Basic Information
Color: Brown Violet and Black
Subject: Bridge at Niagara
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Paper: Soft porous paper
Printing method: line-engraved intaglio on flat plates
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 298
Quantity issued: 7,201,300
Issued: May 1st, 1901
Value
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $50-$110
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $14.50-$27
A used stamp: $3-$7
About the Pan-American Series
An essay (#298E5)
Click the image to enlarge
One of many Pan-American
cinderella stamps
The 1901 Pan-American US stamp series was primarily created to publicise and promote the Pan-American Exposition, a World’s Fair held in Buffalo, New York.
The series served as a celebration of a "new century" and aimed to highlight three core themes:
1. Modern Rapid Transportation
The central design of each stamp focused on the advancements in modern transit. Each denomination depicted a different "cutting edge" machine or method of moving people and goods
2. Technological and Industrial Progress
The stamps were a salute to the engineering achievements of the Western Hemisphere. The Exposition itself focused heavily on the use of electricity. By showcasing these marvels on postage, the US Post Office helped broadcast the narrative of American industrial dominance and the "marvelous development" of the 19th century into the new 20th century.
3. Pan-American Unity and Trade
The stamps were a salute to the engineering achievements of the Western Hemisphere. The Exposition itself focused heavily on the use of electricity. By showcasing these marvels on postage, the US Post Office helped broadcast the narrative of American industrial dominance and the "marvelous development" of the 19th century into the new 20th century.
Technical Innovation
Two-Tone PrintingThis series was the first U.S. commemorative set to be printed in two colors (bi-colour). The central image (vignette) was printed in black, while the ornate frame was printed in a second color. This complex two-stage process led to the creation of the famous "Pan-American Inverts," where the central image was accidentally printed upside
About the Pan-American Exhibition
The Triumphal Causeway
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Demolition of the Triumphal Causeway
Click the image to enlarge
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, from 1 May to 2 November 1901. Spanning 350 acres on the western edge of Delaware Park, it was designed to celebrate the commercial and cultural achievements of the Western Hemisphere. While intended as a showcase of progress and unity, the event is most famously remembered for the tragic assassination of President William McKinley.
Key Features & Attractions
The "City of Light": The exposition was a landmark event for electricity, powered by hydroelectric energy from nearby Niagara Falls. The fairgrounds were illuminated by nearly 250,000 electric bulbs, a spectacle that was unprecedented at the time.
The Electric Tower: Standing 410 feet tall, this massive structure acted as the fair's central beacon and represented technological mastery.
The "Rainbow City": Unlike previous World's Fairs that were predominantly white, the Pan-American structures were painted in a vibrant, intricate color scheme of pale pinks, taupes, and bright pre-cast ornamentation.
Inventions on Display: The fair showcased cutting-edge technology of the era, including Thomas Edison's X-ray machine, early automobiles, and infant incubators.
Attendance & Legacy
Visitors: Over 8 million people attended the six-month event, including President William McKinley.
Economic Success: While successful in attendance and spectacle, the exposition was not a financial success, resulting in an estimated deficit of roughly $3 million.
Current Site: Most of the fair's ornate buildings were temporary and demolished after the event. The New York State Building was the only permanent structure and now houses The Buffalo History Museum.
Today: At the Buffalo History Museum you can see a permanent exhibit titled "Return to the Rainbow City" featuring artifacts like the gun used in the McKinley assassination.
Usage
#298 first day cover, dated May 1st, 1901
The 8¢ stamp was used 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
#298 was issued with the following plate #'s
Frame plates:
1150
Vignette plates:
1143
The Inspiration for the Design
The source photo used for the vignette
The vignette was based on this photo of the Poe Canal Lock, Sault Ste. Marie, located on the St Mary's River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
The Poe Canal Lock, built in 1896 by the Army Corps of Engineers, was the largest or longest in the world. The lock was also the first to use electricity.