Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
All help needed.
Login to Like
this post
08:28:16pm
Ari, I assume you're into early Russia now, a very complicated area that's going to take time. What are you using as a guide to IDing this complicated area? I know many younger people are using online identifiers now but what I advise is lots of patience, lots of time and a copy of Scott's open in front of you. This is a complicated area with lots to learn. I started collecting Russia about 50 years ago, long before your father was born, and I'm still confused by the watermarks, perforations, vertically laid and horizontally laid papers and many other little quirks of early Russia. It's a wonderful country to collect and makes for a very interesting collection. So, my advice, slow down and enjoy the journey! make sure you have a copy of Scott's in front of you and I really do advise a good album even though they are expensive now. I really would be lost without my Minkus album to keep me organized!! Good luck!!
EDIT: Here's a link to the AntoniusRa early Russia collection so you can get a bit of an idea what it looks like, the early stuff really is magnificent and worth collecting. Mine goes back a little further than his with more varieties but you can still get a good idea! Also, remember it's taken me 50 years to get to the point where I only need 70 stamps to be complete up to my 1985 cutoff. You've got lots of time to get there!!!
https://mitch.seymourfamily.com/mward/co ...
Login to Like
this post
Are these the same you paid someone to make identification, and mount for you? If they are, perhaps good detail scans would help this young man!
Login to Like
this post
08:29:14am
Not the same, those were Early Ukraine overprints and are in the BOB part of my album. He's interested in the early regular issues!! It's a bit of a challenge as well but not the same!!
Login to Like
this post
Yes, I have scott in front of me whenever I do hard countries.
Still don't get what the lozenges are.
Stamp id'ers don't work for me...
they usually get the wrong results, as they weren't made by philatelists like us!
Russia IS cool to collect, just dipping my toes in that lake!
_Ari 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
06:35:29pm
There are two references to lozenges. One is the watermark and I assume this is not what you are referring to. The other is in reference to Vertical lozenges of varnish on the fronts of some of the early Russia stamps. They sort of remind you of the tagging on Canada stamps, but I've never tried a black light on them. If you sort of twist the stamp in the light you will see little shiny strips on them. If they are there you should see them, I'm not sure if they wear off easily! Good luck, Russia makes a really interesting collection. I sort of got caught up in the RA code material and have all of them except for the illusive, and expensive, AR6. My Minkus album mixes the normal BOB material (postage due, airmail, official airmails, postal tax, semi postal, officials) in the album by year and reserves BOB for the really odd material. I'll show a scan of a couple interesting pages in a couple days! Have fun with this but don't try to rush, they can be tricky!!
Login to Like
this post
Suggestion!
Get a scan of a stamp and add arrows pointing to the veritcal lozenges for this lad.
Login to Like
this post
07:57:56pm
The lozenges show up well by eye but not well in a scan! Thanks for your interest!!!!
EDIT: I was checking out some of the stamps that have to have lozenges. Some are very hard to spot, there is no way a scan would show most of them up. If I didn't know they had to be there I would never, with my 73 year eyes, be able to spot them. You do find the odd one that's easier to see so I wonder if they fade over time or in certain conditions. I'll do a bit of research on that! Is there a Russia collector out there who can help with this!! Time to go to bed and read!!
Login to Like
this post
Suggestion
Send the young man the scan and add arrows to the location of the lozenges?
Login to Like
this post
09:05:14pm
Please stay out of the discussion if it's not your area! I am almost positive a scan accomplishes nothing, at least in my opinion!! Stop trying to "poke the dog"!!
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
11:10:39am
Here are the first two pages of my Russia Minkus album. None of these stamps have the vertical varnish strips, they come a bit later! The first page is missing Scott numbers 1,3 and 4. They're a bit pricey and scarce but you never know. I got a couple on this page when a seller here posted an excellent Russia book a few months ago. Nice stuff!
Page 2 is missing a whole bunch of stamps that are similar to the stamps at the top of the page except the paper is laid in the opposite direction. Minkus decided to include them and I have managed to locate one. They are very difficult to tell apart so I'm really leery of using E-Bay.
Sorry, they loaded sideways even though they are saved right side up. They're perfectly readable so no major problem, I hope. Just put your screen on the floor and lie down sideways!!
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Harvey's stamps, croped and turned westward! Hope Harvey you don't mind!
See image
I have a small collection of Russian stamps
This image is enhanced
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
12:53:32pm
Thanks 1899, it's appreciated! I have been collecting Russia for about 50 years and am at the point where adding to it is very difficult. The stuff that's really fascinating is what Minkus considers to be BOB, not really pricey but very hard to find! Minkus mixes regular BOB in with the regular material. I know many of you don't use albums but Minkus, even though expensive, does a great job!
RUSSIA – WENDEN, RUSSIA – CIVIL WAR, RUSSIAN POST OFFICES IN CHINA, CRETE & TURKEY, ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, TRANSCAUCASIAN SFSR, UKRAINE AND THE WESTERN UKRAINE.
I'll post two pages a week of my collection and try to make sure it posts right side up! Thanks again!!
Login to Like
this post
03:37:47pm
RUSSIA NUMBER INSIDE DOTS POSTMARKS
You'll notice in the first row of the part that 1899 posted there is a stamp with the number 1 inside a bunch of dots ID'ed as St. Petersburg. Here is a link for that information and the list you will find there! Check your early Russian stamps to see if you have any of these and post a picture if you do.
https://thephilately.com/postmarks-used- ...
1 St. Petersburg
2 Moscow
3 Arkhangelsk
4 Astrakhan
5 Vilno
6 Vitebsk
7 Vladimir
8 Vologda
9 Voronezh
10 Viatka
11 Grodno
12 Ekaterinoslav
13 Ekaterinodar
14 Zhitomir
15 Irkutsk 16 Kazan
17 Kaluga
18 Kiev
19 Kovno
20 Kostroma
21 Kursk
22 Kishinev
23 Krasnoyarsk
24 Mitava
25 Minsk
26 Mogilev
27 Nizhni Novgorod
28 Novgorod
29 Orenburg
30 Orel 31 St. Petrozavodsk
32 Penza
33 Perm
34 Kamenetz-Podolsk
35 Poltava
36 Pskov
37 Revel
38 Riga
39 Ryazan
40 Samara
41 Saratov
42 Simbirsk
43 Semipalatinsk
44 Smolensk
45 Simferopol 46 Stavropol
47 Tambov
48 Tver
49 Tiflis
50 Tobolsk
51 Tomsk
52 Tula
53 Ufa
54 Kharkov
55 Kherson
56 Chernigov
57 Novocherkassk
58 Chita
59 Shemakha
60 Yaroslavl
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
A quick look found these, but I think the third one (far right) is not a round dotted cancel, looks square to me. Yes condition of the 49 stamp is bad.
