2c Carmine, Louisiana Purchase, Vertical Pair, Imperforate Horizontally (324a). Block of four, Positions 21-22/26-27, with horizontal guideline between stamps and with vertical guideline visible at left, original gum with minor hinge removal marks, brilliant color

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 2-CENT LOUISIANA PURCHASE IMPERFORATE HORIZONTALLY. ONLY ONE PANE OF 50 WAS DISCOVERED, AND AT MOST FIVE BLOCKS ARE AVAILABLE TO COLLECTORS.

It is well-established that only one pane of 50 of this commemorative error was discovered. It was purchased as a new issue at the post office in Cleveland, Ohio, by A. W. Weigel of the Ohio Stamp Company. Very shortly thereafter, the pane, or at least a large part of it, became part of the George H. Worthington collection. The pane had been divided prior to the Worthington sale, to allow multiple collectors to obtain an example of the variety. In the Worthington auction, 26 of the 50 stamps were offered; the remaining 24 stamps were sold privately.

Our reconstruction of the pane of 50 includes six blocks of four, twelve pairs proven by photos and a pair from Positions 3/8 that we have not been able to verify with a photo. Among the blocks, the right arrow block is in the Miller collection owned by The New York Public Library, and the unique plate block was sold in the Gross collection. The block in the Lilly collection (Positions 31-32/36-37) has not been seen in years and might have been divided into pairs.

Ex Louis Grunin and Leonard Sheriff.

Digital reconstruction of the pane is available at: https://siegelauctions.com/legacy/324a-digitalreconstruction.jpg

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