#127 1875 10¢ Re-issue

Basic Information

Color: Yellow
Subject: Eagle and shield
Paper: Hard wove paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 127
Quantity issued: 10,000, sold 1,947
Earliest known use: -

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $1,600
A used stamp: $1,800-$1,250

Covers

One of the two only known covers with #127

#127, although primarily sold as a souvenir stamp it was still valid for postage. There are only two known covers.

About the Reprints

A catalogue for the 1876 Centennial 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 Inspiration for the Design

Click image to enlarge

The original 10¢ pictorial stamp (#116) often referred to as the "Pictorial Eagle and Shield," was inspired by American patriotic symbols, specifically the bald eagle as the national bird perched on a shield. The eagle has been the US national bird since 1782.

Earlier essays for the 1869 series had proposed a portrait of Abraham Lincoln for the 10¢ denomination; however, this was rejected and replaced by the eagle-and-shield vignette. This 10¢ design was so well-regarded that an adapted version—adding flags and surrounding the eagle with stars—was used for the 30¢ stamp (#121)