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scanning watermarks



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 7th 11, 01:05 AM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Pedro
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 133
Default scanning watermarks

hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or provide
directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro

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  #2  
Old August 7th 11, 12:44 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Victor Manta
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,256
Default scanning watermarks

"Pedro" wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro


Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer due to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp, so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------
--
Victor Manta, PWO, AIJP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philatelic Webmasters Organization: http://pwmo.org/
Art on Stamps: http://artonstamps.org/
Romania by Stamps: http://marci-postale.com/
Communism on Stamps: http://reds-on.postalstamps.biz/
Spanish North Africa: http://www.sna-on.postalstamps.biz/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


  #3  
Old August 7th 11, 10:44 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Billns
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 129
Default scanning watermarks

On 8/7/2011 4:44 AM, Victor Manta wrote:
wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro


Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer due to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp, so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------

What am I missing here? It looks like this will work only if the tray is
glass or at least transparent on the bottom. My watermark tray is all
black plastic.

Personally, I compare the watermark shown on the stamp in the tray with
the picture in the Scott catalog to determine what the catalog number
should be.

Bill
  #4  
Old August 7th 11, 10:53 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Victor Manta
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,256
Default scanning watermarks

"Billns" wrote in message
...
On 8/7/2011 4:44 AM, Victor Manta wrote:
wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my
scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark
but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro


Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer due
to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the
smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp, so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------


What am I missing here? It looks like this will work only if the tray is
glass or at least transparent on the bottom. My watermark tray is all
black plastic.

Personally, I compare the watermark shown on the stamp in the tray with
the picture in the Scott catalog to determine what the catalog number
should be.

Bill


Bob's posting is, if I remember well, from 1998. Maybe then the trays were
transparent.

--
Victor Manta, PWO, AIJP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philatelic Webmasters Organization: http://pwmo.org/
Art on Stamps: http://artonstamps.org/
Romania by Stamps: http://marci-postale.com/
Communism on Stamps: http://reds-on.postalstamps.biz/
Spanish North Africa: http://www.sna-on.postalstamps.biz/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


  #5  
Old August 8th 11, 08:13 AM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Pedro
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 133
Default scanning watermarks

"Sir F. A. Rien" wrote in message
...
"Pedro" found these unused words:

hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide
directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro


IF your scanner will scan photographic negatives, place the stamp face UP
and make the scan. You'll have to severely manipulate the contrast and
black/white capture points while scanning, but for many watermarks this
will
work.

Note, it will be 'reversed' so additional work in your graphics editor
will
be needed.



Thanks for your answer, I'll give it a try

regards,
Pedro

  #6  
Old August 8th 11, 08:18 AM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Pedro
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 133
Default scanning watermarks

"Billns" wrote in message
...
On 8/7/2011 4:44 AM, Victor Manta wrote:
wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my
scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark
but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro


Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer due
to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the
smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp, so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------

What am I missing here? It looks like this will work only if the tray is
glass or at least transparent on the bottom. My watermark tray is all
black plastic.

Personally, I compare the watermark shown on the stamp in the tray with
the picture in the Scott catalog to determine what the catalog number
should be.

Bill



Hello,
Sit F. was probably talking about a transparent tray, like a petri dish, for
instance. The problem here is how to obtain good quality images of the
watermark using a scanner. That will allow me to send the result via email,
for example to discuss with other stamp collector fellows about which
watermark in the catalog corresponds to my stamp's. Many times watermarks
are not clearly visible, and identification could be very hard, but with the
opinion of others perhaps one can have a better idea about which is it.

best regards,
Pedro

  #7  
Old August 8th 11, 09:47 AM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Victor Manta
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,256
Default scanning watermarks

"Pedro" wrote in message
...
"Billns" wrote in message
...
On 8/7/2011 4:44 AM, Victor Manta wrote:
wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my
scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark
but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro

Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer
due to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the
smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp, so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------

What am I missing here? It looks like this will work only if the tray is
glass or at least transparent on the bottom. My watermark tray is all
black plastic.

Personally, I compare the watermark shown on the stamp in the tray with
the picture in the Scott catalog to determine what the catalog number
should be.

Bill



Hello,
Sit F. was probably talking about a transparent tray, like a petri dish,
for instance. The problem here is how to obtain good quality images of the
watermark using a scanner. That will allow me to send the result via
email, for example to discuss with other stamp collector fellows about
which watermark in the catalog corresponds to my stamp's. Many times
watermarks are not clearly visible, and identification could be very hard,
but with the opinion of others perhaps one can have a better idea about
which is it.

best regards,
Pedro


It wasn't Sir F. who was talking about the transparent tray but Bob Russell.
His proposal is relevant for the discussed topic. The advantage of using
computer readable images of stamps, watermarks, perforations, etc. is
obvious.

Just to notice that from the points 1) and 2) of Bob's posting I infer that
finally the back of the stamp should face, through the transparent tray, the
scanner's plate.

Here is another relevant posting from the archive, posted in 2006 by Jay
Carrigan:

"My technique is to dip the stamp in watermark fluid, slip in into an
oversized black mount and quickly scan it before it dries. No further
manipulation required.

