#211B 1883 2¢ Special Printing

Basic Information

Color: Pale Red Brown
Subject: George Washington
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: American Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 211B
Quantity issued: 1,000
Issued: October 1st, 1883

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $350-$600
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $120-$240
A used stamp: $3,600

A special printing

The Hoe and Co steam printing press, claimed it could print six times faster that standard lithographic presses of the time.
An advert for the R. Hoe & Company
211B can be identified by the mesh paper

Since 1875 a limited release of special printings of US stamps had been printed, first by the Continental Bank Co and then by the American Bank Co. The were high quality printings, and since 1882 had been printed on the new Hoe & Co steam press. Which was a good way of trialing this new invention. The purpose of these printings was to sell to collectors superior examples of US stamps. They were legal for postage and a few examples of used stamps can be found. #211B and #211D were the last of the special printings. #211B can be purchased for a few hundred dollars, however with only 26 copies sold of #211D prices run north of $10,000.

#211Bc

211Bc
Imperf between horizontal pair
Value $1,200-$2,400

The Inspiration for the Design

George Washington bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

Often referred to as the ‘Washington flag stamp’, the vignette was based on a bust of George Washington by french sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.

Created in 1785 the bust is considered the most accurate likeness of the first U.S. president. Based on a life mask and clay model made at Mount Vernon, it captures Washington at age 53 with precise facial details, blending a Roman, toga-style aesthetic with realistic aging. It is considered one of the most accurate representations of Washington.