FREE: MINT VF 1935 16¢ Great Seal of United States - US Scott # 771

The listing, MINT VF 1935 16¢ Great Seal of United States - US Scott # 771 has ended.

U.S. #771
16¢ 1935 Design of U.S. No. CE1
Great Seal of the United States
Air Mail Special Delivery

Issue Date: March 15, 1935
First City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 1,370,560
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat Plate Press
Perforation: None
Color: Dark Blue

Designed by President Franklin Roosevelt, U.S. #771 is the exact design and color of Scott #CE1, and paid the extra fees on Airmail Special Delivery. The stamp was sold at the Philatelic Agency for only two months. The difference between U.S. #771 and the original “Folly” version (the stamps given as gifts to Roosevelt and others), is that the normally issued stamp is imperforate.

Farley’s Follies
U.S. #771 was the last of Farley’s Follies. Starting in 1933, Postmaster General James Farley had sheets of newly produced stamps removed before they were gummed and perforated. He gave them to stamp collector President Franklin Roosevelt and other high-ranking officials. Collectors protested – these were specifically made rarities that were not available to the public! On February 5, 1935, the problem was solved. All the stamps issued since March 4, 1933, were re-issued in imperforate, ungummed condition in such quantities as the public required.