The Century of Progress panes of 25 were printed from plates of 225 subjects in 9 panes of 25 each. Three plates were made for each denomination
1 cent Plates 21145, 21159 and 21143.
3 cent Plates 21146. 21160 and 21144.
Plates 21143 and 21144 were never put to press.
For the 730 & 731 plates 21145 and 21146 were used for printing at the model post office at the expo and plates 21159 and 21160 were used for printing at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The sheets were cut into 9 panes before being sold.
The re-issue 766 & 767 were printed from the same plates with all printings done at BEP and were distrubutes as sheets of 225.
The printing quantities were
730 456,704 panes of 25 11,417,600 stamps total
731 441,172 panes of 25 11,029,300 stamps total
766 10,968 sheets of 225 2,467,800 stamps total
767 9,546 sheets of 225 2,147,850 stamps total
With the lower quantity printing being the 766 & 767 all stamps without the identifying gutters are priced as 730 & 731.
The plate layout is shown below
Certified plate proof 3 cent Plate 21146
Posted 09/08/2011 4:00 pm
Yup to me that's a "head scratcher"