Also found these as a nice example of horizontal and vertical laid paper, could not see any lozenges on any of them.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
05:28:51pm
Thanks for showing!! Condition is not important for the #49, I wish that list I posted had a rarity factor built in. I have several of the numbered postmarks for my British Columbia collection including two that rate 7/10. I wonder if the third one is trying to say "#2", it sort of looks like a number sign. So maybe you have a St. Petersberg, a Tiflis (sounds like a disease) and a Moscow! Great stuff!!
I think it's too early for the varnish lozenges on the front, but I find them hard to see anyway! I must try my black light to see if that helps! I have several that are supposed to have them but they are very hard to find!
EDIT: If you open the link I gave above there are ones done with rectangular/square dot designs but I still am not sure what number is represented on your stamps!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
I did find this one, that appears to have diagonal diamonds when held at an angle to the light, Uv light does not show them up at all, and am unable to get any clear shots with a digital camera whilst trying to hold the stamp at an angle.
With regard to the thunderbolts they appear as the two arrows crossing the Posthorns beneath the Eagle design.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
06:15:47pm
Vic, I could be totally out to lunch on this, but I think what you're seeing are the early Russia watermarks (#'s 169 and 171). The varnish lozenges are horizontal or vertical strips of shiny material on the front of the stamps. I think they fade over time and become very hard to actually find. I don't think a scan or photo would show them. When I get a bit of time, and the patience to do it, I'll try to have a better look! I have to be in the right kind of mood first to do this sort of stuff!!! Gettin' old, I guess!
Login to Like
this post
No watermark, the shiny diamonds are definitely on the front of the stamp.
Login to Like
this post
08:02:12pm
Fantastic, I've got to check some of mine again! I just assumed they were just stripes!!
Login to Like
this post
Vic,
This is not my collecting area but I have seen lines similar to the ones on the back of the two you show, on my US used collection. They appear to be from the glue used in photo albums.
Login to Like
this post
Are these the lozenges you are speaking of? If so they show up fine on the back of the stamp. The left stamp has the lozenges printed on the front and they can only be seen on oblique light. I've included a separate jpeg and no matter how I play with it I can't get the lozenges to show up
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
@ Webpaper, yes that is what I see and having just put the stamp in fluid It is the watermark, but it seems to show as bands across the front of the stamp.
You can just see them in the pictures below.
So not the lozenges, back to the drawing board!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Anybody tried ImageSeluth?
Login to Like
this post
Ok, so now confused, the Blue 10k stamp shown has a watermark (type169?) but this is stamp type A15 which was issued as unwatermarked according to my Scott Classic. I cannot see a reference to Type A15 with a watermark at all. Could someone put me right as to a Scott number for this stamp.
Image sleuth does not make any difference, I tried.
Login to Like
this post
@Webpaper
Referemce your posting of
03 Jul 2025
08:54:26am
Ran thru ImageSeluth
Took me about 1 minute
I can see the lozenges!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
11:50:43am
I am very very confused!! I looked on line for pictures and explanations. Some people said lozenges on the back and some said the front. I'm having trouble seeing them on my stamps but occasionally I can make out vertical or horizontal strips on the front very similar to tagging strips on Canadian stamps. I have many stamps that have no choice supposedly, but I can't find them. Does any one know a serious Russia stamp expert that can settle this? I am about ready to start pulling out my hair and at my age it won't grow back. Most of the stamps in question for me are put in the album with hinges and to see them properly means removing them, too much work. But maybe it's time to remount them anyway, I really hate hinges in an album!!! Can someone tell Ari (and me) what's really going on here, maybe there are different types of lozenges!
I got smart and checked in Stanley Gibbons. They mention "different types of lozenges" and also say "lozenge lines on front or back or missing"!! That means what??? I guess they could be on either side, look like almost anything, and might even not be there at all!!! GREAT!!!
Login to Like
this post
@1899
Thanks. I don't have Image sleuth but that is impressive - it's somewhat difficult to catch the correct angle oin these
Login to Like
this post
Ari,
The short answer is: The vertical lozenges are a watermark with varnish on the face of the stamp.
Find the watermark, measure the perforations and you should be in there like swim wear.
Let's see an image of the stamp. Without seeing your stamp my swag at ID of your stamp would be Scott# 138.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
Jeremy, am I correct in reading your post that the paper is not watermarked, but the varnish makes a watermark on the face of the stamp, that will look like a paper watermark in fluid.
If I put the 10k stamp above face down on a dark background I do not see a watermark, but in fluid it appears to show a watermark which is presumably the varnish showing as darker lines.
Upon checking Antonius Ra's site, my 10k and other stamps show the varnish bars fairly clearly.
The notation with them is;-
Freimarkenausgabe (64-70) Wappen Auf Weibum Grund. Kreideaufdruck.
This seems to translate as Postage stamp issue (64-70) coat of arms on white background. Chalk paper.
Login to Like
this post
@Webpaper
ImageSeluth is free!
Login to Like
this post
Okay, under a light, I can faintly see now, vertical watermark/lozengy thing!
Photos of stamp, and my T3Signoscope, did not do much. (No scans, sorry!
Maybe this is where watermark fluid wins? Though a sidelight reveakled them Fainlty, or maybe I am crazy and they were ommited!
Now I am stuck needing to know how to properly tell single frame line from double! 138 vs 138d.
Oy vey!
-Ari
Login to Like
this post
Ari, I think the stamp you show has double frame lines around the edge of the stamp, outside of the green edging.
Login to Like
this post
Vic,
I was answering Ari's OP. His question was in regard to the 7 Ruble value 7R.
Sorry
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
Just an FYI - the stash I pulled these from had far more varnish bars "painted" on the back of stamps than on the front of them.
Login to Like
this post
Ari,
Don't forget to measure the perforations. There are 2 different types with the same design. Cat # 138 type I has perforations measuring 13 1/2 x 13 and 138a type II is perf 12 1/2.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
01:55:56pm
I remember once there was a Russian question that no one here really had a "proper" answer to and someone mentioned there was a major Russian stamp expert in their local stamp club. I can't remember what happened after this but we seem to need an expert here. What SG seems to be saying is that the lozenges can look like almost anything, be almost anywhere and possibly are nowhere. This seems a tiny bit vague to me so maybe that expert should be consulted. I'm going to assume my stamps are properly ID'ed because I don't have the patience to try to redo them. Since Ari is just starting Russia I really think he needs a proper answer!
