#1789B 1979 15c Multicolor, John Paul Jones, Perforation 12, Top Left Plate Number Block of 10, Unused, Original Gum, Never Hinged

This is truly a Philatelic Icon. It is believed that there are probably fewer than 8 plate blocks in existence.

Top left plate block of 10 (plate numbers A0001–A0005), original gum, never hinged. Exceptionally well centered with bright, fresh colors. Position 4 shows a small internal crease, and a light diagonal crease appears in the selvage above positions 3–5, both noted by the Philatelic Foundation but in no way detracting from the striking appearance of this plate block. Extremely Fine.

The lot is accompanied by a copy of the article published in the December 1979 US Specialist (pp. 672 and 675), which documents the circumstances behind this rarity. According to the USPS, 30% of the John Paul Jones stamps were perforated 12 both vertically and horizontally, 40% were perforated 11 x 12 (the horizontal perf 12 wheel having been replaced with a perf 11 wheel in error), and the remaining 30% were perforated 11 in both directions. The USPS was unaware of the discrepancy until after the stamp had been issued.

Although the three varieties were produced in broadly similar quantities, the Perf. 12 version is today the scarcest by a wide margin. At the time of issue, the USPS offered to fill orders for specific perforation varieties only when full panes were requested (while supplies lasted); smaller orders were filled without regard to perforation. Very few Perf. 12 examples survived the postal system, making plate blocks of this quality among the most elusive plate blocks of the modern era.