Basic Information
Color: Orange brown
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: Imperforate
Scott #: 346
Quantity issued: 311,700
Issued: February 25th, 1909
Value
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $8-$11
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $5-$7
A used stamp: $7-$9
Values are for stamps with four margins
About #346
A used block of four
These imperf. stamps were issued primarily for use in making private coils for vending machines. They were printed from the same type of plates as were used for the perforated stamps of this issue, although not all the plates noted for perforated varieties were used.
The imperf. stamps (unless in coils) were issued in full sheets containing 400 subjects, divided into four panes of 100 each by horizontal and vertical guide lines. These guide lines terminated in arrows at the margins. In the perforated varieties the guide-Iines appear as straight edges at top or bottom and right or left. On the imperforate sheets they permit additional position varieties.
Paste-up Pairs
A paste up pair
The makers of private coils pasted fifteen of these sheets together, end to end or side to side. These were then perforated, cut into strips and rolled into coils of 3,000. A paste up, occurred every twenty stamps, each strip being divided by the guide line running in the same direction as the perforations. The primary reason for issuing imperforate stamps in sheets being for the use of makers of private perforations, Above is shown an example of where two stamps have been pasted together.
Guide Lines
The guide line cross in the center of the sheet
A guide line between each pane of 100 in a sheet of 400 was printed. Guide lines on the 3¢ value are uncommon. They do increase the price of the stamp.
1906-08 imperforate stamps and private perforations
A Schermack Type I private perforation
The imperforate stamps from 1906-08 were issued without perforations specifically to supply private stamp vending and affixing machine companies. These early automated companies purchased uncut sheets of 400 stamps from the Post Office. They then cut the sheets into rolls (coils) and applied their own proprietary perforations or slots so the stamps could dispense from their machines. A guide to these proprietary perforations can be found by clicking the button below.
Vending machines required stamps with straight edges, either on the top and bottom or on both sides to operate the machines. Initially the Bureau perforated sheets in only one direction and then cut them into strips. These strips were then hand pasted into rolls and sold as a roll of coiled stamps.
The process of pasting together the strips was labor intensive and coils were not cheap to produce. The advent of the rotary press saved the day.
The blades in the both the first experimental machines were much to be desired and usually meant separating the stamps meant a torn stamp. The private perforations were employed to aid separation. Various perforations were used.
Because of high demand from philatelists, postal authorities made these imperforate sheets generally available to the collecting public, allowing them to acquire blocks, strips, and position pieces.
An attempt at a good profit...
The package that the imperf stamps were sold in, by the New York dealer
The copies that reached philatelic hands were obtained in the following manner: a New' York stamp dealer placed an order with the Main Post Office New York for 10,000 copies, this number being the necessary minimum, but his request was refused on the grounds that the Post Office could not lend itself to a scheme of securing stamps especially for sale to philatelists.
This dealer, however, was able to secure his order through another Post Office and then sold them at 25% over face. Other New York dealers immediately besieged the New York Postmaster for this imperforate stamp but received the information that they "did not exist." However, when this Postmaster learned that the dealer for whom he had refused to order the stamps had obtained them elsewhere and was selling them at 25% above face he put through an order for 10,000 copies and sold these to both dealers and collectors. It is certain that at least 20,000 of these stamps reached philatelists and undoubtedly some of those ordered by private coil manufacturers were also acquired, but as the entire output was rather limited.
The Schermack Punch Controls
An example of a punch control
The Schermack Company used a control pin pattern of nine pins. Pins were removed to identify the company that their stamp was sold to. This 'punch control' was a security device to deter stamp theft.
Usage
#346 - Earliest documented date of use, March 13th, 1909
In 1908, standard domestic first-class letters cost 2¢ per ounce. Therefore, the 4¢ stamp was primarily used to pay double-weight first-class postage for letters weighing up to 2 ounces.
Because 4¢ did not align with a single standalone rate, the stamp also had several other practical uses:
Registry Fees: Two 4¢ stamps were used to pay the 8¢ domestic registry fee.
Special Delivery: Three 4¢ stamps could cover a 10¢ special delivery fee plus a standard 2¢ domestic letter.
Mixed Usage: Patrons frequently combined 4¢ stamps with other denominations to fulfill larger package weights or complex international mail rates.
The Plates
#346 was issued with the following plate #'s
Imprint and number
4932-35
Imprint, star and plate number
5132-38, 46, 58, 99
5212-17, 26
5405-08, 15, 17, 22, 26
The sideographer’s initials and plate finisher
The strip of letters, frequently seen in the selvage are the initials of the sideographer or plate finisher, for reasons of quality control. Typically, the first, middle, and last initial was used, each followed by a period or dash. This can only be seen on flat plate or offset press printings, not on rotary press printings. Siderographers initials are on the upper left margin and plate finishers on the lower right margin of a sheet of 400 stamps. The plate finishers initials are on the lower left margin of a sheet of 400 stamps.
The initials were punched into the plate one letter at a time, accounting for the initials not being in a straight line.
The meaning of the star
The star in the inscription
Early in 1909, most of the higher values had new plates made with gutters 3mm wide between the six outer rows on either side but with the remaining eight rows of 2mm spacing, the same as plates of the lower values. These were made to overcome the waste in perforating due to unequal shrinkage of the paper which was greatest at the outside. To guide the perforator in setting the wheels for these plates a star identification mark was added after the imprint, hence the name " Star Plate. " These plates produced blocks of stamps with different vertical spacings and although the 3mm out numbered the 2mm they are more desirable as few seem to have been saved of the 3mm spacing.
Identifying the Watermark on #346
The DOUBLE lined USPS watermark
The SINGLE lined USPS watermark
Between 1895 and 1916 the U.S. government used two different watermarks, double line and single line with the letters "USPS".
By placing the watermark face down on a dark surface or holding it up to bright light you might be able to see the watermark. If you cannot see the watermark it might be a good idea to invest in watermark fluid and a watermark tray. Ronsons lighter fluid works just as well as watermark fluid. Both fluids evaporate quickly.
Pour a little fluid in the tray, lay the stamp face down. In a few seconds the stamp will absorb the fluid and reveal the watermark to you.
As you will see from the illustrations the letters can span several stamps, so on the watermark, for instance, you can see only part of the letter S in one corner and only part the letter P in the other corner.
The Inspiration for the Design
George Washington bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon
The vignette was based on a bust of George Washington by french sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.
Created in 1785 the bust is considered the most accurate likeness of the first U.S. president. Based on a life mask and clay model made at Mount Vernon, it captures Washington at age 53 with precise facial details, blending a Roman, toga-style aesthetic with realistic aging. It is considered one of the most accurate representations of Washington
Proofs
