diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-8.txt | 8634 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 132341 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 208261 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h/35566-h.htm | 12148 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h/images/bracketleft.jpg | bin | 0 -> 681 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h/images/bracketright.jpg | bin | 0 -> 731 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h/images/frontispieceportrait.jpg | bin | 0 -> 49266 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h/images/i61.jpg | bin | 0 -> 8161 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566-h/images/pointer.jpg | bin | 0 -> 1064 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566.txt | 8634 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 35566.zip | bin | 0 -> 132349 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
14 files changed, 29432 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35566-8.txt b/35566-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2082b41 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8634 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the United +States of America, by John Kerr Tiffany + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America + +Author: John Kerr Tiffany + +Release Date: March 13, 2011 [EBook #35566] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF POSTAGE STAMPS OF U.S.A. *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Christine Aldridge and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +1. Passages in italics are surrounded by _underscores_. + Passages in Decorative Fonts are surrounded by =equals=. + Superscripted numbers are preceded by a ^carat. Multiple + superscripted numbers are surrounded by curly brackets {1 2}. + +2. Corrections from the "Errata" page have been incorporated into this + e-text. + +3. Horizontal tables exceeding the width of this e-text have been + reformatted to fit vertically. + +4. Additional Transcriber's Notes are located at the end of this e-text. + + + + +[Illustration: PORTRAIT OF J. K. TIFFANY.] + + + + +HISTORY OF THE + +=POSTAGE STAMPS= + +OF THE + +UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + +BY JOHN K. TIFFANY, + +Author of THE PHILATELICAL LIBRARY, +President of the American Philatelic Association and of the St. Louis +Philatelic Society. Honorary Member of the Philatelic Society of London. +Corresponding Member of the Societe Francaise de Timbrologie, the +Societies of Dresden, Wurtemburg, Etc. + + +1887: +C. H. MEKEEL, PHILATELIC PUBLISHER, +ST. LOUIS, MO. + + +Copyrighted by J. K. Tiffany. 1886. +All Rights Reserved. + + + + +=CONTENTS.= + + + PORTRAIT OF J. K. TIFFANY (Frontispiece). + PREFACE 9 + INTRODUCTION 13 + Chapter I, U. S. City Dispatch Post 19 + " II, Uniform Postage 23 + " III, Postmaster's Stamps 26 + " IV, Stamp of the N. Y. Postmaster 29 + " V, Stamps of the St. Louis " 36 + " VI, Stamp of the Brattleboro " 48 + " VII, Stamp of the New Haven " 51 + " VIII, Stamps of the Providence " 54 + " IX, Stamp of the Alexandria " 60 + " X, Stamps of the Baltimore " 62 + " XI, Stamp of the Millbury " 65 + " XII, Stamped Env. of Wash'n " 67 + " XIII, Stamps of the Phila'lphia " 69 + " XIV, Stamp of the Worcester " 70 + " XV, Stamp of the Pittsfield " 71 + " XVI, Observations 72 + " XVII, The Issue of 1847 74 + " XVIII, The Issue of 1851 81 + " XIX, The Issue of 1857 110 + " XX, The Issue of 1861 122 + " XXI, The Issue of 1867-9 137 + " XXII, The Issue of 1869 144 + " XXIII, The Issue of 1870 158 + " XXIV, Postage Due Stamps 198 + " XXV, Special Delivery Stamp 204 + " XXVI, Newspaper and Periodical St'ps 209 + " XXVII, Official Stamps 227 + " XXVIII, Official Seals 249 + " XXIX, Reprints 254 + INDEX 267 + PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCEMENTS 275 + + + + +=ERRATA.= + + +Page 96, 3d line from top, for _25_c lilac read _24_ cents. + +Page 102 in lines 5, 6, 7 and 8 from bottom in last column for F^2 G^2 +H^2 I^2 read F^4 G^4 H^4 I^4. + +Page 103 in lines 16 to 20 in second column for S^2 T^2 U^2 V^2 W^2 read +S^3 T^3 U^3 V^3 W^3. + +Page 104 5th line from bottom, omit _u_ in "prolongued." + +Page 143, 9th line from top for "_follows_" read "_above_." + +Page 144, last line supply "_test of_" in the blank. + +Page 196, 4th line from top for (") read "_cochineal_." + +Page 196, 6th line from top, for "_12 cents_" read "_15 cents_." + + + + +PREFACE. + + +In seeking for information concerning the postage stamps of the United +States, we shall turn in vain to sources which have furnished, in other +countries, such accurate details in regard to the stamps issued by their +postal authorities, for the stamps authorized by the United States Post +Office Department are not manufactured by the government, and there is +no "stamp office" to authenticate each plate, and register the number of +sheets made from it, and no edict, proclamation or law informs the +public of the values authorized for use, or of the designs, or other +peculiarities of the stamps to be employed. The Postmaster General is +authorized, in