#131 1875 30¢ Re-issue

Basic Information

Color: Ultramarine & carmine
Subject: Shield and Flags
Paper: Hard wove paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 131
Quantity issued: 10,000, sold 1,535
Earliest known use: n/k

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $1,100-$1,800
A used stamp: $950-$1,800

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 1869 30¢ pictorial stamp (#121) often referred to as the "Pictorial Shield and Eagle," 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.

The 30¢ stamp was originally intended to depict "The Surrender of General Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga" based on a famous painting by John Trumbull. There were concerns that a scene depicting a major British defeat would offend Great Britain. o fill the resulting vacancy in the series, designers adapted the "Shield and Eagle" motif (as used on the 10¢ value #116) by adding a frame of flags, stars, and halations of light.