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The First Bureau Series - 1894 issues

In 1894, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a division of the Treasury Department,  took over the printing of all U.S. postage stamps.  With rare exceptions, BEP printed virtually all U.S. stamps for the next 85 years.

The first series of stamps used the same portraits and general designs as the 1890 "small Banknote" series that had been printed by the American Bank Note Company.  Small triangles were added to the upper corners to distinguish the designs.  Dollar values were added, as these were more useful than the traditional 90¢ high value that had been issued for the preceding 40 years.

The 1894 series was printed on unwatermarked paper.

Scott 246, 1¢ ultramarine, Plate Number 24 R

Scott 247, 1¢ blue, Plate Number 29 R

Scott 248, 2¢ pink, Plate Number 5 L

Scott 248 var, 2¢ pink, misperfed at bottom due to paper foldover, Plate Number 25 B

Scott 249, 2¢ carmine lake, Plate Number 1 R

 This was the first plate number produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Scott 249, 2¢ carmine lake, Plate Number 3 B

Scott 250 carmine, 2¢, Plate Number 96 L

Scott 251, 2¢ carmine, Plate Number 133 B

Scott 251a, 2¢ scarlet, Plate Number 131 L.

The color difference may be difficult to distinguish in some web browsers.  This example was accompanied by a certificate.

Scott 252, 2¢ carmine, Plate Number151 R

Scott 253, 3¢, Plate Number 47 T

Scott 253Pa, 3¢ imperforate proof, photographically cropped from a plate block of 6, Plate Number 47 R

Scott 254, 4¢ dark brown, Plate Number 45 L

Scott 254Pa, 4¢ imperforate proof, photographically cropped from a plate block of 6, Plate Number 50 R

Scott 255, 5¢ chocolate, Plate Number 161 B

Scott 256, 6¢ dull brown, Plate Number 28 T

Scott 257, 8¢ violet brown, Plate Number 58 B

Scott 258, 10¢ dark green, Plate Number 63 R

Scott 259, 15¢ dark blue, Plate Number 52 B

Scott 260, 50¢ orange, Plate Number 75 T

Scott 260 var, 50¢ orange, misperfed at bottom, Plate Number 75 B

Imprint strip of 3, $1 black, Scott 261, 261A and 261A, mix of Type I and Type II, with Plate Number 76 B

Scott 261A, $1 black Type II, Plate Number 76 B

Scott 262, $2 dark blue, Plate Number 84 B

Scott 263, $5 dark green, Plate Number 85 B

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This page last updated April 6, 2009.

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