Issued: Jan 2nd 1893 but first placed on sale at the Columbian Exposition on Jan 3rd 1893

Plate Size: Sheets of 200 subjects (2 panes of 100)

Half Pane of #230

Full Pane of #230

Printer: The American Bank Note Company, thereafter, with one exception of the Overun stamps of 1943 all stamps have ssince been printed by the Bureau of Engraving

Watermark: None

Quantity Issued: 449,195,550

Usage: Paid the 1c post card rate so therefore very common

Interesting Fact: The Columbian series was unpopular with the business community, not because of the design, but because of the large size.

As with all the values of this issue, look for Columbia Expo cancels, they marginaly increase value.

Occasionaly postmarks from states that had tiny amounts of mail in this year can add to the value. This is particularly true of Alaska and the Territories. For a list of the number of stamps issued by each state in the year ending 30th June 1894 click here.

The design was after a engraving by W.H. Powell, who is famous for his painting "Discovery of the Mississippi" which can be found in the Capitol Rotunda. Unfortunately I have not been able to locate this engraving.

The stamps color ranges from blue to pale blue with little variation. Other than the occasional double entry there one major flaw to look for, that being the cracked plate.

#230 Cracked Plate Variety
(image donated by Steve Marczewski)

#230 Close up of Cracked Plate flaw
(image donated by Steve Marczewski)

230-E3
Silver print photo vignette mounted on watercolor drawing
Stiff white paper

230 P2
Small Die Proof

Plate Proof of the 1c (230-P4)