#211D 1883 4¢ Special Printing

Basic Information

Color: Deep Blue Green
Subject: Andrew Jackson
Paper: Soft porous paper issued without gum
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: American Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 211D
Quantity sold: 26 (25 survive)
Issued: October 1st, 1883

Value

An unused stamp with no gum: $17,000

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
Hoe & Co.’s one cylinder printing press

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.

The Inspiration for the Design

Bust of Andrew Jackson by Hiram Powers

The design was taken from the portrait bust of Andrew Jackson by Hiram Powers. Now at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Model Origin: The image used was a direct adaptation of the realistic neoclassical bust sculpted from life by Hiram Powers in 1834–1835, which portrayed Jackson in his late sixties as "Old Hickory".
Design Characteristics: The portrait was chosen for its stark realism, showing Jackson’s sunken cheeks and wrinkles