Scotts #271 US stamps

#271 - 1895 Watermarked 6¢

6¢
Dull brown

Printing Method: Engraved
Subject: James Garfield
Number issued: 20,712,875
Perforations: P12
Watermark: Double Line USPS
Scott #: 271
Issued: August 31st, 1895

#271 Value

Used
$1 - $4
No postmark with gum (MH)
$20 - $45
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$75 - $160

A Full Sheet

A full sheet of #271, there are 200 stamps to a sheet

Plate #'s

#271 was issued with the following plate #'s

200 subject plates
28, 184, 248, 373, 386, 451

#271a

#271a
On revenue paper watermarked USIR

#271a Value

Used
$750 - $1,750
No postmark with gum (MH)
$6,250
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

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

#271 Watermark

Unlike the 1894 6¢ Garfields this stamp is watermarked. The double line USPS watermark on the stamp is shown above

Inspiration for the design

The source for the vignette was this photograph of James Garfield

#271a Watermark

The USIR watermark on a pane of #271a

In order to qualify as #271a distinguishable part of the letter I or R are visible. The error occurred when #271 was printed on several sheets of revenue paper.