Excellent research! This is exactly how stamp collectors have reconstructed early 1850's plates.

I agree wholeheartedly. As an "esoteric" collector I really enjoy putting puzzles together too. Once again, great work by all ...

Pat has done some amazing work. To out it in some context, for the stamps the sheet size was known, and blocks were and are available. More so in the 30's when the plating work began, plus back then the stamps were relatively inexpensive.

Obviously for T206, the sheet size isn't truly known, and there's no blocks. So to assemble so much of a sheet based on flaws that cross from one card to the next is a rather impressive achievement.

Steve B

Hi Pat

Took a look at some of the backs on my cards tonight. My J.J. Clarke has a plate scratch going through the "150" on the top of the card back. I can get you a scan if you want.

Jantz

I just located a scan of one of the four missing spots on this sheet and it's
one that we have been speculating about but didn't assign because we
didn't have solid proof.

Chris B and I have been emailing back and forth about the SC 150/649
matching pairs. Based on the matching pairs we were trying to break the SC150/649's down into two groups (Sheets).

I was using this plate scratch sheet which has one 649 in each slot to help breakdown the two groups and it got me thinking about this Sheckerd/Goode Sc 150/30 miscut that Brian W had posted scans of (thanks Brian).
Attachment 250952

One of the missing spots on this plate scratch sheet is next to Goode.
Attachment 250953

I had searched for a Sheckard that matched Hinchman many times with no luck
but I hadn't checked for any in awhile until this morning and I found this one
that matched Hinchman which is right next to Goode.
Attachment 250954
Attachment 250955Attachment 250956
Attachment 250960

Great work Pat!

I'm really happy with the progression of this sheet the last two days.

The most recent discovery is a little involved and I'm terrible at trying
to explain these things via a computer but I'll give it a try.

I was pretty sure before but now I'm positive this sheet mirrors a SC150/649
sheet and I think this is one of two 649 sheets that were printed.

The recent Sheckard discovery left only two spots on this sheet that remained
with an unconfirmed 649 subject.

The names and empty slots (?) in red are the 649's.
Attachment 251101

While working on the 649 same sheet position matching pairs combo I
came up with these two.
Attachment 251102

Neither Bransfield or Ewing were on this sheet so if this PD150 sheet
mirrored a 649 sheet and there were only two sheets which I believe
is the case Branfield or Ewing would have to match one of the two
unfilled spots.

I haven't found a Bransfield that matches what I consider the main (lower)
scratch subject. But I do have a Bransfield that has a vertical scratch.
Attachment 251104

I thought this Branfield could be a continuation of these two Conroy vertical scratches.
Attachment 251105Attachment 251106

While looking through Branfield scans I found this one that matches one of
the vertical Conroys.
Attachment 251107

I also found this Bransfield that I'm confident is a lighter version of a Conroy
secondary horizontal scratch.
Attachment 251111
Attachment 251112
Attachment 251113

Now only the Gibson slot remains to complete the empty 649 slot
and that would give us the layout of one 649 sheet and no layout
but all of the subjects that were on the 2nd sheet.

I'm amazed this came together so quickly. I'd figured on it taking a lot longer.

One thing I'm finding interesting.

I think the other group of the upper scratch fits to the right of the main field. And by the numbers, 17+7=24 so a 24 wide sheet with a few doubleprints satisfies the divisible by 17 group, and 24 or 12 satisfies the divisible by 12 group. I think it's entirely possible that both are right.

The clincher would be the numbers on something like the Hindu Sls, or the 649s. There should be 7 of each that are more common. (Or if you like, 10 that are tougher)

Steve B

I located the last remaining SC150/649 OP subject scratch for this sheet
and I'm pretty confident this completes the horizontal layout of a PD150
sheet that was also used for a SC150/649 printing. The only spot that remains to be
filled is the scratch that matches the O'Leary which should be a
non 649 subject if it follows the pattern of the other 16 horizontal positions.

The new scratch is this Bresnahan that matches Gibson.
Attachment 251519Attachment 251525
Attachment 251518
Attachment 251520Attachment 251521
Attachment 251522Attachment 251524

I also found this Conroy which was one of the secondary scratches missing from this sheet.
Attachment 251526
Attachment 251527
Attachment 251528

I think layout of the other 649 sheet can be established by comparing back
flaws and assigning their sheet position based on the subject they match from this sheet.

[QUOTE=Pat R;1601932]I'm really happy with the progression of this sheet the last two days.

The most recent discovery is a little involved and I'm terrible at trying
to explain these things via a computer but I'll give it a try.

I was pretty sure before but now I'm positive this sheet mirrors a SC150/649
sheet and I think this is one of two 649 sheets that were printed.

The recent Sheckard discovery left only two spots on this sheet that remained
with an unconfirmed 649 subject.

The names and empty slots (?) in red are the 649's.
Attachment 251101

While working on the 649 same sheet position matching pairs combo I
came up with these two.
Attachment 251102

Neither Bransfield or Ewing were on this sheet so if this PD150 sheet
mirrored a 649 sheet and there were only two sheets which I believe
is the case, Branfield or Ewing would have to match one of the two
unfilled spots.

I haven't found a Bransfield that matches what I consider the main (lower)
scratch subject. But I do have a Bransfield that has a vertical scratch.
Attachment 251104

I thought this Branfield could be a continuation of these two Conroy vertical scratches.
Attachment 251105Attachment 251106

While looking through Branfield scans I found this one that matches one of
the vertical Conroys.
Attachment 251107

I also found this Bransfield that I'm confident is a lighter version of a Conroy
secondary horizontal scratch.
Attachment 251111
Attachment 251112
Attachment 251113


I found a Bransfield that matches the Conroy from the main scratch on this sheet.
Attachment 259132
Attachment 259133