# 4907a - 2014 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Statehood: Nevada Sesquicentennial

U.S. #4907a

2014 49¢ Nevada Statehood Imperforate

Statehood Series

This stamp was issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Nevada’s statehood.

Established in 1861, Nevada Territory provided vast silver and gold resources for the Union’s Civil War effort. A few years later, the South lay in shambles and its defeat seemed certain. But President Abraham Lincoln’s 1864 re-election was not. Aware Nevada’s residents heavily favored Lincoln, his administration raced to grant Nevada statehood in time for Election Day.

The people of Nevada approved the concept of statehood but rejected a state constitution in January 1864. After amendments were made, voters approved the constitution in September. Only days before the election, the 175-page document was telegraphed to Lincoln at a cost equal to more than $60,000 in today’s wages. Lincoln granted Nevada statehood on October 31st and easily won re-election eight days later. Ironically, circumstances had changed by then and Nevada’s electoral votes were not needed.

A century and a half later, Nevada is a diverse state with libertarian laws. The majority of the population is concentrated around Las Vegas and Reno, cities famous for gambling, quick marriages, and easy divorces. But a number of people live in rural areas, relying on rugged individuality and fierce independence to continue the mining and ranching traditions begun by Nevada’s settlers.

The oil painting used for the stamp was created by Ron Spears. It pictures Fire Canyon at dawn. 

49¢ Nevada Statehood, issued to satisfy the first-class mail rate

Issue Date: May 29, 2014

City: Las Vegas, NV, at the Smith Center for Performing Arts

Category: Commemorative

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Lithographed in sheets of 240 with 12 panes of 20 per sheet

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 and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

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.