i recently bought an FDC of the pane of State Birds and Flowers issue (april 14, 1982). Scott only shows an FDC for Scott 2002b, pane of 50 perfed 10.5 x 11.25. The pane I have, though, is the other perf variety, 11.25 x 11, Scott 2002Ac. Is this an oversight by Scott? I'm assuming that both 2002b and 2002Ac were available on the first day and that both were given FDC cancellations. Is that correct?
President - West Essex Philatelic Society www.wepsonline.org 20 Feb 2007 11:06:11am
re: Question about a US State Birds and Flowers FDC
Hi David,
I have searched the internet quite extensively and cannot find any of the B&F fdc's of the 11.25 x 11 listed for sale. Are you sure you have this variety of perforation on your cover? I was under the impression (can't prove it right now) that that variety (similar to the John Paul Jones stamps) came out later than the 10.5 x 11.25 perf, which would make sense that there aren't any FDC's to be found and not listed in Scott. Perhaps you have something that is not currently known of. Not that I'm doubting your skills but I would make sure 100% that your perfs are correct.
If you find the answer please let me know as I am interested in FDC's and never noticed that there wasn't a price in Scott for this issue.
re: Question about a US State Birds and Flowers FDC
Hmmm, I ran across one dated reference for the issue of the 1953A-2002A stamps on eBay (an expired link) and it has the same date of issue as the 1953-2002 set. Of course one eBay listing doesn't validate that date, nor does it speak to a FDC for that set either. The mystery continues.
re: Question about a US State Birds and Flowers FDC
OK, i remeasureed. it's definitely 2002Ac, the perf 11.25 x 11 variety; it's clearly postmarked with a single had cancel of the FDC plus individual CDSs, all april 14, 1982. It is in a blue manila presentation folder marked "official state birds and flowers commemorative sheet"; on the reverse is a copyright notice from Calhoun's Collector Society.
Until recently this issue was considered a minor variety. Perhaps that's why there was no FDC info and they just negelected to add it to the catalogue. Does anyone have a recent Scott First Day Catalogue by Michael Mellone? The most recent I have is 1997 and the issue was not listed probably because of the minor status.
President - West Essex Philatelic Society www.wepsonline.org 22 Feb 2007 07:33:05am
re: Question about a US State Birds and Flowers FDC
David,
I was just on FDC dealers James McCusker's website. He has 59 items for sale of this issue. None of them have the "A" numbers. If they were previously known to exist, I think he would have at least one. You may have something not previously known.
The cynical side of me (when I hear the words "Collector Society") also makes me wonder if this Calhoun Collector's Society got permission to back date some of their collectibles and was able to obtain this sheet without knowing they had the perf variety.