#213 1887 2¢

Basic Information

Color: Green
Subject: George Washington
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: American Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 213
Quantity issued: 3,580,000,000
Issued: September 10th, 1887

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $30-$70
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $3-$8
A used stamp: 50¢-75¢

A new 2¢ color

A pane of #213
Click image to enlarge

in 1882 the standard first class rate was lowered from 3¢ to 2¢ and a stamp of this design was issued in a red brown color (#210). Up to that point the standard first class stamp had been green so folks did not associate it with the red brown color. To correct this the 2¢ stamp was switched from red brown to the green of #213. The green of the first class rate only lasted three years when the 2¢ color became red. In fact the 2¢ kept its red color all the way into the 1950’s.

Usage

#213 on an illustrated cover to NY

#213 was primarily used to pay the first-class letter rate for a single-weight letter, which had recently been reduced from 3¢ to 2¢, effective October 1, 1883. It was also used for postcards, double-rate postcards, and drop letters (local mail)

#213b

Printed both sides
#213b

Plates

#213 was issued with the following plate #'s

N 553-557, O 558-562, Q 568-572, U 588-592, V 593-597, W 598-602, X 603-607, Y 608-613, AA 619-623, BB 624-628, CC 629-633, DD 634-638, EE 639-643, HH 654-658, II 659-663, KK 669-673, LL 674-678, MM 679-683, NN 684-688, OO 689-693, QQ 699-703, RR 704-708, SS709-713, TT 714-718

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.