1999 Irish Immigration 33-Cent U.S. Postage Stamps (Partial Sheets)

This item consists of two partial sheets of United States postage stamps issued in 1999 to commemorate Irish Immigration. The stamps feature a 33-cent denomination and depict a multi-masted sailing vessel, representing the ships that brought Irish immigrants to America during the 19th century. The artwork is rich in detail, showcasing the ship in a harbor setting with figures on a dock in the foreground under a cloudy sky. The top section contains 8 stamps in a 2x4 configuration, while the bottom section also contains 8 stamps in a 2x4 layout, including the bottom margin which displays a 'Plate Position' diagram and 'P1111' plate numbers. The stamps are gummed and feature standard perforations. Regarding condition, the sheets show significant signs of wear and damage; the top section is heavily creased and torn along the right side where a black circular object (possibly a magnet) is pinned, causing physical distortion. The bottom section exhibits horizontal creasing and fold marks across the center stamps and the margin. Although the stamps appear unused, the physical damage to the paper and the irregular tearing of the sheets substantially impact their philatelic value, making them unsuitable for high-grade collecting but still functionally valid for postage.