general terms of the law, to provide such stamps as he +may, from time to time, judge most convenient and expedient for the +collection of the postal rates fixed by other laws, and is required to +have them manufactured by those who, under general provisions of other +laws regulating all government work, offer to do it at the lowest +price. + +The proposals for such work and the contracts made with the parties +successful in the competition, reserve the right to the Postmaster +General to change the values, designs, etc., from time to time as he may +judge expedient, and specify nothing as to these particulars, while they +are very specific as to the quality of the work, and the precautions to +be observed in the manufacture, to prevent pecuniary loss to the +Department. A government official inspects the work in order that it may +conform in quality to the contract, and the records are kept of the +number of stamps of each value made and turned over to the Department, +without further specifications. In a word, no record is preserved of how +many stamps of any particular design, paper, water-mark, perforation or +other peculiarity, are made, or of the date of the adoption of any of +these things. Third Assistant Postmaster General Ireland, during his +term of office, once wrote "It has always surprised me that the +Department has never kept any official history of its stamps." Many of +these details might be gathered no doubt from the very voluminous +correspondence between the Department and the several contractors, if it +were accessible, but upon investigation it appears that many interesting +changes have been made upon mere verbal instructions. + +We shall have therefore to rely upon quite different sources for our +information. Fortunately the enterprise of collectors has probably +discovered all the varieties of the stamps themselves, and only a +careful study of them is necessary to their complete description. The +materials upon which the present work is based were gathered together +mostly as accident threw them into the hands of the author, from time to +time, without any attempt at systematic research or arrangement, until +at the request of J. B. Moens, of Brussells, they were arranged to form +a volume of his "Bibliotheque Des Timbrophiles." The annual reports of +the Postmaster General have furnished some points of interest directly +and many inferentially; the circulars notifying postmasters of the more +important changes, a nearly complete file of which has been consulted, +have been a great guide; while frequently very interesting details have +been extracted from the files of contemporaneous daily papers; and the +published results of the researches of such indefatigable investigators +as Messrs. Bagg, Brown and Scott, in the Philatelical Press, and the +articles of Cosmopolitan and Scott have been freely drawn upon. Many +large collections have been kindly submitted for inspection, in +particular those of Messrs Van Derlip, Sterling and Casey, and thus we +are able to describe every stamp and essay from actual specimens, except +in a few instances specially noted. While there may be possible +omissions, the reader may feel assured of the existence of everything +described. + +Frequent demands for the translation of the French work have led to the +present publication. But as that work was prepared to conform to the +general plan of the works compiled for the series of M. Moens' +Bibliotheque, it contained many things, concerning the history and +customs of the post office of the United States, which the American +collector is supposed to know, and omitted some details concerning the +part played by various collectors and dealers in finding out the +particulars of the history of certain stamps and like matters, which it +was thought might be interesting to our home collectors, but which the +impersonal character of the French Series made it advisable to omit in +the original compilation. + +The entire work has been therefore largely recast in the hope of making +it more acceptable to American collectors, and in several instances +comments have been made upon stamps that were not mentioned in the +French edition, in order to correct certain erroneous views entertained +concerning them in this country, which it was supposed was sufficiently +accomplished by their omission in the other series. + +_St. Louis, August, 1886._ + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In 1676 John Heyward, by the authority of General Court of the Colony of +Massachusetts, established his postal system with its office in Boston. +In 1683 the government of Penn established a postal system for the +Colony of Pennsylvania. In 1700 Col. J. Hamilton organized "his postal +establishment for British America" including all the English colonies, +but soon after disposed of his right to the English crown. In 1710 the +English Parliament established by law the first governmental postal +system with the general office at New York, which continued until in +1776 the Continental Congress adopted and set in action the postal +system proposed by Franklin, who was appointed the first