- Select the guide dot position you observe (or "None" if no dots are visible)
- This immediately reduces your search to approximately 1/5 of the stamps
- Watch the live count drop from 2,600 to around 500-600 stamps
Step 3: Filter by Primary Inner Lines
Inner line configurations are highly distinctive:
- Compare your stamp to the 9 primary inner line types (#1-#9)
- Select ALL types that could potentially match (it's okay to select 2-3 if uncertain)
- This typically reduces your results by 70-90%
- You should now be down to 50-150 stamps
Step 4: Add Relief if Visible
If you can identify the relief type:
- Select Relief A, B, or C based on the characteristic design elements
- This cuts your results by roughly half
- You should now be down to 25-75 stamps
Step 5: Apply Advanced Recut Filters (if needed)
If you still have too many results:
- Look for specialized recuts on your stamp
- Use the four-state controls to precisely filter:
- Require: "My stamp MUST have this recut" (AND logic)
- Include: "My stamp might have any of these recuts" (OR logic)
- Exclude: "My stamp definitely does NOT have this recut"
- This can reduce results to fewer than 10 stamps
Step 6: Add Plate if Known
If you can identify the plate (usually from color or other characteristics):
- Select the plate number(s)
- This can dramatically narrow results if done at the right time
- You should now have fewer than 25 stamps to examine
Step 7: Review Results and Find Your Match
With a manageable set of candidates:
- Click "🔍 View Results" to see the filtered stamps
- Compare each candidate to your stamp
- Look at the images and detailed descriptions
- Find your match!
🎯 Remember: It's About Elimination, Not Perfection
You don't need to identify every single characteristic on your stamp to plate it successfully. You just need to identify enough characteristics to eliminate stamps that don't match, leaving you with a small set of candidates. Sometimes 2-3 key characteristics are enough. Other times you'll need 5-6. The wizard adapts to your needs.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
❌ Mistake #1: Being Too Specific Too Soon
Selecting too many precise characteristics right away can over-filter and leave you with 0 results.
Solution: Start broad, watch the count, and add specificity gradually.
❌ Mistake #2: Not Using the Live Count
Ignoring the live count and making many selections blindly can lead to frustration.
Solution: Make one selection at a time and watch how the count changes. Learn what filters work best.
❌ Mistake #3: Confusing "Require" and "Include"
Using "Require" when you mean "Include" (or vice versa) can give unexpected results.
Solution: Remember: "Require" = ALL, "Include" = ANY. If uncertain, start with "Include."
❌ Mistake #4: Not Starting Over When Stuck
Getting 0 results or too many results and not knowing what to change.
Solution: Use the "↺ Clear Selections" button to reset and start fresh with a new strategy.
🎓 Strategy Examples & Case Studies
The best way to understand the elimination process is to see it in action. Here are realistic examples showing how to apply the wizard strategically to plate stamps efficiently.
📋 Case Study #1: The Quick Success
Scenario: You have a stamp with clear, easily identifiable characteristics.
Step 1: Initial Examination
Observation: Under 20x magnification, you identify:
- Guide dot in upper left corner
- Two normal inner lines (looks like #1)
- Relief appears to be type A (sharp details)
Step 2: Apply Filters
Action in wizard:
- Select Guide Dots: Upper Left
- Live count drops: 2,600 → 520 stamps (eliminated 2,080!)
- Select Primary Inner Lines: #1 (Two Inner Lines)
- Live count drops: 520 → 85 stamps (eliminated 435 more!)
- Select Relief: A
- Live count drops: 85 → 28 stamps (eliminated 57 more!)
Step 3: View Results
Outcome: 28 stamps to review - a very manageable number!
Total elimination: Started with 2,600, narrowed to 28 using just 3 characteristics.
Success rate: You eliminated 98.9% of stamps with simple, reliable observations!
✅ Lesson Learned
When you can clearly identify guide dots and primary inner lines, you can achieve excellent results with minimal filters. Don't over-complicate it - sometimes 2-3 characteristics are enough!
📋 Case Study #2: The Stubborn Stamp
Scenario: Your first filters left you with too many results, so you need to dig deeper.
Step 1: Initial Filtering
Your selections:
- Guide Dots: None (no guide dots visible)
- Primary Inner Lines: #3 (Right Inner Line Only)
Result: 2,600 → 520 → 92 stamps
Problem: 92 stamps is still too many to review one-by-one!
Step 2: Look for Advanced Recuts
Re-examine your stamp carefully:
- Look at the four corners - do you see any triangle recuts?
