#319 - 1903 Washington Shield Issue P12
See below for details
Basic Info
2¢ - Carmine
TYPE I
Printing Method: FLAT PLATE
Subject: George Washington
Number issued: 21,325,000,000
Perforations: P12
Watermark: Double Line USPS
Scott #: 319
Issued: November 12th, 1903
Value of #319
Used
15¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1 - $3
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$3 - $5
Type I vs Type II
#319d
The Inspiration for the Design
For the vignette was based on this BEP engraving not the standerd Treasury engraving of George Washington, taken after the Gilbert Stuart painting. The stamp vignette portrays a rather puffy faced George who looks like he is has put a few pounds on. It was much critiqued by the public at the time, it was said that if it had not printed the word 'Washington' on the stamp it would be anyones guess who the subject was.
It has been rumoured that the unnecessary bits of star behind the T of UNITED and A of STATES was to cover up damage to the die.
#319 Plate #'s
23 billion of these stamps were issued with hundreds of plate numbers.Too many for me to list here.
A Full Pane
A full pane of 100, there were four panes to a sheet of 400
#319g
#319g (a type I stamp)
Booklet pane of six
Carmine
Value of #319g
Used
$400
No postmark with gum (MH)
$80 - $160
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$100 - $275
BK14
2c Carmine, Ty. I,
Two panes of six
Value unexploded - $250 - $350
BK15
2c Carmine, Ty. I,
Four panes of six
Value unexploded - $400 - $700
BK16
2c Carmine, Ty. I,
Four panes of six
Value unexploded - $3,250
BK17
2c Carmine, Ty. I,
Eight panes of six
Value unexploded - $550 - $900
#319Fh
#319Fh (a type II stamp)
Booklet pane of six
Carmine
Value of #319Fh
Used
$350
No postmark with gum (MH)
$900
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$900 - $1,500
#319b
#319b Carmine Rose (a type I stamp)
Due to the many different shade variations there is sometimes little difference between #319 and #319b. Both were produced in the billions and as such the value of both stamps is essentially the same
#319c
#319c Scarlet (a type I stamp)
The scarlet shade is quite distinctive. Because of the confusion of shades this stamp has, it is does not get a price premium. The exception being certificated #319c copies which receive a 50% premium over certificated #319 copies.
#319d
#319d Horizontal Imperf (a type I stamp)
Carmine
The scarlet shade is quite distinctive. Because of the confusion of shades this stamp has, it is does not get a price premium. The exception being certificated #319c copies which receive a 50% premium over certificated #319 copies.
Value of #319d pairs
Used
No sales recorded
No postmark with gum (MH)
$3,500 - $5,000
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded
#319e
#319e Vertical Imperf pair (a type I stamp)
Deep Carmine
The only difference between 319d and 319e is the latter has a deeper carmine shade. In fact the only 319e stamps sold at auction is the San Francisco Roulette variety.
The San Francisco Post Office received some sheets of 319e and instead of throwing them away as imperfect they applied a roulette between the rows.
They only exist as mint hinged, a pair will sell for between $450 and $750
#319Fq
#319Fq
Type II ,Lake
Booklet pane of six
Value MH: $189 - $225
#319fi
#319fi (a type II stamp)
Carmine
Value of #319fi
Used
No sales found by myself
No postmark with gum (MH)
$80 - $110
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$350 - $400
#319j
#319j (a type II stamp)
Carmine Rose
The value is the same as 319fi, 319j is no longer auctioned
Proofs
Large die proof on India Paper, die sunk on card 319-P1
Small die Roosevelt proof on gray card 319-P2a
Private Perforations
The Minerva Essay
Essay on Hard White Wove Paper, TD29
Large die trial color proof on India, die sunk on card. Measuring approximately 118x132mm. TD28TC
Essay on India Paper, die sunk on card TD28TC
Printed directly on die sunk glazed card measuring 123x140mm, TD28TC
These were test stamps printed to try out the Harris Automatic Press Co. offset press
Harris Offset Press Model SL4, 1906
Harris Offset Press Model SL4, 101, 1906
The Harris Offset Press
The Harris Automatic Press Company, of Dayton, Ohio was the maker of several successful fast, automatic rotary presses, both letterpress and lithographic. Their first offset press, a development of their type press S4, was among several offset presses produced in quick response to Ira Rubel’s press of 1903. The 1906 Serial no. 101 was the first production model of the new line.
The Harris S4L was sold for $4,000, and printed about 3,000 22 x 30 inch sheets per hour. Harris presses were soon the most popular offset presses in the United States.
1903-08 Definitive Issue Coils
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