The 1893 Columbians
30¢ - Orange brown or bright orange brown
Scott #239
Value
Used: $12-$35
No postmark with gum (MH): $40-$100
Full perfect gum, no postmark, no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH): $125-$225
Statistics
Issued:
The 30¢ was officially issued on January, 1st 1893,
a Sunday, and at Post Offices the following day.
Plate Size:
Sheets of 200 subjects (2 panes of 100)
Printer:
The American Bank Note Company, thereafter, with one exception of
the Overun stamps of 1943 all stamps have since been printed by
the Bureau of Engraving
Watermark:
None
Color:
Orange brown or bright orange brown.
Quantity Issued:
617,250
Usage:
The stamp was most commonly used in combination
with other stamps to pay high foreign mail rates.
A 30¢ Columbian used in combination with a 50¢ Columbian and a $1 Columbian
The Inspiration for the Design
The vignette design was fashioned after Felipe Maso de Falp
painting “Columbus Before the Franciscans at La Rabida”.
What you should look for
As with all the values of this issue, look for Columbian Expo cancels
or on a Columbian Expo cover, they increase the value of the stamp or
cover. Any stamp is more desirable with a clean cancel, preferably a
town cancel, heavy cancels can detract from the value and are common on this value.
Expo cancel from the last day of the Exhibition
Varieties to look for
The color ranges from Orange Brown to Bright Orange Brown.
The stamp fades easily so try and avoid purchasing the dull
brown copies as this was not the original color. There are
the occasional double transfers.
Occasionally 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 Essay's and Proofs
239-P1
Columbian large die proof die sunk on 110x101mm card
239-P3
Proof on thin card
Trial Color Proof on card (239TC4)
The Columbian Expo was massive, far bigger than Walt Disney world.
Part of the reason for the size is that everything, including the
kitchen sink was on display. For instance here is the Windmill exhibit.