Scotts #258 US stamps

#258 - 1894 Unwatermarked 10¢

10¢
Green, Dull green or Dark green
Triangles in Corner

Subject: Daniel Webster
Number issued: 12,263,180
Perforations: 12
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 258
Issued: September 17th, 1894
Earliest date of use: November 19th, 1894

Value

Used
$2 - $4
No postmark with gum (MH)
$35 - $90
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$120 - $170

Varieties

There is also a variety, not recorded by Scotts of horizontal imperforate, an example of which is shown above. It carries no premium in price over a normal single.

Plate #'s

#258 was issued with the following plate #'s

55, 62-64

Triangles in the corner

As this was the Bureau of Printing and Engraving contract a small triangle was cut into the design at top left and top right in order to distinguish this printing from the earlier 1890 series

Inspiration for the Design

The source photograph used for the design.

The final design saw Daniel Webster as the chosen subject, a decision made over General Sherman and John Adams. Sherman was chosen for the 8¢ design. If John Adams had been chosen the stamp would have looked like the illustration above.