Solo uses of U.S. 2014 Ralph Ellison stamp are scarce

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

On Feb. 18, 2014, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 91¢ Ralph Ellison stamp (Scott 4866) in the Literary Arts series. The stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler and produced by CCL Label Inc.

The tagged self-adhesive stamp has gauge 11 serpentine die cuts. It was printed by photogravure in sheets of 200 that were divided into panes of 20 for distribution and sale at post offices.

Uncut press sheets, both with and without die cuts, were also sold to the public.

At the time it was issued, the 91¢ Ralph Ellison stamp paid the 3-ounce first-class letter rate.

Ellison (1913-94), a native of Oklahoma, was an American author, critic and scholar whose novel Invisible Man won the National Book Award in 1953.

Ellison’s works often revolved around observations and questions about African American life, society and identity.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values a mint, never-hinged single at $1.90, a mint plate number block of four at $7.60, and a mint pane of 20 at $38. A used single is valued at just 45¢.

There is some demand for the mint pane of 20, which is a good buy at $25 to $30 against the $18.20 face value.

The stamp saw very limited use for its intended purpose as postage on 3-ounce letters. If you come across a contemporaneous solo use on a commercial (nonphilatelic) cover, it is a great buy at up to $10.

Connect with Linn’s Stamp News: 

    Sign up for our newsletter
    Like us on Facebook
    Follow us on Twitter