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I acquired a large collection of stamps all from pre 1950. I am trying to research them, and I found a booklet with 18 red George Washington stamps. I believe they are called 319. According to several websites this is one of the highly valued stamps, however, I’m getting conflicting information. Can you tell me an accurate value I can hope to get for this booklet?
@donderden7478 Welcome to the Stamp Collector’s Community.
What you have there is what I would consider a SWEET FIND!
Hopefully the booklet is fully complete, containing four complete Booklet Panes of six stamps each.
This Definitive stamp depicting George Washington (1732-1799), the First President of the USA was issued on November 12th, 1903. It is Watermarked Double Lined USPS, Perforation 12. The Designer is Clair Aubrey Huston, and was Engraved by George F. C. Smillie, George V. Rose Jr. and Robert F. Ponickau. The Bureau of Engraving & Printing printed using Line Engraved (Intaglio) Flat Plates. There are numerous versions (color variations, Imperf & Perf 12, etc.) and two types (I & II) of this stamp, the quantity of all versions printed combined are estimated to be 21,325,000,000 stamps.
This stamp was created due to some controversy – US Scott # 319 was hastily redesigned and issued after the public mocked its predecessor, US Scott # 301. The original version depicted a portrait of the first president surrounded by flags, but the ink and fast printing presses made Washington look weak and unflattering. The New York Sun even joked he had “the nose of a toper”.
To fix the public relations disaster, the US Post Office introduced US Scott # 319 in November 1903. This redesigned stamp eliminated the flags and framed Washington’s portrait inside an elegant shield, quickly restoring his iconic, heroic image.
The public and collectors greatly preferred the clean, regal framing of the shield, making it a huge success.
With the above stated, there are two types of the redesigned Washington 2¢ of 1903. It is useful to know the difference between the type I and the Type II. Please refer to the image below:
The below expanded image from the photo you presented upon your Post suggests to me it is a Type I US Scott # 319. But it is highly recommended you ascertain this by fly-specking the stamp yourself.
Based upon the above assumption on my part your Booklets Unused contain either…
- US Scott # 319g, Carmine. As for the Watermark you must determine whether it is Upright (CV = $125.00) or Horizontal (CV = $3000.00) – a vast difference, would you not agree?
- US Scott # 319n, Carmine Rose (CV = $275.00)
- US SOTT # 319p, Scarlet (CV = $185.00)
I strongly recommend sending this in for an Authentication Certificate to a reputable Expertizing Authority, such as APS or PSE to be fully confident with which version you may have in your possession.
This is a beautiful addition to any collection, something to show off with pride. Since this example is what you selected to present upon your Post I am now looking forward to see what else you have up your sleeve.
Keep on Collecting.
Jan M. Blaha
APS# 238933
@donderden7478 I should clarify something, the CVs (Catalogue Values) noted upon the above Reply Post are for EACH BOOKLET PANE OF 6 STAMPS.
Since you are in possession of what I assume is a COMPLETED BOOKLET containing 4 PANES, the overall CV for such a find should be quite a bit more in value.
I’m sure other Philatelists would agree.
Jan M. Blaha
APS# 238933
