#383 - 1911 1ยข Single line USPS watermark, Imperf
See below for details
Basic Info
1¢ yellowish green, bright green, green, dark green
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforations: Imperforate
Watermark: single line USPS watermark
Scott #: 383
Quantity Issued: n/k
Issued: January 3rd,1911
Earliest Documented Use: January 28th, 1911
Value
Used
$2 - $3.50
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1 - $3
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$2.50 - $5
SINGLES
Used
$1- $1.50
No postmark with (MH)
50¢ - $1
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$1 - $3.50
PAIRS
Used
$1 - $6
No postmark with (MH)
75¢- $1.50
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$1.50 - $4.50
Multiply by 3 for line pairs
Notable Sales
The more desirable stamps of this issue are those that have been privately perforated. See below for more details. This pair have Farwell private perforations.
Sold December 2022 for $61 (MH)
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Plate Numbers
383 was issued with the following plate numbers:
Imprint, star and plate number
5322-60, 78, 80, 83-85
5402-04, 18, 20, 38, 77-79, 82-86, 88-91, 94-98
5592-99
5600-01, 03-05, 07, 20, 22, 31-34, 37, 39-40, 43-44, 47, 51, 72-73
5799
Imprint, 'A" and plate number
5566-67, 72-73
5664-65
5709-16
Center Line Blocks
Ideally imperf stamps should be collected in pairs, for the simple reason that one can see that the stamp(s) are genuinely imperforate and not stamps with their perforations cut off. The cost of #383 is so low that the cost of the center line block makes it more obtainable. The center line block is so called because it is where the two lines that separated panes, cross.
A New Watermark
The purpose of this change was to strengthen the paper and to give it a more uniform thickness. The old double line watermark covered too much space and made the lettered area quite a bit thinner than the rest of the paper, which caused variation in the shrinkage of the paper. The new watermark was also smaller, occurring 400 letters to a full sheet instead of 360.
Single Line USPS Watermark
The purpose of imperf
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. The main purpose of this issue being for the manufacture of private coils, below are listed the private perforations used on this stamp.
Private Perforation Blocks
Blocks with private perforations are scarce. Here is a plate block perforated by the Farwell Company showing A perforations on the top pair and B perforations on the middle and bottom pair.
Earliest Known Use
Earliest known use of #383, January 28th, 1911
The 1910-13 Coils and Imperfs
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