Basic Information
Colors: Dull Pink
Subject: Abraham Lincoln
Printing Method: Flat plate
Paper: Hard white wove paper
Printer: Continental Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Scott #: 159
Quantity Issued: 38 million
Issued: July 1st, 1873
#159 has a secret mark (see below)
Value
An unused stamp with full gum: $250 - $450
An unused stamp with hinge mark on the gum: $50-$100
A used stamp: $7-$12
Usage
#159 on a cover to Ireland
#159 was primarily was primarily issued for prepaying the 6-cent registered letter fee or international mail rates. It was commonly used to cover the increased postage for heavier domestic letters (double standard rate) or, frequently, for mail to Europe
About the large bank note stamps
A National Bank notes from 1870
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"Large Bank Note" stamps refers to a major definitive series of postage stamps issued between 1870 and 1890. They are called "Bank Notes" because they were produced under contract by three private security printing firms—the National, Continental, and American Bank Note Companies—before the Bureau of Engraving and Printing took over production in 1894.
Key Characteristics
Size: They are called "Large" to distinguish them from the "Small Bank Notes" (or "Baby Bank Notes") issued from 1890 to 1894, which were reduced in size to cut production costs.
Paper and Grills: Early issues (National) often feature "grills" (embossed patterns intended to prevent reuse), while later issues moved from hard paper (National and Continental) to soft porous paper (American).
Secret Marks: To identify which company printed which stamp, "secret marks" (tiny design modifications) were often added to the original plates when contracts changed hands.
Historical Timeline
National Bank Note Co. (1870–1873): The original printers who introduced the designs.
Continental Bank Note Co. (1873–1879): Took over the contract and added secret marks to the 1¢ through 15¢ denominations.
American Bank Note Co. (1879–1890): After merging with Continental, they printed the same designs on soft porous paper and later introduced re-engraved versions with slightly modified details.
The Inspiration for the Design
Abraham Lincoln’s bust by Sarah Fisher Ames
The design of the #159, which features Abraham Lincoln, was a marble bust sculpted by Sarah Fisher Ames. Ames, who was a professional sculptor and served as a Civil War nurse, reportedly knew Lincoln personally through her work and shared anti-slavery views.
The U.S. Capitol Version: One of her most famous marble busts of Lincoln was purchased by the Joint Committee on the Library in 1868 for $2,000. It is currently on display in the Senate wing (third floor, east corridor) of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Ames created at least five marble busts of the 16th president based on sessions where she sketched and modeled his features from life.
#159a, #159b, #159c
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Diagonal half used as 3¢ on cover
#159a
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Grilled (J grill)
#159b
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Double Paper
#159c
Shades of the carmine 6¢ and the reasons behind them
The color variation on 6¢ large banknote was primarily caused by inconsistent ink mixing, variations in ink application during production, and different printing runs between 1870 and 1873. These factors resulted in shades ranging from bright carmine to duller or paler pinkish hues.
Key Reasons for Shade Variations
Ink Formulation: Carmine inks were notoriously difficult to mix uniformly, and batches varied in hue..
Inking Intensity: Variations in the amount of ink applied (over-inking or under-inking) by the printers produced different shades of red
Environmental Factors: Red pigments, such as those used in this era, are particularly susceptible to fading or changing color when exposed to light, moisture, or chemical reactions over time, such as oxidation.
The Secret Mark
#159
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#159 has a secret mark placed there by the new printers, the Continental Bank Note Company, to differentiate it from the previous printers stamps. There is extra shading in the curve of the ribbon on the left of the stamp.
Plates
#159 was issued with the following plate #'s
18, 21, 304-305