Plating The 3¢ U.S. Imperforate Stamp of 1851 - 1857

Acknowledgments

Robin Lund

Of course, acknowledgements MUST begin with Rob Lund and his Complete Plating of the 3¢ U.S. Imperforate Stamp of 1851 - 1857. Without Rob's incredible achievement, there was nothing for me to work with. Thank you Rob for being so supportive and answering all my questions.

The Platers

Platers who have achieved the complete plating of this issue are few. They deserve our recognition and honor. My "educated guess" of those who have achieved the complete plating include the following:

  • Dr. Carroll Chase (more than one complete plating)
  • Tracy W. Simpson
  • Leo J. Shaughnessey
  • A. S. Wardwell
  • Richard Cabeen
  • Bill Hicks
  • Dr. Gerald B. Smith
  • DeVere Card (his plating currently exists)
  • Wilbur F. Amonette
  • David W. Watt
  • Richard C. Celler (his plating currently exists)
  • Robin Lund (his plating currently exists)

Robert J. Lampert

Bob Lampert began mentoring me early in my journey with this stamp. He has been my valued sounding board during this process of turning spreadsheets into a web site. Bob's insight into the wide world of plating and his willingness to share everything he saw with nothing held back was appreciated more than he likely knows. I have enjoyed immensely our long phone conversations over the gory details of all the data table worksheets. Bob is also an expert on color and really sped up my learning curve on many issues. Thanks Bob for being there to support me!

2025 UPDATE: Bob was instrumental in driving me to update the Plating Wizard search logic! As all platers know, Bob is the current plating guru for this issue and has turned it into almost a full-time retirement side gig! Of course he has lots of more important things to fill his time, but his passion for plating keeps interfering. During my entire reprogramming process, Bob tested and advised daily with corrections and advice to make stampplating.com version 2.0 better than I would have done on my own.

Richard C. Celler Plating: When Dick Celler passed he provided that the honor of carrying on with his plating pass to Bob. Bob acquired Dick's plating and now, through his graciousness and committed desire to help platers plate their stamps, he is sharing these images with this study. Thank you Bob!

Richard C. Celler

Dick Celler passed away in 2021 from cancer. He was a treasured resource and always responded within hours to every single one of my novice emails with valuable information that helped me learn. Dick stands high above as the Grand Master of all things plating. Thanks Dick for all your expertise on display for all of us.

Dr. Carroll Chase

A 374 page book on a single stamp? What's that all about? That is what got me hooked on this plating thing when I returned to stamps after too many years. Sure, I was tackling my U.S. Classics collection; but, working on this massive jigsaw puzzle hit all my buttons. It had order, analysis, art, history, potential completion, reasonable rarity, and would not be an entire waste of time. It provided me a practical reason to learn how to build a web site. This is a great hobby! How the stars aligned when Dr. Chase was ill and trying to fill his time with this stamp must be a very interesting story. But, this whole thing really appealed to me. Thank you Dr. Carroll Chase for starting it all.

DeVere Card, Mark Friedman, David Watt, Dick Celler, Bill Amonette, and others

DeVere Card, Mark Friedman, David Watt, Dick Celler, Bill Amonette, and others developed their own Plating Systems, whether they were notes of shortcuts, list of what to evaluate first, or complex systems such as DeVere Card's amazing 52 charts that analyzed all 2,600 stamps!

Version 2.0 attempts to achieve at least part of what they were hoping for by expanding the Plating Wizard from the Chase recuts to many additional search criteria, mostly driven by DeVere Card's work. Thanks to all for your ideas that provided the inspiration to continue the development of the Plating Wizard!

Richard Celler (One more time) and Elliot Omiya

Dick and Elliot's work on reliefs is just amazing. I have read their articles many times and each time something new sticks. Thank you for doing this research and explaining it so well.

The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, American Philatelic Research Library, and The Smithsonian National Postal Museum

I relied heavily on many resources from the USPCS, rare information from APRL, and the Chase Photos from the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Hopefully, I have done them all some justice with this educational study of the 3¢ imperforate stamp. Thank you very much for your resources. Links to these amazing organizations are below:

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✓ Detailed plating reports with position identification
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💎 Stamps Available for Sale or Trade

From Bryan O'Doherty: I have hundreds of duplicate stamps from this issue available for sale or trade. Looking for specific positions to complete your plating or collection? I might have what you need!

