The 1880 Special Printings

The special printing was first issued in 1880, following the American Bank Note Company's buyout of the Continental Bank Note Company in 1879. They were created with the aim of allowing collectors to purchase high quality printings of stamps. However, as can be seen by the few surviving copies, the were largely ignored at the time.

Following the takeover, the original designs produced by the Continental Bank Note Company were printed on softer paper and featured greater variation in colour. They were the first stamps to be printed on A.B.N.Co’s new Hoe & Co steam driven printing press.

1880 vs. 1875 Special Printings

The 1875 special printings were printed by the Continental Bank Note Co. on hard white paper. The 1880 special printings were printed by the Amercican Bank Note Co. on soft porous paper. The 1875 printings are bright vibrant colors, the 1880 printings are a little duller.