Basic Information
Color: Carmine
Subject: The Half Moon and the Clermont
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: Imperforate
Scott #: 373
Quantity issued: 216,480
Issued: September 25th, 1909
Value for singles
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $8-$11
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $3-$4
A used stamp: $2.50-$3
Value for pairs
An unused pair with perfect gum: $10-$15
An unused pair with gum and a hinge mark: $5-$8
A used pair: $5-$8.50
About the 1909 2¢ Hudson-Fulton Tri-Centennial stamp
A vignette essay for #372/73
Historical Milestones Honored
The Post Office Department combined two separate anniversaries into one commemorative stamp issue because both events fundamentally shaped the progress, trade, and identity of the Hudson River Valley:
Henry Hudson (1609): The 300th anniversary of the English explorer navigating the river aboard his Dutch East India Company ship, the Half Moon.
Robert Fulton (1807): The 100th anniversary (celebrated slightly late to align with Hudson's tri-centennial) of his paddle steamer, the Clermont, successfully proving the commercial viability of steam-powered water travel.
Stamp Design and Elements
The intricate design of the stamp directly illustrates the two historical achievements side-by-side:
The Central Scene: Features a view of the Hudson River with the Palisades cliffs in the background.
The Half Moon: Hudson's 17th-century sailing vessel is depicted on the left side of the river.
The Clermont: Fulton's 19th-century steamboat is depicted on the right side, showing the evolution of maritime technology over two centuries.
Guide Lines
A guide line between each pane of 100 in a sheet of 400 was printed. Where the guide lines intersect (a centreline block), shown in the last image, is the most desirable. Guide lines should be collected in blocks of four. They do increase the price of the stamp, with MNH examples of the last block shown, can sell for a premium. Used copies are almost as valuable.
The Vending Machine Packet
Vending machines packets
An interesting use of #371 from the US Vending Machine Company. #371 was contained in a pocket with a Franklin 1¢ (#343) or two Hudson Fulton 2¢ (#373) imperf stamps. This pocket of 5¢ stamps was dispensed from a strip of these pockets contained within the company's vending machines. The pockets value, complete with their contents, is between $750 and $1,250 depending on condition.
1909 imperforate stamps and private perforations
A type 1A Mail-o-Meter private perforation
The 1909 imperforate stamps were issued without perforations specifically to supply private stamp vending and affixing machine companies. These early automated companies purchased uncut sheets of 400 stamps from the Post Office. They then cut the sheets into rolls (coils) and applied their own proprietary perforations or slots so the stamps could dispense from their machines. A guide to these proprietary perforations can be found by clicking the button below.
Vending machines required stamps with straight edges, either on the top and bottom or on both sides to operate the machines. Initially the Bureau perforated sheets in only one direction and then cut them into strips. These strips were then hand pasted into rolls and sold as a roll of coiled stamps.
The process of pasting together the strips was labor intensive and coils were not cheap to produce. The advent of the rotary press saved the day.
The blades in the both the first experimental machines were much to be desired and usually meant separating the stamps meant a torn stamp. The private perforations were employed to aid separation. Various perforations were used.
Because of high demand from philatelists, postal authorities made these imperforate sheets generally available to the collecting public, allowing them to acquire blocks, strips, and position pieces.
Usage
The earliest known use of #373, October 2nd, 1909
The 2¢ stamp of 1909 paid the standard ½ ounce rate.
The Plates and a Pane
#373 was issued with the following plate #'s
Imprint and number
5388-95
A full pane of #373, there were four panes to a sheet of 240
Essays and Proofs
372-E1
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372-E2
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372-E3
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372-P1
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372-P2
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372-P2a
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The Inspiration for the Design
The 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration stamp was issued to commemorate a dual historical milestone in the state of New York: the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson discovering the Hudson River and the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton's first successful commercial steamboat trip.
The Halve Maen (Half Moon )
Three hundred years prior, on September 12, Henry Hudson sailed into New York harbor in the Half Moone, and discovered the island of Mannahatta, now known as Manhattan. Unfortunately his crew mutinied and cast Henry Hudson adrift, he was never seen again.
The Clermont
In 1807 ferry mogul Robert Fulton patented the steamboat, an engineering marvel he perfected, but did not invent. Fulton, a Pennsylvanian who originally tested his ship in Paris, became associated with New York with the development of the successful Clermont North River steamboat service.
The Hudson-Fulton Celebration
The Hudson–Fulton Celebration was an elaborate, two-week public festival held in New York and New Jersey from September 25 to October 9, 1909. It served as a "world's fair" and massive historical carnival to commemorate two major milestones in maritime history: the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson exploring the Hudson River (1609) and the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton's successful commercial paddle steamer, the Clermont (1807).
City officials and titans of industry like Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan decided to throw a two-week fiesta from September 25 to October 11, 1909. It became a grand event to display the cultural achievements, industrial prowess, and global status of New York City.
The Pivotal Point, Hudson-Fulton Celebration
From September 25 to October 11, the river was clogged with shipping and military vessels festooned with electric lights, while overhead the skies were filled with nightly firework displays. Inaugeral nautical displays were capped with the ceremonial entry into the harbor of both Hudson’s ship the Half-Moone and Fulton’s Clermont, both re-created for the event. (The Half-Moone and Clermont unceremoniously collided into each other during the ceremony!)
A six mile parade featuring dutch themed floats was held in NY, NY to celebrate the Hudson-Fulton Centenary. Famously the celebration was marked by Orville and Wrights flight from Governor's Island and around the Statue of Liberty.
The electric light, which had recently transformed the city into a modern 24-hour metropolis of streetlights, marquees, and incandescent bulbs, illuminated many city monuments and buildings, including all its bridges.