Postmaster +General. The first law of the Federal Congress continued this system in +operation as sufficient for the public wants, but the postal service was +not finally settled until the act of 1792. + +This law (1792) liked a tariff which with unimportant changes remained +in force until the adoption of the system of Uniform Postage in the +United States. Single, double and triple letters were charged 8, 16 and +24 cents respectively when sent to other countries, and four cents plus +the internal postage when arriving from foreign countries. The internal +postage between offices in the United States was 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 20, +22 and 25 cents for distances of 30, 60, 100, 150, 200, 250, 350, or 400 +miles respectively for single letters, and double, triple, etc., this +for double, triple, etc., letters. A single letter was defined by the +law to be a single sheet or piece of paper, a double letter, two sheets +or pieces of paper, etc., etc. + +The following acts of Congress may be consulted with advantage by those +curious with regard to the Post Office before the introduction of +stamps. + + I Congress. I Session. Chap. 16, Sept., 1789 + I " II " " 36, Aug., 1790 + I " III " " 23, March, 1791 + II " I " " 27, Feb., 1792 + III " I " " 23, 8 May, 1794 + V " III " " 41, 2 March, 1799 + XI " II " " 37, 30 April, 1810 + XIII " III " " 16, 23 Dec., 1814 + XIV " I " " 7, 1 Feb., 1815 + XIV " I " " 43, 9 April, 1816 + XIX " II " " 61, 3 March, 1825 + XX " I " " 61, 3 March, 1827 + XXVII " II " " 43, 2 March, 1845 + +The earliest letters which we have seen, consist of single sheets of +paper folded and addressed upon the sheet. An envelope would have +subjected them to double postage. They are penmarked with the name of +the mailing office, the date occasionally, the amount of the postage +paid or due, generally in simple figures, sometimes with the word +"cents" in full or abbreviated, added. Gradually, hand stamps were +introduced. At first the name of the mailing office in a simple frame, +generally circular, the month and day being still written in with a pen, +and the amount of postage written as before. A further improvement +appears later on in the introduction of the month and day as part of the +hand stamp. The word "paid" or "due," the amount of postage in figures +or with "cents," either written or hand stamped, always added. And +finally all the marks are included in one hand stamp. + +There was evidently no uniformity of practice, except the general +requirement that the name of the mailing office, the month and day, and +the amount of postage should in some form be marked on the letter. +Improvements seem generally to have originated in the larger offices, +but smaller offices sometimes took the lead in enterprise. An +improvement once adopted does not seem always to have been adhered to; +letters mailed at the same office on the same day and differently marked +may be frequently found in old files. The hand stamps seem to have been +obtained by the several offices for themselves, as there is no +uniformity of style. + +Some of these hand stamps are curious enough to warrant a brief +description, and it would be difficult to lay down a rule which would +distinguish some of them from the stamps we admit to our albums. + +A letter mailed at Philadelphia in 1825, bears an octagonal hand stamp +with a double lined frame and the words "Phila. 20 Jan." in three +lines, a second similar but smaller hand stamp with the word "Paid," and +the figures "26" written with a pen, all in red ink. These seem to have +been regularly employed for several years. Other letters from the same +city mailed in 1845-6-7 and 8, bear a circular hand stamp, the name of +the City and State surrounding the edge, the month and day in the +center, a single line surrounding all, the amount of postage in large +numerals and the words "DUE" or "PAID" in a small oval are separately +hand stamped. Letters from Baltimore of the same dates bear a similar +circular hand stamp with name and date, the amount of postage in large +numerals in an oval, and sometimes the word "PAID" in large letters +without frame. Jacksonville, Ill., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Little Rock, +Ark., employed similar hand stamps at the same time. + +Louisville, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Boston and New York letters of the +same years have the same hand stamp with a numeral or numerals +indicative of the amount of postage added at the bottom within the +frame. When prepaid the word "PAID" was hand stamped below the other. + +Some New York, Boston and Philadelphia letters of the same dates bear +the same hand stamp with "5 cts," "10 cts," etc., in the lower margin +within the frame, the word "PAID" being separately hand stamped when the +letter was prepaid. Many western letters bear also the word "Steam 5" +hand stamped upon them. These hand stamps remained in use up to 1851 +when the rates were changed and appear even upon letters bearing the +adhesive stamps of the first issue. + +In 1851 when the rates were changed to 3 cents ordinary postage, and 1 +cent