America's Most   Beautiful Stamp...
In the mid-1930s, Stamps Magazine ran a national poll to determine which U.S. stamps had become the most popular and were considered to be the finest we've ever issued. It was from this poll that one of our first "Legends" was born...for from that point on, the most popular stamp in that survey---and the one deemed the most beautiful, as well---became what collectors have always considered the most distinctive stamp America ever produced. That, of course, is Scott No. 292, the $1.00 "Western Cattle In Storm" stamp of the Trans-Mississippi series of 1898.

It leads off this article because, of all U.S. stamps, whenever legends are discussed, it is the one most widely regarded, as it was 60 years ago, as the most strikingly impressive stamp issued by the U.S. in the 19th century. Does it continue to hold this distinction in comparison with all stamps issued in the past 150 years? What do you think?

The 1847's
High on anyone's list of legends have to be the two stamps issued by America over 150 years ago---Nos. 1 and 2, the five and ten-cent definitives of 1847. I've known of no collector who would not want fine copies of these two stamps in his collection. Even today, they are striking in their appearance. They are among the most widely
recognized of all United States stamps and, though they are expensive, they are still not out of the reach of most
collectors...thankfully.

The Famous "Z" Grill...
In an article in the 1995 American Philatelic Congress Book, Ken Lawrence made a fairly good case for the stamp illustrated here as not being Scott No. 85A, the "Z" Grill on the one-cent issue of 1861. You should read that article and form your own opinion. Nevertheless, in view of the fact that this stamp, which in effect did not surface as a great rarity until research unearthed it in the second decade of this century, carries the highest price tag of any U.S. single stamp ever issued, it must rank near the top of our Legends list. One of the reasons for Lawrence's skepticism is the possibility that the cancel on this stamp is not contemporary to this particular issue.

The Black Jack...
When one compares this unusual stamp with virtually all other United States definitives, it comes away as a major standout. Instead of an understated and stately sort of vignette, the depiction of Andrew Jackson stands out like a sore thumb. We understand that it was actually intended to be this way. The stamp, issued in the midst of the Civil War for the new two-cent drop letter rate, showed a picture of a southern U.S. president who was an arch opponent to secession and the breaking up of the Union. The intention was to send a clear message to our brethren in the Confederate States. It is a highly collectable stamp...one that is not only stark in its depiction, but beautiful in its engraving and printing quality.

The Legends of United States Stamps have one other common quality among them. They have stood the test of time and are just as desirable to collectors today as they were at any time in our past. And in most cases, because of their popularity and distinction, their values have risen steadily over the decades.

Oddly enough, the 5-cent 1847 has never been plated. Not enough large multiples of this stamp are known in order to accomplish this task. It is fitting that our very first stamp depicts our first Postmaster General.

The 10-cent 1847 was plated in the 1920s by Elliott Perry. The issue started a long tradition of having Washington depicted on a commonly-used definitive stamp. Its use of Roman numerals for the value is unique.

Scott No. 85A, the "Z" Grill on the one-cent
issue of 1861, has only one copy currently
in circulation. The other is supposed to be
part of the Miller Collection at the NY Public
Library.

The Black Jack, Scott No. 73, is
a stamp which has been the
subject of some of the greatest
specialized single-stamp
collections ever formed. It is full
of intriguing varieties and
unusual usages.