4c Brown, Imperforate, Schermack Ty. III (314A). Large margins to full with full Schermack perforations on right side, deep rich color, usual wavy-line cancel

VERY FINE. A RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE 4-CENT 1908 IMPERFORATE WITH SCHERMACK PERFORATIONS, SCOTT 314A.

With the rising popularity of vending and affixing machines, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing received numerous requests from manufacturers for supplies of imperforate stamps, which could then be privately perforated to conform to each firm's machine. In May 1908, a supply of 25 sheets (400 stamps per sheet) of the 4c 1902 Issue, without perforations, was delivered to the Schermack Mailing Machine Co. in Detroit. The entire supply was cut into coils with Schermack Type III perforations, designed for the firm's patented affixing machine and delivered to the Winfield Printing Co. for use on mass mailings of advertising material. Approximately 6,000 were used on a mailing for Hamilton Carhartt Manufacturer, and almost all of the 4,000 balance were used on a mailing for Burroughs Adding Machine Co.

Our unpublished census contains 44 used examples, including three strips of three (one on cover), three singles on separate covers, and 32 single used copies (four are or were at one time on piece, including one of the sound copies with full margins). All three strips of three and two covers were used by Karl Koslowski, who was the only person able to acquire some of the 4c Imperforates. He is also the source for the only known unused copies. Our published census (updated) contains four pairs, two guide line pairs and nine singles, for a total of 21 unused stamps.

With 2005 P.F. certificate.

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