Book Board Chat

GinnyRose -- Bingo. The first $5 stamp was part of the first ever postal commemorative series, issued in conjuction with the 1892-93 Columbian Exposition. Not only a $5 stamp...but a $4, $3, $2, and $1 stamp too! Virtually no use for such high denominations back then....other then milking collectors out of their $$. Needless to say, $5 was a HUGE amount of money back then so few sold (quite valuable today).

Large denomination stamps (especially 19th century ones) are another clue you might have one heck of an old album that came in with the boxes of RDCB books! When you flip to the page for the 1850's (standard letter cost 3c back then)....and the collector has nice examples of 30c or 90c stamps of that series......you've got a winner.

As hypothesized, most mega denomination stamps had a purpose. Like 24 cents to cover exactly the Trans-Atlantic treaty rate for letters, etc. The 90c stamp was also designed for, as guessed, boxes and crates as well as oversized registered mailings. That 90c stamp still stands alone today as the only USPS issue to be worth factors more USED, then unused. Released to the public in Dec 1860, surviving postal records indicate as few as 20,000 were ever sold (a minscule number for a stamp). That figure is the grand total for ALL post offices nationwide. Shortly after its issuance, southern states started leaving the union. In a panic, the Post Office declared all currently existing stamp issues invalid (so stocks in southern PO's couldn't be traded for things like -- guns) . Today an example of a nice unused #39 (Scott # for the 90c Washington) will go for about $1000-$1500. If you have a genuine USED one....most like $20,000+ . Still on an original envelope or box panel? -- NAME YOUR PRICE. (I read once that only ONE still intact item has survived the ages with that stamp on it) So a six figure value...perhaps soon, seven.

OK. I'm babbling now....off to sell some stuff....so i can....uhhhm.......buy more stamps.