$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. block of four, bright colors except some oxidization at right, otherwise Fine-Very Fine, Scott Retail as singles

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. block of four with horizontal guide line, well-centered, marvelous colors on bright paper, natural thin-line vertical gum skip of little consequence

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE.

The top left stamp is particularly noteworthy for its margins and centering. We have offered only two other Mint N.H. blocks in the last 10 years.

Scott Retail as Mint N.H. singles

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. centerline block of four, fresh, bright color, Fine-Very Fine, very scarce and desirable position multiple, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. block of four with horizontal guide line, well-centered, marvelous colors on bright paper, natural thin-line vertical gum skip of little consequence

VERY FINE-EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE MINT NEVER-HINGED BLOCK OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE.

The top left stamp is particularly noteworthy for its margins and centering. We have offered only two other Mint N.H. blocks in the last 10 years

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. left arrow block of four, brilliant colors, choice centering

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MINT NEVER-HINGED LEFT ARROW BLOCK OF THE $2.00 ORANGE RED & BLACK 1918 FRANKLIN ISSUE.

With 2000 P.S.E. certificate

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. block of four, rich color, top left stamp natural paper wrinkle described on accompanying certificate as "small crease at bottom left", otherwise Fine block, with 2000 P.F. certificate, Scott Retail as four Mint N.H. singles

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Top arrow and double plate no. block of eight, Mint N.H., natural printing crease in left pair, centered to top, Fine, very scarce 20th century plate block

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. top margin block of four with plate no., Very Fine

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Mint N.H. top margin arrow and double plate no. block of eight, beautiful deep color, very faint natural gum bends and tiny natural gum skip, usual slight oxidation

VERY FINE. ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST DESIRABLE OF UNITED STATES TWENTIETH CENTURY PLATE BLOCKS.

The $2.00 and $5.00 1918 Issue are the first bi-colored dollar-denominated postage stamps issued by the United States. Both were released just three months after the famous 1918 24c Inverted Jenny, but the early printings were issued in small quantities, since stocks of the 1902 $2.00 and $5.00 1917 issue were still on hand.

According to Johl, the $2.00 Orange Red & Black was a color error on the part of the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. The official description and order for the bi-color stamps specified "Red and Black" for the $2.00. When subsequent printings appeared in 1920 and philatelists brought the matter to the attention of the Bureau, they were told "this stamp has always been this color" (Johl, p. 306). From studies of Bureau and Post Office records, it is clear that the originally intended color was not issued until November 1920 (Scott 547), and that the earlier Orange Red stamps were mistakes. The quantity issued has been variously estimated at between 47,000 and 68,000.

The Scott catalogue value of $18,500.00 has not changed in over ten years and should be considered outdated

Image Magnifier / Download

$2.00 Orange Red & Black (523). Top plate no and arrow block of eight, one stamp with tiny gum skip, tiny tear from staple hole, Fine-Very Fine

Image Magnifier / Download