#220 1890 2¢ Carmine

Basic Information

Color: Carmine
Subject: George Washington
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: American Bank Note Co.
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 220
Quantity issued: 6,344,719,500
Issued: First week of March, 1890

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $17-$25
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $6-$13
A used stamp: 10¢-25¢

The change from Lake to Carmine

A pane of #220
Click the image to enlarge

The difference between the US stamp #219D (Lake) and #220 (Carmine) is primarily caused by an intentional change in the printing ink formulation by the American Bank Note Company in 1890. The original "lake" ink was unpopular, prone to running, and slow-drying, leading to the shift to the brighter "carmine" ink only weeks after the stamp's debut.

Key Factors Causing the #219D vs #220 Difference:
Ink Formulation: The lake (#219D) ink was derived from a different, slower-drying, and somewhat sticky chemical formulation compared to the later carmine (#220) ink.
Ink "Run" & Setoff: The 219D lake ink had a tendency to rub off and smear; it frequently exhibits "setoff" on the back of the stamp, where the ink transferred from the face of one stamp to the back of another in the stack.
Public and Postal Complaint: The initial 219D lake color was described as a "Bordello" color or similar to cheap bargain basement hosiery. It was widely disliked, which prompted the change to carmine red,
Duration of Use: The lake variety (#219D) was only produced for roughly 3 weeks before being replaced.

#220a, #220c Caps on '2'

#220a Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $80-$260
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $35-$90
A used stamp: $3-$6

#220c Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $250-$375
An unused stamp with gum with a hinge mark: $60-$120
A used stamp: $4-$7

Usage

#220 earliest recorded date of use, dated March 11th, 1890

#220 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)

Plates

#220 was issued with the following plate #'s

A 1 - 5 , B 6 -10, B 71, D 16 - 20, F 31 - 35, H 41 - 45, K 56- 60, L 61 - 65, M 66- 70, M 99, N 74 - 78, O 79 - 83, P 84- 88, R 94 - 98, S 100 - 104, T 105 -109, U 110 - 114, V 115 - 119, W 120 - 124, X 125 - 129, Y l30 - 134, Z 135 - 139, AA 140 - 144, CC 150 -154, DD 155 - 159, EE 160 - 164, GG l70 - 174, HH l75 - 179, II 180 - 184, JJ 185 - 189, KK 190 - 194, LL 195 - 199, NN 205 - 209, 00 210 - 214, PP 215 - 219, QQ 220 - 224, RR 225 - 229, SS 230 - 234, TT 235 - 239, VV 245 - 249, WW 250 -254, XX 255 - 259, YY 260 - 264, A1 270 - 274, B1 275 - 279, E1 290 - 294, G1 300 - 304, H1305 - 309, I1 310 - 314, J1 315 - 319, K1 320 - 324, L1 325 - 329, M1 330 - 334, N1 335 - 319, O1 340 - 344, P1 345 - 349

The Inspiration for the Design

George Washington bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

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.