Scotts #28b US stamps 1857 5c

#28b - 1858 5¢ Bright red brown (type I)

5¢
Bright red brown
TYPE I

Printing Method: Die-to-relief-to-plate transfer process
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter & Co.
Subject: Thomas Jefferson
Number issued: 270,000
Perforations: 15 to 15½
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 28b
Earliest Date of Use: March 31st, 1858

Value

Used
$1,000 - $1,600 (four margins)
$150 - $300 (three margins)
No postmark with gum (MH)
$18,000 - $22,000 (four margins)
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
No sales recorded

ID #28b

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

The rarest shade unused

As is usual this cover has a New Orleans cancel and the destination is France. This is because 15¢ was the rate to France. As there was no 15¢ stamp at the time the most common use of stamps on mail to France was either 3 5¢ stamps or one 10¢ stamp and one 5¢ stamp. As most of the descendants of France lived in New Orleans it is of no surprise to see this cancel on 5¢ stamps

The bright red brown shade is the least common of the 5¢ perforated shades unused. It is believed some of the plates from the imperforate issue were still useable and the bright red brown shade (#28b) printed with these plates, probably the 1856 plates.

28 or 28b?

To assist in the identification of bright red brown (#28b) and red brown (#28) I have illustrated the difference above. Drag the line to the left or right to see more of each stamp