EDIT: I was just re-looking at the above posts. A ways up Vic showed a really great example of vertically and horizontally laid paper. I'm going to save that image and keep it my stamp images. I hope you don't mind, it was an excellent image!!
Login to Like
this post
Harvey,
I concur with you. A collector/expert in the subject matter of Russian stamps would certainly be a better teacher for our young student here. It is my belief that we all have given him some very sound instruction and direction with our posts using the best resources we have at our disposal. It is up to him know.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
Well that was a fun thread, lots of questions and some good answers. Maybe not always definitive but a subject well explored. Perhaps the editor of Scotts will take note and show some better images and descriptions.
An image showing frame lines, double/single and perhaps an arrowed "thunderbolts" which to me look like arrows, rather than a zigzag bolt.
As an aside, I do not collect Russia and only have a few taken from the recently purchased old albums.
Agree Joe, we need an expert to really guide our correct id on these issues.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Login to Like
this post
02:35:02pm
I'm going to keep this string running a bit more by posting the first 10 pages or so of my Russian collection. I've spent a lot of time and $$$$ on this stuff and want to give an idea how Minkus sets up Russia. If no one is interested I promise I won't be insulted!! I'll take it up to the page containing Scott#150 and I noticed that page has a hand full of stamps with the ID shown as "?". I guess at some point I have a little work to do! I bet many of us have stamps with a similar ID!
Login to Like
this post
Harvey,
Let's see what you have. It's show and tell time. Keep the thread going and just maybe one of our members who specializes in Russian stamps will chime in.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
03:24:06pm
I'll post a two pages at a time over the next couple weeks. My favourite part is my collection of AR (stamp tax) material from AR1 to AR25, missing the elusive and expensive AR6. You see them on E-Bay occasionally but they are usually misidentified! If they are right they are grossly over priced! Scott's (2015) lists it at around $100, I've seen prices up to $1000 on E-Bay, an average is about $600!! If anyone out there has one I'd probably pay about $250. The early Russia material makes for a stunning collection, at least in my opinion!
Login to Like
this post
Hi everyone,
to get back to the original question, the lozenges are a diamond shaped pattern that was printed on the front of the stamp with chalk. See the stylized image below. It is not like chalk paper, which affects the entire stamp. This chalk overprint was intended as a security measure as it comes of quite easily and was supposed to indicate that a stamp had already been used, despite the cancellation having been removed etc. This feature also means that they are often difficult to see. But if you hold the stamp at a 45° angle against the light you can often see a more or less yellowish pattern. They also tend to be visible when the stamp is wet, that is, why traditional watermarking can help, although I am not sure how different liquids affect them. 
To ID the 7R stamp you really do not need this as the differences are in the perforations. There are 4 types: one unperfed, one line perf 13 1/4, one line perf 12 1/2, and one Harrow-perfed 13 1/2 by 13 1/4 (horizontal by vertical). For the last type the lozenges are also horizontal rather than vertical.
For types 1-3, additional subtypes of the 7R exist, distinguished by the number of lines in the frame. See the images below:
Single line frame
Double line frame
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
@PhilatelistMag20
Reference your posting
30 Jun 2025
06:04:39pm
Now your ImageSeluth is up and running, along with your scanner.
Suggest you run the stamps you have a question on.
So all of us might be able to help you.
1899
Login to Like
this post
cdz1909
BRAVO! Thank you so much.
if you do not mind, I have printed out the info, so that i may use it when neccesary.
Thanks to your help, I have now determined it is: a... Scott# 138 Perf; 13.25 vertical varnish lozenges!
Which, I could sorta see under the light you described!
THANKS a thousand times, over, and now I now!
1899, not neccessary now, thank you, though I see what you mean...
-Ari
Login to Like
this post
11:39:18am
I know this is not what this thread was intended for but since I put the first two pages here I might as well keep going. My photo guy is on vacation for a week so I got him to do 4 pages for me. I'll put them here in case anyone is interested. I really like the classic Russia material and since Ari is starting a collection he should see a bit of the older, and much more interesting material!! I like the way Minkus mixes the normal BoB stuff in with the regular material. Like I said, if you're not interested, rather than complain that I posted it, just ignore the material and let the few interested people enjoy it. I will probably just post two more pages when Tim gets back from his American holiday!
A couple comments about this lot. Firstly there are several stamps with faults, that really doesn't bother me very much since very little in life is perfect and I'm glad to give these stamps a home!
On the first page the two stamps on the side have an NDIR (backwards R) postmark, does anyone know what this means?
The bottom two stamps on the second page seem to be randomly placed there but they actually cover pictures of the stamps that are there. I actually have a collection of all but one of the AR code stamps that I will show later, Some are a bit pricey and a true copy of AR6 is difficult to find at a sensible price!
The stamp on the side of the third page has been trimmed to resemble the imperforate 92a but that stamp was never used so it has to be fake!
The stamp on the side of the last page is a very pricey Batum #9 that I picked up from a seller here and it certificate. Nice item!!!
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
01:24:15pm
Thanks Doug, I'm glad you're interested! When my friend gets back from the US I'll keep posting 2 pg./week. I've been collecting Russia for about 50 years and have two albums, both Minkus. The first one is the beginning to 1970 and the second is from 1970 to my 1985 cutoff plus the strange BoB stuff. I'm missing 71 stamps, not including BoB, and most of the missing items are pricey. Occasionally I can afford to pick up a piece or two, but that's rare. As long as Ari has no objection to me using/abusing his post it makes sense to continue it here! Again Doug, thanks for the interest!!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Common sense suggestion, see if your friend has a scanner?
Login to Like
this post
03:56:28pm
Only an absolute fool, no offence intended, would take a page of stamps like this and press it in, or on, a scanner. I refuse to take my book apart without good reason. A wand scanner (I do have one that I will install with a new computer eventually) would be ok but I see absolutely nothing wrong with these images! I'm probably going to be scolded for this but is it absolutely impossible for you to say anything positive about these pages? I've actually been waiting for your comment and it is as I expected!
