U.S. 1914 50¢ Benjamin Franklin stamp is desirable

Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

The United States Washington-Franklin stamps (also known as the Third Bureau Issue) are perpetual favorites with U.S. collectors. The designs of the stamps in the series feature left-facing profiles of either first U.S. postmaster, Benjamin Franklin, or first U.S. president, George Washington. Hence the name of the series.

In the first issue produced during 1908-11, the cameos were framed with olive branches. In the subsequent issue, produced beginning in 1912, the olive branches were replaced with oak leaves near the bottom of the cameos. The 1912-14 Washington-Franklin stamps were printed by engraving on paper watermarked single-line “U S P S” and were perforated gauge 12.

Look for the 50¢ violet Benjamin Franklin stamp (Scott 421). The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers values this stamp at $350 in very fine grade and unused, hinged condition. An example in mint, never-hinged condition is valued at $775. The stamp is a good buy at up to full catalog value. A used example is valued at $27.50. Even well-centered stamps in used condition are surprisingly difficult to find.

Only buy examples with ink offset on the reverse because the watermarks on Scott Nos. 421 and 422 are extremely hard to see. Examples in fine-very fine grade are very desirable, if you cannot afford the stamp in very fine grade, and examples in unused, hinged condition are so much more affordable. Expertization is a must when buying mint never-hinged examples because regumming and reperforated natural straight edges are common.

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