Look for U.S. 1890 2¢ lake Washington stamp

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

During 1890-93, the American Banknote Co. produced a set of 12 small definitive stamps for the United States Post Office Department.

The engraved stamps were printed on unwatermarked paper and are perforated gauge 12. The stamps, denominated 1¢ to 90¢, feature American presidents, statesmen and military heroes as design subjects.

The 1890 2¢ George Washington stamp was issued in two distinct colors: lake (Scott 219D) and carmine (220). The earliest documented use of the 2¢ lake stamp is on a Feb. 22, 1890, first-day cover.

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values the 2¢ lake George Washington stamp at $160 in unused, original gum condition and $500 in mint, never-hinged condition.

Many collectors are still looking for this stamp, which was originally listed as a shade variety of Scott 220 before being assigned its own major-number listing.

The stamp is a good buy in very fine grade at around 70 percent to 80 percent of Scott catalog values.

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