Plate blocks and imprint blocks on Maltese stamps

Abstract

The collecting of plate & imprint blocks is becoming over more popular, as it offers a new side-line to philately. The hobby of collecting stamps in blocks of four, besides singles, is increasing everywhere, Malta being no exception. Many of those who collect Malta stamps in blocks, prefer to collect plate blocks or imprint blocks or both. The plate collector's aim is to acquire a corner block of stamps, from the bottom of each pane that make up a printing sheet. Each of these blocks will have a different number or letter or both, and taken together will form a sequence, which corresponds to the number of panes that make up the printing sheet, from a particular printing plate.