#282 1898 6¢ Lake

Basic Information

Color: Lake
Subject: James Garfield
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 282
Quantity issued: 45,457,549
Issued: December 31st, 1898

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $40-$130
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $7.50-$15
A used stamp: $1.50-$4.50

About the 1898 definitive stamps

A proof #282 (#282P1)
Click the image to enlarge

The 1898 US definitive stamps (specifically the 1-cent and other denominations) were primarily issued to comply with Universal Postal Union color standards, changing the 1-cent from blue to green to assist international identification. These changes coincided with the Spanish-American War and the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition.

The change from the previous dull brown to lake was not mandated by U.P.U.

Identifying the Watermark

The double lined USPS watermark

Between 1895 and 1916 the U.S. government used two different watermarks, double line and single line with the letters "USPS".

By placing the watermark face down on a dark surface or holding it up to bright light you might be able to see the watermark. If you cannot see the watermark it might be a good idea to invest in watermark fluid and a watermark tray. Ronsons lighter fluid works just as well as watermark fluid. Both fluids evaporate quickly.

Pour a little fluid in the tray, lay the stamp face down. In a few seconds the stamp will absorb the fluid and reveal the watermark to you.

As you will see from the illustrations the letters can span several stamps, so on the watermark, for instance, you can see only part of the letter S in one corner and only part the letter P in the other corner.

#282a

#282a

#282a
Purple Lake

To realise the full value (MH $200-$350) of this shade it needs to be accompanied by a certificate.

Usage

The earliest known use of #282, March 13th, 1899

The 6¢ Garfield stamp was primarily used pay the triple rate postage. It was also used, in combination with other stamps, to pay higher rates.

Plates

#282 was issued with the following plate #'s

200 subject plates
554, 922-925

The Inspiration for the Design

James Garfield source photo

The portrait of James A. Garfield featured on #224 was engraved by the American Bank Note Company based on a photograph by James Wallace Black (or sometimes attributed to his studio partnership, Black & Case). It had previously been used on the 5¢ stamp (#216)

The original photograph was a popular portrait taken during Garfield's time in the US House of Representatives (circa 1870–1880)