Scotts 29 US stamps 1857 5c

#29 - 1859 5¢ Brown (type I)

5¢
Brown, pale brown or deep brown
TYPE I

Printing Method: Die-to-relief-to-plate transfer process
Printer: Toppan, Carpenter & Co.
Subject: Thomas Jefferson
Number issued: 510,000
Perforations: 15 to 15½
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 29
Issued: March 21st, 1859

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 #29

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 last printing

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

An example of the single use of the 5¢ stamp. The rate to Spain and Italy was only 5¢. Once again a New Orleans cancel

The plates used for the 1851 imperforate issue were carried over for the 1857 perforated issue. The last printing on these old plates was the brown shade of 1859. By May 1860 these plates had worn out and new plates were made. These new plates had no protrusions at the top and bottom of the vignette frame, thereby allowing more room for the margins. These new plates are known as the type II design.