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If the 10.5 die cut variety and its occurrence in so many different rows was not enough to contemplate, how about die cut gaps? In certain plate positions on each printing, the row of 10.5 stamps has a gap breaking the vertical die cuts across the entire row. Also, the gap traverses the entire printing web. Therefore if the gap occurs in the upper left plate position (Position 1), it also occurs in the upper right position (Position 2). This break can always be found in the same location relative to the image of Uncle Sam. It is always even with the bottom of his hand (see illustration).
The die cut gaps vary in size and alignment. They can be very narrow and show no disruption to the rhythm of the sine wave die cuts. Or they can be wide enough to create a noticeably longer wave. They can also be shifted slightly laterally. Regardless of how they appear, it is a mystery as to why they exist. The gaps seem to represent the point at which the ends of the die cut mat meet. But why have the gap placed in the middle of a row of stamps? Why not between sheets or at the edge of the web? And why does it occur in so many different places? The apparent answer would seem to be that each different position represents a different printing, since each different position would have to be created by a different mat. It is, however, possible that a mat could have been replaced during a printing. What is curious is that the original printing was apparently completed with the use of only two mats, both of which had the 10.5 die cut in Row 3, while the reissue had the 10.5 die cut in 4 different rows. Here is another odd thing to contemplate. Since the reissue was successfully die cut with a mat without the 10.5 (and without any gaps), why could not the entire issue been printed this way? Why should the norm have been to have had one taller row throughout most of the printing, throwing off the vertical centering in the other three 10.8 rows? Defies understand, doesn't it? Die cut gaps have been found in Plate Positions 1 and 2, Positions 7 and 8 and Positions 3 and 4. Because the 10.5 variety was discovered so late in the 33c rate period, examples of the 10.5 in some rows have been difficult to find. As a result examples of die cut gaps are scarce in some rows. Examples or reports of die cut gap positions not listed on the following pages are wanted and welcomed. Please contact me with any new report, and let me know if the example is available.
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