1¢ Benjamin Franklin
Issued in February 1903, the 1¢ stamp was the workhorse of the 2nd bureau issue. During the turn of the 20th century the bloom in the popularity of the penny post card created a huge demand for the 1¢ franking. The stamp sought use on every form of mail paying virtually every rate. Several Franklin varieties were produced including booklet panes, imperforate stamps, and coils. There are numerous solo franking possibilities, including the penny domestic post card, unsealed newspapers or magazines (2nd class mail, 1¢ / 4oz.), printed circulars (3rd class mail, 1¢ / 2oz.), and samples or merchandise (4th class mail, 1¢ / 1oz.).
Varieties [Scott number]
- Single [300]
- Booklet pane [300b] — pair on cover
- Imperforate [314] — pair on cover
- Coils [316, 318]
- Canal Zone overprint [4]
- Philippines overprint [226]
Common Uses:
Solo Uses:
- Domestic post card
- 1st class non-carrier letter
- 2nd class (< 4 oz newspaper / magazine)
- 3rd class (< 2 oz printed matter )
- 4th class (< 1 oz samples / merchandise)
Favorite Covers:
- Block of 30 on Piece
Postal card to Gabon, Africa - Post card to Portuguese West Africa
- Post card to Indo-China
- Printed matter to Papua New Guinea
- Insurance policy in Spanish
- Redirected 3rd class wrapper
- 3rd class treaty rate to Canada
- Held for postage
- Valentine's Day Card