EDIT: By the way, my friend does have a scanner. I visit him at work, he works in a monument office, and he could very easily scan my pages! It would probably do a better job but it could damage my album. He also is an excellent photographer and does an excellent job. It's my other friend who is responsible for most of the glare on other items. Her eyesight is not great but she does the best she can. I am very appreciative of the job that both people do!! Friends can be very useful at times and I am glad to have both of them!
EDIT: I placed a few comments below the 4 pages above. If you are interested you might want to have a look, your choice obviously!
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Been busy, so no time for SoR!
Now I have some...
Great pages Joe!
Who would put that on a scanner.
It would fault the stamps.
Lets not turn this into another argument.
You could ignore it...
I am very glad to see what an advanced one looks like.
Had my mind BOGGLED just finished up Malayan states in a self made book.
I can post it on a different thread, if there is any interest.
Also, i think this is a fine thread for this.
Right?
Login to Like
this post
04:53:44pm
"Lets not turn this into another argument.
You could ignore it..."
I'll do my best!!
Thanks for letting me use your post!!
Login to Like
this post
I hope I'm reading this posting correctly, if so then this is one of the best jokes I've ever seen on Sor!
Sorry, they loaded sideways even though they are saved right side up. They're perfectly readable so no major problem, I hope. Just put your screen on the floor and lie down sideways!!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
02:32:51pm
"Sorry, they loaded sideways even though they are saved right side up. They're perfectly readable so no major problem, I hope. Just put your screen on the floor and lie down sideways!!"
Joke? I was totally serious!! It would be easier if you stayed in your chair and turned the monitor sideways!!
Seriously though, sometimes when I load the images here, even though they are right side up, they end up sideways. I have no idea why unless this program is using some kind of best fit algorithm! I usually have to decrease the size of my image to load here so lately I've decreased the size a bit less and it seems to load as it should. I am also using Windows 7 which could be the problem - who knows??
Login to Like
this post
Da! And lets "turn this thread" back to russian stamp education.
Glad somebody saw my pun...
Login to Like
this post
11:18:14am
Time for a few more pages of Russia! Only one of three is the wrong way round. Please, no need to correct. The first page is just regular Russia stuff. The stamps at the "bottom" were used as money as well. Page two got into the AR code, which I believe is a stamp tax. I am missing AR6 which is difficult to find and a bit pricey. AR6 is quite often misidentified on E-Bay so if you decide to collect this set please be very careful since they are almost always overpriced. The next page is actually on the back of the first page and shows a few miscellaneous Russia revenues and the rest of the AR stamps to AR25 which is the end of the set. My Minkus album stopped, for some reason, part way through and I decided to finish them. Sorry about the one upside page but please try to live with it! I'm not sure how far to go with this, I might just pick out a few interesting pages!
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Corrected your page moved image eastward. Much easier to see now.
Login to Like
this post
11:50:17am
Thanks 1899! I wish I could figure out why this happens!!
Login to Like
this post
@Harvey
Better to learn how to fix it before posting.
Login to Like
this post
@Harvey, you may find your answer here.
https://blinksandbuttons.net/why-does-my ...
Seem to recall that Apple systems had this problem quite often. It is usually due to the photo metadata not being recognised on upload.
Login to Like
this post
02:02:05pm
"Better to learn how to fix it before posting."
IMHO this is a bit extreme! It is a minor problem that only seems to upset one person!!
It is something that my "old Computer" seems to do and right now I don't want to buy a new computer. Please have a bit of patience with this thing that you perceive as a problem. I'm not going to stop posting because of this minor glitch!! I'd like to say what I really think but I don't dare!
EDIT: I read the link that was posted above and fixing it is a bit above my skill level and it probably is connected to Tim's smart phone as opposed to my computer. If this small amount of a sideways problem is as annoying as it seems to be please let me know here and I will stop posting pictures! I'm serious, I really don't want to cause problems! It sort of reminds me of the place in one of the early Harry Potter movies where he said "diagonally" instead of "Diagon Alley" and ended up in "a bad place"! We really don't want to end up there!!
Login to Like
this post
I find Irfranview works for me to turn jpg around to the proper Orientation. It is a free program.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ...
Login to Like
this post
03:20:57pm
My computer is old, fragile and contains many files I need for a book I am writing. I don't really want to load more programs than I really have to. Please put up with the occasional sideways picture or I really will have to stop posting. I'm going to experiment a little bit with what I have available to me and if I can't find a way to fix it with what I already have I'll have to stop posting pictures, or at least ones that don't load properly.
EDIT: I found a work around to fix my earlier post. It's a bit tricky using cut and paste and a Word document but it works! So 1899 I will try to not annoy you again! It does involve turning the original jpeg document into a png document, but we'll have to live with that! I should have made the image a little bit bigger since there was a bit of "wiggle room" left at the end!
Login to Like
this post
Joe, I love seeing your pictures.
Seeing them sideways gives me a new philatelic angle!
Please keep on posting.
you have someone here who loves to see it!
-Ari
Login to Like
this post
@Harvey
Nothing you have said has annoyed me!
I have an old computer same as yours, it just takes two clicks on the keyboard to fix your images!
But I guess your suggestion is best, put compuer on the floor and lay down at an angle! This must be easier!
Login to Like
this post
04:10:05pm
"I have an old computer same as yours, it just takes two clicks on the keyboard to fix your images!"
Would you please tell me what those two clicks are? It takes me many more than that to fix the problem my way! Please help!!
Login to Like
this post
05:18:03pm
"Seeing them sideways gives me a new philatelic angle!"
Great Ari, it's a joy to find someone with a bit of imagination, someone who works with what's there and doesn't automatically start to complain!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
OK here we go
Your image taken of sor
#1 Open with MS Digital Image Pro 9
#2 Rotate (I use 270)
That's all you have to do
Login to Like
this post
@Harvey, as you will probably not have the MS program referred to above, you might like to try this method.
Open the folder that has the scan/image,
Find the file.
Right click on the file.
Choose rotate right or left as needed.
Hopefully that is all that is needed.
Login to Like
this post
08:24:21pm
You're right I don't have the program. I've tried what you suggest and, for some strange reason, it doesn't work. I have figured out a fix but it has a bit of work involved. I think the problem is that my friends camera and my computer are a bit out of sync. That sounds a bit odd but my guess is it's not a problem on my end. If it was then your method would work. I promise there will be no more sideways pictures!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
So long as your method works for you then all is well.
Enjoy your evening, or what is left.
