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#638 -1927 P11 x 10 ½ - 6¢

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Basic Info

6¢ - Light red orange, red orange

Printing Method: Rotary Press
Subject: James Garfield
Number issued:
Not known
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Watermark:
Unwatermarked
Scott #:
638
Issued:
July 27th, 1927

Value

Used
5¢ - 10¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
50¢ - 75¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)

$1.50 - $3

Plate #'s

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#638 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
18029-30, 36-37
18396-97
18420-21
18860-61, 66-67
19296-99

The design inspiration

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The vignette came from an 1881 photograph of President James A. Garfield by Edward Bierstadt.

A Change of Perforation

In 1915 the complaint that the "perforated ten" stamps were difficult to separate caused an experimental issue of two cents stamps with a new type 11 gauge perforation. This having proven satisfactory was soon thereafter used for all flat plate stamps. The use of ten gauge perforation on the rotary press printing, however, was necessary because the method used needed sufficient uncut space to prevent the sheets from tearing apart in the perforating process.

The introduction of rotary press sheet stamps for general use again caused this complaint and it necessitated the development of the bar and wheel type of perforator which made it possible to decrease the amount of uncut space between the stamps and increase the ease with which they could be separated.

In December 1926 the two cent stamps were issued with this new form of perforation as an experiment. Having proved successful other values were issued from the new perforators as soon as the supply at the Bureau became exhausted This value was not in great demand at this time and not issued in the new type of perforation until June 10, 1927.

First Day Cover

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A first day cover of #638, dated July 27th 1927

A full sheet

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A sheet of 100 of #638

Proofs

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Enlarge

558-P1
Large die proof on india die sunk on card

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558-P1

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Enlarge

558-P1a
Large die proof on white wove die sunk on card

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558-P1a

1926-30 11 x 10 ½ Definitives

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632
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633
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634
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634A
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635
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637
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