#37 1860 24¢

Basic Information

Color: Gray lilac
Subject: George Washington
Printing Method: die-to-relief-to-plate intaglio engraving process
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.
Perforations: 15½
Watermark: none
Scott #: 37
Quantity Issued: 736,000
Issued: July 7th, 1860

Value

An unused stamp with perfect gum: $3,000-$5,000
An unused stamp with gum and a hinge mark: $450-$1,000
A used stamp: $75-$140

Usage

#37 on a cover paying the 27¢ treaty rate to Germany

Usage
#37 was primarily issued to pay for overseas, international mail postage rates, particularly for letters sent to Europe. It was part of a new series introduced in 1860 and was designed to cover higher-weight or prepaid, longer-distance letter rates. The 24¢ rate specifically matched the cost of mail sent to Great Britain under the postal treaty of 1848. The rate for most European countries was 27¢ so you would frequently see the addition of a 3¢ stamp.

The Gray shade (37a)

Gray-Lilac
Gray

Value

Between the two shades there is little difference in the value.

You will sometimes see an imperf example sold as #37c. This is an old classification. It is now considered to be a proof.

Three days in Louisville (A story)

At the start of the civil war Federal authorities calculated that there were $260,000 (todays value = $8.2M) of stamps in possession of the Confederate states. To prevent these from being used as contraband by Confederate postmasters the design of the 1857 issue, printed by Toppan & Carpenter, was replaced by the new designs of the 1861 issue printed by the National Bank Company. Furthermore mail originating in Confederate states was not accepted or able to transit Union territory. The National Bank Note company stamps were not issued to the Confederacy.

On August 22nd 1861 the Toppan & Carpenter stamps were demonitized, they were no longer valid for postage. Look at the cover on the right, dated August 22nd you will see that Boston PO added a 'Due 3 cents' on the envelope as the old 3¢ stamp on the envelope had been demonitized. Now look at the cover on the left, envelopes from the Confederacy were accepted for transit through to the Union for three days only, from August 22nd to August 25th. And this cover got through to New York for transatlantic transit without penalty, The envelopes were carried across Union lines at Louisville, KY, by Adams Express Company and the American Letter Express Company, the latter's cancel can be seen on the cover on the right.

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.