- Yes! There appears to be a single vertical line in the upper left triangle
- This matches recut #11
Action: Set recut #11 to "Require" (you're certain it's there)
Result: 92 → 12 stamps!
Step 3: View Results
Outcome: 12 stamps - perfect for detailed review!
Total filters used: Guide dots + Primary inner line + One advanced recut
Success rate: Eliminated 99.5% of stamps (2,600 → 12)
✅ Lesson Learned
When basic filters leave you with 50-100+ stamps, don't give up! Look carefully for advanced recuts. Even one additional characteristic can dramatically reduce your results. The key is to examine your stamp systematically, focusing on areas where you might find specialized recuts.
📋 Case Study #3: The Margin Stamp
Scenario: You have a stamp with selvage still attached, indicating it's from a sheet margin.
Step 1: Leverage the Margin Information
Observation:
- Your stamp has selvage at the top - it's from the top margin row
- Guide dot in lower right corner
- Primary inner lines: #2 (No Inner Lines)
Step 2: Strategic Filter Order
Action sequence:
- Margin & Centerline: Top Margin Row
- Result: 2,600 → 260 stamps (each plate has 20 top row stamps × 13 plates)
- Guide Dots: Lower Right
- Result: 260 → 52 stamps
- Primary Inner Lines: #2 (No Inner Lines)
- Result: 52 → 8 stamps!
Step 3: Easy Victory
Outcome: Just 8 stamps to review!
Success rate: 99.7% elimination (2,600 → 8)
✅ Lesson Learned
Margin and centerline information is extremely powerful. If you know your stamp's position on the sheet, use that filter first or second - it immediately eliminates 90% of stamps. Combined with guide dots and inner lines, you can often get down to single digits!
📋 Case Study #4: The Uncertain Plater
Scenario: You're not 100% sure about some characteristics - how do you handle uncertainty?
Step 1: Your Observations (with doubts)
What you see:
- Guide dot in upper right (pretty sure)
- Primary inner lines: Could be #1 OR #3 (hard to tell if left line is present or just very faint)
- Relief: Not sure - could be A or B
Step 2: The "Cast a Wider Net" Strategy
Action:
- Guide Dots: Upper Right (you're confident about this)
- Result: 2,600 → 520 stamps
- Primary Inner Lines: Select BOTH #1 and #3 (cover your uncertainty)
- Result: 520 → 185 stamps (still too many!)
- Relief: Leave unselected for now (don't filter on uncertain characteristics)
Problem: 185 is too many. Time to look deeper!
Step 3: Use "Include" for Advanced Recuts
Re-examine for any additional features:
- You notice something in the upper right corner area - could be recut #15 (triangle) OR recut #21 (diamond block)
Action: Set both #15 and #21 to "Include" (OR logic - stamp has one or the other)
Result: 185 → 23 stamps
Step 4: Review and Refine
Outcome: 23 stamps - manageable!
Review the 23 candidates. As you look at images, you realize:
- It's definitely recut #15 (not #21)
- The inner lines are clearly #3 (not #1)
Optional refinement: Go back, remove #1 and #21, set #15 to "Require" → might get down to 5-8 stamps!
✅ Lesson Learned
When uncertain:
- Select multiple options for primary filters (guide dots, inner lines) - it's OK to cast a wider net
- Use "Include" (OR logic) for advanced recuts when you see something but aren't sure exactly what
- Don't filter on characteristics you can't identify - it's better to have more results than zero results
- Review results iteratively - you'll learn as you go and can refine your filters
🔬 DeVere Card Plating System
Overview
DeVere A. Card (1930s-1980) developed a comprehensive plating system that goes far beyond traditional recuts. His work analyzed guide dot positions, frame line spacing, open corners, extended lines, and gap analyses. 12,625 DeVere Card factors have been integrated into the database, making this one of the most detailed plating analysis systems available.
DeVere Card worked for decades to develop his plating system, creating 52 plating charts (one for each 50-stamp half-pane across 13 plates). His systematic approach provides additional plating characteristics that complement Chase's traditional recut system.
DeVere Card Filter Categories
1. Guide Dot Position Codes
Describes exactly how the lower right guide dot interacts with frame lines, diamond blocks, and labels. 15 specific codes are available, each with stamp counts showing how many stamps have that characteristic. Ultra-rare codes (2-8 stamps) are extremely powerful identifiers!
Examples: B (touches bottom frame line - 322 stamps), BDL (touches bottom, diamond block, and label - 8 stamps ⭐), BDR (touches bottom, diamond block, and right side - 2 stamps ⭐)
2. Frame Line With Open Corners or Extended Lines
Identifies stamps where frame lines are open or extended at specific corners (Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left, Lower Right). These are visual characteristics that can be identified with careful examination.
