An affordable way to collect U.S. 1873 Official stamps

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

We have always been fans of Official stamp card proofs (Scott O1P4-O93P4). Collecting these is the least expensive way to acquire a complete set of the 1873 Official stamps in beautiful condition.

Stamps generally begin life as essays (proposed designs). After the design is approved, trial printings are taken from the engraved plates before the stamp is issued. These are called plate proofs.

Proofs are normally printed on India paper or card stock. Card proofs are printed on high quality, clear white card stock, which can vary in thickness.

Card proofs are ever popular with specialist collectors of U.S. stamps. Plate on card proofs of the 1873 Departmental Official stamps (Scott O1P4-O93P4) serve as good examples of this popularity.

Complete sets with decent margins, fresh colors and neatly hinged or undamaged backs are a good buy. They can be bought as single departmental sets or as the complete Official series. Total Scott catalog value is more than $1,000.

They are a good buy at 70 percent to 80 percent of catalog value as sets or singles. Make sure the card proofs have fresh colors, decent margins and no back faults. Vibrant color is especially important with the Executive, Navy, Justice and War department proofs because these are the ones most likely to fade.

Connect with Linn’s Stamp News: 

    Sign up for our newsletter
    Like us on Facebook
    Follow us on Twitter