US Stamp. 3 cent with star cancel at top
back of the US 3 cent with stamp hing trace and grill marks in bottom left.
US Stamp. 3 cent with star cancel at top
US Classic Era (1847-1893)

Scott #114 3 Cent Locomotive 1869 Pictorial Issue with G Grill

$3.99

Offered here is the celebrated 3¢ Locomotive stamp from the 1869 Pictorial Issue, cataloged as Scott #114. Issued in ultramarine, this design marked a historic departure from the traditional portraits of statesmen and instead celebrated American industry and progress with the image of a steam locomotive.

SKU: SN-US-114-1 Categories: , Tags: , , , , , , Brand:

Description

Here is the celebrated 3¢ Locomotive stamp from the 1869 Pictorial Issue, cataloged as Scott #114. Issued in ultramarine, this design marked a historic departure from the traditional portraits of statesmen and instead celebrated American industry and progress with the image of a steam locomotive.

The 1869 Pictorials were the first U.S. stamps to break with convention, featuring trains, ships, and historical vignettes. The 3¢ denomination paid the domestic letter rate, making it one of the most widely used stamps of its era. Collectors value it as an iconic representation of 19th-century postal history and American expansion.

Details:

  • Issue Date: 1869

  • Denomination: 3 cents

  • Design: Locomotive, facing left, ornate frame with “POSTAGE” at top

  • Color: Ultramarine (faded from age and use)

  • Scott Catalogue #: 114a

  • Condition: Used; moderate wear, 3 margins, some discoloration and rough perfs; star cancel faintly visible. Despite minor flaws, retains its classic 19th-century character.

  • Grill: G type

Philatelic Significance:
The 1869 issue holds a special place in U.S. philately, being the first multi-design set and often considered the beginning of thematic collecting. The 3¢ Locomotive, in particular, is a favorite among collectors of railway on stamps, classic U.S. issues, and those interested in the evolution of American postage.