1863 2-Cent Black Jack (Scott #73)

The 1863 2-Cent Black Jack gets its nickname from the striking combination of its subject, Andrew Jackson, and its color, an intense black ink that gives the stamp a bold, dramatic appearance. Cataloged as Scott #73, this Civil War-era stamp is one of the most visually distinctive issues in American philately. Its large portrait, dark impression, and association with a turbulent period in American history make it a favorite among collectors at every level.

Why "Black Jack"?

The nickname is a collector's term combining the black color of the stamp with the last name of its subject, Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. The moniker has stuck for over 150 years and is universally understood in philatelic circles. When someone says "Black Jack," every stamp collector knows exactly which stamp they mean.

The choice of Jackson for the 2-cent denomination was standard practice. The Post Office Department assigned presidents and founding fathers to various denominations, with the lower values featuring the most commonly used portraits.

Historical Context

The Black Jack was issued in 1863, in the middle of the American Civil War. The 2-cent denomination served several purposes:

• Drop letters: Letters delivered within the same city cost 2 cents

• Newspaper wrappers: Sending newspapers by mail required 2 cents

• Carrier service supplement: Adding carrier delivery to standard postage

During the Civil War, postal services continued in the Union states, but the Confederacy established its own postal system. Union stamps, including the Black Jack, were only valid in Northern states. This means that authentic used Black Jack stamps carry cancellations from Union-state post offices, providing a direct connection to Civil War-era daily life.

The stamp was printed during a period of enormous postal volume. Soldiers writing home, families corresponding with troops, and the general business of a nation at war all generated mail. The Black Jack was part of the postal infrastructure that kept the Union connected during its greatest crisis.

Design and Production

The Black Jack features:

• Portrait: Andrew Jackson, facing left, in an oval vignette

• Color: Black (the defining characteristic)

• Denomination: 2 cents, printed in the lower corners

• Paper: Thin to medium wove paper

• Perforation: 12 (the standard perforation gauge for this issue)

• Printer: National Bank Note Company, New York

The stamp was produced using steel plate engraving, the standard method for security printing. The engraving quality is excellent, with Jackson's portrait showing fine detail in his hair, clothing, and facial features.

Specifications:

Varieties

The Black Jack exists in several recognized varieties:

Color Shades:

• Black (standard)

• Intense black (deeper impression)

• Gray black (lighter, possibly from worn plates)

Paper Varieties:

• Standard white wove paper

• Slightly toned paper

Grill Varieties: In 1867-1868, the Post Office experimented with embossed grills pressed into stamps to prevent reuse. Black Jack stamps with grills are cataloged separately:

• Scott #87: 2-cent black, E grill (very rare, $2,000+)

• Scott #93: 2-cent black, F grill ($250-$600)

Grilled varieties are significantly more valuable than ungrilled stamps and require careful examination to verify.

Related Issues:

• Scott #73: 1863 2-cent black (the standard Black Jack)

• Scott #87: 2-cent black with E grill

• Scott #93: 2-cent black with F grill

Condition and Grading

Condition Grades:

Key Quality Factors:

• Centering: Well-centered Black Jacks are genuinely scarce. Most examples are off-center to some degree, reflecting the printing and perforating technology of the 1860s

• Color: Rich, deep black color is preferred. Faded or grayish examples are less desirable

• Cancel: For used stamps, a light, neat cancel is preferred. Fancy cancels (pictorial designs cut by individual postmasters) can add value

• Perforations: Complete, even perforations without short or missing teeth

• Paper: No thins, tears, or stains. Clear, undamaged paper

The Appeal of the Black Jack

Several factors make the Black Jack particularly popular among collectors:

Visual Impact: The large portrait in deep black on white paper creates a striking visual that stands out on album pages. It is one of the most handsome stamps in the classic U.S. series.

Affordability: Despite being over 160 years old, used Black Jacks in Fine condition can be found for $10-$20. This makes them accessible to beginning collectors while still offering substantial room for quality upgrading.

Collecting Depth: The varieties (shades, grills, cancellations, cover usages) provide years of collecting engagement. A collector can start with a basic used copy and spend decades pursuing better examples, fancy cancels, and postal history.

Civil War Connection: Any stamp used during the Civil War carries historical resonance. Black Jacks on cover, with postmarks from 1863-1867, are tangible documents of a nation at war.

Postal History

Black Jacks on original covers (envelopes) are particularly desirable:

Drop Letter Covers: Letters with the 2-cent Black Jack paying the local delivery rate are classic postal history items. Values range from $50-$200 depending on origin and condition.

Combination Covers: Letters using the Black Jack in combination with other stamps to pay higher rates. These are more complex and generally more valuable.

Patriotic Covers: During the Civil War, many envelopes featured patriotic illustrations (flags, eagles, military scenes). A Black Jack on a patriotic cover combines philatelic and Civil War collecting interests. Values: $100-$500+.

Fancy Cancel Covers: Some postmasters carved their own canceling devices in decorative patterns (stars, flowers, animals, geometric designs). Black Jacks with fancy cancels are avidly collected. Rare fancy cancel types can add hundreds of dollars to a stamp's value.

Collecting Strategies

Beginner: Start with a used Black Jack in Fine to Very Fine condition. Budget $15-$50. Focus on learning to grade centering and identify shades.

Intermediate: Build a collection showing shade varieties, different cancellation types, and one or more covers. Budget $200-$500 for a nice group.

Advanced: Pursue grilled varieties (Scott #87 and #93), fancy cancels, and unusual postal history. Seek expertized examples for the expensive varieties. Budget $1,000-$5,000+.

Specialist: Plate reconstruction, die and plate varieties, earliest and latest known uses, and specialized postal history. This level of engagement can sustain a lifetime of collecting.

Why It Matters

The 1863 2-Cent Black Jack is one of those stamps that every American philatelist knows and loves. Its bold design, Civil War provenance, affordable entry point, and deep collecting possibilities make it the kind of stamp that hooks beginners and sustains advanced collectors. Each surviving example is a piece of communication infrastructure from the most dramatic period in American history, printed and used while the nation's future hung in the balance.

The Black Jack proves that a stamp does not need to be expensive to be great. It needs to be beautiful, historically significant, and capable of rewarding sustained attention. On all three counts, Scott #73 delivers.

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