1979 US $1 Rush Lamp and Candle Holder (Americana Series, Scott #1610)

Definitive stamps are the workhorses of postal history: designed for long-term use, printed in large quantities, and mailed on millions of envelopes. The 1979 US $1 Rush Lamp and Candle Holder stamp, Scott #1610, is a member of the Americana series that ran through much of the 1970s and early 1980s. While it lacks the high drama of inverted center errors or souvenir sheet rarities, it occupies a specific and well-documented place in American philatelic history.

The Americana Series

The Americana definitive series was issued between 1975 and 1981 to replace the earlier Liberty Bell and Transportation definitives. The series depicted tools, objects, and symbols of early American life, connecting the postal service to themes of colonial craftsmanship and national heritage during the bicentennial era.

The $1 Rush Lamp and Candle Holder (Scott #1610) was issued on July 2, 1979, as part of a group of high-value definitives depicting early American light sources. The design features a colonial-era rush lamp and candle holder, rendered in shades of tan, brown, orange, and yellow. The stamp was engraved by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and printed using the combination rotary press.

The tagline on the stamp reads "America's Light Fueled by Truth and Reason," a phrase that captures the bicentennial-era spirit that animated the entire Americana series.

The Four Lighting Stamps

Scott #1610 was issued alongside three companion stamps depicting other early American light sources:

• $1 Rush Lamp and Candle Holder (Scott #1610, 1979)

• $2 Kerosene Table Lamp (Scott #1611, 1978)

• $5 Railroad Lantern (Scott #1612, 1979)

• $1 Candle Holder (earlier issue in the series)

The high-denomination nature of these stamps means they were primarily used on certified mail, international mail, and heavy packages rather than routine first-class correspondence. This affects the used stamp market, as postmarks and cancellation types vary significantly.

Varieties and Collecting Points

The main distinction for collectors of Scott #1610 is mint vs. used condition, and within mint, never-hinged (MNH) vs. previously hinged examples.

Mint Never Hinged (MNH): The standard for modern mint stamps. Original gum undisturbed, no hinge remnants. These are the premium examples.

Plate blocks: Collectors pursuing plate blocks seek corner margin blocks of four (or larger) with the plate number in the selvage. These represent the definitive collectible format for this issue.

Coil versions: The Americana series included both sheet and coil versions of some denominations. Verify whether a stamp is from the sheet issue or coil before purchasing.

Cancellation interest: Used copies with interesting cancellations, particularly from first-day covers with the July 2, 1979 Washington, DC postmark, carry premium interest for first-day cover collectors.

Value Guide

Scott catalog values for this stamp reflect its common availability. As a high-denomination definitive printed in large quantities, Scott #1610 is readily available at most US stamp dealers and on platforms like HipStamp and eBay. The primary collector interest is in extremely fine centering, full original gum, and matching plate blocks for collection display purposes.

The Americana Series as a Complete Set

Many collectors approach Scott #1610 as part of building a complete Americana series collection. The series spans dozens of denominations from 1 cent through $5, with each stamp depicting a different colonial-era object. A complete MNH set in very fine condition represents a meaningful achievement for definitive series collectors.

The Americana series was designed during an era when the US Postal Service made deliberate artistic choices for its definitive stamps, commissioning work that reflected national heritage themes. The engraving quality on these stamps, particularly on the high-value denominations, reflects the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at a period of high craft standards.

For collectors building a comprehensive collection of 1970s US definitives, Scott #1610 is an essential inclusion at a very reasonable price point.

Browse all Stamps →

Related Items