1879 Bank Notes, Soft Paper, Perf. 12, Complete Set of 10 Stamps

Own the Complete 1879 American Bank Note Printing Set

The Bank Notes were a long-running series of stamps issued between 1870 and 1888.  They were produced in reaction to the 1869 Pictorials, which were unpopular for their small size and unusual subjects.  So the Post Office decided to return to featuring portraits of notable politicians and military heroes.  Over the course of the 18-year series, three different Bank Note printing companies were awarded the contract.  With this special offer, you can own all nine stamps produced by the American Bank Note Company in 1879.  Read on to discover more about the Bank Notes.  

Printing Contract Changes Hands Once Again

Continental Bank Note Co. was awarded a second contract that covered the period of 1877-1881.  On February 4, 1879, the American Bank Note Company took over Continental, and American assumed the contract. Since American acquired all the old plates used by National when the two companies consolidated, the American Bank Note stamps all bear the same secret marks.  Those plates that did not previously have secret marks were not altered in any way.

One can, however, differentiate between the stamps printed by Continental and American by determining which type of paper was used.  Both National and Continental used hard paper, which is fairly white, has a smooth surface, and is uniform in thickness. In addition, the stamp is fairly translucent when held up to a window or a bright light.  Hard paper is sometimes better referred to as being a grayish or bluish white.

American, on the other hand, used soft paper, which is characterized by being thicker and having a coarser and uneven texture. When compared to hard paper, it is yellowish in appearance and is not as translucent.