Scott 1164 - First Automated US Post Office 4-cent US Stamp Plate Blocks - CHOOSE YOUR PLATE NUMBER

Scott #1164 4¢ United States Postage Stamp Honors the First Automated Post Office in the United States.

All plate blocks are in MNH (Mint Never Hinged) condition. Six different plates were used when printing the stamps. The corresponding plate numbers are 26785, 26787, 26798, 26799, 26804. and 26807. If the plate number & position are not important when ordering, you can select 'Surprise me!'. Each separate plate block will come in a glassine envelope for protection.

• Subject -The U.S. Scott #1164 stamp commemorates the nation's first automated post office, which opened in Providence, Rhode Island. Officially released on October 20, 1960, in Providence, the stamp features a design of the new facility and honors the technological leap that enabled automatic mail sorting. This innovation promised to process mail with the simple "turn of a key." The facility itself boasted an innovative design with only two supporting columns, maximizing space for machinery. Although the stamp was a success, the Providence facility itself encountered significant operational challenges. It was issued during an era of rapid, yet often difficult, automation attempts by the U.S. Post Office.
• Issue Date - October 20th, 1960
• City of Issue - Providence, RI
• Color - Dark Blue & Carmine
• *Giori Press Printing - Perf. 11
• Quantity Issued - 123,970,000 printed

* The Giori Press enabled multiple colors to be printed in a single pass using a single, engraved plate.

NOTE: Please understand that we’ve made every effort to inspect these stamps for visual defects and imperfect gum. As amateur collectors, they’ve passed our 'keep' test (...and we're pretty picky ☺️). We believe that, although these postage stamp blocks are not professionally certified, they are in excellent condition.