Sale 1077 — United States Stamps and Possessions
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 29-30 July, 2014
Category — Parcel Post (Q, JQ)
4c Parcel Post (Q4). Mint N.H. right plate no. 6346 and "FOUR" block of 12, natural s.e. at bottom, deep rich color, choice centering essentially throughout, Very Fine, a premium plate block
10c Parcel Post (Q6). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6164 and "TEN" block of four, nice margins and centering, small corner crease bottom left stamp, Very Fine-Extremely Fine appearance, Scott Retail as hinged
15c Parcel Post (Q7). Mint N.H. strip of five with plate no. 6259 and "FIFTEEN" selvage, natural s.e. at bottom, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
20c Parcel Post (Q8). Mint N.H. bottom plate no. 6193 and "TWENTY" at left block of four with narrow selvage, radiant color, detailed impression, top left stamp tiny natural inclusion, Fine-Very Fine, from the bottom right pane, a review using Power Search found only one other plate block with the imprint offered in our auctions since 1992 (from a side position), ex MLG collection, unlisted in Scott as Mint N.H., Scott Retail as hinged
25c Parcel Post (Q9). Top plate no. 6176 block of six, lightly hinged, brilliant color, Fine-Very Fine
25c Parcel Post (Q9). Mint N.H. left plate no. and "TWENTY-FIVE" strip of four, bright color, typical slight gum bends, Fine
50c Parcel Post (Q10). Top plate no. 6423 and "FIFTY" at right block of four, stamps Mint N.H., h.r. in selvage where some perf separations reinforced, Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Mint N.H. top plate no. 6299 and "SEVENTY-FIVE" at left block of six, radiant color, wide margins and attractive centeringVERY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED TOP IMPRINT AND PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF SIX OF THE 75-CENT PARCEL POST ISSUE.
The Parcel Post issues were printed from plates of 180 which consisted of four panes of 45. According to Johl, the uniform color of the twelve denominations led to confusion on the part of postal clerks, who complained that they were forced to examine the stamps in detail to ensure they had the correct values. In response, on January 27, 1913 large capital letters were added to the margins near each plate number. At top and bottom the imprint is in the selvage next to the plate number; on the sides it is separated by a stamp with blank selvage, except in the case where the lettering is too long.
This block is from the top right pane. We have offered only two other Mint N.H. Q11 plate blocks with the value imprint since keeping computerized records (both side positions)
75c Parcel Post (Q11). Bottom plate no. 6287 block of six, two stamps Mint N.H., h.r. at right, some perf separations, Fine-Very Fine, the left block particularly well-centered
$1.00 Parcel Post (Q12). Mint N.H. with "DOLLAR" in top selvage, rich color, Very Fine and choice, with 2004 P.F. certificate
25c Dark Green, Parcel Post Postage Due (JQ5). Top plate no. 6246 block of six, stamps Mint N.H., h.r. in selvage, attractive margins and centering, perf separations in selvage, Fine-Very Fine