#26A - 1857 3¢ Perforated (type IV)
See below for details
Basic Info
3¢
Dull red
TYPE IV
Printing Method: Die-to-relief-to-plate transfer process
Plate: plates 10, 11
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter & Co.
Subject: George Washington
Number issued: 65,000,000
Perforations: Perforated 15
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 26A
Date issued: July 11th, 1857
Value
Used
$30 - $50 (four margins)
$5 - $9 (three margins)
No postmark with gum (MH)
$150 - $550 (four margins)
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$1,600 - $5,000
ID #26A
Inspiration for the Design
George Washington
Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)
Marble, 25" high
Located at Mount Vernon, Virginia
A contemporary banknote printed by Toppan, Carpenter with the same vignette as #26A
Usage
A scarce example of block of #26A on cover
A patriotic cover with #26A
The three cent stamp paid the ordinary letter rate, and two or more would be required on double, triple, etc., letters. The single postage to California was six cents which was the double letter rate. There was also the double rate to California supplied by four three cent stamps, etc. Double rate was defined as a distance exceeding 3,000 miles. A letter weighing less than ½ an ounce was single rate. Each additional ½ ounce was charged an additional single stamp (with the exception of CA, where it would an additional two stamps).
The foreign rate was supplied by the 10 and 20¢ rate, so strips or singles of the 3¢ can be found on these as well. At this time pre payment of envelopes was optional. Many chose to have the letter paid for by recipient at the foreign destination.
A full pane
A full pane of 100 there are two panes to a sheet of 200
The Imprint
Along the side margin of the sheet can be found the Printers imprint along with the plate number. Plate number 12 is similar to plate number 11
How to tell #26 and #26A apart
The 1857 3¢ to 5¢ perforated
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