# 4710p - 2012 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Earthscapes

U.S. #4710p

2012 45¢ Earthscapes Imperforate

America’s landscape is as diverse as its people.  From the salty waters and teeming cities of its coasts to the barren deserts and lush farmlands of the middle states, the United States is filled with a variety of colors and shapes that are rarely seen in other parts of the world. 

Ordinary objects take on unfamiliar forms when viewed from a different perspective.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service issued the Earthscapes stamps, which offered a fresh look at scenes from nature, agriculture, and cities around the nation.

Jim Wark is passionate about flying and photography.  He enjoys piloting his plane looking for “pictures that the other guy doesn’t have.”  His distinctive approach produced five of the images used on these stamps.  Some are natural wonders, while others are man-made features.

Several other artists captured representations of America’s wildlife and industry, using planes, helicopters, and gliders to get a bird’s-eye view.

Satellites orbiting the earth are constantly recording what life looks like from far above the clouds.  The pictures of glaciers, volcanic craters, and center-pivot irrigation used on these stamps were taken from hundreds of miles above the earth.

Howard Paine, art director on the Earthscapes project, said he wanted images that were “lively in variety, but must also complement each other.”  His goal was achieved with bold colors and eye-catching patterns, showing the country in a new way.

Value: 45¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate

Issued: October 1, 2012

First Day City: Washington, D.C.

Type of Stamp: Commemorative

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America, Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Offset

Perforations: Imperforate

Self-Adhesive

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.