2c Yorktown, Horizontal Pair, Imperforate Vertically (703c). Block of four, top pair lightly hinged, bottom pair Mint N.H., deep rich colors, detailed impression on pristine paper, unusually choice centering

VERY FINE. AN INCREDIBLY RARE BLOCK OF THE 2-CENT YORKTOWN IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY ERROR. ONLY ONE PANE OF 50 WAS DISCOVERED.

There were two distinct printings of this issue, using different plate layouts. The first employed 100-subject plates for both the frame and vignette. However, due to problems with paper shrinkage the vignettes were difficult to align to the frame, resulting in excessive waste. The second printing was made from a 100-subject plate for the frame, but a 50-subject plate was used for printing the vignette. This allowed for greater control, thereby significantly reducing waste.

The imperforate-vertically error occurred during production from the second plate configuration. We know this because different plate numbers were used for the first and second layouts. We also know that only one pane of 50, rather than a sheet of 100, was produced with vertical rows of perforations missing, because the perforations were applied after the sheets of 100 with the frame impression were divided into panes of 50 for the second press run.

Of the pane of 50, thirty examples are located in three known large blocks, leaving only 20 examples as pairs, strips or smaller blocks such as the one offered here. Scott Retail as two pairs "in the grade of fine"

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