Scotts #360 1909 Bluish Paper US stamps

#360 - 1909 Bluish Paper 4¢

See below for details

Basic Info

4¢ - Orange Brown
Bluish Paper (see below)
Printing Method: FLAT PLATE
Subject: George Washington
Number issued: 4,400
Perforations: P12
Watermark: Double Line USPS
Scott #: 360
Issued: June, 1909

Value

Used
No sales recorded
No postmark with gum (MH)
$10,000 - $20,000
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$19,500

Plate #'s

#360 was issued with the following plate #

Imprint and number
4934

The 4¢ Bluish Paper

This was a printing on special paper containing about one third rag stock. It was hoped that this grade would materially reduce the great waste due to irregular or "off center" perforating, caused by the unequal shrinkage of the ordinary paper used. This "rag" paper did not help the question of shrinkage to any extent and was soon abandoned.

Only 4,000 copies of this stamp were printed. on this experimental paper. By mistake these sheets were packed up with the ordinary stamps and delivered to various Post offices. Copies were found at the Post office in Rockford, Illinois, but being printed in blue they were not as easily identified as the other denominations and most of them were used for postage. This, next to the four and eight cent varieties, is the rarest of the "bluish paper" varieties.

Although this group of stamps have always been noted as having been printed on bluish paper, the safest check as to their proper identification is by noting the greyish, color of the paper through the gum on the back, when compared to the ordinary stamps.

SEE BELOW ON HOW TO IDENTIFY BLUISH PAPER STAMPS

The design inspiration

Bust of George Washington
by Jean-Antoine Houdon
1785
The source of the design

Bluish Paper

The stamps being described as having bluish paper is unfortunate. It has led to generations of stamp collectors looking for stamps with blue paper. The color is, in fact, more of a dull slate grey. That is not quite gray, there is just a tiny hint of blue in there.These are difficult to identify as many Washington-Franklin stamps when turned over look grey, as can be seen in the stamp shown above on the right. In my opinion once you have seen a true (that is certificated) bluish stamp you will always recognise the bluish shade. I have illustrated above left the bluish shade, however different monitors will show different shades, on my wife's iPhone the stamp on the left is a kind of yellowish grey. Really the only accurate method is to purchase a certificated #358 and use it as a reference. It will cost you about $80. to purchase it.