FORMATS FOR 2003 ISSUES IN WHITE ACE COMMEMORATIVE SUPPLEMENTS

This compilation is being published to assist in collecting currently available issues in advance of publication of the 2003 White Ace album supplements.

The Commemorative Singles SIMPLIFIED pages are intended to simplify the collector's stamp purchasing requirements, and are thus an ideal choice for a beginning collector. Released for the first time by White Ace for the 1996 issues, they have been continued for each subsequent year's issues and will continue to be published, in the same format, for the 2003 issues. These pages will generally seek to show each face different stamp only once. For stamps issued in se-tenant format - i.e. more than one stamp design in a pane - the smallest intact unit will be shown that contains all designs. This will usually be a strip, block or full booklet pane. All face different versions of each commemorative issue will be included and will thus enable the collector to assemble a complete commemorative collection.

The Commemorative Singles (complete) pages will continue to be published in their original format for collectors wishing to assemble a more detailed and comprehensive collection. For se-tenant issues, these pages will show a set of singles and a strip or block as in the past. Other stamp formats will continue to be shown in a manner consistent with prior printings of this album.

COMMEMORATIVE ALBUMS

THURGOOD MARSHALL (01/07/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

YEAR OF THE RAM (01/15/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

ZORA NEALE HURSTON (01/24/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

SPECIAL OLYMPICS (02/13/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

AMERICAN FILMMAKING (02/25/03)

 -Singles - 10 singles and a full sheet of 10

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 full sheet of 10

 -Blocks - 1 full sheet of 10

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full sheet of 10

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full sheet of 10

 -Copyright Singles - not included

 -Copyright Blocks - not included

OHIO STATEHOOD (03/01/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

PELICAN ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (03/14/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

OLD GLORY BOOKLET PANE (04/03/03)

 -Singles - 5 singles and a full booklet pane of 10

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 full booklet pane of 10

 -Blocks - 1 full booklet pane of 10

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full booklet pane of 10 (there is no plate number)

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full booklet pane of 10 (there is no plate number)

 -Copyright Singles - not included

 -Copyright Blocks - not included

 -Booklet Panes -1 full booklet pane of 10

CESAR E. CHAVEZ (04/23/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

LOUISIANA PURCHASE (04/30/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

FIRST FLIGHT  (05/22/03)

 -Singles - 1 single & full souvenir sheet of 10

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 full souvenir sheet of 10

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full souvenir sheet of 10 (there is no plate number)

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full souvenir sheet of 10 (there is no plate number)

 -Copyright Singles - not included

 -Copyright Blocks - not included

AUDREY HEPBURN (06/11/03)

 -Singles - 1 single and 1 full sheet

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4 and 1 full sheet

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4 and 1 full sheet

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 strip of 4 with copyright markings on selvage

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 8 (from lower left corner of sheet) with copyright markings on selvage

SOUTHEASTERN LIGHTHOUSES (06/13/03)

 -Singles - 6 singles and 2 strips of 5 (see notes)

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 strip of 5 normal stamps plus 1 single with the misplaced value (see notes)

 -Blocks - 1 block of 6

 -Plate Blocks - 2 plate blocks of 6 - 1 lower left & 1 lower right (see notes)

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 6 (see notes)

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks -  1 block of 6 with copyright markings

ARCTIC TUNDRA (07/02/03)

 -Singles - 10 singles and a full sheet

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 full sheet

 -Blocks - 1 full sheet

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full sheet (there are no plate numbers)

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full sheet (there are no plate numbers)

 -Copyright Singles - not included

 -Copyright Blocks - not included

KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL (07/27/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

MARY CASSATT TWO-SIDED CONVERTIBLE BOOKLET PANE OF 20 (08/07/03)

 -Singles - 4 singles & 1 full pane

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 full pane of 20

 -Blocks - 1 full pane of 20

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full pane of 20

 -Plate blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full pane of 20

 -Copyright Singles - 1 vertical gutter pair with copyright markings

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 full pane of 20 with copyright markings

 -Booklet Panes - 1 full booklet pane of 20

EARLY FOOTBALL HEROES (8/08/03)

 -Singles - 4 singles and a block of 4

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 block of 4

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 2 plate blocks of 4 - one upper & one lower

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright markings

ROY ACUFF (09/13/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright markings

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (09/22/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 corner block of 4 with copyright markings

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS (10/07/03)

 -Singles - 5 singles and a strip of 5

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 strip of 5

 -Blocks - 1 block of 6

 -Plate Blocks - 2 plate blocks of 6 - one left & one right

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 6

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright markings

STOP FAMILY VIOLENCE (10/11/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 single

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 1 plate block of 4

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright tab

CHRISTMAS MADONNA & CHILD DOUBLE-SIDED CONVERTIBLE BOOKLET PANE OF 20 (10/23/03)

