Basic Information
Color: Carmine
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 332
Quantity issued: 7,000,000,000
Issued: November 16th, 1908
Value
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $3-$5
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $1-$2
A used stamp: 10¢-25¢
#332a
Booklet Pane (#331a)
Value
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $70-$80
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $30-$60
A used stamp: $45-$60
Plate Positions of the Booklet Pane
#332a Diagram of a 36O Subject Booklet Plate
Position panes on 360 subject plates
A - Ordinary pane.
B - Pane with half arrow line in margin, guide line at right.
C - Pane with half arrow line in margin, guide line at left.
D - Pane with plate number in margin.
H - Pane with vertical guide line at right.
I - Pane with vertical guide line at left.
J - Pane with horizontal guide line at bottom.
K - Has a vertical guide line at right and line at bottom.
L - Pane with vertical guide line at left and line at bottom.
M - Pane with horizontal guide line at top of margin.
N - Pane with vertical guide line at right and at top of margin.
O - Pane with vertical guide line at left and at top of margin.
Panes A, B, C and D are found on both types of plates and are listed merely to account for the various position panes on each plate.
Panes H and I, of the 180 subject sheets, are the same as H and I of the 360 sheets. They are exactly the same and there is no method of telling them apart.
The 180 subject sheets were used for the booklets of this issue, while the 360 subject sheets were used for this and. all succeeding booklets of ordinary stamps. The above list of positions will, therefore, hold true for all succeeding issues unless otherwise specified
Usage
#332 on an illustrated advertising cover
The 2¢ Washington stamp paid the standard ½ ounce rate.
The Plates
#332 was issued with the following plate #'s
Imprint and number
4807-31, 33-35, 37-66, 68, 71-73, 76, 78-79, 83-84, 87, 93, 96
Imprint, small solid star and number
4988
Imprint, star and plate number
4968-69, 90, 92, 96
5015-22, 25-28, 31-33, 36, 39, 44-46, 50-75, 92, 94
#332a was issued with the following plate #'s
180 subjects
4803-06, 08, 26 , 32 , 36
4947-50, 53, 55, 63-65, 70
5042-43, 47,48, 88, 90, 95, 96, 99
5104-06, 08, t2-13, 39, 54
360 subjects
5263-64, 67-68513 0
5261-62, 66
5445-46, 48, 50-51, 56, 58-59
The meaning of the star
The star in the inscription
Early in 1909, most of the higher values had new plates made with gutters 3mm wide between the six outer rows on either side but with the remaining eight rows of 2mm spacing, the same as plates of the lower values. These were made to overcome the waste in perforating due to unequal shrinkage of the paper which was greatest at the outside. To guide the perforator in setting the wheels for these plates a star identification mark was added after the imprint, hence the name " Star Plate. " These plates produced blocks of stamps with different vertical spacings and although the 3mm out numbered the 2mm they are more desirable as few seem to have been saved of the 3mm spacing.
Essays and Proofs
332-Ef
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332-P1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1ap
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Identifying the Watermark on #332
The DOUBLE lined USPS watermark found on #332
The SINGLE 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.
Identifying the Watermark on #332a
The DOUBLE lined USPS watermark
An illustration of the double line USPS watermark found on this stamp (note the regular stamps watermark is upright).
The Inspiration for the Design
George Washington bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon
The vignette was based on a bust of George Washington by french sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.
Created in 1785 the bust is considered the most accurate likeness of the first U.S. president. Based on a life mask and clay model made at Mount Vernon, it captures Washington at age 53 with precise facial details, blending a Roman, toga-style aesthetic with realistic aging. It is considered one of the most accurate representations of Washington.