The romance of Revolutionary War correspondence did not include postage. The modern understanding of a postage stamp was first issued by the United States on July 1, 1847. Until that time postage to be paid was the burden of the recipient. The first stamp issued was the Benjamin Franklin 5-cent stamp and George Washington 10-cent stamp together in 1847. The question to ask is whether or not collecting America’s first two officially issued stamps is also a good investment.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates the news and trends in collectibles as an alternative asset class. The harsh reality is that rare and historical collectibles now compete for the same capital that would have otherwise been invested in stocks, bonds and property. To prove the point, it is possible to spend millions of dollars at the highest level for just a single stamp.

It is undeniable that collectors with a passion for an item are competing directly against investors seeking only to make a profit. Similar to traditional investments, alternative assets and collectibles come with no guarantees of profits.

The reality about collecting stamps or investing in historical and rare stamps is that some auctions have generated profits. Other sales and auctions have been at losses. Perhaps the best news here is that it just does not require vast amounts of capital to own these historically significant collectibles.

Recent sales on the auction giant eBay show the following prices paid for the 5 cent 1847 Franklin:

• June 12, 2021 US STAMP #1 – 1847 Benjamin Franklin 5c Single USED sold after 19 bids for $146.55
• April 29, 2021 US STAMP #1 1847 5c Dark Brown Benjamin Franklin, USED STAMP sold after 14 bids for $154.50
• June 21, 2021 US 1847 5c STAMP Sc#1 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN USED RED CANCEL CV$950 sold after 16 bids for $170.50
• June 27, 2021 – #1a – USED – 5 cent Franklin 1847 Issue – CV $400 – 4 margins sold after 15 bids for $155.50
• June 20, 2021 US Stamps – #1 – USED – 5 cent 1847 Franklin Imperf Issue – CV$350 – Crowe Cer sold after 17 bids for $214.50

Heritage Auctions listed the highest graded example we have seen of the 5-cent 1847 stamp which was sold by the auction house. Being the highest graded example, similar to cards and coins, comes with much higher prices. The original description was below:

• Feb 5, 2009 Highest Graded Mint #1a, 1847, Dark Brown, SUP 98J PSE (Original Gum – Previously Hinged) believed to be the unique mint example that unquestionably proves its plate position. The #1a, 1847 stamp sold for $71,700.00 including buyer’s premium.
• Feb 6, 2009 #1a, 1847, 5c Dark Brown. (Used) Two four margin singles tied by red New York square grid cancels on folded outer letter address sheet to Philadelphia, with matching red New York circular stamp (c.d.s.), the outer address sheet missing the right side flap. Very Fine. 2008 PSE. (Scott $1,600)… From the Emerald City Collection sold for $776.75 including buyers premium.
• February 6, 2009 #1, 1847, 5c Red Brown. (Used) A horizontal pair tied by blue consoles on cover from Philadelphia to Wisconsin, with matching blue Philadelphia, Pa Jan 10 (1850) circular date stamp (c.d.s.) cancel, the right stamp with an insignificant tiny scissor cut in the bottom right margin and a vertical crease along the right frame line, the cover with a tear at the top and without the flap. Very Fine. 2008 PSE Certificate. (Scott $1,300)… From the Emerald City Collection sold for $717.00
• February 6, 2009 #1, 1847, 5c Brown. (Used). Vertical pair tied by red New York square grid cancels on folded outer address sheet to Baltimore, with matching New York circular date stamp (c.d.s.). Very Fine to Extremely Fine. 2008 PSE Certificate. (Scott $1,275)… From the Emerald City Collection sold for $660.84
• February 6, 2009 #1a, 1847, 5c Dark Brown. (Used). Dot in “S” variety tied by red New York grid cancel on folded letter sheet from New York to Philadelphia, with matching red New York Jul 21 (1848) circular date stamp (c.d.s.). Very Fine. 2008 PSE Certificate… From the Emerald City Collection sold for $583.16
• February 6, 2009 #1a, 1847, 5c Dark Brown. (Used). Tied by a black grid and red Boston 12 Sep (1850) circular date stamp (c.d.s.) cancels to New York, the stamp with inconsequential corner crease at the bottom. Very Fine. 2008 PSE Certificate. (Scott $800)… From the Emerald City Collection sold for $505.49
• April 23, 2004 U.S. 1847, 5¢ red brown (1), large margins all round showing portion of adjoining stamp at right in combination with Canada 3d red (2), both cancelled, and the former tied, by red grid on 1851 folded letter from Scottsvi sold for $137,500.00
• April 23, 2004 U.S. 1847, 5¢ red brown (1), vertical strip of three, large to huge margins including portion of adjoining stamp at upper right, stunning rich color and detailed early impression, on 1848 folded letter from Montreal, Canada, to. Sold for $93,500.00

