The lines which border the stamp on all of its fours sides may show
signs of irregularity. Some plates wore better than others, and this
is
a further means of narrowing the possibilities of which plate a stamp
may have come from. The side frame lines or lateral borders of the
stamps
may show varying degrees of deterioration ranging from slight
irregularity to completely missing frame lines. The may also look
"wavy" or appear
to be double. The deterioration may also be seen effecting the
check letter or star squares.
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The deterioration of the frame lines may be a result of simple plate
wear developing during the service of the plate or ironically, it may have
been
caused during the cleaning of the plates or in the process of removing
burrs which formed during repairs made on the plate. Plates
particularly
noted for wear, especially on the left side are Plates 4, 5 and 6.
Another Plate which may be recognized by plate wear is Plate 3, on
which stamps
one sometimes finds thin base lines.