#459 - 1914 - Imperforate - Rotary Press - Single line USPS wmk
See below for details
Basic Info
2¢ Carmine
TYPE I (see below)
Printing Method: Rotary press
Subject: George Washington
Number issued: 21,000
Perforations: Imperforate
Watermark: Single Line USPS wmk
Scott #: 459
Issued: June 30th, 1914
Value
As Pairs
Used
$1,300 - $2,300
No postmark with gum (MH)
$300 - $400
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$350 - $650
Add 20% if the pair has a line between the stamps (Line Pair)
As Singles
Used
$250 - $300
No postmark with gum (MH)
$90 - $150
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$160- $260
The Watermark
The watermark consists of single lined USPS letters. A stamp may show only part of a letter or letters.
Rotary Press
A Stickney Rotary Press Machine
The rotary plates were used in 1910 on an experimental basis, no stamps were issued from this test. 1914 saw the first use of the Rotary plates for production. The rotary plates were flat plates that were curved in order to fit the rotary machine. The plates were 17 stamps wide by 10 stamps high. Two pairs of these plates resulted in 340 coil stamps with each printing. Curving the plate increased the height of the stamp from 22 1/4 mm that flat plates produce to a slightly higher 23mm. Where the two plates join a thin line of color lies between the stamps, this is known as a line pair and command a price premium.
Type I problems
Unfortunately the curvature of the plate caused the ink to smudge on the stamp. Type II was produced where the areas prone to smudging were re-engraved. But it didn't., now areas of the stamp became under-inked. So type III was produced.
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 1914-16 Series
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