#258 1894 10¢ Unwatermarked

Basic Information

Color: Dark green
Subject: Daniel Webster
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 258
Quantity issued: 12,263,180
Issued: November 17th, 1894

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $180-$210
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $12.50-$25
A used stamp: $1-$4

About the First Bureau stamps

The final design saw Daniel Webster as the chosen subject, a decision made over General Sherman and John Adams. Sherman was chosen for the 8¢ design. If John Adams had been chosen the stamp would have looked like the illustration above.
Click the image to enlarge

The 1894 Series, known as the "First Bureau Issue," marked the first time the U.S. government printed its own postage stamps, ending the 47-year monopoly of private contractors. Produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), this series used existing designs but introduced small, unique "triangles" in the corners of the stamps to distinguish them from earlier American Bank Note Company issues.

The BEP, which had been established in 1862, successfully bid for the contract to print postage stamps, overcoming intense opposition from private firms that claimed the government was incapable of the work. The BEP reused the 1890–1893 stamp dies. The most defining feature of this series is the addition of small triangles in the upper corners of the designs.

Usage

#258 on a cover to Wales

Until March 21st 1893 it paid the 10¢ registration fee. After this date the registration fee was dropped to 8¢, thereafter its common use was to pay the combined two-cent first-class rate and the eight-cent registered mail fee, a total of ten cents

Plates

#258 was issued with the following plate #'s

55, 62-64

The Inspiration for the Design

Daniel Webster source photo

There was a decision made to feature historical figures in addition to the busts of past presidents. This led to the addition of Daniel Webster. Daniel Webster was an advocate of a strong Federal government and seeked to limit States rights. Besides being a constitutional lawyer, he was also Secretary of State.