Dear Sir,

I would like to make updates to two articles of mine that have appeared in The Specialist.

First, I am happy to report that the new 2009 Scott Specialized now lists both the solid tagging (Scott #2492) and grainy solid tagging (Scott #2492i) for the 32¢ Pink Rose that were discussed in the January, 2007 issue.  Besides the Scott numbers for the individual stamps just mentioned, they also list all the varieties for the convertible booklet panes and MDI makeshift booklets.  For those of you who are interested in this kind of variety, the self-adhesive 20¢ Blue Jay (Scott #3048), which was also issued by Stamp Venturers during the 32¢ rate period, also comes in the same two varieties.  Stamps from Plate S1111 can be found in either variety, while those from plate S2222 are only known with the grainy solid tagging.

Secondly, I need to make one correction and add some new information about the self-adhesive liner varieties article that appeared in the July, 2008 issue.  The error that needs to be corrected is that the 29¢ Pine Cone (Scott #2491a) plate B6 was listed in error as existing with the small circle A liner.  It is only known with the large circle A liner.  Also, I have since had reports, which I have not confirmed, that the 29¢ Christmas Greetings (Scott #2802a) V222-1222 exists with the large circle A liner, and the 29¢ Love Sunrise B221-5 exists with the small circle A liner.  These new reports leave the V111-1111 as the only 29¢ Christmas Greetings plate number combination not to come with both liner varieties, and it marks the first time any plate number combination of the 29¢ Love Sunrise has been reported with the small circle A liner.

Sincerely,
Doug Iams

Dear Sir,

Just read through Hartmut Waschke’s article “U.S. Military and Related Mail During World War I” and noted that his Figure 2 November 3, 1917, cover is mistaken to be a “first day” of the war emergency rate of 3 cents.  It is not, as the first day of the new rate was the day before, November 2, 1917.  See the section of the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalog titled “Domestic Letter Rates” for a complete listing of changes in rates.

Sincerely,
Larry Weiss