Plate Block Position, Mail Early Questions

Hello All

Which plate block position is most desirable or collectable ?
for example: top left or top right ... lower left , lower right ?

Which plate number of a particular set is most collectable ?
for example: lowest number plate, highest number plate or sequential plate numbers ?

What about a block of four with the "mail early" selvage ? In this configuration are the stamps considered just standard MNH ? No collectable value for a complete plate block set ?
I ask this because I have some plate block sets with all four corner plate positions and the mail early block to go with it.

All comments welcome.
Thanks
htx

I like upper right for my plate single collection, but there is no value order as far as I know.
Some numbers are scarcer but nobody I know specifically prefers the low or high numbers for any stamp.
When mail-early blocks were popular (briefly!) they were collected as blocks of six, 4's would have no premium.
Modern plate blocks - post-1935 have no particular premium for match sets of 4 corners.

Almost everything can be used to mail electric bills.

Lol I just did that today. I had some duplicates that I just bought. They take a lot of space up when you use them.

Thank you for the quick reply.
I'll go with the lower plate numbers and whichever plate position I happen to have the most of.
This way ( when mounted ) they will look uniformed in their appearance on the pages.
And all the duplicate plate numbers with the same position I'll use for postage.

For Flat Press printings, the top is the most desirable. Full tops are worth a premium. In terms of rotary press printings, position is a preference. As Chasa noted, some collectors prefer to find all Upper Lefts or Lower Rights. This can make a nice display and is more challenging than just taking any of the 4 positions.

Some plate numbers are scarce and desirable... even post 1935. Take a look at the Liberty Series or some Airmails. A Durland catalog is invaluable in determining the value of particular plate numbers versus a generic number. No catalog is perfect of course as some numbers listed as scarce are available and some listed as common very hard to find. Often times a plate number that was used on a very short run can be tough to find.

Mail Early Blocks are usually but not always blocks of 6. They are not particularly popular. Zip blocks are more popular. 1960's US commemoratives are not expensive to obtain but are very attractive and can have better value if you check for tagging varieties.

Bob

Of course, you could opt for the ultimate insanity and work on a complete set of plate blocks for each number/Scott issue....It will keep you busy for many, many years.