| Types of the 10¢ Webster of the "Triangles" Series of 1894-1898 |
Types I and II of the 10¢ Webster of 1898This stamp is most easily identified by color. The Type I, Scott 282C, is brown and the Type II, Scott 283, is yellow or orange brown. The circular lines around the denomination stop before the frame line of the vignette in the Type I stamp. The circular lines around the denomination continue through the frame line of the vignette in the Type II stamp. Since these lines are very light, a magnifying glass or enlarged scan of the stamp may help in the identification. Although it is difficult to see the extended lines through the portrait oval in the Type II stamp below, the color is a distinct orange brown. Close examination reveals the extended lines. The original color of this design, first issued in 1894, was green. These green 10¢ Webster's are the unwatermarked Scott 258 and the double-line watermarked Scott 273 of 1894 and 1895 respectively. The color was changed from green to brown to meet the new color standards of the Universal Postal Union in 1898, the designated color for 10¢ was brown. Since the brown 10¢ Webster, Scott 282C, was confused with the brown 5¢ Garfield of the same series, the color was altered slightly to a lighter, yellow-orange-brown, the Type II Scott 283. Both of these stamps were printed on double-lined watermarked paper. See also: The Postage Stamps of 1898.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Type I and Type II
The 10¢ Webster of 1898
Type I · Circles Around Denomination Type II · Circles Around Denomination Scott 282C - Note the distinctive rich brown color. In the Type I design the circle around the denomination does not continue into the outer frame line of the vignette. The right circle of the Type I is similar. Scott 283 - Note the distinctive light (orange) brown color. In the Type II design the circle around the denomination continues into the outer frame line of the vignette, below the "E" in "TEN". The right circle of the Type II is similar.
