Early Self-Adhesive Postage Stamps of the USA Issued in Strips for Use in Affixing Machines

(USA) 2431 from Strip

The next self-adhesive stamps produced in both booklet and coil formats were issued on September 25, 1992. These new “Eagle and Shield” stamps shared a common design, showing an eagle in profile rather than in portrait as depicted on 2431, and, without the ribbon reading, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” of that earlier design. Scott Catalogues assign three major listings to these new stamps, one for each change of denomination color. The issue a brown denomination was assigned the listing 2595. That with a green denomination, 2596. And, that with a red denomination, 2597. Each of these listings was universally released to the public as a booklet of seventeen stamps and one label. But, as with 2431, these new “Eagle and Shield” stamps were also available from the Stamp Fulfillment Services in a strips of seventeen for use with affixing machines.

While each of these three listings shared a common design, the die cut of 2595 differed from that of 2596 and 2597 on stamps of both the booklet and the strip. The corners of 2596 and 2597 were squared. Once removed from their backing, booklet and strip stamps were indistinguishable from one another. The Scott Catalogues mention the strip stamps only in a note. None merits a minor listing.

(USA) 2597 from Strip

New “Eagle and Shield” stamps listed as 2595 had squared corners along the outside of the booklet pane but slightly rounded corners within the booklet pane. Three stamps from each pane of the 2595 booklet — those adjacent to other stamps or to the selvage — had four slightly rounded corners. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers makes no mention of this feature, nor, or of a similar feature of 2595 strips. Each of the stamps of this issue produced in strips have four rounded corners. Without further notes, the general presumption is that stamps of 2595, whether from the booklet or the strip, are indistinguishable from one another once removed from their backing. The radius of the rounded corners from the strip stamps is greater than that of the corners from the booklet stamps. The rounded corners of the strips are bigger and therefore distinguishable with the aid of a magnifier from those of the booklet. Despite this difference, the Scott Catalogues do not give a minor listing to the strip/coil.

The next self-adhesive stamp produced in both booklet and coil formats was issued on June 25, 1993. Listed as Scott number 2489, this “Red Squirrel” definitive had universal public release, again as a booklet of eighteen. Again too, a strip of eighteen stamps, available from the Stamp Fulfillment Services, was produced for use with affixing machines. And, also like 2431, stamps issued in strip were indistinguishable from those issued in booklet once removed from their backing. Stamps released in strips bore no special markings; indeed no variation whatever. Scott Catalogues again reference release of the “Red Squirrel” in strips only in a note.

(USA) 2489 from Strip

The issue of a “Red Rose” self-adhesive stamp followed quickly, on August 19, 1993. Again, the stamp, listed by Scott Catalogues as number 2490, was issued in universal public release as a booklet of eighteen. And, a strip of eighteen stamps for use with affixing machines was again available from the Stamp Fulfillment Services. Like the issues before it also produced in strips, the “Red Rose” bore no apparent special markings to differentiate it from stamps issued in booklet. Scott Catalogues give the strip only a note. But, unlike previous self-adhesives except perhaps 1552, the “Red Rose” in strip format can be distinguished from the stamp in booklet by one small feature. This “Red Rose”, in the strip format, has rounded corners. Though its rounded corners are slight by comparison with those of 1552, the rounded corners of 2490 issued in strips can be distinguished by the naked eye from the squared corners of 2490 issued in booklets. Despite this, the Scott Catalogues do not give a minor listing to the strip/coil.

(USA) 2490 from Strip

(It is arguable that a rounding of corners is also apparent with 2490 issued in booklets. Like 2595, detectable rounding of corners occurs only where booklet stamps are adjacent to one another, not at the outer edges and, unlike 2595, not against the selvage either. The round of booklet stamp corners, however, is so slight that it is almost imperceptible once the stamp has been removed from its backing.)

The next set of self-adhesive stamps available in both booklet and strip formats were issued on October 28, 1993. These “Greetings” stamp were listed by the Scott Catalogues as numbers 2799 through 2802. Unfortunately, my reference collection is lacking examples of these issues. I am unable to make a determination of differences, if any between die cut booklets and die cut strips.

The next self-adhesive stamp available in both booklet and strip formats follows on November 5, 1993. The variant formats of this “Pine Cone” stamp, listed by Scott Catalogues as number 2491, could be differentiated or, rather, the stamp bearing the plate number “B1″ within the design could be identified as having come from a strip. This earns the strip the designation “coil” within the Scott Catalogues as well as a separate listing. While the booklet is assigned the minor listing, 2491a, the coil is assigned the minor listing, 2491c. Once removed from their backing, whether from the booklet or from the coil, however, these stamps are otherwise indistinguishable from one another.

(USA) 2491c from Strip

Similar conditions pertain to the next self-adhesive stamp, a “Love” stamp listed by Scott Catalogues as number 2813, issued on January 27, 1994. Stamps from the booklet pane of eighteen have squared corners as do the stamps produced in strips/coils. While the booklet is assigned the minor listing, 2813a, the coil is assigned the minor listing, 2813b. The strip earns the designation “coil” within the Scott Catalogues as well as its separate listing because one of the stamps of the strip incorporates the plate number “B1″ into its design. And, again, once removed from their backing, whether from the booklet or from the coil, these stamps are otherwise indistinguishable from one another.

(USA) 2813b from Strip

Differentiation of coil from the booklet subsequently becomes a persistent design feature. An “American Bald Headed Eagle” stamp issued on February 4, 1994 and listed by the Scott Catalogues as number 2598, together with a “Statue of Liberty” stamp issued on June 24, 1994 and listed by the Scott Catalogues as number 2599, have minor listings for both a booklet and a coil. The coils are differentiated from the booklets by the plate number on one of the stamps in the strip. And, the majority of the stamps, whether from the booklet or the strip, Scott Catalogues note, are indistinguishable from one another once removed from their backing. While true of 2599 — all stamps in booklet or in strip — have squared corners, this is not true of 2598. The 2598 booklet stamps have squared corners. The 2598 strip stamps, however, have slightly rounded corners that can be detected by the naked eye and, certainly under magnification.

(USA) 2599 from Strip

Of the two remaining early self-adhesive issues, my collection, sadly, lacks reference examples in mint condition. These include: a “Santa Clause” Greetings issue (Scott 2873, issued October 20, 1994) and an “Old Glory” definitive rate-change issue (Scott 2886, issued on December 13, 1994). Except for plate numbers on stamps produced on strips/coils, the Scott Catalogues indicate that stamps of each issue, whether from the booklet or from the strip, are indistinguishable from one another once removed from their backing.