Grading Stamp Book Leaflets
The Exceptionable Method by
J.C. Harrigan
as told to W. A. McIntire
Evaluating
United States Flat Plate Stamp Book Leaflet
Weekly Philatelic Gossip pp 15-29, June 1940
Margin of Error, +/- 2%
Interpreted
by John P McGowan, BIA 7787
Web Site: www.epopstamps.com
email: usprexy@epopstamps.com
Assumption
I
Basic 'A' Leaflet
1.
Margins will be 01.30mm wide and measured from the frame line of the stamp.
2. Perforations will be without separation in the center of a gutter.
3. Leaflets without a tab will not be collectible, unless inverted.
Assumption
II
Position Leaflet
1.
Guide line segments must have margins on both sides.
2. Guide line segments cannot be shared.
3. Narrow or partial guide line segments are inferior.
Assumption
III
1. The plate number must be centered in the right tab and be clearly legible.
Scoring
Points
1. Margins of 1.30mm width are scored one point. One point for stapling tab
margin of 7.0mm in width.
2. Vertical perforation are scored one point when centered exactly in the gutter.
3. Horizontal perforations are scored one point for each of three perforations
when exactly centered in a gutter.
4. NO points for an ALMOST situation.
5. Occasionally, special consideration of FINE is allowed for nice appearing
leaflets that garner few points for perforations and margins because of an almost
situation.
| Superior: | 8 points |
| Extremely fine: | 7 points |
| Very fine: | 6 points |
| Fine: | 4 or 5 points |
| Average: | 3 points |
| Good: | 2 points |
| Poor: | 1 point |
EFO-(ugly): |
Zero points |
HARRIGAN AND McINTIRE BASED POSITION SCARCITY ON THE THEORETICAL PROBABILITY OF A PARTICULAR POSITION OCCURRING. THEY ARRIVED AT THE RANKING SHOWN BELOW.
The Relative Rarity of Any Position According to Harrigan
Position Rarity
| A |
1.00 |
| E (180) | 1.15 |
| J | 1.25 |
| M | 1.50 |
| H | 1.75 |
| I | 2.00 |
| D | 3.00 |
| B | 4.00 |
| F (180) | 4.75 |
| C | 5.00 |
| G (180) | 5.75 |
| K | 7.00 |
| L | 8.00 |
| N | 9.00 |
| O | 10.00 |
*****END*****
You can easily see that the tough method by J. C. Harrigan who collaborated with W. A. McIntire for evaluating stamp book leaflets would omit most stampers. Imagine, having all flat plate leaflets in an 8 point grading.
The article by R Gordon Schmidt about position scarcity began in THE UNITED STATES SPECIALIST, on March 1976, pp105-109. His article started with the analysis of 360-subject stamp book leaflets.
The study was concluded and printed in the journal of the BIA, THE UNITED STATES SPECIALIST April 1976, pp193-196. The 180-subject leaflets were explained and the scarcity computed. The American Expeditionary Force leaflet of 30 stamps was printed by the use of 360-subject plates. The 10c blue Lindbergh air mail leaflet of three stamps was printed by 360-subject plates which had been specially designed to print the double size stamp.
JPMcG