1983 3c Transportation Series: Handcar, 1880s
# 1898 - 1983 3c Transportation Series: Handcar, 1880s
$0.35 - $2.95
| Image | Condition | Price | Qty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fleetwood First Day Cover
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 2.95
|
$ 2.95 |
|
|
|
Classic First Day Cover
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Free with 500 Points
$ 2.50
|
$ 2.50 |
|
|
|
Mint Stamp(s)
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 0.35
|
$ 0.35 |
|
|
|
Mint Coil Pair
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 0.75
|
$ 0.75 |
|
|
|
Mint Plate Number Coil of 3
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 1.15
|
$ 1.15 |
|
|
|
Used Single Stamp(s)
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 0.35
|
$ 0.35 |
|
|
|
Mint Plate Number Coil of 5
Ships in 1-3 business days.
Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 2.00
|
$ 2.00 |
|
Mounts - Click Here
| Mount | Price | Qty |
|---|
U.S. #1898
1983 3¢ Handcar, 1880s
Transportation Series
- 10th stamp in the Transportation Series
- Pictures a Bucyrus handcar
Stamp Category: Definitive
Series: Transportation
Value: 3¢; vending machine change-maker
First Day of Issue: August 19, 1983
First Day City: Arlington, Virginia
Quantity Issued: 100,000,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Format: Coils of 500 and 3,000
Perforations: 10 Vertically
Color: Dark green
Why the stamp was issued: Paying no particular rate, this stamp was intended for use as a change maker in vending machines and as a make-up rate stamp.
About the stamp design: Walter Brooks created the artwork for this stamp, based on an 1883 illustration of a Bucyrus handcar that appeared in the Railroad Gazette. This lever-operated double-frame handcart was one of several designs produced by the Bucyrus Foundry and Manufacturing Company in Bucyrus, Ohio.
First Day City: The First Day ceremony for this stamp was held at the ROPEX ’83 Stamp Show in Rochester, New York.
About the Transportation Series: On May 18, 1981, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Transportation Series, US #1907, picturing the Surrey, a doorless four-wheeled carriage. For the first time in US history, a coil stamp featured its own unique design rather than simply copying that of the current definitive stamp. Over 50 more coil stamps would be issued over the course of the next 15 years, each picturing a different mode of transportation. All of these types of transportation were used since American independence.
The various denominations provided face values to exactly match the rates for several categories of Third-Class mail (bulk rate and quantity-discounted mail). As the rates changed, new stamps with new values were added. Never before had a stamp series included so many fractional cent values.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing printed most of the stamps in the Transportation Series, although private contractors printed a few. All but a few of the later stamps were produced by engraved intaglio. Differences in precancels, tagging, paper and gum provide a large number of varieties.
Scott Catalog separates the Transportation stamps into four groups. The stamps in the first group (#1897-1908) generally have the denomination in small type with a “c” next to it. These stamps were printed on the Cottrell rotary press, which joined together two plates to make a sleeve. The gaps between these plates created depressions where ink would collect and create joint lines on the stamps. Later issues were printed on a different press and didn’t have these joint lines.
The second group (#2123-36) had larger numbers with no “c.” The third group (#2252-66) was similar in appearance to the second group, but service inscriptions were added to the designs. These stamps also used a variety of paper and gum as well as different types of tagging. The fourth group (#2451-68) marked the end of fractional values. Now bulk mailers would use either the 5¢ or 10¢ stamp and then pay the difference from the actual postage rate.
The last stamp in the Transportation Series, the 20¢ Cog Railway, was issued on June 9, 1995, at the TEXPEX ’95 stamp show in Dallas, Texas. This marked the end of the largest US definitive series up to that time. Three new series would eventually replace it – American Transportation, American Culture, and American Scenes. Additionally, the Great Americans would go on to become the largest American definitive series.
