Denmark: Plate Blocks - Early: Classic Issues To 1933
Early Plate Blocks: Printed plate numbers in the margins of Danish sheets first started to appear around 1905 with some printings of the Wavy-Line issues and the Frederik VIII issues. The numbering had varying appearance, and even included some crude hand-engraved numerals. During 1913, the visual appearance of the numbering had become the general style that continued in use through the end of the typographed era (1933). All during that era, the plate numbers were part of the printing plate and were printed at the same moment as the stamps. With the 1 July 1933 (Scott #220) switch to a new printing press that produced engraved stamps, the appearance of the numbering (which was not present on the first several stamps of the engraved era) changed to black numerals that were printed by a separate numbering unit instead of actually being part of the printing plate. Pre-1934 plate blocks are listed and priced in the AFA Specialized Catalog along with each stamp listing. For early plate blocks, significant additional information, including the print date for each plate and the quantities of sheets printed for each plate number, can be found in the book by Knud Juul, "De Klassiske Marginalnumre - Danmarks Frimærker 1910-1933". I stock the AFA Specialized Catalog and I can also sometimes provide examples of the Juul book. Collecting the early plate blocks is a rewarding challenge; though their cost is often quite modest, many are far scarcer than most dealers or collectors realize. I am usually able to supply on approval more early plate blocks than are listed here -- please inquire.
111, Facit #145, AFA #103 [1918 30 øre green and black Christian X] NH Fine lower left plate block #116-S. Lower right stamp with tiny natural inclusion. First printing of this bicolored stamp. AFA Specialized 2016 value is DKK 650 ($100) per each stamp and DKK 3200 ($480) for this plate number block. Few examples of these scarce early plate blocks are still exist intact.
ACTUAL item.
190.00
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239852
116, Facit #150a, AFA #105 [1918 40 øre lilac and black Christian X] NH VF/F-VF upper left plate block #129-S. This block very clearly shows that the three-sided perforation comb was one stamp high and open-ended at the bottom -- a feature not usually so obvious. AFA Specialized 2016 value is DKK 400 ($60) per each stamp and DKK 2200 ($330) for this plate number block. Very attractive. Few examples of these scarce early plate blocks are still exist intact.
ACTUAL item.
295.00
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242040
119 [1925 40 øre Orange Christian X] Upper Left PLATE BLOCK "No 293 O", NEVER HINGED with XF-Superb centering. Wonderfully fresh.
ACTUAL item.
34.00
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239853
123, Facit #156a, AFA #107 [1919 60 øre brown and blue Christian X] NH F-VF lower right plate block #173-K. AFA Specialized 2016 value is DKK 1400 ($210) per each stamp and DKK 7500 ($1125) for this plate number block. Very attractive. Few examples of these scarce early plate blocks are still exist intact. This one is extremely scarce and is priced hardly more than the break-up value as NH singles.
ACTUAL item.
850.00
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239854
125, Facit #158, AFA #108 [1920 70 øre brown and green Christian X] NH F-VF+ lower right plate block #265-J. Margins narrowed and erased penciled number in margin. AFA Specialized 2016 value is DKK 550 ($82) per each stamp and DKK 2800 ($420) for this plate number block. Few examples of these scarce early plate blocks are still exist intact. Priced at only the break-up value of the four singles.
ACTUAL item.
270.00
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242042
214 [1930 15 øre red Christian X 60th Birthday] Upper right PLATE BLOCK "No 389 I". NEVER HINGED with Superb centering. Separated vertical perforations between the lower right stamp and the selvage, but not visible as such when mounted in the album. Plate blocks of this attractive issue are seldom available. Priced at about the total value of the Superb NH singles (this is a scarcer stamp in NH condition). Wonderfully fresh.
ACTUAL item.
170.00
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242345
214 [1930 15 øre red Christian X 60th Birthday] Lower left PLATE BLOCK "No 389 I". NEVER HINGED with Superb centering. While this has not been hinged, there are a couple very small gum disturbance spots in the selvage and one tiny such spot on the lower left stamp, thus I count that stamp as hinged. Strong perforations and wonderfully fresh appearance. Plate blocks of this attractive issue are seldom available. Priced at about the total value of the Superb NH 3x singles and one as hinged (this is a scarcer stamp in NH condition).
ACTUAL item.
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135.00
244988
I1, Facit #GB1, AFA #Gebyr 1 [1923 "GEBYR" overprint on 10 øre green Postage Due] Stamps NH F-VF/F-VF+ upper left plate block 265-Z, with light hinge mark in top selvage. Very fresh and bright. Few examples of these scarce early plate blocks are still exist intact. The break-up value for four singles with this centering is about $135! This stamp is scarce in NH condition.
ACTUAL item.