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

Plate Size: Sheets of 100 subjects (2 panes of 50)

A pane of 100 of #234

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: 35,248,250

Usage: Paid the 5c foreign letter rate so therefore common

As with all the values of this issue, look for Columbia Expo cancels, they marginaly increase value. Any stamp is more desirable with a clean cancel, preferably a town cancel, heavy cancels can detract from the value.

The stamp paid the ½oz international postal rate, which was the lowest and most used international postal rate, hence this stamp is quite common.

The more desirable town cancel

The less desirable heavy cancel, commonly used on parcel post and commercial mail.

#234 on a souvenir card from the Columbian Exposition

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 created by Alfred S. Major. The frame was engraved by Douglas P. Ronaldson, the image is from a painting by the Czech painter Václav Brožík. The engraving of the picture (or vignette) was created by Charles Skinner. Interestingly this is the only Columbian stamp issued whilst the artist was still alive. The painting was created in 1884 and is now located in the dining room of the Hotel Manoir Richelieu in Quebec, Canada.

Douglas S. Ronaldson was born in 1825 in England, died in 1902.
He came in 1840 to Philadelphia and worked there until 1858 as an engraver. From the ABNC, he was employed in 1860 and remained even after the merger there until 1897. At that time he joined the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and worked there until his death.

Charles Skinner, born in 1841, died on 14th March 1932. In the early 60s he worked as a book illustrator in New York City. He joined the ABNC in 1864 and then moved in 1874 to the Continental BNCo and stayed there until retirement in June 1911.

The original painting by Václav Broží

Václav Broží
(1851-1901)

The picture can now be found in the dining room of the
Hotel Manoir Richelieu in Quebec, Canada.
The painting can be seen on the far wall.
Photograph courtesy of the Hotel Manior Richelieu
All rights reserved

 

The stamps color ranges from pale brown to yellow brown, dark chocolate to chocolate. Other than the occasional double entry there is little to look for.

234-E1
engraved vignette mounted on watercolor drawing
Block sunk on thick card

234-E4
Columbian Large Die Essay on India
Die Sunk on Card

234-P3
Proof on thin card

234TC1
Large Die Trial Color Proofs on India
Printed on card