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This is a "stock item" and I use a "stock scan" for identification purposes. The quality of the stamp, card, cover, or other philatelic item you receive will match (or exceed!) the written description, though it may look slightly different from the item in the scan. Please see the GREEN PRINT at the bottom for an explanation.

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SCOTT #U544"X", NEWLY-DISCOVERED DIE VARIETY - Size 12

     U.S. POSTAL STATIONERY - MINT ENVELOPES

     Scott #U544"X", UPSS Size 12.

     5c Lincoln, dark blue on white, Die X, a newly-discovered die variety.

     An article appeared on Page 164 of Postal Stationery, the September-October 2011 issue. Written by Bill Geijsbeek, it described this new die variety.

     For those non-UPSS members out there, please examine the scan above.

     The Upper Left is Die 1 (U544a), Upper Right is Die 2 (U544), Lower Left is Die 3 (U544b) and Lower Right is the "NEW" Die in question...let's call it U544X.

     The major features of Die 1 are:
1. Lincoln has a nose that could open cans. It's long & sharp.
2. All bars of the "E" in STATES are of equal length.
3. The center bar of "E" of POSTAGE is a bit higher than dead-center.

     The major features of Die 2 are:
1. Lincoln has a nose that is somewhat more blunt than Die 1.
2. The center bar of the "E" in STATES is shorter than the other 2.
3. The center bar of "E" of POSTAGE is dead-center.

     The major features of Die 3 are:
1. Lincoln has a nose that is somewhat more blunt than Die 1.
2. The center bar of the "E" in STATES is shorter than the other 2.
3. The center bar of "E" of POSTAGE is dead-center.
4. The "F" and "I" of FIVE are close.
Die 3 is very much like like Die 2, except for the "FI" in FIVE...and the lettering is usually thicker.

     This new Die "X" has the following features:

1. Lincoln's nose is blunt, like Dies 2 and 3.
2. The center bar of "E" of STATES is shorter, like Dies 2 and 3.
3. The center bar of "E" of STATES is higher than dead-center, but not as high as it is on Die 1.
4. The most important feature is the "A" of STATES; it's taller than the two "T"s which surround it. This appears on no other die.
5. The back of the neck and hair have a smoother line than the other dies. This may not show up well on the scan.

      This die is not yet listed and no value has been assigned, but since I only found about 25 of them, representing over 30 years of dealing in U.S. Postal Stationery, I do not believe they are common.

     Mint, and in excellent condition.

     MANY MORE Mint Envelopes are listed in my Ebay Store. CLICK HERE to view.

      I'm a dinosaur on the Internet, making my customers happy the old-fashioned way, just as I've done thru the mail since 1971. For information about placing orders & combined shipping, please see the WHITE PRINT below.

     EBAY currently collects Sales Tax for 30+ states.
     OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS, please don't ask me to misrepresent the value of your order so you can avoid import fees or VAT taxes.

U.S. SHIPPING CHARGES for this item are $4.00 for a USPS First Class Package. Insurance and tracking are FREE.
WORLDWIDE SHIPPING CHARGES for this item are roughly:
$15.00 for an International First Class Package to Canada
$16.00 for an International First Class Package to Mexico
$17.00 for an International First Class Package to the rest of the world.

     1. MINIMUM ORDER, $10.00 please.
     2. If you're buying ONE lot, you can check out immediately.
          If you're buying SEVERAL lots: PLEASE DON'T pay after each lot. Just load up your shopping cart until you're finished.
     3.   WHEN you're done, checkout... somewhere in the process a button will appear which reads "REQUEST TOTAL FROM SELLER". Hit it; I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
          IF that button doesn't appear, then just pay whatever is requested, and I'll adjust the bill via refund when I fill the order.
     4. How much is the shipping discount for COMBINED SHIPPING?
          The USPS is in trouble, and shipping costs have gotten out of hand. SO....
          U.S. ORDERS: Stamps, Cut Squares, Full Corners, and "CINDERELLA" items will probably cost you $4. This will cover shipping, tracking, and insurance, anywhere in the U.S.
          Envelopes, SETS OF Postal Cards, stamps in Albums or Stock books, Wholesale quantities or other bulk sales, full sheets of stamps, or Sports/Non-Sports cards, especially in wax/cello boxes, will cost more.
          ALSO, your location does matter. If you live on the West Coast, you'll wish you lived a lot closer to New York.
          I WILL ALWAYS DO THE BEST I CAN FOR YOU ON THE SHIPPING.

          For worldwide orders, shipping costs have gotten REALLY out of hand in recent years. I'll always do the best for you I can. Just stay away from anything heavy or large.

A FINAL WORD - ABOUT MY SCANS: What you get will be BETTER than what you see! Computer scans often show darker or lighter areas which aren't on the actual item, and the larger the object to be scanned, the more areas will be affected. Plus, I scan using a "cover sheet" to hold the item in place, and the plastic cover sheet can create glare.

ALWAYS GO WITH THE DESCRIPTION! Your item may look a LITTLE different from the scan, but it will match the description 100%.....and it will ALWAYS be a top-quality item. My feedback on EBAY speaks for itself.