#109 1875 24¢ Re-Issue

Basic Information

Color: Deep Violet
Subject: George Washington
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Plate: not known
Scott #: 109
Quantity issued: 10,000 (346 sold)
Issued: 1875

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $18,000
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $2,000-$3,250
A used stamp: $5,000-$7,000

Shades of the 1861/66 24¢

Click image to enlarge

The differences between the shades of #24 can only be described as subtle. #109 is, however, definately darker. It is also crisp printing and on white paper.

About the Reprints

A poster for the 1876 International Exhibition
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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 Inspiration for the Design

The portrait of the US Scott 24¢ stamp was based on a the same portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart used on #13, 10¢ stamp.

The frame and lettering of the 10¢ stamp were engraved by Henry Earle. Earle is credited with engraving the lettering and frames for the 1851–1861 Issue of U.S. stamps. This includes well-known denominations like the 1c, 3c, and 10c stamps of that era, but not the 5¢ Jefferson.

The 10-cent stamp is noted for being more faithful to the original Stuart painting than the 12-cent version, specifically in retaining more of the portrait's details.