2c Deep Rose, Ty. Ia, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III Private Perforation (482A). Incredibly deep rich color on bright paper, full Schermack perforations on both sides, with additional margin to left of Schermack perforations, wide margins at top and bottom, centered to left as are virtually all known examples, perfect wavy-line machine cancel

EXTREMELY FINE GEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST EXAMPLES OF THE 2-CENT TYPE Ia IMPERFORATE IN EXISTENCE. AN OUTSTANDING RARITY AND ONE OF THE RAREST STAMPS OF 20TH CENTURY UNITED STATES PHILATELY.

Scott 482A, like its slightly more famous predecessor, Scott 314A, was issued imperforate by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and sold to the Schermack Company for use in its patented stamp-affixing machines. The Schermack "Sealer and Stamper" machine typically applied stamps one at a time, and, in most cases, the hyphen-hole perfs on one side would be cut off. Unlike Scott 314A, the release of imperforate sheets printed from the experimental Type Ia plates escaped the notice of contemporary collectors, and, therefore, has a very small survival rate.

Our census of Scott 482A, available at our website at https://siegelauctions.com/census/US/Scott/482A , records one pair (ex Zoellner), three covers, one unused single (perfs trimmed on both sides), a used pair and 40 used singles for a total of 46 stamps.

Schermack Type III stamps are often cut into the design by the oblong perforations or miscut with one side of the perforated margin missing. This problem for collectors, which meant very little to contemporary users of the stamps, resulted from two consecutive events. First, the sheets were perforated with the Schermack holes, creating an opportunity for misalignment between the stamps. Second, when the strip of stamps was fed through the Schermack affixing machine, the cutting blade did not always align with the space between stamps. The stamp offered here is remarkable because the Schermack perforations just touch the design, and it was cut with margins well clear of the design and with Schermack perforations intact.

Census No. 482A-CAN-20. Ex Twigg-Smith, "Scarsdale" and "Hanover". 1989 and 2001 P.F. certificates no longer accompany. With 2009 and 2017 P.S.E. certificates (XF 90; SMQ $135,000.00). This is the only Scott 482A at the 90 grade, with only one higher (at 90J)

Image Magnifier / Download

PSE Population Report

Market data

Power Search for Comparables