Scotts #585 US stamps

#585 - 1925 Perf 10 4¢

4¢ - Yellow brown, deep yellow brown, pale brown, light brown, reddish brown, deep reddish brown, brown, very dark brown

Printing Method: ROTARY PRESS
Subject: Martha Washington
Number issued: 414,789,000
Perforations: 10
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 585
Issued: April 4th, 1925

Value

Used
25¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$3 - $7
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$7 - $14

Precancels

The demand for this value having increased, the less expensive and faster method of precancelling and printing was introduced. As in the other values these were first perforated ten gauge and issued in 100 subject sheets precancelled. They were first obtainable only at the Philatelic Agency in mint condition. Those first issued to postmasters were precanceIled, and were not in general use without precancelling until about a year after they had been placed on sale at the Agency for the benefit of stamp collectors and dealers

Plate #'s

The following plate numbers were used for #585:

Number only
16079-80
16660-61
77436-37
17738-39, 60-61
17989-90
18083
18365

First Day Cover

A first day cover of #585, April 4th, 1925

The design inspiration

The vignette was based on a drawing by Charles Jalabert who based his drawing off the Gilbert Stuart painting. Gilbert Stuart painted Martha Washington when she was about sixty years old. The top image is the Gilbert Stewart painting, the bottom image is an engraving based on the Jalabert drawing.

After a lapse of almost fifteen years on #306 Martha'Washington, to "commemorate the pioneer womanhood of America," again appeared. on a postage stamps. In this series, however, she was placed on the 4¢ stamp in place of the 8¢, which no longer served the special purpose of registry, and was so afforded a higher tribute.