#771 1935 16ยข Air Mail Special Delivery Imperf
See below for details
Basic Info
16¢ Steel blue, bright steel blue
WITHOUT GUM
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Subject: Great seal of the United States
Perforations: Imperforate
Number issued: 1,351,024
Scott #: 771
Issued: March 15th, 1935
Value
Used
$2 - $4
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$2 - $3
Center Line Blocks
Each pane of 50 stamps was separated by a line. Where the four panes joined the lines would cross. A block of four stamps showing this crossed line is shown above. The MNH value is between $5 and $14
A full sheet
A sheet of 200 stamps, there were four panes of 50 to the sheet
Perforated Stamps
#CE1
#771 was a reprint of the above stamp, the above stamp was the regular special delivery airmail stamp. The above stamp was both perforated and gummed. MNH it has a value of $1
Cinderellas
This stamp was redesigned for the third philatelic congress of 1937.
Notable Sales
Plate block signed by James Farley, along with a few unsigned blocks
Sold April 2019 for $130
Explore H.R. Harmer's Auctions
The Inspiration for the Design
Design for the Verso of the Great Seal of the United States, 1782. From the Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention.
The Great Seal of the United States
The story behind #771
Although the air mail speeded transportation of the mail between distant points, too-much time was still being lost in local delivery. To further accelerate the delivery of air mail, the Post office Department decided to issue a 16¢ stamp ,to prepay the combined air mail and special delivery rate.
The stamp was rarely used and is scarce on cover. Despite mail bearing this stamp it was often treated as normal mail not ever getting near an aircraft. This was because the stamp was a reprint of the actual airmail stamp #CE1. Due to the lack of interest from the philatelic community this stamp was only on sale for two months.
No other Special Delivery Airmail stamp was issued before or after this issue.
The Great Seal of the United States
Plate #'s
#771 was issued with the following plate #'s
F + Numbers
21312-15
First Day Cover
A first day cover, dated March 15th, 1935
1935 Issues (Part 2)
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