Continental Bank Note Company did not add its ‘secret mark’ to the 90-cent Perry printing plate created by National Bank Note Company. Instead, as with the 30-cent Hamilton, it chose ink color as its distinguishing characteristic. To say that this stamp is mostly easily differentiated by its color is almost a misuse of the word 'easily'. The color variance is that minor. As the major colors listed, NBNCo had used carmine; CBNCo used rose carmine.
As the subject of a 90-cent stamp, Oliver H. Perry was the first and only individual depicted who had not served a president of the United States. Further, of all United States stamps 1847-present, he was the only non-president portrayed on a 90-cent stamp.
The 90-cent Perry was mostly used in combination with other denominations to fulfill expensive rates. Approximately 197,000 stamps of this issue were printed by Continental Bank Note Company.
Glossary
