Albania ID Needed

I have two blocks of 8 of Albania Scott 1367-1373. Block one has a label with a birds nest and 7 stamps depicting birds with face values from 5q to 2.40L. This is a normal block. Block two is the same except there is NO 2.40L stamp. Where this stamp is normally all there is is a "stamp" with only the blue tree branch background. There is NO bird or text. What do I have? Is it an error or a block from an unlisted souvenir sheet, or what? Is this a commonly found block?

Hi Antman,

Block 2 was created specifically to provide CTO short sets. It wasn't issued.

Nigelc--Thanks for the reply. I never would have thought of that. Are you sure? Most CTO's I have seen have the postmark printed on as part of the printing process. My block 2 is not canceled. But, I guess the canceling plate could be on a different press. What you said about a special printing for making up short sets makes sense. I guess I always thought, after collecting for 61 years, that short sets were a product of stamp dealers and not the countries post office. I just assumed the short sets were made by dealers for the packet trade or beginner approvals, leaving them with the missing high value of a set to sell separately at a higher price. Well, it just goes to show you that no matter how long you collect there is always something new to learn.

Michel lists them as Block I and Block II...

Eric and Antman, my information was from SG Part 3:

Blocks also exist cancelled to order with the design of the 2l.40 omitted. These were prepared for sale as c-t-o "short" sets.

What are the SG and Michel numbers for both blocks and what are the values in both catalogs. Remember, my block II is not CTO.

Michel:
Kleinbogen I (MiNr.1492-1498): mint 25€, used 20€
Kleinbogen II (MiNr.1492-1498): no values given (which basically means that editors have been unable to assign a catalog value for reason or another).

SCB--Thank you for the information. The Block 1 value is higher than I expected. Since they show no value for Block 2, I would have to guess, especially in mint, not CTO condition, that it is considerably less common and worth more than the Block 1.

I have had both blocks for over 20 years. They came in an auction lot of Albania 1970-1979 complete Mint on album pages. Although I have had them all these years, I am just recently getting around to putting them in my Scott International album.

Antman, in Michel world Block and Kleinbogen are two different things/terms.

As for the the value... I'd stick with 'undefined' and not make assumptions to any directions. I've got quite many items where Michel gives blancs for value; but over the years I've also seen some of them redefined. In most cases their values have been just a fraction of my wildest daydreams, LOL.

SCB--You say Block and Kleinbogen are two different things/terms. Please explain the difference.

In terms of Michel:

A 'Block' - always sold as complete sheet. I also recall Michel editors have an upper limit how many stamps a sheet can contain (otherwise it gets labeled as 'kleinbogen'). Michel provides unique running numbers for 'Blocks', and they are referenced e.g. Block #123.

A 'Kleinbogen' - also individual stamps have been sold from the sheet. Michel provides no running numbers (catalog id's) for kleinbogens, but they are usually referenced by catalog numbers of stamps in the sheet followed by term 'Kleinbogen' or 'Kbg' (or KB).
For example I'd mark your type II sheet as "Michel #1492-1498 Kbg I"

Hope this clears up.

-k-

SCB--Thank you for the definition of the two terms as used by Michel.