FAQ-What is the difference between a stamp block, a plate block and an inscription block?

Le Philatéliste-François Barraud (1899–1934) Source:Wikipedia
Le Philatéliste-François Barraud (1899–1934) Source:Wikipedia

Probably one of the most common ways of collecting stamps is individually, as singles. However, many collectors also like to collect blocks of stamps. Stamp blocks make for an attractive display in a collection and in some cases, even turn out to be a valuable investment. Several different types of stamp blocks exist and this article will help you to understand the difference between a regular block, a plate block and an inscription block.

Stamp block of four
Stamp block of four

First of all, what is a stamp block in philatelic terms? It is a group of stamps (usually four) still attached together, which has been separated from the original printer’s sheet or post office pane. As previously mentioned, groups of four stamps are the most common block format (especially for Canada stamps), although blocks of six or eight stamps do exist. As their name suggests, blocks are always made up of at least two rows of stamps (eg: 2 stamps high x 2 stamps wide), thereby forming a square or rectangular shape depending on the stamp’s dimensions.

 

Se-tenant block-Unitrade #2166a
Se-tenant block-Unitrade #2166a

A stamp block can be four of the same stamp, or be four stamps from a series in se-tenant form. These se-tenant blocks of different stamp series issued by Canada Post are especially fun and popular to collect. The Unitrade Specialized Catalogue of Canadian Stamps usually assigns se-tenant blocks their own catalogue number.

 

Various plate block styles
Various plate block styles

What then is a plate block? It is a block of stamps which still has the selvage attached to it on two sides of the block. This can only happen by detaching a block of stamps from one of the corners of a stamp sheet. Therefore, each stamp sheet only contains four possible plate blocks. A plate block can also be made up of four identical stamps or a se-tenant series of stamps. The selvage in each of the four corners of a stamp sheet contains various information about the printing

Canada Plate block with plate number-Unitrade #204
Canada Plate block with plate number-Unitrade #204

process… e.g. the plate number (hence, the name “plate block”), the printer’s name and sometimes the order number.

 

Engraved printing plate Source:Edinburgh city of print
Engraved printing plate Source:Edinburgh city of print

 

In strictest philatelic terms, the designation “plate block” can only apply to corner blocks of engraved stamps, in other words, stamps printed from an engraved printing plate. Each printing plate had a serial number engraved upon it and that number helped the printer maintain proper quality control. If ever the printer noticed a sheet of stamps that was badly printed, it was easy for him/her to cross-reference the plate number on the stamp sheet with the corresponding printing plate to see if it had been damaged in any way.

 

Inscription "plate" block
Inscription “plate” block

By the late 1960s, printing from an engraved plate was being replaced by lithographic printing, which is a completely different process. Since there were no more engraved plates, there was no need for plate numbers. However, the selvage in each of the four corners of the stamp sheet still contained some inscribed information such as the printer’s name and the stamp designer’s name. Not possessing a plate number, these corner blocks are technically called “inscription blocks”, although the term “plate block” is often used interchangeably for both.

 

Our next article will discuss the various merits and procedures for collecting plate blocks.


6 thoughts on “FAQ-What is the difference between a stamp block, a plate block and an inscription block?”

  1. I would like to know if a block of four stamps, taken from the inside of a sheet and without any numbering, has a value that is less than a block that contains the numbers??

    Reply
  2. How about a corner block from sheets of 50 stamps, but the selvage is smaller with no inscriptions whatsover.
    Are those worth as much as a plate block?
    Thanks,

    Serge

    Reply
  3. I’m resurrecting my stamp collection (and it’s been about 17 years!) I am cataloging my stamps and have a question about the variety of [regular “Blocks”] such as the Zip Block which I have seen listed in the Scott’s Specialized Catalog but I see no reference to other blocks of 4 such as Olympic Rings Block or Copyright Block of four, etc. Are there specific values assigned to these various block? Or is their value based solely on a quantity of 4 stamps and their condition and quality? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply

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