U.S. 2012 Bonsai double-sided pane of 20 in demand

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

Bonsai is the Japanese art of growing and training miniature trees in containers. Bonsai offers the pleasure of contemplation to the viewer and the challenge of effort and ingenuity for the grower.

While developed in Japan, bonsai is now practiced by many enthusiasts in the United States.

On Jan. 23, 2012, the U.S. Postal Service issued a set of five nondenominated (45¢) Bonsai forever stamps in double-sided panes of 20 (Scott 4622b). The trees depicted in the five designs are a Sierra juniper, black pine, banyan, trident maple and azalea.

The stamps were designed by Ethel Kessler.

Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. printed the tagged stamps by lithography. They have gauge 11 by 10¾ serpentine die cuts on two or three sides.

The double-sided pane has 12 stamps on one side and eight stamps on the other, plus a label that serves as the booklet cover.

There is some demand for the intact mint pane. The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the mint pane at $40. The pane is currently selling for around $20 against a postage value of $13.20.

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