2c Deep Rose, Ty. I-Ia (499-500). Bottom left margin block of 20 containing Mint N.H. plate no. 10208 block of six, which is the very rare Type I-Ia combination, this plate block comprises Positions 84-86/94-96 with Position 95 and 96 Type I stamps, all others in the piece are Type Ia and are also Mint N.H. except for the second stamp in the top row lightly hinged (not in the combination plate block), first stamp in top row natural gum crease

VERY FINE MINT NEVER-HINGED PLATE BLOCK OF THE TYPE I-Ia, SCOTT 499-500 COMBINATION. ONE OF THE GREAT 20TH CENTURY PLATE BLOCK RARITIES. ALSO VERY SELDOM OFFERED IN A LARGER MULTIPLE.

Type Ia was created in 1919, when the Bureau of Engraving & Printing created an experimental 10-subject transfer roll, and used it to enter two new plates (Nos. 10208 and 10209). It was hoped that this technique would speed production, but the experiment was quickly abandoned and no further plates were made. The process resulted in design differences from the Type I that was contemporary at the time (Scott 499) and the stamps from these plates were designated as Type Ia (Scott 500). The two Type I positions from the bottom row of plate 10208 were the result of re-entries using the normal Type I transfer roll (the 10-subject roll would have been too large to accomplish single position re-entries). The Type I-Ia combination plate block offered here is the only Mint N.H. plate block we located using Power Search.

With 2015 P.F. certificate. Scott Retail as Mint N.H. plate block plus singles

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