US Scott 294 & Some People Are Out Of Their Minds

My Scott National Album already has a MNH 294 gracing its pages but today, during the Golden Oak auction, I decided to pick up another copy to put into my Vintage Reproduction albums. Although centered a bit to the south, the colour spoke to me and the price was right, so I pulled the trigger and added it to my won lots.
What's eating away at me is the included PSE cert that shows that this stamp came from a plate block of six with inscription. Both the stamp and the block are pictured below. Who in their right mind would break up a beautiful block like this?? What the hell were they thinking? Its sickening for me to think about...

Off the top of my head I don't know the cat or real world value of this stamp in such a condition, but I can tell you the across the board answer: salability. Nobody's got the cash to fork over what it's truly worth and the dealer doesn't have a whole lifetime to wait for a buyer. They bought it for a price and broke it up hoping to flip it for a handsome profit. They probably kept a block of four with margin, who knows

There there are more singles collectors than there are plate block collectors.

Have to add that IMO grading blocks is dumb.

This is also an example where the centering of the frame within the perforations drives the grade with minimal regard for the registration/centering of the vignette within the frame. It lacks eye appeal to me for this reason.

Looks to be the top center stamp, so unlikely the block of 4 was preserved.

Comes down to preservation or profit. Dealers will choose profit almost every time.

The stamp only cost a whopping $28 (plus tip) so I find it hard to believe a dealer couldn't do better selling the block with imprint fully intact at more than 6x $28. I realize plate block collecting isn't what it used to be, but having the full imprint intact is what appeals to me. Such a shame...

I agree.....I was the underbidder on that lot. Not even a choice centered copy but with a clean cert well worth the money....enjoy

I got 4 lots there yesterday.....
lot 93.....#399 states LH.....cert states UL of Block is LH other 3 NH....
so....is this UL??? I dont think so?
I dont think this stamp originated from this block?

I bought a Scott 547 recently that I traced the provenance to be broken up from a block in the Meyersen Siegel sale. It was also a nice block, but I guess all is fair in the quest for more $. Especially when they are not that rare. I do wonder when blocks become rare enough their value exceeds the breakup value. But less people competing for blocks over 2k.

Unfortunately, graded singles prices are often so insane that the block is worth less even when rare. MANY scarce, rare, and unique multiples have been broken up to feed the craze for a certificate collection.

Sheetguy - I agree with you that the 399 is not from that block. You noticed it after you bid?

I agree but do note that it is better center than any of the four from the block. Question is what does the back look like, a question easily answered when the lot arrives.


Yes in philately, the entropy has always been from the sheet as printed moving slowly towards individual single stamps and even smaller damaged units. Covers become single used stamps as well with time.

Now no one has mention the obvious issue with the original plate block. Those things are fragile and separations or damage can occur. Then you are all but forced to break it up to be able to sell what is left. A week ago last Friday I watched someone change their newly purchased White Plains sheet from one with a few separation to a top half with a few separation and a bottom half with no separations. That was not done with profit motive in mind.

I collect Special Handling and have been greatly effected by the philatelic entropy. In decades of looking I have yet to find a full pane, any of the four positions, of QE4 (formerly QE4a) of Plate #17103. They have long been split up for singles sales of the uncommon stamps contained within. If you have or know of one, let me know.

YES....noticed after bid.
Golden Oak ships my lots before payment.
I will just wait and see once the item arrives.

I think this has been a trend in printed matter for a while. About 20 years ago an infamous book dealer bought a rare original complete Audubon book at auction and when he picked it up borrowed a steel ruler from the attendant at the pickup counter and proceeded to tear out all the illustrations and shove the binding back asking if he'd mind throwing it away. All for a quick profit.