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
All help needed.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
29 Jun 2025
08:28:16pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Ari, I assume you're into early Russia now, a very complicated area that's going to take time. What are you using as a guide to IDing this complicated area? I know many younger people are using online identifiers now but what I advise is lots of patience, lots of time and a copy of Scott's open in front of you. This is a complicated area with lots to learn. I started collecting Russia about 50 years ago, long before your father was born, and I'm still confused by the watermarks, perforations, vertically laid and horizontally laid papers and many other little quirks of early Russia. It's a wonderful country to collect and makes for a very interesting collection. So, my advice, slow down and enjoy the journey! make sure you have a copy of Scott's in front of you and I really do advise a good album even though they are expensive now. I really would be lost without my Minkus album to keep me organized!! Good luck!!
EDIT: Here's a link to the AntoniusRa early Russia collection so you can get a bit of an idea what it looks like, the early stuff really is magnificent and worth collecting. Mine goes back a little further than his with more varieties but you can still get a good idea! Also, remember it's taken me 50 years to get to the point where I only need 70 stamps to be complete up to my 1985 cutoff. You've got lots of time to get there!!!
https://mitch.seymourfamily.com/mward/co ...
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Are these the same you paid someone to make identification, and mount for you? If they are, perhaps good detail scans would help this young man!
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
30 Jun 2025
08:29:14am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Not the same, those were Early Ukraine overprints and are in the BOB part of my album. He's interested in the early regular issues!! It's a bit of a challenge as well but not the same!!
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Yes, I have scott in front of me whenever I do hard countries.
Still don't get what the lozenges are.
Stamp id'ers don't work for me...
they usually get the wrong results, as they weren't made by philatelists like us!
Russia IS cool to collect, just dipping my toes in that lake!
_Ari
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
30 Jun 2025
06:35:29pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
There are two references to lozenges. One is the watermark and I assume this is not what you are referring to. The other is in reference to Vertical lozenges of varnish on the fronts of some of the early Russia stamps. They sort of remind you of the tagging on Canada stamps, but I've never tried a black light on them. If you sort of twist the stamp in the light you will see little shiny strips on them. If they are there you should see them, I'm not sure if they wear off easily! Good luck, Russia makes a really interesting collection. I sort of got caught up in the RA code material and have all of them except for the illusive, and expensive, AR6. My Minkus album mixes the normal BOB material (postage due, airmail, official airmails, postal tax, semi postal, officials) in the album by year and reserves BOB for the really odd material. I'll show a scan of a couple interesting pages in a couple days! Have fun with this but don't try to rush, they can be tricky!!
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Suggestion!
Get a scan of a stamp and add arrows pointing to the veritcal lozenges for this lad.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
30 Jun 2025
07:57:56pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
The lozenges show up well by eye but not well in a scan! Thanks for your interest!!!!
EDIT: I was checking out some of the stamps that have to have lozenges. Some are very hard to spot, there is no way a scan would show most of them up. If I didn't know they had to be there I would never, with my 73 year eyes, be able to spot them. You do find the odd one that's easier to see so I wonder if they fade over time or in certain conditions. I'll do a bit of research on that! Is there a Russia collector out there who can help with this!! Time to go to bed and read!!
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Suggestion
Send the young man the scan and add arrows to the location of the lozenges?
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
30 Jun 2025
09:05:14pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Please stay out of the discussion if it's not your area! I am almost positive a scan accomplishes nothing, at least in my opinion!! Stop trying to "poke the dog"!!
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
02 Jul 2025
11:10:39am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Here are the first two pages of my Russia Minkus album. None of these stamps have the vertical varnish strips, they come a bit later! The first page is missing Scott numbers 1,3 and 4. They're a bit pricey and scarce but you never know. I got a couple on this page when a seller here posted an excellent Russia book a few months ago. Nice stuff!
Page 2 is missing a whole bunch of stamps that are similar to the stamps at the top of the page except the paper is laid in the opposite direction. Minkus decided to include them and I have managed to locate one. They are very difficult to tell apart so I'm really leery of using E-Bay.
Sorry, they loaded sideways even though they are saved right side up. They're perfectly readable so no major problem, I hope. Just put your screen on the floor and lie down sideways!!
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Harvey's stamps, croped and turned westward! Hope Harvey you don't mind!
See image
I have a small collection of Russian stamps
This image is enhanced
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
02 Jul 2025
12:53:32pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Thanks 1899, it's appreciated! I have been collecting Russia for about 50 years and am at the point where adding to it is very difficult. The stuff that's really fascinating is what Minkus considers to be BOB, not really pricey but very hard to find! Minkus mixes regular BOB in with the regular material. I know many of you don't use albums but Minkus, even though expensive, does a great job!
RUSSIA – WENDEN, RUSSIA – CIVIL WAR, RUSSIAN POST OFFICES IN CHINA, CRETE & TURKEY, ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, GEORGIA, TRANSCAUCASIAN SFSR, UKRAINE AND THE WESTERN UKRAINE.
I'll post two pages a week of my collection and try to make sure it posts right side up! Thanks again!!
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
02 Jul 2025
03:37:47pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
RUSSIA NUMBER INSIDE DOTS POSTMARKS
You'll notice in the first row of the part that 1899 posted there is a stamp with the number 1 inside a bunch of dots ID'ed as St. Petersburg. Here is a link for that information and the list you will find there! Check your early Russian stamps to see if you have any of these and post a picture if you do.
https://thephilately.com/postmarks-used- ...
1 St. Petersburg
2 Moscow
3 Arkhangelsk
4 Astrakhan
5 Vilno
6 Vitebsk
7 Vladimir
8 Vologda
9 Voronezh
10 Viatka
11 Grodno
12 Ekaterinoslav
13 Ekaterinodar
14 Zhitomir
15 Irkutsk 16 Kazan
17 Kaluga
18 Kiev
19 Kovno
20 Kostroma
21 Kursk
22 Kishinev
23 Krasnoyarsk
24 Mitava
25 Minsk
26 Mogilev
27 Nizhni Novgorod
28 Novgorod
29 Orenburg
30 Orel 31 St. Petrozavodsk
32 Penza
33 Perm
34 Kamenetz-Podolsk
35 Poltava
36 Pskov
37 Revel
38 Riga
39 Ryazan
40 Samara
41 Saratov
42 Simbirsk
43 Semipalatinsk
44 Smolensk
45 Simferopol 46 Stavropol
47 Tambov
48 Tver
49 Tiflis
50 Tobolsk
51 Tomsk
52 Tula
53 Ufa
54 Kharkov
55 Kherson
56 Chernigov
57 Novocherkassk
58 Chita
59 Shemakha
60 Yaroslavl
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
A quick look found these, but I think the third one (far right) is not a round dotted cancel, looks square to me. Yes condition of the 49 stamp is bad.
