Benjamin Franklin Stamps

I am considering starting a collection of Benjamin Franklin Stamps. I was wondering if anyone knew how many US issues there were?

That sounds like a great idea! Here is a short article on Ben Franklin on US Stamps to get you started.

Franklin's portrait was on a fairly large number of 19th century definitives. I would guess there are about 100 US issues altogether. The keys to the series will be US Scott #1 and Scott #3.

I have a few of the early Franklins. I still don't have a Scott #1. I have wanted a nice 4 margin copy since I was a kid.

A collection focused on Franklin stamps will be very interesting!

Please excuse me, Spider, but since you have an interest in Franklin stamps, I can't resist sharing two of my early US Franklins:



Scott #7 1c blue, Type II issued July 1, 1851. Left margin stamp.
The blue town cancel may be Feb 7 [1852?] PAID at Charleston, S. C.?





Scott #9 1c blue, Type IV, issued June 8, 1852, with a red grid cancel.

Type IV is similar to Type II but the curved lines outside the labels are recut at the top or at the bottom or both.
The top and bottom lines are strong in this example, and both appear to be recut.

With about 100 issues, I better get started.

The Scott#7 &9 are great looking, thanks for sharing them.

Here's another Franklin stamp in my collection. This one is from the Civil war era.



Scott #71 30c orange, issued August 20, 1861, with a fancy "circle of wedges" cancel.

Hi T.....


love your blue Bens.....here's one of my #7's.

Hello Spider.....

There is at least 115 plus more if you include all color varieties.

Ouch! Well, it sounds like you'll be busy for awhile!!

Or maybe you could narrow it down? Portraits only? Or Non-portraits only?

Of course, I guess you'll run across them in a random fashion - so probably best to take 'em as they come in.

That's a great idea for a collection! In the end all it takes is a lot of money and a lot of searching!

Welcome to the site!

Of course with Ben Franklin being the first Post master General appointed to office in the summer of 1775 by the Second Continental Congress, you'll see a lot of him!

Gussyboy1

(Just had to throw that in--I won a beginner's contest a couple of days ago with Ben Franklin being the answer.)

I won this Scott #547a on StampWants today.
I went crazy and paid $52.89 against a $40 catalog value.
It has a clean 2008 PSE certificate.
I'm not sure - was it worth it?

It looks real "purdy" to me, so don't worry about the money -- it could be much worse, you could have put in a bank or the stock market

KirkS

Nice Ben, T....

....if you're not sure it's worth what you paid....see if you can find a better or equal one for less.......with those margins and a face free cancel, I'll bet it's not going to be easy.

First thing I'd like to say is Spider to the forumTom nice find mate I also buy from S/Wants so please send/email me your tag so I don't bid against you mate.The worst thing I could think of doing is pushing the price up on a friendAnd yes still

Welcome, Spider.

A1976 joint-issue with the United States, using the same design, shows Ben Franklin on the stamp, honouring the United States Bicentennial.

Sounds like an interesting topic to collect.

Enjoy!

David

Tom, don't know how many bidders there were but at least
one was willing to bid close to that. Also having the
certificate must be worth something.

Besides, you don't get to see that beet red color too often.