Plate Blocks Vs Stamp Sheet Values

I've noticed that sales of the plate block of 4 sell for a higher percentage above FV than the entire pane of such stamps. For example, Scott #2224 (Liberty 22c), the pane of 4 stamps that has a total face value of 88c, sells for around $2, while the sheet of 50 sells for barely above FV on auction sites. What explains this disparity and is this common? If one has a sheet like the above, would it be beneficial to keep the plate blocks and then use the rest of the stamps in the middle for postage?

I don't know where you got that data - or whether you are looking at only one country which may be unique. In my sales experience there is a market for full panes but almost zero for plate blocks.

United States stamps and looking at past sales on ebay.

On some issues, it seems like the plate blocks are in higher demand than the full panes.

Why spend 5 times as much if all you want or need is a plate block. If you paid $10 for the sheet and took the plate block out you would be left with a bunch of postage.

While a 2224 PB might have sold for $2, that it a unusually high price.

I agree with rogdcam. I'm not a dedicated collector of plate blocks (or sheets or covers) but if there is a stamp I particularly like (usually because of its topic) I may add a block or cover to the collection also.

If I were looking for a plate block of a particular stamp, didn't want to add a full sheet to the album, and didn't have need for postage, it would make more sense to me to spend $2.00 for the plate block I want rather than $11.00 for a full sheet to take the block out of, regardless of the value per stamp. And, I'll have $9.00 left to spend on other stamps I need.