Scotts #654 US stamps

#654 2¢ Flat Plate Edison Issue 1929

2¢ Carmine rose, deep carmine rose

Printing Method: Flat Plate (see below)
Subject: Edison's First Lamp
Number issued: 31,679,200
Perforations: 11
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 654
Issued: June 5th, 1929

Value

Used
20¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
25¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
25¢ - 50¢

Plate #'s

#654 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
19775-78

First Day Cover

A first day cover of #654, dated June 5th, 1929

The Story Behind the Stamp

The source photograph for the design is shown above

The 'Light's Golden Jubilee' was a big deal at the time, with the leaders of several countries, including President Herbert Hoover, and many other famous dignitaries taking part. Celebrating fifty years since the invention of the electric light.

Thomas Edison could not be featured on the stamp as he was still living, and no living person is shown on a US stamp. Instead it was proposed showing either Edison's birthplace (a mock-up by myself is shown above) or a light bulb. The latter was approved.

A full pane

A pane of 100 of #654, there were four panes to a sheet of 400

Which 2¢ Edison stamp?

Click your selected stamp

#654

Perforated 11
FLAT PLATE PRINTING
See below to identify flat plate printing

#655

Perforated 11 x 10½
ROTARY PRESS PRINTING
See below to identify rotary press printing

#656

No perforations at top and bottom

A quick heads up if you are attempting to discern the VALUE difference between #654 and #655. Both stamps are worth less than 50¢ used and unused no more than a couple of dollars. Therefore you might not consider the identification process below useful to you.

STEP 1 - LOCATE A USED ROTARY PRESS STAMP OF THE SAME SIZE

A great choice would be any of the lower stamp denominations from the 1938 president series shown above . The used stamps have negligible value, less that an nickel, so not much harm done by cutting them up. However I would not use the dollar values of this series as they do have some value.

STEP 2 - CUT THE CORNERS OF YOUR CHOSEN STAMP

Cut a square out of each corner as shown above, make sure you cut into the design. I chose a used one cent stamp, but any used lower denomination from the 1938 series would do.