#102 1875 1¢ Re-Issue

Basic Information

Color: Blue (for more shades see below)
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Plate: 56
Scott #: 102
Quantity issued: 10,000 (3,195 sold)
Issued and earliest date of use: 1875

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $350-$750
A used stamp: $600-$1200

The Inspiration for the Design

The design of the 1861 US 1¢ stamp (#63) was inspired by a sculpture of Benjamin Franklin, which is currently located in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

The portrait was modeled after a bust (sculpture) of Franklin, not a painting, contrasting with many other 1861 issues that were modeled after paintings.

About the Reprints

A poster for the 1876 International Exhibition
Click image to enlarge

The 1875 Reprints

In 1876 the United States celebrated 100 years of nationhood. A huge International Exhibition in Philadelphia, parades and events around the country were held as part of the celebrations. For it's part the Post Office re-issued all the stamps that had been issued up to 1875. They did not sell well and most of the production had to be destroyed. With the exception of the 1847 stamps they were valid for postage so used examples can be found.

These have been called the “special printings" of 1875. All the original plates were used bar US #1 and #2. The 1847 plates had to be reproduced as the originals were lost to history.

All the printings were on harder whiter paper than the originals and most had a shade difference from the originals.

The Paris Exposition

A poster for the 1900 Parisl Exposition
Click image to enlarge

A set of imperforate 1875 reprints was printed for the Paris Exposition in 1900. The stamp above is the only one in private hands