Scotts #601 US stamps

#601 - 1923 4¢ Perf. 10 vertically

4¢ - Yellowish brown, pale brown, brown, reddish brown, deep reddish brown

Printing Method: ROTARY PRESS
Subject: Martha Washington
Number issued: 228,288,000
Perforations: 10 vertically
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 601
Issued: May 10th, 1923

Value for singles

Used (postmark)
$1
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1 - $1.50
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$3 - $4.50

Value for pairs

Used (postmark)
$3 - $5
No postmark with gum (MH)
$2 - $4
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$5 - $7

multiply by 300% for line pairs

Joint Lines

An example of a joint line of #601. The word 'line' in 'joint line' refers to the line down the middle of the perforations in the middle of a pair stamps. This only occurs when two strips of 17 stamps join. They sell for double the value of pairs without this line.

Precancels

The precancel on #601 is fairly uncommon. A pair is worth around $20

First woman on a US stamp?

Contrary to popular belief Martha Washington was not the first woman to appear on a US stamp. That honor goes to Queen Isabella of Spain who appeared on five of the Columbian series stamps. She is seen here above, on the 1893 stamp

Plate #'s

The following plate numbers were used for #601:

14189-90
14294
14321
17937-40

Please note that the plate numbers are not normally visible as the coil stamps had the sheet margins trimmed off at the top. However where the cutting of the stamps was misplaced the plate number can sometimes be visible.

The design inspiration

The vignette was based on a drawing by Charles Jalabert who modelled his drawing on the Gilbert Stuart painting. Gilbert Stuart painted Martha Washington when she was about sixty years old. The top image is the Gilbert Stewart painting, the bottom image is an engraving based on the Jalabert drawing.