#376 1911 3¢

Basic Information

Color: Deep Violet
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: SINGLE-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 376
Quantity issued: 210,000,000
Issued: January 16th, 1911

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $14-$24
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $3-$7
A used stamp: 50¢-$1

Usage

#376 earliest known date of use, July 9th, 1911

The 3¢ stamp was commonly used for mail that exceeded the standard ½ ounce rate or was used in combination with other stamps to pay a higher rate.

The Plates and a pane

#376 was issued with the following plate #'s

Plate number only
6044-48, 50, 52

Imprint, star and plate number
5121-26, 31, 36
5421-24. 28, 33

A pane of #376, there were two panes of 100 to a sheet of 200

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.

Proofs

333-P1

Click image to enlarge

Identifying the Watermark on #376

The SINGLE lined USPS watermark found on #374

The DOUBLE 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 Switch from Double to Single Line USPS Watermark
The purpose of this change was to strengthen the paper and to give it a more uniform thickness. The old double line watermark covered too much space and made the lettered area quite a bit thinner than the rest of the paper, which caused variation in the shrinkage of the paper. The new watermark was also smaller, occurring 400 letters to a full sheet instead of 360

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.