8c Decade of Space Achievement (1434-1435). Complete Mint N.H. plate no. 33148 upper left pane of 50, foldover at top left results in lithograph gray plate no. 33128 printed at upper left, straddling the selvage of Positions 6/11 and 32mm from the edge of the stamp design, with gray color bars at edge

VERY FINE. A SPECTACULAR RARITY OF PLATE NUMBER COLLECTING. THIS LITHOGRAPH GRAY PLATE NO. 33128 ON THE 1971 "SPACE TWINS" ISSUE IS UNIQUE.

Normal engraved (Giori press) black plate nos. ranging from 33138 thru 33162 are recorded for this issue. The presence of the gray lithograph plate no. could occur only due to a large foldover, as the edges of the sheets were trimmed, removing the plate nos. This is a remarkable occurrence as a foldover this large would normally be detected by inspectors. Very few modern issues are known with a lithograph plate no. A similar foldover plate no. multiple, on the $1.00 Candleholder Issue (Scott 1610), realized $17,500.00 hammer in our Sale 1037, lot 2171.

Unlisted in Durland

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