#283 1898 10¢ Type II

Basic Information

Color: Orange Brown
Subject: Daniel Webster
Type: II
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 #: 283
Quantity issued: 465,000,000
Issued: November 11th, 1898

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $125-$175
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $17.50-$40
A used stamp: $1.50-$3.50

About the 1898 definitive stamps

A Panama proof #283 (#283P2a)
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 dark green to brown was to comply with U.P.U guidelines. This was especially important when it came to international mail. It assisted receiving countries identify which rate had been paid. In this case the one ounce rate for international mail (10¢ in the US) was colored brown.

The change also helped differentiate the stamp from the new green color assigned to the 1¢ stamp (#279).

#283 was printed on newer plates where the impingement had not been removed.

#282C and #283 identification

Usage

#283 on a patriotic cover

Until March 21st 1893 it paid the 10¢ registration fee. After this date the registration fee was dropped to 8¢, thereafter its common use was to pay the combined two-cent first-class rate and the eight-cent registered mail fee, a total of ten cents

Plates

#283 was issued with the following plate #'s

200 subject plates
932-35, 996-999, 1336-1339

The Inspiration for the Design

Daniel Webster source photo

There was a decision made to feature historical figures in addition to the busts of past presidents. This led to the addition of Daniel Webster. Daniel Webster was an advocate of a strong Federal government and seeked to limit States rights. Besides being a constitutional lawyer, he was also Secretary of State.