✓ Hundreds of positions available
✓ All 13 plates represented
✓ Contact me for pricing & availability
✓ Perfect for completing your collection

📚 Advanced Plating Reference Library

🎨 Chase-Color Study

Comprehensive color analysis of the 1851-57 3¢ issue. Explore color varieties, printing timeline, and plate-by-plate color progression with detailed charts and examples.

📋 DeVere Card System

Historic plating system and reference charts from legendary plater DeVere Card. View original plating diagrams, position charts, and Card's innovative classification method.

About Me

June 2015, I returned to stamps after a 42-year hiatus. After plowing through my long untouched storage boxes, stamps stuck again - and with a passion. The online auctions and research resources, nonexistent in 1973, had a lot to do with that. In the Fall of 2016 I got very interested in the 3¢ plating. I also wanted to learn to build a web site. So, with no experience, I dove into building the first version of www.stampplating.com. It was a steep learning curve: manually converting my Excel data into a database, figuring out how web servers work, spending about a year teaching myself HTML, CSS, JavaScript and a PHP web framework called Laravel. The result launched in early 2018 and has served the 1851 3¢ stamp plating community, running reliably for almost eight years. In 2018, I had ambitious plans for a quick "version 2.0", but life got in the way and the project sat unchanged.

The Rebuild (October 2025): While the original site still worked, the technology landscape had evolved significantly and I wanted to learn the new stuff! I thought reprogramming stampplating.com with new tech would be a wonderful challenge. This time the process was dramatically different: AI coding assistants like Claude in Cursor could now help translate ideas into working code in hours instead of months. In just two weeks, with AI assistance, I rebuilt the entire site using Python/FastAPI, dramatically improved the Plating Wizard with live responsive stamp filtering, four-state logic controls, text searching, and more! What took a year in 2017-18 happened in days this time—not because AI wrote everything, but because it could explain concepts, catch mistakes, and help solve problems that would have taken me weeks to debug alone. The data remains exactly the same—the work of Chase, McDaniel, and countless USPCS contributors—but now it's wrapped in tools that make plating more accessible and systematic. Enjoy!

Resources

Throughout this study, I do not believe I have added ANY new knowledge; however, I have certainly encountered an amazing amount of existing information. Gathered here are important items that helped me understand this stamp. Please note there is some duplication of information from other sections of this study:

Data Tables:

This link provides you a downloadable Excel Workbook with multiple worksheets providing Plating Details For All 2,600 Positions and detailing the evolution of Chase to McDaniel version 1 and McDaniel version 2 plating information. Some of the more important worksheets included within the workbook are described below:

1. "Chase", which presents both the Summary Tables of Plating Characteristics and line detail for each of the 2,600 stamps and the 3,311 related recuts published by Chase;

2. "McDv1", which presents both the Summary Tables of Plating Characteristics and line detail for each of 2,600 stamps and the 3,431 net related recuts published in the first series of Condensed Plating Information between 1973 and 1977;

3. "CURRRENT PLATING - McDv2", which presents both the Summary Tables of Plating Characteristics and line detail for the current (to my knowledge) state of the 3,486 recuts published in the second series of Condensed Plating Information articles between 1992 and 2006;

4. "Detailed Changes to Chase", which presents both the Summary Tables of Plating Characteristics and line detail for each of the 2,600 stamps with only the changes to Chase from both McDv1 and McDv2 identified; and,

5. "Condensed Changes to Chase"; which presents only those stamp positions that changed during from Chase's original work and today.

This workbook is downloadable in a protected file. If your really want an unprotected Excel workbook, please contact me directly to discuss.