3. Gap Analysis of Entire Left and Right Sides
Provides an "overall subjective judgment" as to whether the gap running the entire length between frame line(s) and the stamp body proper is "wider or closer than normal." Requires careful visual judgment.
4. Gap Analysis of The 4 Corners
Provides an "overall subjective judgment" as to whether each of the 4 corners has a gap that is "wider or closer than normal." Identify which corner has the closest gap and which has the widest gap.
5. Detailed "Closer/Wider" Segments & Corners Gap Analyses
For stamps WITH inner lines: 8-point analysis at specific position segments around the frame lines (1,797 stamp positions). For stamps WITHOUT inner lines: 4-point corner analysis where frame lines meet diamond blocks (919 stamp positions). This is the most advanced filtering option—use when you need extremely precise identification.
When to Use DeVere Card Filters
- After Basic Filtering: Use DeVere Card filters when traditional filters (guide dots, inner lines, recuts) still leave too many results
- For Precise Identification: Ultra-rare guide dot position codes (2-8 stamps) can pinpoint stamps with high accuracy
- For Advanced Platers: The detailed segment/corner analyses require careful visual examination and are best used by experienced platers
Strategic Approach
- Start with Guide Dot Position Codes: These are often easier to identify than gap analyses
- Use Frame Line Characteristics: Open corners and extended lines are visible with careful examination
- Progress to Gap Analyses: Use overall left/right side judgments before attempting detailed segment analyses
- Save Detailed Analyses for Last: The 8-point and 4-point systems are most useful when you've already narrowed to a small candidate set
Visual Reference: See the Et Cetera! section for all 52 DeVere Card visual charts. The wizard includes interactive diagrams showing the 8-point and 4-point analysis positions.
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Situations
What If I Get 0 Results?
You've over-filtered. Here's how to recover:
- Click "↺ Clear Selections" to start over
- Re-examine your stamp - were you certain about all your observations?
- Start with your MOST certain characteristic (usually guide dots)
- Add filters one at a time, watching the live count
- If count hits 0 after adding a filter, remove that last filter and reconsider your observation
Common causes of 0 results:
- Misidentified a characteristic (e.g., thought it was recut #12 but it's actually #11)
- Used "Require" when you meant "Include" for advanced recuts
- Selected incompatible combinations (e.g., certain recuts only appear on certain plates)
What If I Still Have 100+ Results?
You haven't filtered enough. Here's what to do:
- Did you use guide dots? This should be your first or second filter
- Did you identify primary inner lines? This is the most powerful single filter
- Look for advanced recuts - examine corners, triangles, diamonds, labels systematically
- Use DeVere Card filters - Guide Dot Position Codes can be extremely powerful (some affect only 2-8 stamps!)
- Check for relief type - even narrowing to 2 reliefs cuts results in half
- Use "Exclude" - if you know your stamp does NOT have certain recuts, exclude them!
Pro tip: If you have 100+ stamps and can't identify more characteristics, try sorting results by "Recut Count" - this groups stamps with similar characteristics, making manual review easier.
What If I Can't See Guide Dots?
Guide dots require good magnification and lighting:
- Use at least 10x magnification (20x is better)
- Use bright, focused light (natural daylight or a good lamp)
- Look just outside the frame line in each corner - dots are 1-2mm away from design
- Dots may be faint on some stamps due to printing variation or wear
- If truly absent, select "None" - that's a valid pattern!
Alternative strategy: If you really can't determine guide dots, leave that filter empty and focus on primary inner lines instead - they're often easier to see.
What If I'm Not Sure About "Require" vs. "Include"?
Use this simple decision tree:
"My stamp DEFINITELY has recut #11" → Set #11 to "Require"
"My stamp has either #11 OR #12, not sure which" → Set both to "Include"
"My stamp has #11 AND #15" → Set both to "Require"
"My stamp definitely does NOT have #11" → Set #11 to "Exclude"
"I haven't checked for #11 yet" → Leave at "Ignore"
When in doubt: Start with "Include" - it's more forgiving. You can always refine to "Require" after reviewing initial results.
🚀 Ready to Start Plating!
Your Plating Journey Begins Here
You now have all the knowledge you need to use the Plating Wizard effectively. You've learned the core philosophy (elimination, not perfection), mastered the features, and seen real-world strategies in action.
Head to the Plating Wizard →
Remember: Every stamp you plate successfully makes you better at plating the next one. Be patient, be systematic, watch the live count, and enjoy the process of discovery!