Here's a scan of a Germany stamp with a reversed watermark variety:
http://www.jaypex.com/Germany/587Y.jpg. "

The link still works!

If a good soul comments on my posting then Pedro will be able to read it and
maybe think twice as well about his understanding of some things written
here as about who is losing what by "killing" participants.

--
Victor Manta, PWO, AIJP

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philatelic Webmasters Organization: http://pwmo.org/
Art on Stamps: http://artonstamps.org/
Romania by Stamps: http://marci-postale.com/
Communism on Stamps: http://reds-on.postalstamps.biz/
Spanish North Africa: http://www.sna-on.postalstamps.biz/
----------------------------------------------------------------------------


  #8  
Old August 8th 11, 04:31 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Victor Manta
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,256
Default scanning watermarks

"Sir F. A. Rien" wrote in message
...
"Pedro" found these unused words:

"Billns" wrote in message
...
On 8/7/2011 4:44 AM, Victor Manta wrote:
wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my
scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark
but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro

Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer
due
to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the
smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp,
so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------
What am I missing here? It looks like this will work only if the tray is
glass or at least transparent on the bottom. My watermark tray is all
black plastic.

Personally, I compare the watermark shown on the stamp in the tray with
the picture in the Scott catalog to determine what the catalog number
should be.

Bill



Hello,
Sit F. was probably talking about a transparent tray, like a petri dish,
for
instance. The problem here is how to obtain good quality images of the
watermark using a scanner. That will allow me to send the result via
email,
for example to discuss with other stamp collector fellows about which
watermark in the catalog corresponds to my stamp's. Many times watermarks
are not clearly visible, and identification could be very hard, but with
the
opinion of others perhaps one can have a better idea about which is it.

best regards,
Pedro


Digital camera or smart phone comes to mind ...


Yep but with macro lens and lighting accessories and something that holds
the whole equipment. Plus probably the stamp saturated in watermark fluid.

Victor Manta


  #9  
Old August 8th 11, 08:10 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Pedro
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 133
Default scanning watermarks

"Sir F. A. Rien" wrote in message
...
"Pedro" found these unused words:

"Billns" wrote in message
...
On 8/7/2011 4:44 AM, Victor Manta wrote:
wrote in message
...
hello all,
I'm trying to get a decent digital image of a watermark with my
scanner.
My method is still not perfect although I manage to see the watermark
but
not very clear. I'd appreciate very much if anyone could help me or
provide directions in achieving this goal in a better way.

Thanks,
pedro

Found in the RCSD archive but Pedro won't be able to read this answer
due
to
his killing instincts:
--------------------

Hi,

After a little trial and error I've found a way to get nice JPG's of
watermarks.

1) Place the stamp face down on the bottom of a watermark tray (the
smooth
side) and saturate with fluid.
2) Place the tray face up on the scanner.
3) Set the scan margins a little bit inside the borders of the stamp,
so
none of the tray shows.
4) Scan at hi-res and manipulate the image as desired.

The images are very clear, although not as clear as in Scott, makes me
wonder if the wmk images they use are hand drawn or cleaned up somehow.

Anyone else do this?

--Bob Russell

------------------------------
What am I missing here? It looks like this will work only if the tray is
glass or at least transparent on the bottom. My watermark tray is all
black plastic.

Personally, I compare the watermark shown on the stamp in the tray with
the picture in the Scott catalog to determine what the catalog number
should be.

Bill



Hello,
Sit F. was probably talking about a transparent tray, like a petri dish,
for
instance. The problem here is how to obtain good quality images of the
watermark using a scanner. That will allow me to send the result via
email,
for example to discuss with other stamp collector fellows about which
watermark in the catalog corresponds to my stamp's. Many times watermarks
are not clearly visible, and identification could be very hard, but with
the
opinion of others perhaps one can have a better idea about which is it.

best regards,
Pedro


Digital camera or smart phone comes to mind ...



Not the same definition as a scanner. A scanner can provide much better
quality and more detailed images when scanning at a high resolution.
Sometimes a simple eye inspection cannot identify clearly the watermarks A
scanner can be used as a microscope with my higher resolution than a digital
camera or a samrt phone. Digital cameras/ smartphones are like more
sophisticated replacement of human eye but not so perfect as a scanner.

regards,
Pedro

regards,
Pedro

  #10  
Old August 8th 11, 09:11 PM posted to rec.collecting.stamps.discuss
Billns
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 129
Default scanning watermarks

On 8/8/2011 12:10 PM, Pedro wrote:



Not the same definition as a scanner. A scanner can provide much better
quality and more detailed images when scanning at a high resolution.
Sometimes a simple eye inspection cannot identify clearly the watermarks
A scanner can be used as a microscope with my higher resolution than a
digital camera or a samrt phone. Digital cameras/ smartphones are like
more sophisticated replacement of human eye but not so perfect as a
scanner.

regards,
Pedro


I normally prefer a scanner, too, but a digital camera with a macro mode
that lets you take a picture just a few inches away from the stamp works
well. You may need a stand for the camera and some supplementary
lighting to get the best possible picture. You can zoom a digital photo
as well as a stamp image.

Bill

 




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