Finally, this table is the most concise representation of each of the 2,600 positions, and works just fine as a quick and simple data source for the plating. It has a small fraction of the information included in the workbook: Download this pdf

    

The 3c Stamp of the United States 1851-1857 Issue, by Dr. Carroll Chase:

Dr. Chase's bible of the 3¢ stamp is now Public Domain digitized by Google and downloadable at Hathitrust.org

    

Color Samples:Download this pdf

    

Amonette and Hulme article regarding Color:

This article appeared in USPCS Chronicle 206, published in May 2005. The public may directly research and access all USPCS Chronicle articles that are more than five years old. Members may access all material. The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society is the most important and vital organization for classic United States stamp collecting. If you are not yet a member, Please Join! at https://www.uspcs.org All rights and credits go to the USPCS. Download this pdf

    

Timeline of printing by each plate and colors used:

This chart visually presents major colors, printings, plates, and catalog numbers in a monthly timeline. It is best printed in 11" x 17". Download this pdf

    

The Toppan Carpenter Plates and the Guide Reliefing Method:

The following two articles are included in the superb out of print book, The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: A Sesquicentennial Retrospective, editors Skinner and Peterson, published in 2006 by the USPCS and available for download online via the APRL (American Philatelic research library). Available at - https://archive.org/details/The1851IssueOfUnitedStatesStampsASesquicentennialRetrospective . All rights and credits go to the USPCS. Download this pdf

    

A Detailed Study of the 3¢ 1851 Relief Characteristics:

Download this pdf

    

Platers' Signatures:

Below is a work in process collection of Platers' signatures. A goal over the next month or two is to show each plater's handwriting for the numerals 0 through 9, and the letters R, L, I, and E.

DeVere A. Card Plating System:

The APRL is a wonderful research library. I found the following two items of information regarding DeVere Card's personal plating system when searching through APRL. When I asked to be able to distribute them to our 3¢ study group, they said if my purpose was non-commercial, I was good to go. So, here they are: Download this pdf

    

DeVere A. Card Correspondence with Tom Alexander re his Plating System:

Download this pdf

    

Reference Books and Articles:

The following books and articles were of particular interest in building this study:

  1. Carroll Chase M.D., The Three Cent United States Stamp of the Issue of 1851, Revised (Springfield MA: Tatham Stamp & Coin Company, 1942), 1-374.
  2. Carroll Chase M.D., "Additional Notes Applying to Dr. Carroll Chase's Book," 3c '51-'57 Chronicle, no. 2 (November 15, 1948): 6-7.
  3. Carroll Chase M.D., "Additional Notes Applying to Dr. Carroll Chase's Book," 3c '51-'57 Chronicle, no. 3 (February 26, 1949): 9.
  4. Tracy W. Simpson, "Reconstructed Plates at CENEX," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 4, no. 3, Whole No. 12 (December 1951): 4.
  5. Tracy W. Simpson, "3ct Reconstructed Plates," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 5, no. 1, Whole No. 13 (March 1952): 7.
  6. Tracy W. Simpson, "Plate Reconstructions," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 12, no. 4, Whole No. 72 (November 1971): 198-199.
  7. William K. McDaniel, "The Three Cent Issue of 1851-1861: Condensed Plating Information," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 25, no. 1, Whole No. 77 (February 1973): 13-22.
  8. Wilbur F. Amonette, M.D., "Color Study of the Three - Cent Stamp of the United States 1851-57 Issue," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 25, no. 2, Whole No. 78 (May 1973): 85-91.
  9. William K. McDaniel, "Condensed Plating Information-Additions & Corrections," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 25, no. 4, Whole No. 80 (November 1973): 205-206.
  10. David T. Beals III, Thomas J. Alexander, "Where Have All The Platers Gone?," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 28, no. 4, Whole No. 92 (November 1976): 249.
  11. William K. McDaniel, "The Three Cent Issue of 1851-1857, Condensed Plating Information-Revisions," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 29, no. 3, Whole No. 95 (August 1977): 162-163.
  12. William K. McDaniel, "PART 1: The U.S. Three Cent Postage Stamps of 1851-57: A Compilation of Recut and Plate Varieties (Revised Edition)," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 44, no. 3, Whole No. 155 (August 1992): 168-180.
  13. William K. McDaniel, "PART 2: The U.S. Three Cent Postage Stamps of 1851-57: A Compilation of Recut and Plate Varieties (Revised Edition)," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 44, no. 4, Whole No. 156 (November 1992): 244-249.
  14. William K. McDaniel, "PART 3: The U.S. Three Cent Postage Stamps of 1851-57: A Compilation of Recut and Plate Varieties (Revised Edition)," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 45, no. 1, Whole No. 157 (February 1993): 31-39.
  15. William K. McDaniel, "The Type I 3¢ 1851-57 Stamps: A Previously Unlisted Recut Variety," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 52, no. 1, Whole No. 185 (February 2000): 30-31.
  16. William K. McDaniel, "The Type I 3¢ 1851-57 Stamps: A Previously Unlisted Recut Variety," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 52, no. 4, Whole No. 188 (November 2000): 252-253.
  17. Wilbur F. Amonette, M.D. and Wilson Hulme, "Color Study of the 3¢ Stamp of the United States 1851-57 Issue: An Update," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 57, no. 2, Whole No. 206 (May 2005): 103-107.
  18. Wilbur F. Amonette, M.D. and Wilson Hulme, "Color Study of the 3¢ Stamp of the United States 1851-57 Issue: Corrigenda," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 57, no. 3, Whole No. 207 (August 2005): 184-185.
  19. William K. McDaniel, "The Three Cent 1857-57 Recut Varieties: A Newly Listed Variety," The Chronicle of the U.S. Classic Postal Issues 58, no. 3, Whole No. 211 (August 2006): 184-185.
  20. Richard Celler and Elliot Omiya, "The Toppan Carpenter Plates and the Guide Reliefing Method," in The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: A Sesquicentennial, eds., Hubert C. Skinner and Charles J. Peterson (New Orleans): The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, 2006
  21. Richard Celler and Elliot Omiya, "A Detailed Study of the 3¢ 1851 Relief Characteristics," in The 1851 Issue of United States Stamps: A Sesquicentennial, eds., Hubert C. Skinner and Charles J. Peterson (New Orlenad: The U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, 2006
  22. Thomas Alexander Papers, "D.A. Card Plating Charts," American Philatelic research Library (Bellefonte, PA): Box 124.
  23. Thomas Alexander Papers, "D.A. Card Plating System," American Philatelic research Library (Bellefonte, PA): Box 161.

🟢 Stamps Available for Sale or Trade

I have hundreds of duplicate stamps from this issue available.

These positions are available for purchase or trade. If you're interested in any of these stamps to complete your plating or collection, please contact me using the button below each stamp. I'm happy to work with fellow platers on fair pricing and trades!

📝 Note on Availability

This list represents a sample of available stamps and is updated periodically. If you're looking for a specific position not shown here, feel free to contact me - I may still have it! Condition and pricing varies by stamp.

🏆 Request Professional Plating Services

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  • Scanner: Epson Perfection V600 is the plater's standard (or equivalent)
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Note: No physical stamps needed - Robert works exclusively from high-quality scans.

Upload Requirements:
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Please HELP! Stamps Needed for Improvement

⚠️ PLEASE HELP! These stamps urgently need better images or plating corrections.

I have never heard of a plating that is perfect - but I want this one to be! If you have one of these stamps for sale or trade, please contact me! I'm actively looking to purchase these positions to improve the accuracy and completeness of this plating study.

33R1L

📧 I Have This!

21L3

📧 I Have This!

73L3

📧 I Have This!

13L4

📧 I Have This!

40L4

📧 I Have This!

41L4

📧 I Have This!

79L4

📧 I Have This!

72R4

📧 I Have This!

78L5L

📧 I Have This!

13R5L

📧 I Have This!

35L5L

📧 I Have This!

75L6

📧 I Have This!

15R6

📧 I Have This!

87R6

📧 I Have This!

20R8

📧 I Have This!

Why These Stamps?

These positions have been identified by philatelic experts as needing better images or plating corrections. I am actively seeking to purchase or trade for these stamps. Your help in locating these positions is greatly appreciated!