Introduction to the 1847 United States Issues
On July 1, 1847, the United States officially entered the era of adhesive postage stamps by releasing its first two national issues. These historic stamps were printed by the prominent engraving firm Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson. Unlike modern stamp releases, which are often tied to a specific city or first-day ceremony, the 1847 issues were not restricted to a single release location on their first day of distribution. Instead, they marked a nationwide transition toward a standardized, prepaid postal system.
For collectors today, identifying these early classics requires a methodical approach to physical analysis. Using tools like StampSnap can help you organize your collection and log your initial observations, but understanding the historical production details is the first step in verifying these valuable pieces of postal history.
Analyzing the Five-Cent Benjamin Franklin Design
The lower denomination of the 1847 series is the five-cent stamp, which features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was chosen for this honor because of his historical role as the first U.S. postmaster general. The stamp was printed in a distinct red-brown color. When examining this issue, collectors should look for the fine, detailed engraving lines characteristic of the intaglio printing process used by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson.
The concept of prepaying postage with adhesive stamps was heavily influenced by Sir Rowland Hill in Great Britain. Hill advocated for lowering postal rates and requiring prepayment to prevent the widespread refusal of mail, which occurred when recipients were responsible for delivery fees. This reform led to Great Britain's 1840 Penny Black, which featured Queen Victoria. The United States adopted this successful prepayment model seven years later with the Franklin and Washington issues.
Analyzing the Ten-Cent George Washington Design
The second stamp in the 1847 release is the ten-cent denomination, which depicts George Washington, the first President of the United States. This stamp was printed in black ink and paid the higher rate for letters traveling longer distances. Just like the five-cent Franklin, the ten-cent Washington stamp exhibits highly intricate engraved details that are difficult to replicate.
To identify this stamp accurately, collectors must study the engraving quality and the paper type. Because these stamps were issued imperforate (meaning they had no perforations and had to be cut from sheets with scissors), the margins around the design are highly critical. When evaluating these early issues, keeping a detailed record of their physical margins and color shades is an essential part of the cataloging process.
Distinguishing Early Issues from Look-Alikes
Correctly identifying classic stamps in a worldwide catalog requires extreme attention to detail. Philatelists often compare this process to finding a specific seat in an unfamiliar ballpark: knowing the country gets you to the right city, and finding the design gets you to the stadium, but minor details get you to your exact seat. This rule of keeping your eye on the ball is especially important when dealing with look-alike designs.
For example, other classic issues show how minor text changes alter a stamp's identity. The 1886 half-cent North Borneo stamp pays postage only, while the 1887 version includes a scroll reading 'POSTAGE & REVENUE.' Similarly, Liechtenstein's early Prince Johann II stamps include a 1917-18 definitive and a look-alike 1918 commemorative that features tiny year-dates in the upper corners. While the 1847 U.S. stamps do not have direct contemporary look-alikes from the same year, later government reproductions and reprints exist, making close inspection of the design, paper, and engraving lines absolutely necessary.
Safely Checking for Watermarks and Paper Faults
Although the original 1847 issues were printed on unwatermarked paper, verifying the paper structure is a critical step in the expertizing process. Later United States issues utilized watermarks as a security measure to deter counterfeiting. For instance, a double-line 'USPS' watermark was used from 1895 to 1910, followed by a single-line 'USPS' watermark from 1910 to 1916. Checking for the absence of these watermarks helps confirm that your stamp belongs to the early unwatermarked era.
To analyze the paper safely, lay the stamp face down in a dark tray and moisten it with a specialized commercial watermark fluid, such as Clarity fluid. The American Philatelic Society recommends commercial fluids over household alternatives because they evaporate quickly and do not damage the gum on unused stamps. Dipping the stamp in this fluid also allows you to inspect the paper for hidden faults, such as thins, creases, or small tears, which significantly impact the stamp's physical condition.
The Importance of Professional Expertizing
While physical inspection tools and digital organizing applications like StampSnap are excellent for managing your collection, they cannot provide official authentication. The presence of hidden repairs, clever counterfeits, or altered margins can easily deceive even experienced collectors. Therefore, any candidate for an 1847 Franklin or Washington issue should be submitted to a professional expertizing service.
An official expertizing committee will utilize advanced scientific equipment and reference libraries to verify the paper composition, ink type, and printing plates. This methodical, professional verification is the only way to establish the definitive identity of these foundational United States postage stamps.
Frequently asked questions
Who printed the first United States postage stamps in 1847?
The first two United States postage stamps were printed by the engraving firm Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson. They were issued on July 1, 1847.
Which historical figures are depicted on the 1847 U.S. stamps?
The five-cent red-brown stamp features Benjamin Franklin, the first U.S. postmaster general, while the ten-cent black stamp depicts George Washington.
Were the 1847 stamps issued in a specific city on their first day?
No, at the time of their release on July 1, 1847, these stamps were not issued in a specific city on the first day of release.
How can I safely check a classic stamp for watermarks or paper faults?
Lay the stamp face down in a dark tray and moisten it with a safe commercial watermark fluid, such as Clarity fluid. This process reveals watermarks and highlights hidden paper faults like thins and creases without damaging the stamp's gum.