2c Carmine, Perf 10 at Bottom (554d). Tied by "Colorado Springs Colo. Feb. 6, 1924" machine cancel on Midland Terminal Railway Co. corner card cover to New York, deep rich color on bright paper, missing small part of top flap, minor edgewear

VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RARE 1922 2-CENT PERF 10 AT TOP OR BOTTOM ON COVER.

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.

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 five covers, for a total of 29.

Census No. 554d-COV-22. Ex Griffith and Lake Shore. With 1988 P.F. certificate.

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