Sunday, July 19, 2020

WHY WATERMARKS?

Stamp watermarks were security features used to prevent counterfeiting.  Creating these watermarks was part of the paper-making process.  First, the pump was put on a wire mesh screen – like a window screen – with thin metal letters attached to it.  When pressed down, the letters on top of the screen made the paper thinner than the spaces where there were no letters.

The first watermarked stamps were released in April of 1895 – 125 years ago this year!  The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) took over printing postage stamps from the American Bank Note Company in 1894.  The BEP took the original dies and plates of the 1894 series and made improvements, which included adding watermarks.  But this led to unforeseen problems for the BEP…

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