#272 1895 8¢ Watermarked

Basic Information

Color: Violet Brown
Subject: William Tecumseh Sherman
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The Bureau of Printing and Engraving
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 272
Quantity issued: 96,217,820
Issued: July 22nd, 1895

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $80-$210
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $3-$15
A used stamp: 50¢-$75¢

About the First Bureau stamps

#272 with a U.P.U. overprint

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.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing introduced the watermarked paper—which featured the letters "USPS" (United States Postage Stamp) in double-lined letters—shortly after discovering counterfeits of the 2-cent stamp. The counterfeits were lithographed and as such were easily identified, however the appearance of counterfeits must have spooked the Bureau.

Identifying the Watermark

The double lined USPS watermark

Between 1895 and 1916 the U.S. government used two different watermarks, double line and single line with the letters "USPS".

By placing the watermark face down on a dark surface or holding it up to bright light you might be able to see the watermark. If you cannot see the watermark it might be a good idea to invest in watermark fluid and a watermark tray. Ronsons lighter fluid works just as well as watermark fluid. Both fluids evaporate quickly.

Pour a little fluid in the tray, lay the stamp face down. In a few seconds the stamp will absorb the fluid and reveal the watermark to you.

As you will see from the illustrations the letters can span several stamps, so on the watermark, for instance, you can see only part of the letter S in one corner and only part the letter P in the other corner.

#272a (USIR watermark)

USIR watermark on #272a

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing inadvertently watermarked both the 6¢ and 8¢ stamps with the revenue watermark of USIR. In order to qualify as #272a distinguishable part of the letter I or R are visible.

Usage

#272 on a cover to Denmark

#272 was designed to cover the registration fee for first-class letters, which was reduced from 10 cents to 8 cents during that period. It was commonly used in combination with a 2¢ stamp to pay for both the first-class letter rate and the registry fee.

Plates

#272 was issued with the following plate #'s

200 subject plates
58, 249, 555, 928-931, 1094-1097

The Inspiration for the Design

General Sherman source photo

Having spent a large part of my life living in Savannah I imagine that this stamp was not popular in western Georgia. Shermans march burnt everything and anything between Atlanta and Savannah.

Sherman was the third Civil War general to be featured on a stamp, he was preceded by Winfield Scott and Ulysses Grant.