#89 1868 10¢ E grill

Basic Information

Color: Green
Subject: George Washington
Printing method: line-engraved
intaglio on flat plates
Printer: The National Bank Note Company
Perforations: 12
Watermark: none
Type of Grill: E
Scott #: 89
Type: II
Plates: 15 (?)
Quantity issued: 1,500,000
Issued: Third week of February, 1868

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: -
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $900-$1,300
A used stamp: $65-$130

E Grill Detail

Over 95% of grills are either E or F grills. The A, B, C, and D grills have proved unsatisfactory, largely because their presence on the stamp makes it difficult to separate. The Z grill did not have that problem, but for whatever reason it was printed in very limited quantities. The E grill is often confused with the Z grill because their sizes are similar, and they have the same values. Close examination of the E grill will reveal the grills have a vertical orientation, as shown above. Whilst the Z grills are horizontally oriented. Both the E and Z grills have their grill points facing down.

Points: 15 x 17 points
Size: 11 x 13mm

Usage

#89 on a cover to Prussia

Domestic Mail: The 10¢ stamp was often used for domestic mail requiring additional postage.
Foreign Mail: Covering part of the postage for foreign mail or to pay a single rate. A common usage was the 10¢ rate to Germany and France.
Transpacific Mail: The 10c stamp paid the single-weight Transpacific rate by American packet via San Francisco, effective January 1868 to July 1870.

The Inspiration for the Design

The inspiration for the US Scott #13 10¢ stamp, issued in 1855, was based on a portrait of Geroge Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

The frame and lettering were engraved by Henry Earle. Earle is credited with engraving the lettering and frames for the 1851–1861 Issue of U.S. stamps. This includes well-known denominations like the 1c, 3c, and 10c stamps of that era, but not the 5¢ Jefferson.

The 10-cent stamp is noted for being more faithful to the original Stuart painting than the 12-cent version, specifically in retaining more of the portrait's details.