#280 1898 4¢ Rose Brown

Basic Information

Color: Rose brown
Subject: Abraham Lincoln
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 280
Quantity issued: 153,499,379
EDU: November 13th, 1898

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $30-$65
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $17.50-$30
A used stamp: $1.50-$2.50

About the 1898 definitive stamps

A pane of #280
Click the image to enlarge

The 1898 US definitive stamps (specifically the 1-cent and other denominations) were primarily issued to comply with Universal Postal Union color standards, changing the 1-cent from blue to green to assist international identification. These changes coincided with the Spanish-American War and the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition.

The change from the previous dark brown to rose brown was not mandated by U.P.U.

#280a, #280b

Lilac Brown
#280a
Orange Brown
#280b
There is no difference in the value between #280 and #280a or #280b

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.

Usage

#280 on cover to Italy with a local re-direct

The 4¢ stamp was commonly used to pay the double rate for 1 ounce rate and was used in combination with other stamps to pay a higher rate. IT was often used as a pair to pay the 8¢ registration rate before the 8¢ stamp was issued in 1893.

Plates

#280 was issued with the following plate #'s

200 subject plates
460-63, 530-33, 790-793
1100-1103, 1332-1335

The Inspiration for the Design

Photo of Abraham Lincoln by Mathew Brady

The vignette on the original is based on a photograph of Abraham Lincoln taken by Mathew B. Brady. This is different from the Brady photograph used in previous Lincoln stamps.