Scotts #254 US stamps

#254 - 1894 Unwatermarked 4¢

4¢
Dark brown or brown
Triangles in Corner

Subject: Abraham Lincoln
Number issued: 17,000,000
Perforations: 12
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 254
Issued: September 11th, 1894
Earliest date of use: October 16th, 1894

Value

Used
$1 - $3
No postmark with gum (MH)
$25 - $50
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$75 - $125

Inspiration for the design

The design was taken from this photograph of Abraham Lincoln. This photo was taken before his presidency, whilst a Senator in Springfield Illinois. It was taken on February 9th 1860 at Brady's gallery in Washington DC

The portrait bears a likeness to that used in the vignette of #77

Triangles in the corner

As this was the Bureau of Printing and Engraving contract a small triangle was cut into the design at top left and top right in order to distinguish this printing from the earlier 1890 series