#463a - 1916 - Perf. 10 - Unwatermarked Booklet
See below for details
Basic Info
2¢ Rose carmine, carmine
TYPE I (see below)
Booklet pane of 6
Printing Method: Flat Plate( see below)
Subject: George Washington
Perforations: 10
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 463a
Issued: October 8th, 1916
Value
Used
$25 - $35
No postmark with gum (MH)
$15 - $25
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$30 - $40
A Full Sheet
A full sheet of 360 of the 2¢ booklet pane, in this case a proof sheet. The siderographers, or persons who created the plate from a transfer roll, signed the proof off in the bottom right corner.
Plate Numbers
#463a was issued with the following plate #'s:
Number only
7555-57, 60
7881-82, 85, 87
7968-71
Notable Sales
Position D, each with a different plate no., comprising all of the known plate nos. used for this booklet pane
Sold at Kellerher's March 2013 for $600 (MNH)
Explore Daniel Kelleher Auctions
A change to Unwatermarked paper
During the World War I questions of economy were paramount and the Bureau finding that unwatermarked paper could be bought at considerable saving specified this for their contracts effective July 1, 1916. On August 22 this new paper was first used.
While these stamps were current, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing made the first experimental precanceled stamps. These were prepared for Augusta, Me., New Orleans, La., and Springfield, Mass.
The Design Inspiration
Bust of George Washington
by Jean-Antoine Houdon
1785
The source of the design
2¢ Carmine two panes of six
BK50
Value for unexploded booklet: $300
2¢ Carmine four panes of six
BK51
Value for unexploded booklet: $700
2¢ Carmine eight panes of six
BK52
Value for unexploded booklet: $2,500
There are four different booklet covers for the 2¢ #463a. Each pane was separated from the next by a glassine, semi-opaque sheet. There is a tendency, over time, for these glassine sheets to stick to the stamps thus rendering the booklet almost valueless. In good condition with its contents complete they can fetch from $900 to $3,000 each.
How to identify a Type I
THE LEFT RIBBON'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I, Ia and II
There is but a single shading line in the top fold of the ribbon at the left.
TYPE III
There are two shading lines in the top fold of the ribbon at the left.
THE RIGHT RIBBON'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
TYPE I, Ia and II
There is but a single shading line in the bottom fold of the ribbon at the right.
TYPE III
There are two shading lines in the bottom fold of the ribbon at the right
TYPE I and Ia
The first shading line after the first ribbon fold of the right ribbon often appears as a single, unbroken line. At times there maybe one or two indistinct breaks. The bottom third of the line often appears stronger
TYPE II and III
The first shading line after the first ribbon fold of the right ribbon usually appears as a series of three dashes
THE BUTTON'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I
The outline of the toga button is thin and sometimes broken
TYPE Ia
The outline of the toga button is stronger than the other types
TYPE II and III
The outline of the toga button is complete and fairly strong
THE LOCK OF HAIR'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I and Ia
The lock of hair on Washington's cheek will show only a faint, often broken, vertical line along its left edge. It will be slightly stronger on type Ia, but not as strong as type II and III
TYPE II
The lock of hair on Washington's cheek will show a distinct vertical line along its left edge, joining at least four of the horizontally engraved lines of the cheek
TYPE III
The lock of hair on Washington's cheek will show a distinct vertical line along its left edge, joining at least five of the horizontally engraved lines of the cheek
THE MOUTH'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I
The dark line forming the mouth is almost straight or may even curve slightly upward at the corner of the mouth
TYPE Ia
The dark line forming the mouth is a strong straight line with a downward stroke at the corner of the mouth
TYPE II
The dark line forming the mouth is crooked
TYPE III
The dark line forming the right end of the mouth is crooked and it also dips down
THE EAR'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I and Ia
Directly below the ear there are several shading lines which are clearly severed, resulting in the appearance of a thin, white, vertical line
TYPE II
Directly below the ear there are several shading lines which are severed, and the breaks are narrower than those of the type I stamp. Thus the impression is of a thinner and shorter white line, although certainly more pronounced than the type III design.
TYPE III
Directly below the ear the shading lines have been closed up to such a point, that the thin white line visible in type I, Ia and type II designs has all but dissapeared.
THE PONYTAIL'S DISTINGUISHING FEATURE
TYPE I and Ia
The two lines shading the hair at the top of the ponytail, directly behind the ear are of unequal length
TYPE II
The two lines shading the hair at the top of the ponytail, directly behind the ear are approximately the same length, the bottom one being very slightly shorter
TYPE III
The two lines shading the hair at the top of the ponytail, directly behind the ear are approximately the same length, the top one can be slightly longer
The 1916 Definitive Issue Perf 10
Click your selected stamp
