Some of the most beautiful postage stamps ever issued by the United States were never valid for prepayment of letter postage. They were used solely for prepayment of bulk shipments of newspapers and periodicals.
The United States issued its first newspaper stamps in 1865, but unlike most foreign newspaper stamps, the U.S. stamps were intended for bulk parcels of periodicals rather than for individual newspapers.
Private express companies could accept delivery of papers at the train or vessel that carried them and could turn them over for delivery from the train or vessel upon arrival.
In 1863, Congress passed an act that allowed route agents (postal employees who worked on trains or vessels) to accept newspaper parcels at the train or vessel and turn them over for delivery from the train or vessel without having to physically route them through a post office. Postage fees were paid in cash upon presentation of the parcels to the route agent.
In 1865, the Post Office Department introduced newspaper and periodical stamps as an accounting tool to preclude unscrupulous agents from pocketing the fees.
The typographed and embossed stamps were printed on thin, hard paper and were issued without gum. At 2 inches by 3¾ inches, they are among the largest postage stamps ever issued.
The stamps were large and colorful so that, like private express company labels, they would be easily seen when they were glued to large bundles of newspapers.
The striking designs were highly intricate to discourage forgery. Issued in denominations of 5¢, 10¢ and 25¢, they were sold to periodical publishers and news agents. This failed and the demand made for many generally good forgeries appearing.
Very few of the used first newspaper stamps survived beyond their immediate purpose. They were usually discarded with the bundle wrapper when it was cut open to remove the papers. This makes for many forgeries having fake cancels
Usage of the stamps was discontinued in 1869, and the old system of paying postage in cash was resumed.
The initial printing included
5c - 20,140 (PR1)
10c - 215,600 (PR2)
25c - 31,488 (PR3)
In 1868-69 another 35,420 of the 5c were printed (PR4)
5c - 20,140 (PR1)
10c - 215,600 (PR2)
25c - 31,488 (PR3)
In 1868-69 another 35,420 of the 5c were printed (PR4)
Reprints by the Continental Bank Note Co. (PR5-PR7) using the original National Bank Note Co. plates were made in 1875 & in 1880 (PR8)by the American Bank Note Co.
The Original Issues
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| 1865 PR 1, 2, 3 |
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| 1865 PR 3a, 4, 5 |
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| PR 5 1875 Reprint, PR 6 1875 Reprint, PR 8 1880 Reprint |
Forgeries
Based on the samples I have, there appears that in some cases the forgeries may have a common source.
One of the key features of forgeries touted on many sites is the tiny National Bank inscription at the bottom not being legible on forgeries - NOT TRUE
Although genuine copies have a very clear inscription, some forgeries are quite legible, some are blurred and others completely missing.
Torres Forgeries
The fine lines around the heads are missing and there is no embossing.
Note that the National Bank inscriptions at the bottom are legible. However on the 25c, NATIONAL is spelled NAMONAL - a typical Torres addition.
NOTE the crude head features as many of the following forgeries have the same features.
Fournier Forgeries
These forgeries are noted in his album but they resemble many other similar ones from other sources. Fournier probably resold these rather than produce them.
The National Bank inscription is completely illegible on the 5c and missing completely on the 10c
The bottom inscription is missing.
They have a particular cancel which did not exist.
The following were all include in the Geneva Collection of Fournier items for sale. It obviously covers many other partner forgers noted in this blog.
A NOTE on Cancels
The PR 1-4s were attached directly to bundles of newspapers and normally canceled with brush strokes using a thick black or blue ink that can often be actually felt on the paper. This practice stopped in 1869 so the PR 5-8’s were printed after this practice stopped. It is unclear how the PR5-8’s were actually used. The PR 1-4s should never have clean cancels or city cancels. These are found only on the the forgeries. A few have been found with railroad cancels but they are generally of poor quality.
They have some bogus colors
There is no question of this being a forgery or reproduction.
The bottom inscription is not legible
They have city cancels of Boston & New York.
These do not exist as used ones were obliterated with large brush strokes.
The New York, Boston cancels identified well with European collectors.
Fournier made similar cancels shown below.
The word LICHTDRUCK refers to the printing method "COLLOTYPE".
These forgeries are fairly common and probably originated in Germany.
The background lines behind the bust are indistinct as well as the bottom inscription.
The right 5 has a flat bottom.
These forgeries are basically identical to the Fournier issues.
Another set with a facsimile overprint.
The heads are poorly designed.
The large Fac-Simile overprint is the key feature.
On the 25c stamp the overprint is almost invisible.
Removing them would be simple.
The background lines are very thick and they are not embossed.
The printing is very flat and the bust is little more than an outline.
Very deceptive unless back stamped as a reproduction.
These stamps are very plentiful on websites that only sell reproductions.
Generally they are stamped copy on the reverse but removal and some artificial ageing of the paper would make it dangerous.
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