 -Singles - 1 single

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - not included

 -Blocks - 1 full booklet pane of 20

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full booklet pane of 20

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full booklet pane of 20

 -Copyright Singles - gutter pair with copyright marking in gutter

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 full booklet pane of 20 with copyright markings

 -Booklet Panes - 1 full booklet pane of 20

CHRISTMAS MUSIC MAKERS SHEET STAMPS (10/23/03)

 -Singles - 4 singles and a block of 4

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 block of 4

 -Blocks - 1 block of 4

 -Plate Blocks - 2 plate blocks of 4 - one top & one bottom

 -Plate Blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 plate block of 4

 -Copyright Singles - 1 single with copyright tab

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 block of 6 with copyright markings

CHRISTMAS MUSIC MAKERS TWO-SIDED CONVERTIBLE BOOKLET PANE OF 20 (10/23/03)

 -Singles - not included

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - not included

 -Blocks - 1 full pane of 20

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full pane of 20

 -Plate blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full pane of 20

 -Copyright Singles - 1 vertical gutter pair with copyright markings

 -Copyright Blocks - 1 full pane with copyright markings

-Booklet Panes - 1 full booklet pane of 20

CHRISTMAS MUSIC MAKERS VENDING BOOKLET PANE OF 20 (10/23/03)

 -Singles - 4 singles and a full pane of 20

 -Singles SIMPLIFIED - 1 full pane of 20

 -Blocks - 1 full pane of 20

 -Plate Blocks - 1 full pane of 20 (Plate number is on back of pane)

 -Plate blocks SIMPLIFIED - 1 full pane of 20 (Plate number is on back of pane)

 -Copyright Singles - not included

 -Copyright Blocks - not included

 -Booklet Panes - 1 full booklet pane of 20

The Southeastern Lighthouses is perhaps the most unusual of the issues listed above. On all sheets of these stamps, the second stamp in first row sheet has the 37¢ value placed slightly below and to the right of its proper position making it significantly different from the other copies of this stamp in the sheet. Thus our Commemorative Singles Complete album will show 5 correct singles plus a 6th with misplaced value. In, addition we will show both a strip of 5 that includes the irregular stamp and one which has the correct version of the stamp.

In the White Ace Plate Block Albums, a plate block is considered the smallest block (of 4 or more stamps) that can be taken from the margin of the sheet, that contains all stamp designs, and has attached selvage bearing a plate number. If more than one such block can be removed from a sheet and the plate number is adjacent to a different stamp design in any of these, then each such example is shown in our Plate Blocks Complete pages. In our Plate Blocks Simplified pages, any such plate position can be shown. In most cases, there will be two rows or columns of stamps opposite the plate number. (This definition may vary somewhat where there is a particularly attractive header or illustrated selvage or where there is more than one plate number along the same margin of the sheet).

With this as guidance, we will show the Lighthouses as 2 plate blocks of 6 stamps in our Plate Blocks Complete pages (one lower left and one lower right), and as one plate block of 6 in our Plate Blocks Simplified pages. We will also show the Reptiles and Amphibians in the same formats.  Precedents for this arrangement are All Aboard (1999), Bright Eyes (1998), River Boats (1996), Recreational Sports (1995) and Antique Cars (1995).

An alternative we considered, and rejected, was showing Lighthouses as a pane of 10 (bottom half sheet) with plate numbers at the left and right. This has as its only precedent our treatment of the Hubble issue of 2000, which upon re-examination seems to conflict with the standard stated above that has been followed for many years in preparing our pages.

The 2003 Christmas Madonna stamp differs from the same stamp of 2002 only in its pane format, in the shape of its die cut corners, and by the 2003 date at the bottom left corner of the stamp. Thus, we will not show it in our Commemorative Singles Simplified pages.

As we have regularlly omitted booklet varieties which are substantially identical to a sheet version in our Commemorative Singles Complete pages, we were somewhat conflicted as to whether this latest variety should be included in that album. We finally decided to include it because it was placed on sale at on a different date and was accorded a first day cancellation by the UPSP.

Finally, the Singles Complete collector may note that we show examples of the Christmas Music Makers stamps from the sheet but not from the convertible booklet pane. While these were printed by different printers, and there appear to be slight color differences, we do not consider these stamps to be significantly different in design. Again, matching border blank pages are appropriate should the collector feel that both should be included.

For other issues which may be puzzling, we direct the interested collector to prior issues which we consider to be a precedent:  Filmmaking - see Hawaiian Missionaries (2002); First Flight - see Porky Pig (2001) and earlier Looney Tunes issues; Audrey Hepburn - see Cary Grant (2002) and other prior issues in the Legends of Hollywood series; and Arctic Tundra - see Long Leaf Pine Forest (2002).