#370 1909 2¢ Perforated

Basic Information

Color: Carmine
Subject: William H. Seward
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 370
Quantity issued: 150,000,000
Issued: May 26th, 1909

Value for singles

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $6-$8
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $2-$3
A used stamp: 75¢-$1

About the 1909 2¢ Hudson-Yukon-Pacific stamp

A rare varnish ink version of #370

As it seemed to the organisers of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition, every previous expositions of note had seen a series of stamps to promote them. Thus they lobbied the Post Office Department and Congress to have a series of stamps dedicated to the Exposition. Their pleas fell on deaf ears and at the last moment the Post Office Department relented, however it would not be a series such as the Columbian Exposition. The post office would issue just one stamp, this 2¢ stamp.

Usage

A first day cover of #370, May 26th, 1909
First day of the Alaska-Yukon Exposition

The 2¢ stamp of 1909 paid the standard ½ ounce rate.

The Plates and a Pane

#370 was issued with the following plate #'s

Imprint and number
5142-45, 70-73
5208-11, 35-37, 41, 49-51, 57

A full pane of #370, there were four panes to a sheet of 280

The Inspiration for the Design

Richie Alexander
photograph of William H Seward

The design vignette is from an engraving by Richie Alexander, based on a contemporary photograph of William H Seward whilst Secretary of State.

Essays and Proofs

370-E1

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370-E

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370-E2

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370-E3

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370-E4

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370-E5

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370-P1

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370-P2

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The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition

Held in Seattle in 1909 it was held to publicize the Pacific North West and was a financial success due to it's heavy promotion by both the organizers and railway companies. It drew 3.7 million visitors. After the Exposition ended the buildings became the University of Washingon Campus. Two of the original buildings survive and are now the Architecture Hall and the Cunningham Hall.

Looking down the Court of Honor at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition toward Mount Rainier

The manufactures building under construction

A card advertising the 'Pay Streak' attraction at the Exposition.
The Pay Streak featured games of chance with cash prizes, it
was added after the success of a similar attraction at the Chicago Fair.

THE TEMPLE OF TIMBER (The Forestry Buiding)
Billed as the worlds largest log cabin the structure survived the Exposition.
Unfortunately it was demolished in 1930 as the logs were difficult to maintain
and no alternative use for the building could be found by the buildings new owners, the Univ. of Washington.