#422 1912 50¢ Double Line Wmk

Basic Information

Color: Violet
Subject: Benjamin Franklin
Watermark: DOUBLE-lined USPS
Printing method: Flat plate
Perforations: 12
Scott #: 422
Quantity issued: 660,656
Issued: February 12th, 1912

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $2,300-$4,250
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $40-$60
A used stamp: $8-$14

About 422

A single with a plate number

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) did not intentionally redesign a watermarked 1912 stamp to become a different watermarked 1914 stamp. Rather, the BEP upgraded all standard US postage paper from a "double-line USPS" watermark to a stronger "single-line USPS" watermark.Because high-value stamps (like the 50¢) were not heavily used, the BEP had leftover double-line paper and used it to print the 1912 Scott #422, while printing the updated 1914 Scott #421 on the new single-line paper

Usage

#422 earliest known date of use, 31st October, 1912

#421 was primarily used for heavier mail, multi-class mailings, registry fees, and international letters. Because standard first-class rates were only 1¢ or 2¢, 50¢ stamps were largely used by businesses and institutions rather than the general public.

The Plates

#422 was issued with the following plate #'s

Imprint, "A" and number
5749

The Watermark

The DOUBLE lined USPS watermark

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

Benjamin Franklin bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon

The portrait of Benjamin Franklin used for the vignette was adapted from a sculpted bust created by the renowned French artist Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1778. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing's primary designer, C. Aubrey Huston, utilized the profile from this famous sculpture for the Franklin profile, which was then engraved by artists Marcus W. Baldwin, Edward M. Hall, and Robert Ponickau.