#499 - 1917 2ยข Flat Plate, no watermark, perf 11 (Type I)
See below for details
Basic Info
2¢ Very pale rose, light rose, rose, deep rose, dull rose, carmine rose, carmine,
pale rose red, rose red, lake.
TYPE I (Click here to ID Type I)
Subject: George Washington
Printing Method: Flat Plate (see below)
Perforations: 11
Watermark: None
Scott #: 499
Issued: March 23rd, 1917
#499 Value
Used
10¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
40¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$1
Plate Numbers
There are way too many plate numbers to list.
A Full Pane
There are four panes of 100 to a sheet of 400
Booklets
2¢ Rose two panes of six
BK58
Value for unexploded booklet: $350
2¢ Rose two panes of six
BK59
Value for unexploded booklet: $400
2¢ Rose eight panes of six
BK60
Value for unexploded booklet: $1,300
2¢ Rose eight panes of six
BK61
Value for unexploded booklet: $130
A new perforation
The old 10 perforation stamps tore frequently when separated for sale at the post office counter. Experiments with 11 perforated stamps found the problem was largely cured. It was not until 1917 the change was made as the bureau wished to wear out the 10 perforation wheels before making the change.
#499a / 499c
Vertical imperforate
#498a (also #498c)
Value $650 - $800
#499b
Vertical imperforate
#499b
Value $150 - $250
#499e
Booklet Pane
#499e
Value of #499e
Used
$1 - $2
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$2 - $7
#499f
American Expeditionary Forces Booklet Pane
#499f
Value: $15,000 - $35,000
Bk65
American European Forces booklet cover of #499f
#499f Earliest date of use
Earliest known date of use of 499f: August 7th, 1917 The solo on the envelope was the correct rate before the additional 1c was required as a war tax. The 2c on postcard paid the 2c war rate for postcards.
#499g
Double Impression
498g
Value $500 - $700
#499h
Lake color
498h
Value $175 - $250
Flat Plate or Rotary Press?
As the curved plates of the Rotary press made the stamps slightly larger it is relatively easy to discern which stamp is flat plate and which is a rotary press stamp. First select any perf Washington Franklin stamp or the first issue Washington Franklin 1 cent or 2 cent. These are the stamps with the numbers one and two spelt out, instead of numbers being displayed. I chose the latter alternative as shown in the first image above.
Then cut out squares at each corner. As shown in the second image above. Placing the stamp you wish to test under your cut out stamp you can see if the frame lines match. If, as in the last image shown above the frame lines are outside the top stamp in either the top, bottom or sides then you have a rotary stamp. If the lines are in the same place, as shown in the third image, you have a flat plate stamp.
This test works with any value stamp.
The image above left is a perfect example of the reverse of a flat plate stamp. The flecks of ink on the reverse can be found on flat plate stamps and are rare on rotary press stamps. The cause of the flecks of ink is that during the flat plate process the sheets were placed on top of each other before the ink had a chance to dry properly.
The 1917-19 Definitives
Click your selected stamp