Recent sales on the auction platform eBay of the George Washington 10-cent 1847 variety are as follows:

• June 27, 2021 1847 10C Scott #2 Washington Stamp 1st Issue Black w/Red Grid Cancel Great Color listed for $1,195.00 and an unknown best offer was accepted
• June 24, 2021 SC# 2 USED 10C WASHINGTON, 1847, BLUE GRID CCL, 2019 PSAG CERT GRADED VF XF 85 listed for $1,300.00 and an unknown best offer was accepted
• June 19, 2021 US Stamps, Scott #2, 10c Black Washington, Used, F-VF, Catalog Value $525 sold for $500.00
• June 13, 2021 US Stamps – #2 – USED BEAUTY – 10 cent 1847 Washington Imperf Issue – CV $750 sold after 34 bids for $436.00
• June 1, 2021 1847 US #2 Red Cancel – No Thins VF 10c Washington 10 cents sold after 31 bids for $513.61

Here are prices sold by Heritage Auctions:

• February 5, 2009 #2 (A), 1847, 10c Black, F 70 PSE. (Used). Double Transfer in ‘X’ at lower right. Well-defined and clearly visible. (Pencil mark on back) Minute traces of Blue cancel. Pretty stamp. Fine PSE – Encapsulated. (This Double Transfer unlisted in SMQ or in the PSE Population Records) From the Emerald City Collection sold for $1,165.13
• February 6, 2009 #2, 1847, 10c Black. (Used). On a folded outer address sheet to New York tied by a red grid cancel with a matching red Saint Louis, MO. circular date stamp (c.d.s.) cancel. Very Fine. 2008PSE Certificate. (Scott $1,700)… From the Emerald City Collection sold for $932.10
• February 6, 2009 #2, 1847, 10c Black. (Used). Tied by a red grid cancel on cover to Pittsborough, NC with matching New York circular date stamp (c.d.s.) at the right, the stamp with an inconsequential scuff in the top left margin covered by a black ink line and the cover with trivial wear related tears at the upper left and bottom right corner. An overall Very Fine cover. 2008 PSE Certificate. (Scott $1,700)… sold for $657.25
• March 8, 2009 #2, 1847, 10c Black. (Used). Tied by red New York grid cancel on 1849 folded letter to Calais, Maine, with a matching red New York canceling date stamp (c.d.s.). The stamp with 4mm tear at bottom and cut into at left and right, the letter with a file fold at the center. Fair. 2008 PSE Certificate. (Scott $1,700)… sold for $358.50
• April 23, 2004 U.S. 1847, 10¢ black (2), two singles, each margins to a bit in, pen canceled, left stamp tied by vertical file crease, on May 17, 1851 folded letter from Kingston, Canada to New York, quadruple rate including an additional ” sold for $23,100.00
• February 1, 2007 1847, 10¢ black (2), large margins, outstanding color and impression. Unused. Very Fine. Scott $15,000 A TRULY RARE STAMP IN CHOICE UNUSED CONDITION.Expertization: 1989 and 2006 P.F. Certificates. sold for $13,800.00

Collectors Dashboard found a complete set of two, 1847 Imperforate Stamps for $14,000.00 sold as a certified set.

The two first issue American stamps are referred to as #1 for the 5c and #2 for the 10c. The PSE population shows 695 used examples in the Benjamin Franklin 5 cent variety and 485 in the used variety according to PSEStamp. Used condition represents the most collectability in America’s first standardized postage stamp of 1847.

*Featured Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions