United States Stamp History
Stamp Book Leaflets

THE FIRST ONE CENT LEAF

Interpolated by Lt Col John P McGowan, USAF Reserve, Retired

1c Franklin Issued March 6, 1907
20 180-Subject Plates Used

Vertical DL Wmk Reads Up or Down perf 12

The first 1c stamp issued in 1c stamp book form was from the 1902-3 Regular Issue. The 25c stamp book contained 24 grayish blue-green 1c stamps. They were designed and manufactured completely by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at Washington, D.C. The 1c blue-green leaflet was not printed until four years and two months after its carmine 2c partner was released January 24, 1903. The plates were 180-subject to be used on the four plate flat bed power press. The resulting sheets had 10 columns and three rows for 30 leaflets. The two identifying plate numbers were on the top and bottom of the sheet. Four arrows were at the beginning and ends of the horizontal and vertical guide lines. The process of trimming removed the bottom plate number and arrow, as well as the side arrows.

Design plans were a necessary part of the long procedure before plates could be crafted. The vertical guide line was engraved so that the left half of the printed sheet was separated from the right half. The line was so narrow that technicans rarely cut directly on it. A right-handed person will usually cut a wee bit on the right side of a line. If this thought follows on a stamp sheet, a cut to the right of the guide line will leave the line in the right margin of the leaflet on the left of the guide line. A cut to the left of the guide line will leave the line in the left margin of the leaflet on the right of the guide line. Turn the sheet 90 degrees and the cut is the same.

This created Positions B, F, and H which have the line in the right margin. Positions C, G, and I have the line in the left margin of the stamp to the right. The arrow is split to the left for Position B and to the right for Position C.

The horizontal guide line of the 180-subject plate was engraved in its center. It appeared to separate the upper and lower halves of the printed sheet. The guide line was laid out between stamps 1-2 and 3-4 of the leaflet. This created eight position E's on every sheet.

If one wishes to reconstruct a leaflet, used pairs of stamps are easier to identify than a single. Pairs of stamps 1 and 2 will have a straight edge margin on the right and left and a stapling tab at the top. A plate numbed is very helpful. Stamps 3 and 4 will have straight edge margins only on the right and left. Stamps 5 and 6 will have straight edges in the three margins on the right and left and bottom.

Plate number 3472 is located over stamp 1 on the plate number leaflet. It should have been over stamp 2 not 1. This is a major variety reported by A E Owens.

The 1955 Bureau Issues Association, Check List of Postage Stamp Booklet Covers, page 3, lists the 1c cover classified as type I-j. These were green covers with black print and sold for 25c. Inside the book were four pages of 1c blue-green leaflets of six stamps. The other 1c was the price for manufacturing the book.

There will be 20 lines of text. The text on the Front Cover - Outside was printed in black. The three lines that identify the text on this page must be included in the 20 lines of text.

There will be 12 lines of text. The text on the Front Cover - Inside is printed in black. The one line that identifies the text must be included in teh 12 lines of text.

There will be 23 lines of text. The text on the Back Cover - Inside is printed in black. To identify this page, line 4 text, 56 MM, must be on the cover.

There will be 19 lines of text. The text on the Back Cover - Outside is printed in black. In order to identify this page, line 17, . . . value up to $25, must be included in the 19 lines of text.

The 1907 1c was stapled in I-j, I-k, I-l, I-m, I-n, and I-o.

You will need to contact the Secretary of the Bureau Issue Association to order the latest copy of the remarkable work.

Revision Date: 11-23-2001