#205C 1882 5¢ Special Printing

Basic Information

Color: Gray Brown
Subject: James Garfield
Paper: Soft porous paper, without gum
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: Americn Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 205C
Known copies: 22
Issued: prior to April 10th, 1882

Value

An unused stamp without gum: $95,000-$120,000

About 205C

The color was changed from black to brown prior to printing

The 1882 Special Printings

Garfield Memorial Stamp: Following President James A. Garfield's assassination, a 5-cent stamp featuring his portrait was authorized in 1882. It was originally intended to be printed in black (like the earlier Lincoln memorial), but Mrs. Garfield rejected that color in favor of brown.
The Special Printing (205C): The American Bank Note Company (ABNCo) was overwhelmed with orders for the new 5c Garfield stamp (Scott 205). To meet demand, 2,463 stamps were produced through the Third Assistant Postmaster General’s office as a "Special Printing" to be sold to collectors and the public. These were made on a different paper and displayed a noticeably sharper, clearer impression compared to the regular issues.
The Mix-Up: Evidence suggests that because of the rush, regular issue 5c Garfield stamps were used to fill a portion of the backlog, while only a very small, distinct portion actually met the specific characteristics (paper/impression) identified today as 205C.

The Inspiration for the Design

James Black’s photograph of James Garfield

The portrait of James A. Garfield featured on the 1882 5¢ US postage stamp was engraved by the American Bank Note Company based on a photograph by James Wallace Black (or sometimes attributed to his studio partnership, Black & Case).

The original photograph was a popular portrait taken during Garfield's time in the US House of Representatives (circa 1870–1880)