History the stamp represents: Early railroad section gangs, called “gandy dancers,” maintained from four to twelve miles of track and used handcars to transport themselves and their tools to the spot that needed repair. Patented in 1883 by R.H. Johnson, the handcar transported the crews so they could replace worn-out ties, control vegetation, and realign tracks. In the six-man crews, four people worked the pump bar which propelled the car at about 10 mph.
The use of hand powered cars decreased when motorized cars were invented. The handcars were sometimes rented to hunters or fishermen to take them to their favorite spot. Today, railroad enthusiasts can participate in handcar races, where teams compete for the fastest time.
U.S. #1898
1983 3¢ Handcar, 1880s
Transportation Series
- 10th stamp in the Transportation Series
- Pictures a Bucyrus handcar
Stamp Category: Definitive
Series: Transportation
Value: 3¢; vending machine change-maker
First Day of Issue: August 19, 1983
First Day City: Arlington, Virginia
Quantity Issued: 100,000,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Format: Coils of 500 and 3,000
Perforations: 10 Vertically
Color: Dark green
Why the stamp was issued: Paying no particular rate, this stamp was intended for use as a change maker in vending machines and as a make-up rate stamp.
About the stamp design: Walter Brooks created the artwork for this stamp, based on an 1883 illustration of a Bucyrus handcar that appeared in the Railroad Gazette. This lever-operated double-frame handcart was one of several designs produced by the Bucyrus Foundry and Manufacturing Company in Bucyrus, Ohio.
First Day City: The First Day ceremony for this stamp was held at the ROPEX ’83 Stamp Show in Rochester, New York.
About the Transportation Series: On May 18, 1981, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Transportation Series, US #1907, picturing the Surrey, a doorless four-wheeled carriage. For the first time in US history, a coil stamp featured its own unique design rather than simply copying that of the current definitive stamp. Over 50 more coil stamps would be issued over the course of the next 15 years, each picturing a different mode of transportation. All of these types of transportation were used since American independence.
The various denominations provided face values to exactly match the rates for several categories of Third-Class mail (bulk rate and quantity-discounted mail). As the rates changed, new stamps with new values were added. Never before had a stamp series included so many fractional cent values.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing printed most of the stamps in the Transportation Series, although private contractors printed a few. All but a few of the later stamps were produced by engraved intaglio. Differences in precancels, tagging, paper and gum provide a large number of varieties.
Scott Catalog separates the Transportation stamps into four groups. The stamps in the first group (#1897-1908) generally have the denomination in small type with a “c” next to it. These stamps were printed on the Cottrell rotary press, which joined together two plates to make a sleeve. The gaps between these plates created depressions where ink would collect and create joint lines on the stamps. Later issues were printed on a different press and didn’t have these joint lines.
The second group (#2123-36) had larger numbers with no “c.” The third group (#2252-66) was similar in appearance to the second group, but service inscriptions were added to the designs. These stamps also used a variety of paper and gum as well as different types of tagging. The fourth group (#2451-68) marked the end of fractional values. Now bulk mailers would use either the 5¢ or 10¢ stamp and then pay the difference from the actual postage rate.
The last stamp in the Transportation Series, the 20¢ Cog Railway, was issued on June 9, 1995, at the TEXPEX ’95 stamp show in Dallas, Texas. This marked the end of the largest US definitive series up to that time. Three new series would eventually replace it – American Transportation, American Culture, and American Scenes. Additionally, the Great Americans would go on to become the largest American definitive series.
History the stamp represents: Early railroad section gangs, called “gandy dancers,” maintained from four to twelve miles of track and used handcars to transport themselves and their tools to the spot that needed repair. Patented in 1883 by R.H. Johnson, the handcar transported the crews so they could replace worn-out ties, control vegetation, and realign tracks. In the six-man crews, four people worked the pump bar which propelled the car at about 10 mph.
The use of hand powered cars decreased when motorized cars were invented. The handcars were sometimes rented to hunters or fishermen to take them to their favorite spot. Today, railroad enthusiasts can participate in handcar races, where teams compete for the fastest time.