Basic Information
Color: Red Orange
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: SINGLE-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 379
Quantity issued: 140,000,000
Issued: January 25th, 1911
Value
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $30-$50
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $11-$17
A used stamp: 50¢-$1
Usage
#379 on cover
In 1911, the US 6¢ stamp was primarily used as a standalone stamp to pay the three-time domestic first-class rate (which was 2¢ per ounce). Alternatively, patrons often combined it with other stamps to pay for large-weight packages or international mail rates to foreign destinations.
Oxidized 6¢ stamps
Wet mail bag = oxidised stamp
The yellow ink used for the orange 6¢ contained ferric oxyhydroxide (the chemical compound of Iron), and as everyone knows iron rusts. Normally the sulphurization occurs in the ink drying process. However as the Bureau had, supposedly, a tight control on this process, it was doubtful that this was the cause of the ink sulphurising. Another potential source of sulphurization is a reaction to acid. And here is where the mailbags come into focus. The mailbags at the time frequently got wet, they were made out of canvas and without some kind of preventive action they would mould. And mouldy mailbags is not what you would want your mail to be carried in. The mailbags were treated with a special chemical (probably ethylene oxide), one that prevented mould and also prevented the breakdown of the canvas material. The chemical would be allowed to absorb into the bag, and after spraying, would be available for use 24 hours later. But, if the bag was used before then, the chemical would not have absorbed fully and would have reacted to the iron compounds used in the ink on the stamp.
Dipping a used stamp in hydrogen peroxide will change the stamp back to the original color. Using a q-tip with hydrogen peroxide and gently rubbing the top of the stamp without soaking the stamp will correct the color on mint stamps.
The Plates
#379 was issued with the following plate #'s
Imprint and number
4936-39
Imprint, star and plate number
5203-15, 22, 31
5419-23, 25, 30
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
336-P1
Click image to enlarge
Identifying the Watermark on #379
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.