This article by WA McIntire has been extracted, revised, and/or copied from Weekly Philatelic Gossip

A Study of U.S. Booklet Panes
II
July 6, 1940

Conducted by
W.A. McIntire, P.O. Box 28, Clifton, New Jersey

1903
2c Shield, DL Perf 12

There were 232 type I and 40 type II plates used for this issue, all 180 subjects. (See Durland) The first number was 1845 and the last 4760. In June, 1937 it was announced by the Bureau Issues Association that Mr Norbert J Eich had discovered the existence of two dies on the ordinary sheet stamp of this issue. In November, 1938 through the Bureau Specialist, he listed his investigation as relating to the booklet as well. Booklet pane plate numbers between 1845 and 4289 were laid down from Die I. Die II was used between 4357 and 4760. The first Die II plate number was 4357. That number and 4580 were never reported. (See Durland) Logically one would expect these two numbers to be found in Die II; but the positive assertion is unwarrented until copies are found and checked. The difference in the two dies is illustrated in ScottÕs Catalogue, 1940 on page 76, from Mr EichÕs original drawings.

The scarcer ink shades are the ÒscarletÓ and Òdeep lake.Ó Collections have been seen containing as high as twenty different shades.(1)

Two varieties have been reported on the 180 subject sheets. One is a small ball of color which would cause panes B and C to occur with a split ball of color in addirion to the split arrow. The other is the left side arrow on position 11, which is an E leaflet.(1)

These 1c and 2c booklets were overprinted for the Philippines in characteristic diagonal format.

There were approximately one billion two hundred and seventy million issued, the first plates going to press in December, 1903 and the last ones in October, 1908 a total life for the issue of nearly five years. Stamps of this issue were on sale until late in 1909.

1908 1c and 2c, DL Perf 12
180 and 360 Subject Plates

The 1c denomination was issued Nov. 18, 1908. Twelve 180 subject plates were used: *4867, *69-*70, *77. 5029-30, 34-35, 37-38, 40-41. Four 360 subject plates were used: 5263-4, 67-8.

There were about 300 million stamps issued from the 180 subject plates and 100 million from the 360 subject, the combined period of issues being nearly 18 months.

The 2c denomination was issued from thirty-two 180 subject plates: *4803-*6, *8, *26, *32, *36, 4947, 50, 53, 55, 63-5, 70. *5042-*3, *47-8, *88, *90, 95-*6, 99. 5104, *6, 8, 12-*13, *39, *54.

The 2c denomination was also issued from twelve 360 subject plates: 5130. 5261-2, 6. 5445-6, 8, 50-1, 6, 8-9.

One interesting variety was reported on the 2c. A thin horizontal line just below the horizontal guide line on a plate, thus giving what appears to be a double guide line on certain of the J and M panes.(1) Wiley reports on the 1c plate 5038, an attempt to remove the plate number after it had been entered too near the upper frame line on the D pane.(2)

There were approximately 258 million 2c stamps issued from 180 subject plates and an additional 200 million from 360 subject plates. This denomination was current from November 1908 until November 1910.

The 1c and 2c of 1908 mark the demise of the 180 subject plate, (Lindbergh excepted,) and the last printing on Double Line paper.

(To be continued)

*Scarce. (See Durland)

(1) The Booklet Issues of the U.S., Simpson Yeomans.
(2) U.S. Stamp Booklets, H L Wiley.