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STATISTICS
Issued: 2nd June 1890, earliest recorded example is 14th June, 1890, it was one of the later values to be released, the bulk of the issue being released in the beginning of the year.
Plate Size: Sheets of 200 subjects (2 panes of 100).
Printer: The American Bank Note Company.
Watermark: None.
Quantity Issued: 152,236,530.
Color: Chocolate Brown.
Common use: The 5¢ Grant paid international mail rate.
THE PRINTING
Without knowing it, the 1890 series was to be the American Bank Note Company’s (ABN Co.) last printing of postage stamps. Until the flag overun series of the forties all stamps after this series were to be printed by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.
The American Bank Note Company had become masters of their craft. Even though the Bureau of Engraving used the same machinery (moved from NY to Washington, D.C.) it took them a couple of years to get to the same level of expertise, as is witnessed by the rough perforations of their first printing of the 5¢, shown above.
THE INSPIRATION FOR THE DESIGN
The design was taken from this photograph of Abraham Lincoln taken before his presidency, whilst a Senator in Springfield Illinois. It was taken on February 9th 1860 at Brady’s gallery in Washington DC.
Consensus on the subject of the design was difficult at the time. Originally the vignette was to have been George Washington (see essays below), but as he was already featured on the 2c design, it was decided to feature William Seward, Secretary of State during the Lincoln administration. However, shortly after the vote to decide, Ulysses S Grant, president and war hero, passed away, so the honor went to him.
VARIETIES
The only known variety is the imperforate printing. There is some dispute as to if this is a proof (Scott # 223P2) or an issued stamp (Scott # 223b).
ESSAYS AND PROOFS
- Brookman, Lester G., U.S. Postage Stamps of the 19th Century, Lindquist 1966
.comThe Swedish Tiger’s US Stamp Site An illustrated Guide
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