Third Bureau Summary

Purpose: Graphically summarize by denomination and format (sheet, imperf, coil, booklet) all of the Scott numbers associated with the Third Bureau. (Note: The “ONE CENT”, “TWO CENTS”, “1 CENT”, and “2 CENTS” varieties are considered 4 separate denominations). Press type (Flat, Offset, Rotary) and Watermark are shown for informational purposes only. Any stamp in the sheet, imperf, etc. column is an adequate representation of that stamp.

There is no differentiation by perforation, and minor listings for missing perforations, alternate perforations on one side, and double impression are omitted. Microscopic variations known as Type (e.g. Type I, Type II, etc.) are grouped together, as are subtle shades of color. Minor listings for color variations are given with the main listings. The only Third Bureau stamp that has a separate main listing solely due to the color (other than the 5c red error stamps) is the $2 Franklin

“China Paper” variations (331b, 332b, and 333a through 340a) are not listed below, nor are the “Bluish Paper” variations (357 – 366). Also excluded are 387-389 (389 Orangeburg coil) perf different only from 392-394; 423A-423E (1914 Compound Perforations) perf different only from 424, 425 and 428; 519 (perf 11) perf different only from 332 (perf 12); and even though some authors consider 479-480 to be part of the Third Bureau, I consider it part of the Second Bureau.

Most errors are omitted, particularly double impressions, printed on both sides (529b and 530b), missing perforations, cracked plates and other mechanical errors, but the 5c red error (467/485/505) is collectable (although one example is sufficient).

“Kansas City Roulettes” of 408 and 409 are not listed, but should be considered.

Catalog numbers in bold red have a minimum CV of $100 or more

Dominant color listed is the most common, either as the primary color or a recognized color for that issue. Varieties that aren't listed in the dominant color are identified in [brackets].

ONE CENT – Franklin

Dominant Color: green
Notes: All issues Flat Press with single or double line watermark; 385 and 387 perf 12; 390 and 392 perf 8.5.

TWO CENT – Washington

Dominant Color: carmine
Notes: All issues Flat Press with single or double line watermark; 386 and 388 perf 12; 391 and 393 perf 8.5.

1¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: green [ex 525 and 536 gray green]

538, 545 = 19.5-20x22mm which means the stamp is coil waste (the stamps vary only in perforation)
542, 543, 544 = 19x22.5mm which means the stamp is from a sheet or sheet waste (the stamps vary only in perforation)

2¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: carmine [ex. 461 pale carmine red; 499 and 450 deep rose; 539, 540 and 546 carmine rose]

All Flat plate stamps are Type I except 500 and 482A, which are Type Ia

The best representation of Type I to Type II to Type III is 453-455 and this transition should be shown.
Type Ia is just a minor variation due to rocking in 10 designs at a time
Type IV to Type VII are all Offset printing variations (526-528B and 532-534B). Type IV was the initial printing that was deemed acceptable. The other types are minor varieties of the improved printing. One example of Type IV and any of the subsequent Types would sufficiently tell the story of Offset Printing.|
539, 540 and 546 are coil waste: Any one is sufficient as a Rotary sheet example.

3¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: violet [ex. 389 deep violet]

All Type I except:

502, 484, 502b, 541, 494 are Type II
529 is Type III
530 and 535 are Type IV

4¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: orange brown [ex. 395,446,457 brown]

5¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: blue
Notes: 467 / 485 / 505 error

RED Washington ERROR – Any one of the following is a sufficient example of this error, although it should be collected in a strip of 3 at a minimum (preferably block of 9 or 12)

• 467, 485 (imperf), 505

6¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: red orange

7¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: black

407, 430, 469, 507 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

8¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: olive green

337, 380 – Flat press, first 1 DL Wmk, last 1 SL Wmk

10¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: yellow

13¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: blue green

339 – Flat Press DL Wmk

15¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: pale ultramarine

340, 382 – Flat press, first 1 DL Wmk, last 1 SL Wmk

50¢ - Washington

Dominant Color: violet

341 – Flat press, DL Wmk

$1 – Washington

Dominant Color: violet brown

342 - Flat Press DL Wmk

8¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: olive green

414, 431, 470, 508 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

9¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: salmon red

415, 432, 471, 509 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

10¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: orange yellow

11¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: dark green [except 511 light green or green]

434, 473, 511 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 1 Unwmk

12¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: claret brown

417, 435, 474, 512– Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

13¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: apple green

513 – Flat Press Unwmk

15¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: gray

418, 437, 475, 514 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

20¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: ultramarine [ex. 515 light ultramarine]

419, 438, 476, 515 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

30¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: orange red

420, 439, 476A, 516 – Flat press, first 2 SL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

50¢ - Franklin

Dominant Color: violet [ex 477 light violet]

421, 422, 440, 477, 517 – Flat press: 421 SL perf 12 / 422 DL / 440 SL perf 10 / 477 UnWmk perf 10 / 517 UnWmk perf 11

$1 – Franklin

Dominant Color: violet black [ex. 423 violet brown]

423, 460, 478, 518 - All Flat Press, first 2 DL Wmk, last 2 Unwmk

$2 – Franklin

Colors: orange red and black; red orange and black (523); carmine and black (547)

523 and 547 – Flat Press Unwmk

$5 – Franklin

Color: deep green and black

(524) – Flat press Unwmk