30c Ultramarine & Carmine (121). Positions 86/94-96, unused (no gum) multiple comprising four stamps with sheet selvage showing part imprint and full "No. 21" plate number in Carmine from Eagle and Shield plate, and Ultramarine and Carmine "T" alignment markers at bottom, additional Carmine "No." at right, unusual red fingerprint from pressman on back of lefthand selvage

FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED UNUSED PLATE NUMBER EXAMPLE OF THE REGULARLY-ISSUED 30-CENT 1869 PICTORIAL ISSUE -- ONLY ONE OTHER USED SINGLE WITH A PLATE NUMBER IS RECORDED. AN IMPORTANT PIECE.

The 30c 1869 Pictorial Issue was printed from separate plates: the Eagle and Shield plate with imprint at bottom (in Carmine), and the Draped Flags plate with imprint at top (in Ultramarine). The 30c 1869 Double Paper/Without Grill variety exists in top and bottom imprint multiples, which show that the Flags plate did not have a plate number at one point (see lot 110); however, plate proofs exist with the "No. 21" present, so it is possible that issued stamps exist with the plate number at top in Ultramarine. No top-margin examples of the normal 30c 1869 are known, with or without imprint or plate number. Therefore, it is impossible to say with certainty that the regular 30c stamps were printed from a Flags plate with plate numbers or without (see Chronicle 217 for an article by Scott R. Trepel on this subject).

Ex "Lafayette"

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