#1 1847 5¢
Basic Information
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Printing Method: Line engraved
Printer: Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edison
Perforations: imperforate
Watermark: none
Scott #: 1
Quantity Issued: 3,600,000
Issued: July 1st, 1847
Value
An unused stamp with gum: $13,000-$23,000
An unused stamp without gum: $4,000-$6,000
A used stamp cut to shape: $150-$225
Values are for stamps with four margins.
Shades
#1 Pale Red Brown
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#1 Red Brown
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#1 Brown
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#1a Dark Brown
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#1a Grayish Brown
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#1a Blackish Brown
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#1b Orange-Brown
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#1c Red-Orange
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#1d Brown-orange
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Specimen
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Cancels used in this stamp
Red (common)
Blue
Black
Green
Magenta
Paid
Steamboat
Figure 2 (drop rate)
Figure 5
Figure 10
Town
Pen
Wheeling Precancel
(in red)
Notable Varieties
Double Transfer
(position 80R1)
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Double Transfer
(position 90R1)
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Break in Frame
Crack in T
Dot in S
+ dot in U variety
The Inspiration for the Design
Benjamin Franklin
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The Inspiration & Design Evolution
The transformation from initial concept to final essay followed a specific political and artistic path:
Initial Candidate (Andrew Jackson): Postmaster General Cave Johnson originally instructed the engraving firm, Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, to use a portrait of the recently deceased President Andrew Jackson for the 5¢ denomination.
The Switch to Franklin: By March 1847, the printers suggested replacing Jackson with Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was chosen as a more "unifying icon" for a nation facing sectional tensions over slavery and the Mexican-American War, primarily because of his role as the first Postmaster General and a key diplomat.
The Portrait Source: The final design used an existing engraving by Asher B. Durand, which was based on a painting by James B. Longacre. These dies were already in the printers' stock, having been used previously for private banknotes.
The Inspiration for the Design
Benjamin Franklin
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First use of the engraving
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The Inspiration & Design Evolution
The transformation from initial concept to final essay followed a specific political and artistic path:
Initial Candidate (Andrew Jackson): Postmaster General Cave Johnson originally instructed the engraving firm, Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, to use a portrait of the recently deceased President Andrew Jackson for the 5¢ denomination.
The Switch to Franklin: By March 1847, the printers suggested replacing Jackson with Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was chosen as a more "unifying icon" for a nation facing sectional tensions over slavery and the Mexican-American War, primarily because of his role as the first Postmaster General and a key diplomat.
The Portrait Source: The final design used an existing engraving by Asher B. Durand, which was based on a painting by James B. Longacre. These dies were already in the printers' stock, having been used previously for private banknotes.
The First Stamp’s Story
Earliest Documented Use
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By an Act of Congress passed in 1845, and continuing thru the life of the 1847 issue, 5c was the single letter rate for all distances not over three hundred miles.
Under the powers given him by the Act of 1847, the Postmaster-General entered into a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson, which was located in New York City and was well and favorably known as Bank Note engravers. No details of this contract are known. It seems reasonable to assume that it contained provisions for the production of stamps of the 5¢ and l0¢ denominations, under specific regulations and conditions, at a specified cost per thousand.
Although the drop rate of letters at the time was 2¢ it was decided not to issue a stamp for this value, which would have to wait until the 1¢ issue of 1851.
Benjamin Franklin was chosen as the vignette subject as he was considered the father of the Post Office and the first Post Master General.
Due to production delays, there were only sufficient stamps to deliver to the New York post office on the official day of introduction, July 1st, 1847. Boston was the second post office to receive a delivery on July 2nd, 1847. The first purchaser was reputedly Congressman Harvey Shaw of Connecticut.
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