Spacing is the key with U.S. 1939, 1942 Jefferson booklet panes

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

On Jan. 27, 1939, the U.S. Post Office Department issued the 3¢ violet Thomas Jefferson stamp from the Prexie series in booklet panes of six (Scott 807a).

The stamps were perforated between rows and columns, but the outer edges of the pane were without perforations. The vertical spacing between the left and right stamps of the pane measures 3 millimeters. Panes were sold in 37¢ booklets (Scott BK100) and 73¢ booklets (BK101).

On March 6, 1942, the setting for the space between the left and right stamps in the booklet panes was reduced to 2.5mm.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the mint booklet pane spaced at 3mm at $30, while a mint booklet pane with 2.5mm spacing is valued at $8.50.

The booklet pane with 3mm spacing from the 1939 printing is much scarcer than the pane from the 1942 printing with 2.5mm spacing.

Well-centered panes, regarding both the outer cut and the perforations around the stamps, are a bargain if you come across them offered at anywhere near Scott catalog value.

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