#27 - 1858 5¢ Brick Red (type I)
See below for details
Basic Info
5¢
Brick red
TYPE I
Printing Method: Die-to-relief-to-plate transfer process
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter & Co.
Subject: Thomas Jefferson
Number issued: 135,000
Perforations: 15 to 15½
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 27
Earliest Date of Use: October 6th, 1858
Value
Used
$400 - $900 (four margins)
$200 - $300 (three margins)
No postmark with gum (MH)
$14,000 - $30,000 (four margins)
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded
ID #27
Inspiration for the Design
Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826
painted by Rembrandt Peale 1778-1860
Painted in 1800 when Jefferson was 57
Located at the White House
A distinct shade
Most postmarks will be New Orleans as the 5¢ rate paid an overseas rate to France and Louisiana had a large French population
An early use of #27 on a cover to France from New Orleans
The brick red shade is quite distinctive and instantly recognised from the other 1857 5¢ shades. There is a conjecture that the shade was deliberately created but was an attempt to recreate the 1851 5¢ red brown shade. Indeed it does resemble some of the shades of the 1851 5¢, but not the red brown shade. It is assumed the brick red shade was left until the others shades had depleted, as the shade was not quite right.
The Imprint
Along the side margin of the sheet can be found the Printers imprint along with the plate number. Shown above is part of the imprint.
Essays and Proofs
42-P2
Roosevelt small die proof
42-P2
42-P3
Plate proof on India
42-P3
42-P4
Plate proof on card
42-P4
42-TC4
Trial color proof
42-TC4
The envelope that the 1875 proofs came supplied in
Envelope
The 1857 3¢ to 5¢ perforated
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