Scott #562 - ALBANY N.Y. OCT ’39 9-Box Grid Precancel - Extreme Misalignment EFO

Scott 562 – 10¢ Monroe – Albany, NY OCT '39 9-Box Grid Precancel EFO

A striking example of the 10¢ James Monroe definitive - Scott #562 - from the 1923 Fourth Bureau Issue, showing a bold Albany, New York 9-box grid precancel dated OCT '39. This stamp exhibits an extreme misalignment of the boxed grid and town/date overprint, creating a dramatic EFO (Errors, Freaks & Oddities) variety that immediately stands out on any Fourth Bureau or precancel study page.

Key Features

10¢ Monroe Orange, Fourth Bureau definitive
Albany, NY, boxed 9-box grid precancel
Clear OCT '39 date code
Extremely misaligned overprint with strong visual impact
The town name and date are applied high and left of the normal position
Heavy, well-inked boxed grid producing a bold visual contrast
Appealing to EFO collectors, precancel specialists, and New York town-type collectors

Technical Details

Scott number: 562
Issue year: 1923
Denomination: 10 cents
Design subject: James Monroe
Printing method: Engraved (BEP – Bureau of Engraving and Printing)
Condition: No gum or hinges
Cancel type: Albany, NY 9-box grid precancel with date
Orientation: Misaligned both horizontally and vertically
Classification: Precancel EFO / overprint alignment variety

Collector Appeal

This is the type of precancel variety that appeals strongly across multiple collector segments:

• Precancel specialists seeking boxed grid anomalies

• New York state/town collectors building Albany cancellations

• EFO and misregistration variety collectors

• Fourth Bureau Issue enthusiasts

• Exhibit builders showcasing precancel mechanics and misfeeds

The OCT'39 date code adds further interest, as dated precancels on higher denominations were produced in smaller quantities than standard workhorse values.

Additional Notes

The misalignment originates from the precanceling device rather than post-use damage. Albany's boxed grid cancels are well documented, and extreme shifts like this remain desirable because they show how mechanical devices could drift, tilt, or misfeed during repetitive use. It is an excellent, visually bold example for a specialized precancel or EFO collection.