#129 1875 15¢ Re-issue

Basic Information

Color: Brown & Blue
Subject: Landing of Columbus
Paper: Hard wove paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Type: III
Scott #: 129
Quantity issued: 10,000, sold 1,981
Earliest known use: March 20, 1880

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $1,200-$3,000
A used stamp: $1,300-$1,500

Covers

#129 earliest known documented use, March 20, 1880

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

About the Reprints

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 15¢ pictorial stamp (#118) inspired by the historical painting "The Landing of Columbus" by John Vanderlyn

Commissioned by Congress in 1836, Vanderlyn's painting was completed in 1842 and installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in 1847. The painting depicts Christopher Columbus stepping onto land in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, holding a Spanish flag, with other sailors behind him and natives in the background.