13c Bluish Green, Bluish (365). Block of four with top plate no. 4942 selvage, neatly cancelled by single strike of Saginaw Mich. oval cancel, deep rich color and well-centered, selvage with some reinforced perforations and top left selvage tab with crease, but the block itself is essentially sound

FINE-VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED USED PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF ANY OF THE 3-CENT TO 15-CENT 1909 BLUISH PAPER SPECIAL PRINTINGS, SOME OF WHICH WERE INADVERTENTLY PACKAGED AND DISTRIBUTED TO POST OFFICES. AN IMPORTANT RARITY AND ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH THE PLATE NUMBER SELVAGE.

An estimated ten 13c Bluish Paper panes were packaged with normal stamps and distributed to the post office at Saginaw, Michigan. According to the Assistant Postmaster, John J. Spencer, "We found what was left of what no doubt had been originally ten sheets safely resting at the bottom under a lot of new stock, the coming of which had doubtless saved these from annihilation [or use]. They were readily distinguished, having a marginal pen and ink marking. We found a partial mint sheet and margins from several other sheets had been used. One or two sheets had also been precancelled. We were satisfied that ten sheets (of 100) had reached this post office."

A Power Search review located four used blocks of the 13c Bluish Paper, all of which have Saginaw cancellations. This is the fifth recorded used block, and it is the only one with an imprint or plate number. A sixth used block was divided into singles after it was certified by The Philatelic Foundation in 1992.

Ex Todd. With 2011 P.F. certificate

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