Scotts #40 US stamps

#40 - 1875 1¢ reprint

1¢
Bright Blue

Printing Method: Engraved
Printer: Continental Bank Note Co
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Number sold: 3,846
Perforations: 12 (no gum)
Scott #: 40
Issued: 1876

Value

Used
$180 $350
No postmark with no gum as issued with hinge mark
$425 - $700
No postmark with no gum as issued with
no trace of stamp hinge markH)
No sales recorded

On Cover

A rare example of #40 used for postage. The date of cancel is February 20th, 1888.

Inspiration for the Design

The vignette was based on Giuseppe Ceracchi's 1791 bust of Benjamin Franklin

Identifying #40

This issue differs from the original in the shade of blue, also the paper is harder and much more white and highly finished in appearance. The stamps were frequently separated with scissors. The reprints have no grill. #40 was a perf 12 stamp while earlier stamps were perf 15½.

Fake cancels

Cancelled #40 are rare and as a consequence valuable. In fact there is only one known, which is on the cover illustrated on this page. Here a forger has attempted to cancel the stamp, but with an unusual pink cancel.