#339 1909 13¢

Basic Information

Color: Blue Green
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 339
Quantity issued: 2,905,000
Issued: January 11th, 1909

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $40-$60
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $7-$17
A used stamp: $12-$20

Usage

#339 earliest recorded use, March 5th, 1909

Finding #339 on cover is especially hard. There are very few survivors. Shown above is the earliest known cover, dated March 5, 1909. The 13¢ stamp was introduced to pay for the 8¢ registration rate plus the 5¢ foreign single rate. The stamp had only been in production for nine ten when the registration rate was increased to 10¢, thereby rendering this stamp pointless. The 15¢ stamp now served this purpose. The 13¢ stamp was discontinued in 1916, the pair above is a rare example of late usage.

The Plates

#339 was issued with the following plate #'s

Imprint and number
4942-46, 48

Proofs

339-P1

Click image to enlarge

Identifying the Watermark on #339

The DOUBLE lined USPS watermark found on #339

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.

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.