1899 Franklin Cut Square U353 Watermark Question.

This U353 has a very clear "P" in the watermark. Is this par for the course?

US POD maybe?

Peter

I believe its Watermark 13 in use on 1899-1902 issues. Here's what the watermark would have looked like in its entirety:

Thanks, that narrows it down. Is this watermark listed on the U353 1c green on amber?

Your question about watermarks is probably best left to the Postal Stationery expert (I'm not one!).

However, I can tell you that in the introductory paragraphs of the Scott Catalog, it suggests that:

"Watermarks in envelope paper, illustrated in this introduction, were mandatory from their first appearance in 1853."

"Watermarks usually have been changed with every four year contract, and thus serve to identify the envelope contractor, and since 1911, the manufacturer of the paper."

It goes on to finally note that "Beginning with Scott U615, unwatermarked paper was used for some issues. Beginning with Scott U625, unwatermarked paper was used for all issues."

The Scott Catalog, therefore, does not mention watermarked varieties in individual listings, but mentions "unwatermarked" ones from Scott U615 to U625.

Since the subject of this post is Scott U353, which was issued in 1899, it follows that watermark 13 in the illustration previously shown from that year would have been used.

"Is this watermark listed on the U353 1c green on amber?"

Yes. And in fact, it is the only watermark for the U353.

Thanks ThomasGalloway that is good to know.