Scotts #26 US stamps 1857 3c

#26 - 1857 3¢ Perforated (type III)

3¢
Dull rose brown, dull red, dull rose claret, brownish claret, pale yellow brown, orange-brown and brownish-carmine
TYPE III

Printing Method: Die-to-relief-to-plate transfer process
Plate: plate 9, plates 12 thru 28
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter & Co.
Subject: George Washington
Number issued: 555,000,000
Perforations: Perforated 15
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 26
Issued: 9/14/57

Value

Used
$15 - $25 (four margins)
$1.50 - $8 (three margins)
No postmark with gum (MH)
$300- $500 (four margins)
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$400 - $1,100

ID #26

Inspiration for the Design

George Washington
Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828)
Marble, 25" high
Located at Mount Vernon, Virginia

A contemporary banknote printed by Toppan, Carpenter with the same vignette as #26

The Imprint

Along the side margin of the sheet can be found the Printers imprint along with the plate number. Plate numbers below 20 are rare

The Engravers Slip

An engravers slip
Position 60R23

Specimen Stamp

#26S - Specimen overprint

Usage

Lincoln-Hamlin Presidential Campaign Cover, 1860

Illustrated advertising cover

1776 Patriotic flag cover

The three cent stamp paid the ordinary letter rate, and two or more would be required on double, triple, etc., letters. The single postage to California was six cents which was the double letter rate. There was also the double rate to California supplied by four three cent stamps, etc. Double rate was defined as a distance exceeding 3,000 miles. A letter weighing less than ½ an ounce was single rate. Each additional ½ ounce was charged an additional single stamp (with the exception of CA, where it would an additional two stamps).

The foreign rate was supplied by the 10 and 20¢ rate, so strips or singles of the 3¢ can be found on these as well. At this time pre payment of envelopes was optional. Many chose to have the letter paid for by recipient at the foreign destination.