Sale 1028 — The Natalee Grace Collection of Used U.S. Stamps, Part Three: 1902 and Later Issues
Sale Date — Thursday, 20 September, 2012
Category — 1922-25 Issues (Scott 547-583)
2c Carmine, Perf 10 at Bottom (554d). Brilliant color, detailed impression, crisp paper, neat machine cancelVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 1922 2-CENT PERF 10 AT BOTTOM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST COPIES IN EXISTENCE.
At a certain point during production one of the perforating wheels became defective. In the course of repairs part of one perforation wheel was inadvertently changed from Perf 11 to Perf 10. Based on the physical evidence of surviving copies, this was the nineteenth row of pins on the wheel.
Many examples of the Perf 10 on One Side rarities show transitional perfs from 10 to 11 or from 11 to 10. This is because the out-of-gauge perforation pins would frequently cross the span of more than one stamp, depending on where the wheel contacted the sheet.
The Perf 10 on One Side varieties span both the 1917 Washington-Franklin and 1922-23 Issues. It is interesting to note that, apart from the 2c, there is no duplication of denomination between the issues. This would seem to indicate that the improperly repaired wheel was in use for only a short period of time, as there was little overlap in production of the issues. Based on dates of issue of the basic stamps, this probably occurred early in 1923.
Our census of Scott 554d, available at http://www.siegelauctions.com/dynamic/census/554d/554d.pdf , records 20 used singles, four contained in a block and four covers, for a total of 28. None is known unused. Seven of the 20 have flaws, and of the 13 sound singles perhaps four compare favorably to the example offered here.
Census No. 554d-CAN-05. Ex Sheriff. With 1972 A.P.S. certificate. With 1973 and 2009 P.F. certificates.
