3c Francis Parkman Stamp (1967): How to Identify It
3c Francis Parkman, Prominent Americans Series (1965-1978), issued 1967-09-16: design, perforation, printing and 4 varieties to check, with the issue notes quoted from stamp references and USPS.
At a glance
- Denomination: 3c
- Series: Prominent Americans Series (1965-1978)
- Issued: 1967-09-16
- First-day city: Boston, MA
- Scott catalog number: 1281
- Printing: Rotary press
- Color: Violet
How to recognize the 3c Francis Parkman stamp
- Subject: American historian Francis Parkman, born September 16, 1823, in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Color: violet.
Varieties to check
The same design was issued in more than one form. Which one you have changes the catalog listing:
- Horizontal perf 10 (Scott 1297, 1975): A later printing with horizontal perforation gauge 10 rather than the original's perforation.
- Tagged imperf error (Scott 1297a): A misperforated (imperforate) error found on tagged paper.
- Precancel (Scott 1297b): Carries printed cancellation bars applied before mailing.
- Untagged imperf error (Scott 1297c): A misperforated (imperforate) error found on untagged paper, distinguishing it from the tagged imperf error (1297a).
Checks that apply to any U.S. definitive
- Measure the perforations with a gauge; the same design often exists in two or three gauges, and that is usually what separates the common one from the scarce one.
- Sheet, coil or booklet: coils have two straight edges on opposite sides; booklet panes have one or two straight edges from the pane edge.
- Tagging: hold it under a longwave UV lamp; tagged and untagged printings of the same design are listed separately.
- Condition (centering, gum, cancel) is a separate question from identification.
How to photograph it for identification
Lay the stamp flat on a dark background in daylight, fill the frame, and keep the phone parallel so the perforations are not distorted. Photograph the back too if there is a watermark or gum question. The app reads the design and denomination; the perforation and tagging checks above settle which listing it is.
FAQ
When was the 3c Francis Parkman stamp issued?
1967-09-16, first day in Boston, MA, as part of the Prominent Americans Series (1965-1978).
How do I know it is the 1967 Francis Parkman and not another one?
Subject: American historian Francis Parkman, born September 16, 1823, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Are there different versions of the 3c Francis Parkman stamp?
Yes. Horizontal perf 10 (Scott 1297, 1975): A later printing with horizontal perforation gauge 10 rather than the original's perforation. The page lists 4 in total.
Is my copy worth anything?
This page identifies the stamp; it does not price it. Most definitives were printed in the hundreds of millions, so what matters is which variety you have and its condition. Identify it here first, then use the varieties list to see if you have one of the scarcer printings.
Related
Sources
- https://www.mysticstamp.com/1281-1967-3c-prominent-americans-francis-parkman/
- https://www.mysticstamp.com/1297-1975-3c-prominent-americans-francis-parkman-horizontal-perf-10/
- https://www.mysticstamp.com/1297a-1975-3c-prominent-americans-francis-parkman-tagged-imperf-error/
- https://www.mysticstamp.com/1297b-1975-3c-prominent-americans-francis-parkman-pre-cancel/
- https://www.mysticstamp.com/1297c-1975-3c-prominent-americans-francis-parkman-untagged-imperf-error/
Updated 2026-09-11.