United States Plate Blocks continued...

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE UNIQUE TOP PLATE NUMBER BLOCK OF TEN OF THE 2-CENT YORKTOWN, IMPERFORATE VERTICALLY, FROM THE ONLY PANE OF 50 SOLD. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF ALL 20TH CENTURY COMMEMORATIVE ISSUES.

The 2c Yorktown was issued on October 19, 1931, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the surrender of General Cornwallis to General Washington at Yorktown. Because previous Revolutionary War stamps had honored our allies from Germany and Poland, it was suggested that the French should be honored with the new issue. Rochambeau and DeGrasse were selected in recognition of their contribution to Washington's victory at Yorktown.

There were two distinct printings of this issue, using different plate layouts. The first employed 100-subject plates for both the frame and vignette. However, due to problems with paper shrinkage the vignettes were difficult to align to the frame, resulting in excessive waste. The second printing was made from a 100-subject plate for the frame, but a 50-subject plate was used for printing the vignette. This allowed for greater control, thereby significantly reducing waste.

The imperforate-vertically error occurred during production from the second plate configuration. We know this because different plate numbers were used for the first and second layouts. We also know that only one pane of 50, rather than a sheet of 100, was produced with vertical rows of perforations missing, because the perforations were applied after the sheets of 100 with the frame impression were divided into panes of 50 for the second press run. Therefore, we can be reasonably certain that this top plate number multiple is unique.

With 2005 P.F. certificate (Image)