1934 National Parks Imperforate Set

The 1934 National Parks Year issue stands as one of the most visually appealing stamp series ever produced by the United States Post Office Department. While the perforated versions of these ten stamps are beautiful in their own right, the imperforate varieties occupy a special place in philatelic collecting. Issued without perforations, these stamps were produced specifically for collectors and stamp exhibitions, creating a parallel set that combines the gorgeous National Parks designs with the clean, wide-margined presentation that imperforate stamps uniquely provide.

The imperforate National Parks stamps (Scott numbers 756-765) were issued in 1934 as part of the Farley issues, a series of stamp printings that became one of the most controversial episodes in American philatelic history. Understanding that controversy is central to understanding why these stamps matter to collectors today.

The Story Behind the Set

The ten National Parks stamps were originally issued as perforated commemoratives (Scott 740-749) in 1934, each depicting a different national park in denominations from 1 cent to 10 cents. The parks featured were Yosemite (1 cent), Grand Canyon (2 cents), Mount Rainier (3 cents), Mesa Verde (4 cents), Yellowstone (5 cents), Crater Lake (6 cents), Acadia (7 cents), Zion (8 cents), Glacier (9 cents), and Great Smoky Mountains (10 cents).

The designs were exceptional for their era. Engraved in the recess-printing tradition, each stamp presented its park with the kind of detailed craftsmanship that makes these issues favorites among topical collectors and design enthusiasts alike.

The imperforate versions emerged from what became known as the "Farley Affair." Postmaster General James A. Farley had been providing sheets of stamps, often imperforate and ungummed, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and other political figures as gifts. When this practice became public, stamp collectors were outraged. They argued that these unique sheets created rarities unavailable to ordinary collectors, distorting the market.

In response, the Post Office Department authorized full printings of these imperforate, ungummed stamps and made them available to the public in 1935. These are the stamps collectors encounter today. While they are not rare in absolute terms, they represent a fascinating intersection of politics, collecting, and postal history.

What Makes Them Collectible

Visual impact: Imperforate stamps display their full design without the interruption of perforation teeth. The National Parks designs, already among the finest American stamp engravings, look particularly striking in imperforate format with wide, clean margins.

Complete set appeal: Ten stamps forming a coherent thematic set create a natural collecting goal. The set tells a story of America's natural heritage, making it appealing to both philatelists and Americana collectors.

Historical significance: The Farley controversy is one of the most colorful episodes in American postal history. These stamps are tangible artifacts of that political drama.

Display quality: Imperforate stamps, especially in blocks or pairs with wide margins, make outstanding display pieces. Many collectors frame complete sets.

The Ten Stamps

Scott #	Denomination	Park Depicted	Design Color
756	1 cent	Yosemite	Green
757	2 cents	Grand Canyon	Red
758	3 cents	Mount Rainier	Purple
759	4 cents	Mesa Verde	Brown
760	5 cents	Yellowstone	Blue
761	6 cents	Crater Lake	Dark blue
762	7 cents	Acadia	Black
763	8 cents	Zion	Sage green
764	9 cents	Glacier	Red orange
765	10 cents	Great Smoky Mountains	Gray black

Condition Grading Guide

Imperforate stamps have specific grading criteria that differ from perforated issues:

Grade	Description	Key Characteristics
Superb	Perfect centering, wide margins	Four equal margins, no defects whatsoever
Extremely Fine	Near-perfect centering	Margins nearly equal, crisp impression
Very Fine	Well-centered with good margins	Slightly uneven margins, clean design
Fine-Very Fine	Slightly off-center	Margins present on all sides but uneven
Fine	Noticeably off-center	Design clear of edges on all sides
Good	Significantly off-center	Design may touch frame on one side

Critical Condition Factors

Margins: For imperforate stamps, margin width is paramount. Stamps cut from sheets must have clear margins on all four sides that do not intrude into the design or into adjacent stamps. Pairs and blocks with wide, even margins between stamps are most desirable.

Gum condition: The Farley imperforate issues were produced without gum (ungummed). This is the original, correct state. Stamps with gum added later (regummed) are worth less than properly ungummed examples. Conversely, do not pay a premium for "original gum" on stamps that were issued without gum.

Paper condition: Look for clean, bright paper without foxing (brown spots), toning, or staining. The paper should be supple, not brittle. Storage conditions over 90 years significantly affect paper quality.

Printing quality: Examine the engraved impression for clarity and completeness. The fine lines in the park landscapes should be sharp and well-defined. Weak impressions or ink smearing reduce value.

Creases and thins: Hold stamps up to light to check for thin spots. Run a fingertip gently across the back to detect creases that may not be visible face-on.

Market Values

Current market values for the 1934 National Parks imperforate set:

Format	Fine	Very Fine	Extremely Fine
Complete set (singles)	$15-25	$25-40	$40-65
Individual stamps	$1-3	$2-5	$4-8
Pairs	$3-6	$5-10	$8-15
Blocks of four	$6-12	$10-20	$18-30
Centerline blocks	$8-15	$15-25	$25-40
Arrow blocks	$8-15	$12-22	$22-35
Complete sheets	$25-50	$50-80 per stamp depending on issue	Varies

The higher denominations (7 cents through 10 cents) tend to bring slightly more than the lower values, but the differences are modest. The complete set is worth more than the sum of individual stamps because collectors pay a premium for matched sets.

Position pieces (corner blocks, arrow blocks, centerline blocks, and plate number blocks) command premiums beyond basic stamps or blocks. Plate number blocks are the most sought-after positional format.

Collecting Approaches

Basic set: Acquire one example of each of the ten imperforate stamps. This is the most common and affordable approach.

Matched pairs or blocks: Collect each stamp as a pair or block of four. This requires more investment but creates a more impressive display.

Plate number blocks: Collect a plate number block of each stamp. This is the traditional advanced approach for US commemorative collectors.

Cross-reference set: Collect both the perforated (Scott 740-749) and imperforate (Scott 756-765) versions side by side, showing both formats of the same designs.

First day covers: First day covers of the imperforate set exist and add a postal history dimension to the collection.

Storage and Preservation

Stamp preservation requires consistent environmental control:

• Use acid-free mounts or hingeless album pages

• Never use tape, glue, or non-philatelic adhesives

• Store in stable conditions: 65-72 degrees F, 35-55% relative humidity

• Protect from light exposure, which fades inks over decades

• Handle with stamp tongs (not fingers) to prevent oil transfer

• Store flat, never rolled or folded

• Keep away from chemicals, solvents, and household cleaners

The Bottom Line

The 1934 National Parks imperforate set is one of the most satisfying collecting goals in American philately. The combination of outstanding engraved designs, reasonable prices, and historical significance from the Farley controversy creates a set that rewards collectors at every level of experience and budget.

A complete set in Very Fine condition can be assembled for under $40, making this one of the most accessible premium stamp sets available. Yet the set scales beautifully for advanced collectors through positional pieces, matched blocks, and condition chasing. The National Parks designs remain as compelling today as they were in 1934, and the imperforate format presents them at their absolute best.

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