JANUARY 2003

THE 9C NATIONAL THEATER ISSUE

by Milford Panzer, M.D.

This common stamp issued in 1991 has become the most complex stamp to be issued by Guatemala in recent years. Postage Stamps of Guatemala (PSG) lists six varieties: three different perfs and a low flu and non-flu paper for each.

Studying 378 copies of this stamp, some on cover, others off cover, I have come to these tentative conclusions as to the frequency of the various varieties:

1. The most frequent perforation is 13.2 x 12.6. Of the sample I studied 73% had this perf. The same perf appeared on the 6c value in 1993. To our knowledge, it has not appeared on any other Guatemalan stamp. Although difficult to distinguish, 1/4 of these stamps were low flu and 3/4 were non-flu. Contrary to the common wisdom, fluorescence did not pass from envelopes to stamps while soaking them.

2. The second most frequent perf was 11.4 which appeared on 26% of the sample. These were divided between non-flu (63%) and low flu (37%). First day covers for this issue have 11.4 non-flu stamps on them, which should indicate that the first stamps to be issued had these characteristics. This perforation, we know, has been very common on Guatemalan stamps in recent years.

3. The least common perforation on this stamp has been 12.9 x 12.6 which appeared on less than 1% of the sample studied. This is truly a modern rarity. PSG lists it as both non-flu and low -flu. In this sample only the non-flu variety was found. This combination of perfs has not appeared on earlier or later Guatemalan stamps.

Your comments or additions would be appreciated.   milpanz@hotmail.com