Basic Information
Color: Green
Subject: Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Watermark: SINGLE-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 10
Scott #: 401
Quantity issued: n/k
Issued: February 14th, 1915
Value
An unused stamp with perfect gum: $17.50-$32.50
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $3-$9
A used stamp: $2-$3.50
About Pan-Pacific Series
Three of the four ideas were used in later designs
This change in attitude on the part of philatelic interests is evidenced by the various ideas for the "new commemoratives to be issued to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal" suggested by stamp publications in 1911 and 1912. The leader in this movement was the Philatelic Gazette, whose editor, Wm. W. Randall, as a native Californian, had a two fold interest, in the advertising of the exposition and in the philatelic value of distinctive new' stamps. In the issue of lMay 15, 1911, he suggested the following six stamps to depict the great scenic effects of the West:
1c - The giant Geyser at Yellowstone National Park*
2c - The Golden Gate entrance to San Francisco Harbor
4c - The Grand Canyon of Colorado*
5c - The Locks of the Gatun Dam, Panama Canal
6c - The Big Trees of California*
10c - The Bridal VeiI Falls in Yosemite Valley*
* Four of the suggestions were not taken up, but, as you can see by my illustration above they were designed later in the century. Only the Bridal Falls of Yosemite did not make it on to a stamp.
By the middle of August 1912 the designs for the 1 cent and 5 cent had been accepted by Postmaster General Hitchcock, the 5 cent bearing his signature "approved July 16." The 2 cent was almost ready for approval at this time, pending the acceptance of a satisfactory picture of the Gatun Locks. The l0 cent stamp did not make as satisfactory progress as the others as no suitable photo could be found of any of the subjects under consideration. It had been intended to use a portrait of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, who in 1542 discovered the California mainland, on the highest denomination, but all efforts to find a picture of him proved futile. I. E. Bennet, who represented the exposition in Washington, finally discovered a painting acceptable to the Department, of one of the subjects under consideration and this was then used. Once the vignette subject had been accepted, work on the 10 cent stamp progressed rapidly, on the 22nd of August the latter stamp was approved, while the 2 cent stamp was not approved until August 27th.
Usage
A cover franked with two #401’s tied by San Francisco Exposition slogan machine cancel
The first-class letter rate at the time was 2¢, making the 1¢ stamp the go-to denomination for quick communications and bulk mailings.The usage of a 1¢ stamp was highly specific depending on the exact mail class:
Postcards & Postal Cards: 1¢ fully prepaid the postage for a single postcard to any destination in the United States.
Parcel Post: When the U.S. Parcel Post system launched on January 1, 1913, a 1¢-per-ounce rate applied to parcels weighing less than 4 ounces. Specially designed 1¢ Parcel Post Stamps were issued for this purpose.
Drop Letters: Letters deposited for local delivery at a post office that did not offer carrier delivery (like rural routes) only cost 1¢ to mail.
Printed Matter: Circulars, newspapers, and unsealed third-class mail required 1¢ per 2 ounces.
The Plates and a Pane
#401 was issued with the following plate #'s
Number only
6548-51
6875-80, 91
6944
A pane of 70, there were four panes to a sheet of 280
The Vera Cruz Post Office
While these stamps were current, a post office was established at Vera Cruz, Mexico, and various denominations of these stamps, perf. 12, may be found with this Vera Cruz cancellation. The station was opened April 24th, 1914 and was discontinued November 23rd of the same year. Covers franked with stamps of this issue and cancelled Vera Cruz are much sought after. 'Whereas, the two lowest values are still quite common, covers bearing five or ten cent stamps of either perforations have become very desirable.
The above photo shows United States sailors at the door of a post office during the U.S. occupation of Veracruz, Mexico which took place during the Mexican Revolution. The U.S. troops entered the city on April 21, 1914 and stayed through November 1914.
The Inspiration for the Design
Vasco Núñez de Balboa
There were, at the time, two fairly common portraits of Cabrillo circulating, and like all portraits of the early Spanish Explorers, they were based on the artists interpretation, there being no contemporary representation. Cabrillo, did make it onto a stamp in 1992.
Essays and Proofs
397-E
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397-E1
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397-E
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397-E
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397-400 TC's
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The Pan-Pacific Exposition
A 1915 photograph of the Palace of Fine Arts
A 1915 painting of the Palace of Fine Arts
Reconstructed by the city of San Francisco, this is how the Palace of Fine Arts looks today
The Exposition lit at night
A 1915 painting of the Palace of Fine Arts
The Tower of Jewels
Encrusted with over 100,000 Novagems to make it sparkle in the sunlight and at night by spotlight
A 1915 painting of the Palace of Fine Arts
Before demolition the jewels were removed from the tower and sold to the public, boxed, at $1 each
View of the exposition
View of the exposition
The exposition was a commercial success and as result efforts were made to save as much as possible, unfortunately most of the buildings were temporary in nature, including the tower. Furthermore almost all the Expo was on leased land and the owners expected to have their land back. Much of the exposition was built of plaster and wood. The Palace of Fine Arts was left to decay by the lagoon, only to be demolished in 1930, since then four replica's have been built in its place.