Experimental Paper on a2¢ Stamp Reprint GivesBluish-Gray Look
In 1909, the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing was experiencing shrinkage of
stamp paper. In an experiment, about 1/3 rag
stock was added to the wood pulp in hopes
of reducing the shrinkage. The change didn’t
help much and was soon abandoned.
Stamps printed on the experimental paper
are bluish gray in appearance and are scarce
collector favorites today.
367 368 369
Lincoln Imperforate Blue Paper
1909 Commemorative Honors
Our 16th President’s Birth
On the 100th anniversary of
Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 1909, a 2¢
commemorative went on sale. Based on a
statue in Chicago by Augustus St. Gaudens,
the stamp was issued both perforate and
imperforate, as well as on experimental
paper – the scarce #369. 1909 was also the
first year of the Lincoln penny.
Scott Number Mint Used
1909 COMMEMORATIVES
Lincoln Memorial Issue
367 2¢ carmine................... $9.95 $2.95
368 2¢ carmine
imperforate................... 52.50 55.00
369 2¢ carmine (on
bluish-gray paper)........ 295.00 300.00
Interest-Free Time Payments Available
On Stamps $200 or More
Seldom-Seen Parcel Post
Postage Due StampUsed to account for postage due on Parcel
Post mail, this Postage Due stamp became
valid for regular postage six months after it
was issued. No further printings were made
and the remaining Parcel Post Postage Due
stamp supply was destroyed. Important U.S.
postal history for your collection.
JQ4 1913 10¢ Parcel Post Postage Due
Stamp, Dark Green, Mint ..........$175.00
370
William H. Seward 371
Imperforate
Scott Number Mint Used
1909 Alaska-Yukon
Pacific Exposition
370 2¢ carmine, perforated 12 $17.50 $2.50
371 2¢ carmine, imperforate 50.00 45.00
The Alaska-Yukon Issue of
1909 Honors William Seward
Seattle, Washington, held the Alaskan-
Yukon Exposition to celebrate the
development of this far-northern territory.
A commemorative publicized both the
Territory and the Exposition.
The original design for this stamp was
a seal on an ice floe. Afraid potential
visitors would think Alaska was always
icy cold, the Exposition Committee opted
for a portrait of William Seward. Seward
negotiated the purchase of Alaska from
Russia in 1867 for just $7.2 million.
Most Alaska-Yukon stamps were issued
perforate (#370). A far smaller number
were imperforate (#371). Today, the
imperforates are difficult to find in both
mint and used condition.
372
“Half Moon” and “Clermont” 373
Imperforate
1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration
372 2¢ carmine, perforated 12 15.75 6.00
373 2¢ carmine, imperforate 59.00 52.00
Two Hudson River Events Honored
In 1609 (300 years earlier), Henry
Hudson discovered the river in his sailing
ship, the Half Moon; and in 1807, Robert
Fulton proved that his steamship, the
Clermont, did indeed work – the first
successful navigation with a steampowered
ship.
This stamp pictures both the Hudson
and Fulton ships. The Native Americans
in canoes show the first means of
navigating this scenic river.
Far fewer imperforate stamps were
issued, so the #373 stamps are much scarcer.
13
374 375 376
Franklin Washington Washington
377 378 379
Washington Washington Washington
380 381 382
Washington Washington Washington
Scott Number Mint Used
Series of 1910-11
Single Line Watermark, Perforated 12
374 1¢ green ....................... $14.50 $.30
375 2¢ carmine.................... 15.00 .30
376 3¢ deep violet ............... 30.00 2.50
377 4¢ brown....................... 47.50 1.00
378 5¢ blue.......................... 42.50 1.10
379 6¢ red orange ............... 60.00 1.25
380 8¢ olive green............... 165.00 37.50
381 10¢ yellow..................... 170.00 9.00
382 15¢ ultramarine............. 375.00 37.50
383 384
Franklin Washington
1910 Single Line WatermarkImperforate
383 1¢ green ....................... 6.00 3.75
384 2¢ carmine.................... 15.00 2.50
A New Single Line WatermarkPaper is Introduced
In 1910, a new single line watermark
paper was introduced. It was stronger and
more uniform in thickness than the old
double line paper. Designs were the same
as on the 1908-09 issue.
See page 154 to order watermark fluid
and tray.
“Mystic is the only stamp company I deal
with which publishes a catalog of all U.S.
stamps. Good work, don’t stop!”
–H.M. Easton, PA
