U.S. #4
1875 10¢ Washington imperf.
U.S. #4 is a scarce reproduction of America's first stamp, U.S. #2. The stamps were prepared in conjunction with the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia; however, they were only sold at the office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General in Washington, D.C.
The original 10¢ Washington was produced by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson. In response to an order from the Post Office Department, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced these ungummed duplicates in 1875. The stamps, which were the first by the BEP, were printed with new plates in panes of 50 subjects. Not officially valid for postage, only 3,883 U.S. #4 stamps were sold to the public. A few are known in postally used condition.