Also found these as a nice example of horizontal and vertical laid paper, could not see any lozenges on any of them.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
02 Jul 2025
05:28:51pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Thanks for showing!! Condition is not important for the #49, I wish that list I posted had a rarity factor built in. I have several of the numbered postmarks for my British Columbia collection including two that rate 7/10. I wonder if the third one is trying to say "#2", it sort of looks like a number sign. So maybe you have a St. Petersberg, a Tiflis (sounds like a disease) and a Moscow! Great stuff!!
I think it's too early for the varnish lozenges on the front, but I find them hard to see anyway! I must try my black light to see if that helps! I have several that are supposed to have them but they are very hard to find!
EDIT: If you open the link I gave above there are ones done with rectangular/square dot designs but I still am not sure what number is represented on your stamps!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I did find this one, that appears to have diagonal diamonds when held at an angle to the light, Uv light does not show them up at all, and am unable to get any clear shots with a digital camera whilst trying to hold the stamp at an angle.
With regard to the thunderbolts they appear as the two arrows crossing the Posthorns beneath the Eagle design.
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
02 Jul 2025
06:15:47pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Vic, I could be totally out to lunch on this, but I think what you're seeing are the early Russia watermarks (#'s 169 and 171). The varnish lozenges are horizontal or vertical strips of shiny material on the front of the stamps. I think they fade over time and become very hard to actually find. I don't think a scan or photo would show them. When I get a bit of time, and the patience to do it, I'll try to have a better look! I have to be in the right kind of mood first to do this sort of stuff!!! Gettin' old, I guess!
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
No watermark, the shiny diamonds are definitely on the front of the stamp.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
02 Jul 2025
08:02:12pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Fantastic, I've got to check some of mine again! I just assumed they were just stripes!!
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Vic,
This is not my collecting area but I have seen lines similar to the ones on the back of the two you show, on my US used collection. They appear to be from the glue used in photo albums.
Login to Like
this post
08:54:26am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Are these the lozenges you are speaking of? If so they show up fine on the back of the stamp. The left stamp has the lozenges printed on the front and they can only be seen on oblique light. I've included a separate jpeg and no matter how I play with it I can't get the lozenges to show up
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@ Webpaper, yes that is what I see and having just put the stamp in fluid It is the watermark, but it seems to show as bands across the front of the stamp.
You can just see them in the pictures below.
So not the lozenges, back to the drawing board!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Anybody tried ImageSeluth?
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Ok, so now confused, the Blue 10k stamp shown has a watermark (type169?) but this is stamp type A15 which was issued as unwatermarked according to my Scott Classic. I cannot see a reference to Type A15 with a watermark at all. Could someone put me right as to a Scott number for this stamp.
Image sleuth does not make any difference, I tried.
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@Webpaper
Referemce your posting of
03 Jul 2025
08:54:26am
Ran thru ImageSeluth
Took me about 1 minute
I can see the lozenges!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
03 Jul 2025
11:50:43am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I am very very confused!! I looked on line for pictures and explanations. Some people said lozenges on the back and some said the front. I'm having trouble seeing them on my stamps but occasionally I can make out vertical or horizontal strips on the front very similar to tagging strips on Canadian stamps. I have many stamps that have no choice supposedly, but I can't find them. Does any one know a serious Russia stamp expert that can settle this? I am about ready to start pulling out my hair and at my age it won't grow back. Most of the stamps in question for me are put in the album with hinges and to see them properly means removing them, too much work. But maybe it's time to remount them anyway, I really hate hinges in an album!!! Can someone tell Ari (and me) what's really going on here, maybe there are different types of lozenges!
I got smart and checked in Stanley Gibbons. They mention "different types of lozenges" and also say "lozenge lines on front or back or missing"!! That means what??? I guess they could be on either side, look like almost anything, and might even not be there at all!!! GREAT!!!
Login to Like
this post
12:04:36pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@1899
Thanks. I don't have Image sleuth but that is impressive - it's somewhat difficult to catch the correct angle oin these
Login to Like
this post
12:43:17pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Ari,
The short answer is: The vertical lozenges are a watermark with varnish on the face of the stamp.
Find the watermark, measure the perforations and you should be in there like swim wear.
Let's see an image of the stamp. Without seeing your stamp my swag at ID of your stamp would be Scott# 138.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Jeremy, am I correct in reading your post that the paper is not watermarked, but the varnish makes a watermark on the face of the stamp, that will look like a paper watermark in fluid.
If I put the 10k stamp above face down on a dark background I do not see a watermark, but in fluid it appears to show a watermark which is presumably the varnish showing as darker lines.
Upon checking Antonius Ra's site, my 10k and other stamps show the varnish bars fairly clearly.
The notation with them is;-
Freimarkenausgabe (64-70) Wappen Auf Weibum Grund. Kreideaufdruck.
This seems to translate as Postage stamp issue (64-70) coat of arms on white background. Chalk paper.
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@Webpaper
ImageSeluth is free!
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Okay, under a light, I can faintly see now, vertical watermark/lozengy thing!
Photos of stamp, and my T3Signoscope, did not do much. (No scans, sorry!
Maybe this is where watermark fluid wins? Though a sidelight reveakled them Fainlty, or maybe I am crazy and they were ommited!
Now I am stuck needing to know how to properly tell single frame line from double! 138 vs 138d.
Oy vey!
-Ari
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Ari, I think the stamp you show has double frame lines around the edge of the stamp, outside of the green edging.
Login to Like
this post
01:19:14pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Vic,
I was answering Ari's OP. His question was in regard to the 7 Ruble value 7R.
Sorry
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
01:41:03pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Just an FYI - the stash I pulled these from had far more varnish bars "painted" on the back of stamps than on the front of them.
Login to Like
this post
01:42:00pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Ari,
Don't forget to measure the perforations. There are 2 different types with the same design. Cat # 138 type I has perforations measuring 13 1/2 x 13 and 138a type II is perf 12 1/2.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
03 Jul 2025
01:55:56pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I remember once there was a Russian question that no one here really had a "proper" answer to and someone mentioned there was a major Russian stamp expert in their local stamp club. I can't remember what happened after this but we seem to need an expert here. What SG seems to be saying is that the lozenges can look like almost anything, be almost anywhere and possibly are nowhere. This seems a tiny bit vague to me so maybe that expert should be consulted. I'm going to assume my stamps are properly ID'ed because I don't have the patience to try to redo them. Since Ari is just starting Russia I really think he needs a proper answer!
