1875 US Newspaper Stamps ($60 Violet, Scott #PR32)

Most stamp collectors have never seen one in person. The 1875 $60 Violet Newspaper and Periodical stamp, cataloged as Scott #PR32, belongs to a category of American postage that most people don't even know existed. These were not stamps for letters. They were not stamps for packages. They were stamps for bulk shipments of newspapers and magazines, and they were among the most beautiful, elaborate, and ultimately disposable stamps the United States ever produced.

That combination of beauty and disposability is exactly what makes Scott #PR32 so rare and so valuable today.

The Newspaper Stamp System

Newspaper and Periodical stamps were in use between 1865 and 1898, a relatively brief window in American postal history. The system was born out of necessity: the Post Office Department discovered that postal employees were pocketing a significant portion of the cash collected for shipping newspapers and periodicals. By some estimates, only about one-third of the postage revenue for these shipments was actually being turned in.

The solution was stamps. Instead of paying cash, publishers would purchase Newspaper and Periodical stamps that were affixed to their bulk shipments. This created a paper trail that kept postal employees honest and helped the Post Office Department account for its revenue.

The first newspaper stamps were issued in 1865. They were large, colorful, and elaborately designed to prevent counterfeiting. The stamps featured full-length allegorical female figures representing concepts like Freedom, Justice, Victory, and Peace. These figures were deliberate references to democratic ideals, as Congress viewed newspapers and periodicals as essential for an informed citizenry.

In 1869, use of newspaper stamps was briefly discontinued. Five years later, in 1874, Congress authorized their return after the Postmaster General reported that nearly two-thirds of postage collected for publications was being skimmed. A new rate structure was established: 2 cents per pound for weekly publications and 3 cents per pound for less frequent publications.

The 1875 Continental Bank Note Issue

The stamps of the 1875 series, including Scott #PR32, were printed by the Continental Bank Note Company and delivered to postmasters in December 1874. They went into use on January 1, 1875. The series comprised 24 stamps with values ranging from 2 cents all the way up to $60, which is where our stamp sits as the highest denomination in the set.

The $60 value was intended for extremely large bulk shipments. To put that denomination in perspective, $60 in 1875 had the purchasing power of roughly $1,700 today. This was serious money, and only the largest publishers shipping massive quantities of periodicals would have needed stamps at this denomination.

Scott #PR32 is printed in violet on thin, hard paper. The design features the allegorical figure representing the "Goddess of Victory" (or "Winged Victory"), rendered in the elaborate engraved style that characterized the entire newspaper stamp series. At a much smaller size than the original 1865 newspaper stamps (which were enormous), these 1875 issues were designed to be affixed to Post Office record books rather than directly to the bundles of newspapers.

Why So Few Survived

Here's the cruel irony of newspaper stamps: the very system that made them necessary also ensured their destruction. Because these stamps were affixed to record books or to the wrapping of newspaper bundles, they were treated as disposable paperwork. Nobody was saving them. Nobody was collecting them. When the wrapping was discarded or the record book was retired, the stamps went with it.

Adding to the scarcity, newspaper stamps were never sold directly to the public. Unlike regular postage stamps, which anyone could buy at a post office, Newspaper and Periodical stamps were only sold to publishers. This meant the collector market had almost no access to mint copies during the stamps' period of use.

The result is that surviving copies of high-denomination newspaper stamps like Scott #PR32 are genuinely rare. The $60 value was used least frequently (because few publishers needed that denomination), further reducing the survival rate.

Condition and Value Guide

Given the rarity of this stamp, the market is thin and prices can vary considerably based on the specific copy. Here's a general guide:

Condition	Description	Estimated Price Range
Superb Used	Clean cancel, well-centered, fresh color	$3,000 - $5,000+
Very Fine Used	Good centering, identifiable cancel	$1,500 - $3,000
Fine Used	Typical centering for the issue, clear cancel	$800 - $1,500
Very Good Used	Off-center but intact, heavier cancel	$500 - $800
Unused No Gum	Without original gum (common for this issue)	$1,200 - $1,800
Unused Original Gum	With some original adhesive remaining	$1,500 - $2,500
Mint Never Hinged	Full original gum, no hinge marks	$3,000 - $5,000+

Mystic Stamp Company lists this stamp at $1,795 for a standard used copy in their catalog. Auction prices can be higher or lower depending on the specific qualities of each stamp.

It's worth noting that many surviving copies have condition issues. Thin spots, small tears, and heavy cancellations are common. Premium examples with clean cancels and strong color command significant premiums over catalog values.

Authentication Matters

At these price levels, authentication is not optional. Scott #PR32 can be confused with stamps from other newspaper series, particularly the 1879 American Bank Note Company reprints (Scott #PR71) which have similar designs but different paper characteristics.

Key identification points for the genuine 1875 Continental Bank Note printing:

Paper: Thin, hard white paper. This is distinctly different from the softer paper used in later printings.

Color: Violet. The shade should be consistent with known authentic examples. Later reprints may have slightly different color characteristics.

Printing Quality: Continental Bank Note Company printing shows specific characteristics in the fine engraved details that differ from American Bank Note Company work.

For any stamp claimed to be Scott #PR32, a certificate from a recognized expertizing service (such as the Philatelic Foundation, Professional Stamp Experts, or the American Philatelic Expertizing Service) is strongly recommended before purchase.

The Collector's Perspective

Newspaper stamps occupy a unique niche in American philately. They're not widely collected because they're so difficult to find, which creates a self-reinforcing cycle of scarcity. Dealers have trouble stocking them, collectors have trouble finding them, and the market remains specialized.

For those who do pursue this area, the rewards are considerable. Newspaper stamps are some of the most beautiful stamps the United States ever produced. The allegorical figures, the elaborate engraving, and the unusual denominations all contribute to a collecting experience that feels distinctly different from mainstream US stamp collecting.

Scott #PR32, as the highest denomination in its series, is the pinnacle of the 1875 Continental Bank Note issue. Owning one means possessing a piece of American postal history that most collectors will never encounter, a stamp that helped fund the distribution of knowledge across a growing nation.

Building a Newspaper Stamp Collection

1. Start with the lower denominations. The 2-cent through 12-cent values of the 1875 series are more affordable and more available. Building familiarity with the paper, printing, and design characteristics at lower price points prepares you for the big purchases.

2. Study the expertizing literature. The differences between Continental and American Bank Note printings are well documented but require careful study to master.

3. Join specialized philatelic societies. Organizations like the United States Stamp Society have members with deep expertise in newspaper stamps who can help with identification and authentication.

4. Be patient. Quality copies of Scott #PR32 do not appear frequently. When they do, be prepared to act, but also be prepared to pass if the condition or authenticity is questionable.

5. Consider the full set. While the $60 violet is the star, completing the 1875 series from 2 cents through $60 is a challenging and rewarding goal that provides context for each individual stamp.

The 1875 $60 Violet Newspaper Stamp is a true rarity of American philately. It tells the story of a postal system grappling with accountability, a nation hungry for printed information, and a beautifully engraved solution that most people were content to throw away. For those with the knowledge and patience to find one, it remains one of the most compelling stamps in the Scott catalog.

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