American/National Bank Notes

In my opinion, The Bank Notes are some of the more UGULY of the U.S. stamps issued. American or National, they all lack artistic appeal. Consequently, In the past I just ignored and never bothered collecting the notes

Not considering that they come between the 1869 Pictorials and the 1893 Colombians. How would you rate their artistic appeal?

Art

I think they are a rather attractive series. A particularly like the 6 and 24 cent. The Nationals are more appealing with brighter colors and overall better quality impressions.

I too think that the Banknotes are attractive. It's true they do lack the ornateness of the Colombians or the pictorials but they have an appeal all there own and a whole ream of books on paper types, inks, secret marks, colors and the like, and make for a way more interesting study than the aforementioned series.

I like the Banknotes, I have most of them (used) a couple of the higher values are still on my want list.(141,143,144) The issues I do not like are #219-#229. I think they are too small.

It bears noting that in your question, you are comparing a series of Definitives with one (some say two) series of Commemoratives.

Definitive stamps often pale next to commemorative issues.

Compared to anything printed in my lifetime, they are works of art.

Only the three cent and four cent Columbians are really attractive anyway, the rest are either too crowded or you have to look at Queen Isabella who bore half the responsibility for the Spanish Inquisition (shudder).

I was not expecting the Spanish Inquisition [/MONTYPYTHON]

Anyways, I agree, the bank note issues lack the charm of America's earlier issues. Most are too washed out to really appreciate. Btw, has anyone sorted out the right mount to use with them?

NOBODY expects the Spanish inquisition!

I use size 28 Showgard strips cut to the proper width.

And to Art's initial question, in comparison with some of the modern U.S. issues I would categorize the banknotes as works of art.

*Resisting the urge to launch into extended monologue*

I like how "plain" the large banknotes are and the colors are just fantastic! The baby banknotes are another long time favorite just because of all the different variants{types and colors}and the like.








Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?..

They aren't the most beautiful stamps in the world, but for that time period they compare pretty well and are still attractive today. They present the image of a nation that is serious and determined to succeed economically, which tempers my judgement of their aesthetics. They sure as heck are more beautiful than the garbage the USPS has put out for the past 30 years.

The last few nights I've been working on identifying glassines of banknotes and for the first time actually enjoying it.

I've been lining them up on my scanner, scanning them at 1200 dpi and comparing them to the 1847usa examples for the secret marks and colors. And comparing them to some in my album that either I or someone else previously identified and have come across several mistakes so far. Enough that I'm actually thinking of taking all of them out of my album, throwing them in a pile and starting over.

Only thing I can't really figure out yet are paper types. The guide on 1847 is great but I just can't get it down. The flicking near my ear kinda works but I'm not 100% confident in my judgement. The light behind also kinda works but I can sort of see certain differences but again lack the confidence.

Are there any other ways to know? Is there anything that can be done by scanning them to see the differences? Like contrast adjustments or something along those lines?

I'm really enjoying these right now but getting a bit frustrated with the paper types

Long time lurker, first time poster - and I love that this topic pulled me in. These are great, in my opinion, not only for the design and vivid colors, but for the wide range of fancy cancels that are on my copies. I am almost more of a fan of that aspect than the stamps themselves. Almost.

I may not exactly call them ugly, but to me, some of the designs seem . . . uninspired.