Lot 435 United States Of America #702var 2c Black & Red And Black & Lake , 1931 Red Cross Issue, 2 Fine & VF Used Singles With Unlisted "Lake" Cross Shifted 1/2 mm Upward

2 fine & VF used singles of the 2c black & red and black & lake from the 1931 Red Cross Issue with unlisted "lake" cross shifted 1/2 mm upward. The "Lake" shade is listed on a select number of the issues between 1927 and 1931, though interestingly, this issue is not one of them. Yet, the cross on this stamp is very much darker than the usual carmine shade, being lake in colour. In addition, the cross is shifted about 1/2mm upward. The normal red cross is well centered within the space remaining in the design. Usually, this means that the top stroke of the cross will be centered under the "P"of "Postage". The right arm of the cross will be about 1/2 mm away from the nurse's shoulder, and the left arm will be about 1/2mm to the right of, and above the "1" of "1861".

2016 Scott Specialized does not list these types of varieties. Our estimate of the value for the condition offered is $2. The stamps offered here grade 66, 78 as follows:

Centering/Margins: 40/60, 30/60

Paper Freshness: 5/5

Colour: 5/5

Impression: 5/5

Absence of Visible Paper Flaws: 5/5

Perforations: 10/10

Cancellation: 6/10 and 8/10