The 1893 Columbians
$1 Salmon or dark salmon
Scott #241
Value
Used: $110-$200
No postmark with gum (MH): $240-$500
Full perfect gum, no postmark, no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH): $1,350-$1,600
Statistics
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)
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.
Quantity Issued:
55,050.
Color:
Salmon or dark salmon.
Common use:
The $1 Columbian is often seen on its own on covers, mostly for philatelic use,
it is rarely seen in combination with other values. The genuine uses are for
paying the registered fee on higher rate foreign destinations.
A $1 Columbian used in combination with a
30¢ Columbian and a 50¢ Columbian
Philatelic use of the $1 Columbian
Registered use of the $1 Columbian
The Inspiration for the Design
The design is a based on a painting of Isabella Presenting her Jewels by
Munoz Degrain, the painting now hangs in one of the legislative chambers at Madrid.
King Ferdinand objected to the expense required to fit out a fleet for Columbus,
because the treasury had been exhausted by the war with the Moors. With a woman's
enthusiasm, Isabella exclaimed: "I will undertake the enterprise for my own Crown
of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the necessary funds!"
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. The ink was not very stable and this stamp loses it
vibrancy easily, particularly used copies, see below.
A faded $1
The Worlds Fair Exposition Cancellation
Varieties to look for
The color ranges from Salmon to Dark Salmon. 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.
Essay's and Proofs
241 P1
Large Die Proof on India
241 P2
Small Die Proof on India
Mounted on grey card
From the Roosevelt Album
241 P4
Plate Proof on Card Stock