EDIT: I was just re-looking at the above posts. A ways up Vic showed a really great example of vertically and horizontally laid paper. I'm going to save that image and keep it my stamp images. I hope you don't mind, it was an excellent image!!
Login to Like
this post
02:06:30pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Harvey,
I concur with you. A collector/expert in the subject matter of Russian stamps would certainly be a better teacher for our young student here. It is my belief that we all have given him some very sound instruction and direction with our posts using the best resources we have at our disposal. It is up to him know.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Well that was a fun thread, lots of questions and some good answers. Maybe not always definitive but a subject well explored. Perhaps the editor of Scotts will take note and show some better images and descriptions.
An image showing frame lines, double/single and perhaps an arrowed "thunderbolts" which to me look like arrows, rather than a zigzag bolt.
As an aside, I do not collect Russia and only have a few taken from the recently purchased old albums.
Agree Joe, we need an expert to really guide our correct id on these issues.
Thanks everyone for your input.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
03 Jul 2025
02:35:02pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I'm going to keep this string running a bit more by posting the first 10 pages or so of my Russian collection. I've spent a lot of time and $$$$ on this stuff and want to give an idea how Minkus sets up Russia. If no one is interested I promise I won't be insulted!! I'll take it up to the page containing Scott#150 and I noticed that page has a hand full of stamps with the ID shown as "?". I guess at some point I have a little work to do! I bet many of us have stamps with a similar ID!
Login to Like
this post
02:57:03pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Harvey,
Let's see what you have. It's show and tell time. Keep the thread going and just maybe one of our members who specializes in Russian stamps will chime in.
Jeremy
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
03 Jul 2025
03:24:06pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I'll post a two pages at a time over the next couple weeks. My favourite part is my collection of AR (stamp tax) material from AR1 to AR25, missing the elusive and expensive AR6. You see them on E-Bay occasionally but they are usually misidentified! If they are right they are grossly over priced! Scott's (2015) lists it at around $100, I've seen prices up to $1000 on E-Bay, an average is about $600!! If anyone out there has one I'd probably pay about $250. The early Russia material makes for a stunning collection, at least in my opinion!
Login to Like
this post
11:39:00am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Hi everyone,
to get back to the original question, the lozenges are a diamond shaped pattern that was printed on the front of the stamp with chalk. See the stylized image below. It is not like chalk paper, which affects the entire stamp. This chalk overprint was intended as a security measure as it comes of quite easily and was supposed to indicate that a stamp had already been used, despite the cancellation having been removed etc. This feature also means that they are often difficult to see. But if you hold the stamp at a 45° angle against the light you can often see a more or less yellowish pattern. They also tend to be visible when the stamp is wet, that is, why traditional watermarking can help, although I am not sure how different liquids affect them.
To ID the 7R stamp you really do not need this as the differences are in the perforations. There are 4 types: one unperfed, one line perf 13 1/4, one line perf 12 1/2, and one Harrow-perfed 13 1/2 by 13 1/4 (horizontal by vertical). For the last type the lozenges are also horizontal rather than vertical.
For types 1-3, additional subtypes of the 7R exist, distinguished by the number of lines in the frame. See the images below:
Single line frame
Double line frame
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@PhilatelistMag20
Reference your posting
30 Jun 2025
06:04:39pm
Now your ImageSeluth is up and running, along with your scanner.
Suggest you run the stamps you have a question on.
So all of us might be able to help you.
1899
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
cdz1909
BRAVO! Thank you so much.
if you do not mind, I have printed out the info, so that i may use it when neccesary.
Thanks to your help, I have now determined it is: a... Scott# 138 Perf; 13.25 vertical varnish lozenges!
Which, I could sorta see under the light you described!
THANKS a thousand times, over, and now I now!
1899, not neccessary now, thank you, though I see what you mean...
-Ari
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
09 Jul 2025
11:39:18am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I know this is not what this thread was intended for but since I put the first two pages here I might as well keep going. My photo guy is on vacation for a week so I got him to do 4 pages for me. I'll put them here in case anyone is interested. I really like the classic Russia material and since Ari is starting a collection he should see a bit of the older, and much more interesting material!! I like the way Minkus mixes the normal BoB stuff in with the regular material. Like I said, if you're not interested, rather than complain that I posted it, just ignore the material and let the few interested people enjoy it. I will probably just post two more pages when Tim gets back from his American holiday!
A couple comments about this lot. Firstly there are several stamps with faults, that really doesn't bother me very much since very little in life is perfect and I'm glad to give these stamps a home!
On the first page the two stamps on the side have an NDIR (backwards R) postmark, does anyone know what this means?
The bottom two stamps on the second page seem to be randomly placed there but they actually cover pictures of the stamps that are there. I actually have a collection of all but one of the AR code stamps that I will show later, Some are a bit pricey and a true copy of AR6 is difficult to find at a sensible price!
The stamp on the side of the third page has been trimmed to resemble the imperforate 92a but that stamp was never used so it has to be fake!
The stamp on the side of the last page is a very pricey Batum #9 that I picked up from a seller here and it certificate. Nice item!!!
6 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
09 Jul 2025
01:24:15pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Thanks Doug, I'm glad you're interested! When my friend gets back from the US I'll keep posting 2 pg./week. I've been collecting Russia for about 50 years and have two albums, both Minkus. The first one is the beginning to 1970 and the second is from 1970 to my 1985 cutoff plus the strange BoB stuff. I'm missing 71 stamps, not including BoB, and most of the missing items are pricey. Occasionally I can afford to pick up a piece or two, but that's rare. As long as Ari has no objection to me using/abusing his post it makes sense to continue it here! Again Doug, thanks for the interest!!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Common sense suggestion, see if your friend has a scanner?
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
09 Jul 2025
03:56:28pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Only an absolute fool, no offence intended, would take a page of stamps like this and press it in, or on, a scanner. I refuse to take my book apart without good reason. A wand scanner (I do have one that I will install with a new computer eventually) would be ok but I see absolutely nothing wrong with these images! I'm probably going to be scolded for this but is it absolutely impossible for you to say anything positive about these pages? I've actually been waiting for your comment and it is as I expected!
