The 1869 Benjamin Franklin postage stamp is one of the most iconic and elusive stamps in American philately. This five cent stamp, featuring the portrait of the founding father and first postmaster general of the United States, holds a special place in the hearts of stamp collectors and history enthusiasts. But despite its popularity, the origins of this stamp remain shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
The 1869 Benjamin Franklin stamp was issued during a time of great innovation and change in the postal system of the United States. Prior to this, postage stamps were only available in denominations of one, two, three, five, ten, and twelve cents. This made it difficult to accurately cover the cost of postage for letters that were heavier than one ounce. To resolve this issue, the Postmaster General at the time, John A. J. Creswell, proposed the introduction of new stamps in different denominations.
Among these new stamps was the five cent stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin, which was also the first US postage stamp to bear the name of the individual depicted. The stamp was printed in a black ink on a white background with a perforated 12 design. The initial printing was done on plates of 100 stamps, with four horizontal and five vertical rows. This was also the first time that the postage stamp used a two-color printing method, with the frame of the stamp printed in blue and the portrait of Franklin in black.
Despite being a significant innovation in the postal system, the 1869 Benjamin Franklin stamp faced many challenges during its production. It was the first time that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) was contracted to print stamps for the US Postal Service, and the process was plagued with issues. These included problems with the plate design, the quality of the paper, and the ink used. The stamps also faced criticism for their poor quality and were deemed to be of lower standard compared to previous stamps issued by the US Postal Service.
Another controversy surrounding the 1869 Benjamin Franklin stamp is the use of an unknown image for the portrait. The image used on the stamp is unlike any other known portrait of Benjamin Franklin, and its source remains a mystery. Some theories suggest that it might have been based on an etching by John Sartain, while others believe that it was based on a painting by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis. However, no concrete evidence has been found to support any of these claims, making the origin of the image a topic of debate among stamp collectors and historians.
Despite its troubled production and unknown image, the 1869 Benjamin Franklin stamp remains a highly sought-after item for stamp collectors. The stamp was in use for only a short period of time, from July 1, 1869, to April 30, 1870, before being replaced by the 1870 stamp featuring another Founding Father, George Washington. The BEP proceeded to destroy the remaining stock of the stamp after it went out of circulation, making it even rarer and more valuable.
Today, the 1869 Benjamin Franklin stamp continues to fascinate collectors and historians alike. Its unique design, controversial origins and limited production have cemented its place as one of the most intriguing and mysterious stamps in American philately. Whether the mystery of its unknown image will ever be solved remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – this stamp will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of stamp enthusiasts for years to come.