#62 1861 90¢ First Design

Basic Information

Colors: Blue
Plate: 8
Subject: George Washington
Printing Method: die-to-relief-to-plate intaglio engraving process
Printer: National Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12 (the original is 15½)
Watermark: none
Scott #: 62
Quantity Recorded: 22
Issued: 1861

Value

An unused stamp with gum: $9,000

Identifying #62

Identifying #62
A The August issue has above the ribbon with US POSTAGE, frame lines that meet in an obtuse angle made by parallel lines of color separated by a white space about one half millimetre wide. On #72 a strong point of color was added at the apex of the lower lines of the angle and a series of little dashes drawn through the center of the white space making a broken line of color between and parallel to the other lines On many of the stamps this broken line is too faint to be seen but the colored point usually stands out clearly.

B The leaf beside the u in the lower left comer has been recut and now has vertical instead of horizontal lines of shading.

The Story Behind the Stamp
Often called the "Premiere Gravures" or "August Issues. Most philatelists now classify Scott #55–#62 as trial printings or samples (essays) rather than regularly issued stamps.

ThiThis stamp was not issued, it was produced as a sample for the Post Office Department. It probably reached collectors via postal officials. It is considered to be an essay by many, including Scotts which has reclassified it as #72-E7h.