Description

US Stamp #640 - 1926-28 8¢ Ulysses S. Grant, Pre-Canceled, G/VG (Good/Very Good) , NH (Never Hinged) Pre-Canceled, G/VG (Good/Very Good). NH (Never Hinged) Good Used. View Photo for details on stamps. I have listed photos of the exact stamps you should receive, both Front and Back Series: 1922-1926 Regular Issue Overprints: Overprints & Surcharges Face value: 8 ¢ - United States cent Issue Date: June 10, 1927 Emission: Definitive Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing First City: Washington, D.C. Printing Method: Rotary Press Perforation: 11 x 10 ½ Color: Orange yellow Description: Rotary press Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), 18th President of the USA The portrait of Ulysses S. Grant on U.S. #640 came from a photograph by renowned Civil War photographer Matthew Brady. While the 8¢ stamp had many uses at the time, it saw an increase in demand in 1932 when the Airmail letter rate was raised from 5¢ to 8¢. Perfecting Perforations on Rotary Stamps When the Bureau began printing sheets on the rotary press, they found 11-gauge perforations were too fine, causing the stamps to separate prematurely. This resulted in the perforations being changed back to 10-gauge perforations, which had first been used in 1915. Once again, objections were raised, and the Bureau began looking for a way to perforate the stamps, so they were strong enough to resist premature separation, yet fine enough to be separated without difficulty. The solution was found in a compromise that resulted in a new perforation – the 10 1/2 gauge. This perforation seemed to please everyone and was adopted as the new standard for rotary press sheets. In the words of Linn’s author Gary Griffith, the 1926-28 Compound Perforation rotary stamps represent “if not perfection, then at least a high degree of achievement...”