Unused Plate Blocks And Sheets

Greetings, I have about 600 plate blocks/sheets starting at #1035 and mostly between #1179 & 3328 (not complete). I'm told I should simply use them for postage. Advice please. Thanks!

There are a couple of premium items, for example Scott 1053. Use a catalog to be find the good ones. The rest is postage, though you will need to use large envelopes.

What Germania says is true - the great majority of this era can be used for postage. You might want to see if there is a local stamp club and ask someone there to look over what you have to be sure you don't have any of the few premium issues.

Lick em' and stick em".

You can use them for postage, or sell them on ebay to a collector piece meal or in lots... or as one big lot. often pieces like this can be found at below face value, so used as postage may offer the most return. Germania has a point though there "could be" something of slightly higher value in the pile.

You should also be aware that, for a few issues, specific plate numbers for otherwise common stamps can be valuable. In particular, some of the Great American series sport valuable plate numbers. E.g., Scott 1861 (20-cent Thomas Gallaudet) has 6 different plate numbers ... 1, 2, 5, 6, 8 & 9. The Scott Specialized Catalogue only lists a value of $4 for any Gallaudet plate block. But plates 8 & 9 actually are scarce and catalogue at $100-$150. Access to a Durland plate number catalogue will help.

Sadly, this is why I created an account here, My parents gifted e plate blocks on a birthday back in the 70's, they and I contributed to the collection over the years, in fact I have several years worth in the 90s and 2000s, I think, of full sheets. It sounds like I have postage for more than a lifetime. I have ordered a 2020 copy of Durland catalogue, and will be using it as a guide as I slowly use up the lickies and stickies. Thank you.

Since most dealers are now paying 40% to 50% of face value, your max value realized is to use then for postage. If you or someone you know owns a business, these stamps are great for getting prospects to open the envelope. Even better if hand-addressed. So maybe some value to a business than needs marketing. One caveat on all of this. If you have a few blocks (or blocks that you can take out of a sheet) that are centered near perfectly, some collectors will pay a premium for these. I've been using mine for postage for about fifteen years now. Still have about about $6,000 in postage to use...lol. One possible benefit to using old postage for mail is that maybe just maybe someone somewhere will see the stamps, fall in love, and become a new collector!