Basic Information
Subject: George Washington
Printing Method: Line engraved
Printer: Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edison
Perforations: imperforate
Watermark: none
Scott #: 2
Quantity Issued: 863,800
Issued: July 1st, 1847
Value
An unused stamp with gum: $35,000-$60,000
An unused stamp without gum: $13,500-$17,500
A used stamp cut to shape: $550-$600
Values are for stamps with four margins.
Cancels used in this stamp
Red (common)
Blue (Town)
Black
Green
Paid
Steamboat
Concentric Circle
X (10)
Town
Pen
Wheeling Precancel
(in red)
Notable Varieties
Hairlip
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Stick Pin
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Double Transfer
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Short Transfer
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Line through F
The Bisects
#2a
#2b
#2c
The Origin of the "Bisect"
The 1847 postal rates were based on distance:
5¢ for letters traveling under 300 miles.
10¢ for letters traveling over 300 miles.
Because there were no intermediate values (like a 2¢ or 3¢ stamp), people often found themselves without a 5¢ stamp when they needed to mail a local letter. To solve this, resourceful postmasters and citizens began bisecting (cutting in half) the 10¢ Washington stamp to use as a 5¢ value.
Key Facts About the Bisects
Method of Cutting: Stamps were cut diagonally, vertically, or occasionally horizontally to create two 5¢ portions.
Official Status: While the Post Office Department never officially authorized bisecting stamps, many postmasters accepted them during the 1847–1851 period due to shortages of the 5¢ Franklin stamp.
Rarity and Value: Genuine 1847 10¢ bisects on their original envelopes (covers) are extremely rare and highly prized by collectors. A vertical bisect on cover can command prices upwards of $15,000 to $30,000 at auction.
Demonetization: The practice ended abruptly in July 1851 when the 1847 issue was demonetized (declared invalid for postage) and replaced by new rates and a wider variety of stamp denominations.
The Inspiration for the Design
Benjamin Franklin
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The Inspiration & Design Evolution
The transformation from initial concept to final essay followed a specific political and artistic path:
Initial Candidate (Andrew Jackson): Postmaster General Cave Johnson originally instructed the engraving firm, Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, to use a portrait of the recently deceased President Andrew Jackson for the 5¢ denomination.
The Switch to Franklin: By March 1847, the printers suggested replacing Jackson with Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was chosen as a more "unifying icon" for a nation facing sectional tensions over slavery and the Mexican-American War, primarily because of his role as the first Postmaster General and a key diplomat.
The Portrait Source: The final design used an existing engraving by Asher B. Durand, which was based on a painting by James B. Longacre. These dies were already in the printers' stock, having been used previously for private banknotes.
The Inspiration for the Design
Asher Brown Durand,
the vignette's engraver
First use of the engraving
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The Inspiration & Design Evolution
The 1847 10¢ stamp, featuring George Washington, was one of the first two general-issue postage stamps in the United States, issued on July 1, 1847, to signify a move toward mandatory prepaid mail. The design was heavily influenced by the banknote engraving industry and nationalistic, patriotic themes, with Washington chosen to represent the "Father of His Country" and the young nation's highest ideals.
Subject Selection: Postmaster General Cave Johnson chose George Washington, the first U.S. President, for the 10-cent stamp to represent the young republic, while Benjamin Franklin was chosen for the 5-cent stamp.
Artistic Source:The vignette of Washington was modeled after the famous 1796 Athenaeum portrait painted by Gilbert Stuart
Design Firm: The stamps were designed and printed by the New York City bank note engraving firm Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson (RWH&E)
Banknote Influence: To keep production costs low, RWH&E repurposed stock engraved dies they already used for creating bank notes. The 10-cent stamp's design was similar to these existing currency engravings.
The First Stamp’s Story
Earliest Documented Use
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By an Act of Congress passed in 1845, and continuing thru the life of the 1847 issue, 5c was the single letter rate for all distances not over three hundred miles.
Under the powers given him by the Act of 1847, the Postmaster-General entered into a contract with Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson, which was located in New York City and was well and favorably known as Bank Note engravers. No details of this contract are known. It seems reasonable to assume that it contained provisions for the production of stamps of the 5¢ and l0¢ denominations, under specific regulations and conditions, at a specified cost per thousand.
Although the drop rate of letters at the time was 2¢ it was decided not to issue a stamp for this value, which would have to wait until the 1¢ issue of 1851.
Benjamin Franklin was chosen as the vignette subject as he was considered the father of the Post Office and the first Post Master General.
Due to production delays, there were only sufficient stamps to deliver to the New York post office on the official day of introduction, July 1st, 1847. Boston was the second post office to receive a delivery on July 2nd, 1847. The first purchaser was reputedly Congressman Harvey Shaw of Connecticut.