Basic Information
Color: Carmine
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: SINGLE-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: Imperforate
Scott #: 384
Quantity issued: n/k
Issued: October, 1910
Value for singles
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $2-$3
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $1-$2
A used stamp: $3-$6
Value for pairs
An unused pair with perfect gum: $4-$6
An unused pair with gum and a hinge mark: $2-$4
A used pair: $8-$16
1910 imperforate stamps and private perforations
A block perforated with Mail-o-meter type IV perforations
The imperforate stamps from 1910 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.
Paste-up Pairs
A paste up pair
The makers of private coils pasted fifteen of these sheets together, end to end or side to side. These were then perforated, cut into strips and rolled into coils of 3,000. A paste up, occurred every twenty stamps, each strip being divided by the guide line running in the same direction as the perforations. The primary reason for issuing imperforate stamps in sheets being for the use of makers of private perforations, Above is shown an example of where two stamps have been pasted together.
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 first 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 first block shown, can sell for up to $40. Used copies are almost as valuable.
Usage
Earliest documented date of use of #384, December 8th, 1910.
The earliest documented usage of any single line watermarked stamp
The 2¢ Washington stamp paid the standard ½ ounce rate
The Schermack Punch Controls
An example of a punch control
The Schermack Company used a control pin pattern of nine pins. Pins were removed to identify the company that their stamp was sold to. This 'punch control' was a security device to deter stamp theft.
The Plates
#384 was issued with the following plate #'s
Imprint ‘A' and number
5557-65
5660-90, 94
5717-17, 97
Imprint, star and plate number
5092
5280-84, 97-99
5300-03, 07, 12, 14, 18, 29, 32, 37, 42, 48, 53, 58, 70, 75
5516-18, 28, 42, 51, 53, 85, 89-90
5608-09, 18-19, 24, 27, 36, 42, 45, 48, 54, 55
The sideographer’s initials
The strip of letters, frequently seen in the selvage are the initials of the sideographer or plate finisher, for reasons of quality control. Typically, the first, middle, and last initial was used, each followed by a period or dash. This can only be seen on flat plate or offset press printings, not on rotary press printings. The plate finishers initials are on the lower left margin of a sheet of 400 stamps.
The initials were punched into the plate one letter at a time, accounting for the initials not being in a straight line.
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.
Identifying the Watermark on #384
The SINGLE lined USPS watermark of #384
A 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 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
Basic Information
Color: Carmine
Subject: George Washington
Watermark: Watermarked double-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: perf 12 Horizontally
Scott #: 349
Quantity issued: 23,055,000 (all 1908/09 2¢)
Issued: January 2nd, 1909
Value for pairs
An unused pair with perfect gum: $90-$110
An unused pair with gum and a hinge mark: $80-$90
A used pair: no recorded sales
Values are for stamps with two margins
Value for singles
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $12-$24
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $8-$15
A used stamp: $12-$18
Values are for stamps with two margins
About #349
A roll of #349
It was not until early in 1908 that the Post Office Department issued some coil stamps of the 1902 series for use in vending and stamp affixing machines, but purely as an experiment. They were found to be satisfactory and as the Department realized that a demand existed for this type of stamp it was less than three weeks after the new design had been issued in the ordinary form that it was also available in coil form.
As in the previous issue they were made from the regular 400 subject sheets which were perforated twelve in the horizontal spaces between the stamps and then cut into strips of twenty. The horizontal guide line appeared in the middle of each of these strips, which were pasted together by hand and rolled into coils of 500 and 1,000. These were coiled on one half inch diameter pasteboard cores. A "paste up" or line pair, therefore, occurred every twentieth stamp and are about eight times scarcer than the ordinary pairs.
This type of coil was never as popular among users as the endwise coil.
There are the occassional rare pair of the 1¢ horizontal coil used, but as two 2¢ stamps would have been used for the infrequent double rate of 4¢ there are no used pairs of the 2¢ to be found.
Paste-up Pairs
A paste up pair
Sheets of 400 were perforated, cut into strips and rolled into coils of 3,000. A paste up, occurred every twenty stamps, each strip being divided by the guide line running in the same direction as the perforations. The primary reason for issuing imperforate stamps in sheets being for the use in stamp machines.
Guide Lines
A guide line pair, also on the stamps left can be seen the vertical guide line.
Stamps with a guide line between two stamps command a 30% premium. The line can be seen along the perforating in the middle of the pair.
Usage
#349 - Earliest documented date of use, May 14th, 1909
The 2¢ Washington stamp paid the standard ½ ounce rate.
The Plates
The plate numbers on the sides having been cut off and those on the top and bottom being covered by the paste up. As a consequence no plate numbers can be found on the vertical coils perforated horizontally.
Essays and Proofs
332-Ef
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332-P1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1
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332-TC1ap
Click image to enlarge
Identifying the Watermark on #349
The DOUBLE lined USPS watermark
The SINGLE 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 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..