USA 1893 Columbian Issue Stamp Selection (1¢ to 15¢) 13-Stamp Lot Featuring Multiple Shades
Description
Up for auction is a historically significant selection of 13 stamps from the famous USA 1893 Columbian Issue. Printed by the American Bank Note Company (ABNCo) for the Chicago Worlds Fair, this iconic series commemorated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbuss landing in the Americas.
This specific lot includes values ranging from 1¢ to 15¢, featuring several highly desirable shade varieties. This was the very last U.S. stamp issue printed by the ABNCo before the Bureau of Engraving and Printing took over production.
Lot Breakdown & Issue Specifications
All stamps in this issue are perforated at gauge 12. Per the provided historical records, the specific stamps included in this auction lot are:
1¢ (2 Different Shades): Originally used to pay the domestic postal card rate and highly popular as a World's Fair souvenir.
2¢ (1 Stamp): The absolute "workhorse" of the 1893 issue, which paid the standard domestic postage rate and served as an affordable souvenir.
3¢ (2 Different Shades): This value carried no official postal rate and was intended as a collector's item or to be used alongside other stamps.
4¢ (1 Stamp): Used to pay the postage rate for double-weight domestic letters.
5¢ (2 Different Shades): Paid the international letter rate for ½oz mail.
6¢ (2 Different Shades): Paid the triple-weight domestic letter rate or combined with other values for registered mail. These are scarce plate variants, as only a single plate was ever produced.
8¢ (2 Different Shades): Paid the registered mail fee. Unlike the other values in this lot (which officially released on January 1st/2nd), the 8¢ value was issued two months later on March 2nd, 1893.
15¢ (1 Stamp): Had no specific postal rate but was used for triple-weight foreign mail or heavy packages. A scarcer value, printed from just a single plate.
Production & Release Details
Manufacturer: American Bank Note Company (ABNCo)
Plate Size: Mostly printed from plates of 100 subjects (with some 1¢ and 2¢ printed from 200-subject plates).
Official Release: Officially issued January 1st, 1893 (first sold to the public on Monday, January 2nd), except for the 8¢ value which launched March 2nd, 1893.
Don't miss the chance to add these foundational pieces of American philatelic history to your collection. Happy bidding!
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After over 50 wonderful years of passionately building my personal stamp collection, I am entering a new chapter of retirement and offering portions of my cherished accumulation to the collecting community. As a retiree, parting with these pieces helps support my next journey, and as a first-time online seller, I deeply appreciate your patience and understanding as I learn the ropes.
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