5c Blue, Imperforate (315). Centerline block of four, original gum, h.r. at center, deep rich color, large and balanced margins, top right stamp small natural gum wrinkle

VERY FINE AND CHOICE. A RARE ORIGINAL-GUM CENTERLINE BLOCK OF FOUR OF THE 1908 5-CENT LINCOLN IMPERFORATE. VERY FEW CAN EXIST.

According to Johl, only 29 sheets of 400 of the 5c imperforate were issued. Most were sent to Indianapolis and the majority was used by manufacturers of private coils. Some unused were acquired by collectors (including 825 copies distributed to members of the Detroit Philatelic Society). As scarce and desirable as plate blocks are of this issue, centerline blocks are in an entirely separate category of rarity. For each sheet of 400 stamps there would have been eight plate blocks — and only one centerline block. Johl notes that not more than ten centerline blocks could possibly have remained intact after the private coil production broke most of the sheets, and it is likely the actual number to survive is significantly less than ten.

With 2015 P.S.E. certificate (VF 80). A grade is meaningless on a rarity such as this.

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