$4 Columiban From 1932

Saw this on ebay. A $4 Columbian cancelled March 1932. So this stamp sits around for 40 years in somebody's desk or collection and in the Depths of the Depression, someone needs to mail something. I wish it could talk!

There was very little demand for dollar Columbians for many years, especially during the Depression, and even less for a poorly-centered copy. I have covers with 1870s Banknotes used in the 1920s and 1930s. But the clear datestamp is unusual.

Nice stamp!

It is difficult to see all the detail in the cancellation, but it might be from the Jackson Park P.O. The World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 was held at Jackson Park, so there could be a commemorative purpose behind its use.

On the other hand, the cancellation is also dated March 17th, which is St. Patrick's Day.

Perhaps alcohol was involved.

The closest catalog I have to this is 1926; the $4 Columbian cataloged $10 at that time. Realistically $4 was very likely as much as it was worth in 1932. And who knows what the back looks like. Even now, as a mediocre example used out of period it's probably only worth about $250 retail.

Nice stamp. I only hope to own one some day.

Some time ago, I read an interesting article about speculators and Columbians. Throughout much of the early 1900s, there was an attitude shift about the value of Columbians ... esp the high face value stamps. It was recommended by more than one authority to just start using them as postage; that they would never be worth more than face value.

I don't recall exactly when this took place, but it seems plausible that 1932 was well within that timeframe.

If only I could locate that article ...

Brian