Plate Block 1938

I have a plate block of a 1938 Thomas Jefferson sealed in plastic. I would like any info on it. The plate block number is 24340.

what is the plate block number?

and what is the value of the stamp?

Welcome to Stamp Collecting Forum.

The purple Thomas Jefferson stamp of the 1938 Presidential Series (Scott No. 807) has a current catalog value of $1.10. However, keep in mind that most stamps are only worth a small fraction of their catalog value on the secondary market and this would be no exception, particularly because it was virtually the most common stamp issued during that period.

Condition, gum and centering are also major factors. I'm not sure what you are referring to in using the term "sealed in plastic". A scanned image would help us here at Stamp Collecting Forum to better evaluate your example.

maybe he means it is slabbed?

Over 350 plates were used to print the regular issue 1938 Jefferson. Most have low value but some are listed above $10.

Where does one get this information? It's not listed in the Scott Specialized Catalog of US stamps (although they do reference an EE experimental that would require a margin block of 10.)

Durland Plate Number Catalog.

You MUST have a Durland if you collect 20th Century U.S.

As I mentioned previously, there is ONE 20c Presidential plate block which catalogs over $3000. That's the sort of thing you find out.

Yeah, I had been collecting plate blocks for years. Then found the Durland. And I was rich!

Ok, not really, but is a great read if you collect plate blocks.

I don't actively collect plate blocks but I consider the Durland Standard Plate Number Catalog a required reference for U.S. stamps. I just ordered the latest edition.
Cheers, Robert

I'm sorry that I'm late rejoining this discussion but it is refreshing to see that we have no shortage of others who are capable of responding.

For those not familiar with Durland, here is a sampling of the information it contains. It is definitely a great resource for the U.S. collector.



And to piggyback on doug2222's point about the 20c Garfield (Scott 825), if you have a block with plate number 22176 I'd recommend against your breaking it up for postage.

EDIT: The 2008 Durland listed the value of all positions of plate 24340 at $1.50.

i have the 2012 version... very cheap to own..

Since the Scott catalog places the value of a plate block at $1.10 and the Durland scan shows the values can actually range from 35 cents to as much as $8 (depending on plate number), with the majority being at the lower end of that price range, there is not really any correlation between the two.

Does one assume that the Durland catalog contains more accurate values and if one were to value a "common" plate number variety, the Durland value at 35 cents is more accurate than the Scott value of $1.10?

Absolutely. The catalog really does specialize in the trade of plate number blocks and their prices. I suspect Scott Specialized is probably taking an aggregate value, whereas Durland gives more detailed information.

Buyers use Scott's for Plate Block pricing, sellers use Durland.