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1895 2¢ Washington - U.S. #266

1895 2¢ Washington - U.S. #266

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U.S. #266 1895 2¢ Washington Type II

  • Issued: Early summer 1898
  • Issue Quantity: 125,000,000 (estimate)
  • Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
  • Watermark: Double line USPS
  • Perforation: 12
  • Color: Carmine

U.S. #266 features the 1895 2¢ Washington Type II stamp, notable for the triangles in the upper-right and upper-left corners. On the Type II stamp, the horizontal lines intersect the triangles, appearing thinner on the inside than on the outside.

Historical Context: Why Watermarks Were Added in 1895

The "Chicago Counterfeits" scandal of 1895 marked a rare instance of counterfeiting in U.S. postage stamp history. Prompted by an advertisement offering discounted 2¢ stamps, Postal Inspector James Stuart initiated an investigation. Nathan Herman, another concerned citizen, brought the ad to the attention of U.S. Secret Service agent Captain Thomas Porter. Coordinating efforts, the authorities intercepted over 40,000 counterfeit stamps upon delivery.

Further investigations led to the discovery of clandestine printing operations, resulting in multiple arrests and the confiscation of additional counterfeit stamps. Subsequent scrutiny and the need to deter future fraud prompted the Post Office Department to adopt watermarked paper for stamp printing.

Watermarked Stamps

The decision to introduce watermarks in 1895 aimed to thwart counterfeiting. Watermarks, patterns embedded during paper manufacture, provide a distinctive mark of authenticity. The inaugural U.S. watermark featured the letters "USPS" (United States Postal Service), double-lined and repeated across the paper sheet.

Despite efforts to ensure watermark consistency, errors occurred, notably with the 6¢ Garfield and 8¢ Sherman stamps, which were mistakenly printed on sheets with a USIR (United States Internal Revenue) watermark. This blunder, likely due to shared paper stock between postage and revenue stamps, underscored the challenge of mass production.

Identifying watermarks typically involves holding the stamp against a light source or utilizing watermark fluid and a tray. The latter method is preferable for stamps with colored backgrounds, like those in the 1895 series. Placing the stamp face down in the tray and applying a solution reveals the watermark momentarily, providing a reliable means of authentication.


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