EDIT: By the way, my friend does have a scanner. I visit him at work, he works in a monument office, and he could very easily scan my pages! It would probably do a better job but it could damage my album. He also is an excellent photographer and does an excellent job. It's my other friend who is responsible for most of the glare on other items. Her eyesight is not great but she does the best she can. I am very appreciative of the job that both people do!! Friends can be very useful at times and I am glad to have both of them!
EDIT: I placed a few comments below the 4 pages above. If you are interested you might want to have a look, your choice obviously!
3 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Been busy, so no time for SoR!
Now I have some...
Great pages Joe!
Who would put that on a scanner.
It would fault the stamps.
Lets not turn this into another argument.
You could ignore it...
I am very glad to see what an advanced one looks like.
Had my mind BOGGLED just finished up Malayan states in a self made book.
I can post it on a different thread, if there is any interest.
Also, i think this is a fine thread for this.
Right?
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
10 Jul 2025
04:53:44pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
"Lets not turn this into another argument.
You could ignore it..."
I'll do my best!!
Thanks for letting me use your post!!
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I hope I'm reading this posting correctly, if so then this is one of the best jokes I've ever seen on Sor!
Sorry, they loaded sideways even though they are saved right side up. They're perfectly readable so no major problem, I hope. Just put your screen on the floor and lie down sideways!!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
12 Jul 2025
02:32:51pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
"Sorry, they loaded sideways even though they are saved right side up. They're perfectly readable so no major problem, I hope. Just put your screen on the floor and lie down sideways!!"
Joke? I was totally serious!! It would be easier if you stayed in your chair and turned the monitor sideways!!
Seriously though, sometimes when I load the images here, even though they are right side up, they end up sideways. I have no idea why unless this program is using some kind of best fit algorithm! I usually have to decrease the size of my image to load here so lately I've decreased the size a bit less and it seems to load as it should. I am also using Windows 7 which could be the problem - who knows??
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Da! And lets "turn this thread" back to russian stamp education.
Glad somebody saw my pun...
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
11:18:14am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Time for a few more pages of Russia! Only one of three is the wrong way round. Please, no need to correct. The first page is just regular Russia stuff. The stamps at the "bottom" were used as money as well. Page two got into the AR code, which I believe is a stamp tax. I am missing AR6 which is difficult to find and a bit pricey. AR6 is quite often misidentified on E-Bay so if you decide to collect this set please be very careful since they are almost always overpriced. The next page is actually on the back of the first page and shows a few miscellaneous Russia revenues and the rest of the AR stamps to AR25 which is the end of the set. My Minkus album stopped, for some reason, part way through and I decided to finish them. Sorry about the one upside page but please try to live with it! I'm not sure how far to go with this, I might just pick out a few interesting pages!
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Corrected your page moved image eastward. Much easier to see now.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
11:50:17am
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Thanks 1899! I wish I could figure out why this happens!!
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@Harvey
Better to learn how to fix it before posting.
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@Harvey, you may find your answer here.
https://blinksandbuttons.net/why-does-my ...
Seem to recall that Apple systems had this problem quite often. It is usually due to the photo metadata not being recognised on upload.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
02:02:05pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
"Better to learn how to fix it before posting."
IMHO this is a bit extreme! It is a minor problem that only seems to upset one person!!
It is something that my "old Computer" seems to do and right now I don't want to buy a new computer. Please have a bit of patience with this thing that you perceive as a problem. I'm not going to stop posting because of this minor glitch!! I'd like to say what I really think but I don't dare!
EDIT: I read the link that was posted above and fixing it is a bit above my skill level and it probably is connected to Tim's smart phone as opposed to my computer. If this small amount of a sideways problem is as annoying as it seems to be please let me know here and I will stop posting pictures! I'm serious, I really don't want to cause problems! It sort of reminds me of the place in one of the early Harry Potter movies where he said "diagonally" instead of "Diagon Alley" and ended up in "a bad place"! We really don't want to end up there!!
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
I find Irfranview works for me to turn jpg around to the proper Orientation. It is a free program.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ...
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
03:20:57pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
My computer is old, fragile and contains many files I need for a book I am writing. I don't really want to load more programs than I really have to. Please put up with the occasional sideways picture or I really will have to stop posting. I'm going to experiment a little bit with what I have available to me and if I can't find a way to fix it with what I already have I'll have to stop posting pictures, or at least ones that don't load properly.
EDIT: I found a work around to fix my earlier post. It's a bit tricky using cut and paste and a Word document but it works! So 1899 I will try to not annoy you again! It does involve turning the original jpeg document into a png document, but we'll have to live with that! I should have made the image a little bit bigger since there was a bit of "wiggle room" left at the end!
Login to Like
this post
Approvals
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
Joe, I love seeing your pictures.
Seeing them sideways gives me a new philatelic angle!
Please keep on posting.
you have someone here who loves to see it!
-Ari
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@Harvey
Nothing you have said has annoyed me!
I have an old computer same as yours, it just takes two clicks on the keyboard to fix your images!
But I guess your suggestion is best, put compuer on the floor and lay down at an angle! This must be easier!
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
04:10:05pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
"I have an old computer same as yours, it just takes two clicks on the keyboard to fix your images!"
Would you please tell me what those two clicks are? It takes me many more than that to fix the problem my way! Please help!!
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
05:18:03pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
"Seeing them sideways gives me a new philatelic angle!"
Great Ari, it's a joy to find someone with a bit of imagination, someone who works with what's there and doesn't automatically start to complain!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
OK here we go
Your image taken of sor
#1 Open with MS Digital Image Pro 9
#2 Rotate (I use 270)
That's all you have to do
Login to Like
this post
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
@Harvey, as you will probably not have the MS program referred to above, you might like to try this method.
Open the folder that has the scan/image,
Find the file.
Right click on the file.
Choose rotate right or left as needed.
Hopefully that is all that is needed.
Login to Like
this post
Back when I had a bunch! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
23 Jul 2025
08:24:21pm
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
You're right I don't have the program. I've tried what you suggest and, for some strange reason, it doesn't work. I have figured out a fix but it has a bit of work involved. I think the problem is that my friends camera and my computer are a bit out of sync. That sounds a bit odd but my guess is it's not a problem on my end. If it was then your method would work. I promise there will be no more sideways pictures!
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
re: What are veritcal lozenges, and how do I ID the 7r Imperial Eagle Posthorns w/ lighningt bolt issue?
So long as your method works for you then all is well.
Enjoy your evening, or what is left.
Login to Like
this post