for drop letters, many of the same stamps appear with the figures +changed to 1 or 3, or to 1 ct., 3 cts., and 6 cts., Boston and +Petersburgh, Va., for example. A New York hand stamp of this period has +New York above, month and day in the middle and "PAID" and "3 cts" in +two more lines. + +A Philadelphia hand stamp has name above, month and day in one line, and +"3 cts" in another, in the center, and "PAID" in lower margin. + +Another, the ordinary dated postmark and a second circular stamp, nearly +as large, with the word "PAID" in large letters crossed by the numeral +"3" nearly an inch long. + +A Springfield letter has the ordinary dated postmark and a second hand +stamp nearly as large with a large numeral "3" above and "PAID" below. + +Cincinnati, Buffalo, Quincy, Ill., and others have the ordinary hand +stamp with the name above, month and day in the center and "3 PAID" +below. + +Another letter has a round hand stamp fully an inch in diameter with the +word "PAID" across the center crossed by a large outline "3." + +Another letter was hand stamped with a large "6" in an octagon double +frame and "PAID" separately hand stamped across it. + +The Cincinnati hand stamp also appears with "1 PAID" in the margin. + +New Orleans has the ordinary hand stamp and "PAID," "1" in two lines of +very large letters beneath. + +St. Louis, has the ordinary hand stamp, and another with "1 ct" in large +octagonal frame added. + +Many letters where the word "paid" appears in the dated stamp are also +separately hand stamped "PAID." Some of these letters bear also the 3 +and 1 ct. adhesives of the period. Those that indicate postage to be +paid differ from postage due stamps in no respect except that they are +not adhesive. Those that indicate postage prepaid correspond to many +other hand stamps in every thing except that they were applied after, +instead of before payment; but in some countries we have examples of +adhesive stamps applied in the same way. They are not beautiful but are +interesting relics of the old system. A number of similar stamps with +the words "Post Office" following the name of the town and "5 paid" have +passed through the hands of the compiler, but having been cut from the +letters the date could not be authenticated. These would appear to be +very similar in character to the adhesives issued by the postmasters of +some offices about the same time, and to many similar stamps used in the +early days of the Southern Confederacy. + + + + +I. + +UNITED STATES CITY DISPATCH POST. + + +Hardly had the discussion of Postal reform begun in England than the +subject was taken up in the United States. The daily press was full of +it. Pamphlets were distributed broadcast. In nearly every city, private +companies undertook to distribute mail matter at less than the +government rates. Some even carried letters from city to city. In +Congress, members related the expedients resorted to for sending letters +at a reduced rate. In New York, a certain A. M. Greig had established a +local delivery and employed an adhesive stamp, charging but two cents +when the government exacted three. Such competition greatly harassed the +department. The act of 1836 had authorized the Postmaster General to +establish a carrier system in such cities as he might think advisable. +Apparently with the view of disposing of Greig's post, Greig was made a +government officer. The following letter authorizing the postmaster at +New York to make the appointment was first published by the American +Journal of Philately. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + _Contract Office, August 1st, 1842_. + + Sir-- + + By an order made on Saturday, but journalized to-day, the + Postmaster General has established a letter carrier arrangement + for the City of New York to be called the "United States City + Despatch Post" for the conveyance of letters from one part of + the city to another subject to a charge on each letter of three + cents, under the 20th section of the Act of 1836, and authorizes + you to employ Alex. M. Greig, nominated by you as letter + carrier, other carriers are to be appointed from time to time as + may be required, and you are requested to nominate for that + purpose. And you are also authorized to obtain the necessary + fixtures, pouches, boxes, labels, stamps, etc, at not exceeding + $1,200.00 for the whole and to appoint a clerk to superintend + said establishment at not exceeding $1,000 per annum. You will + be pleased to report the date of commencement of this arrangement. + + Very respectfully, + Your obedient servant, + S. R. HOBBIE, + _First Ass't P. M. General_. + + JOHN LORIMER GRAHAM, + _Postmaster, New York_. + +In another number of the same paper we have the text of the following +notice concerning the same post. + + UNITED STATES CITY DISPATCH POST. + + Hours of delivery every day (Sundays excepted) at the principal + office, upper P. O. Park and lower P. O. Merchants Exchange. + + Letters deposited before 8, 12, 3 and at the stations before 7, + 11 and 2 will be sent out for delivery at 9, 1 and 4. + + Letters to be sent free must have a free stamp attached to them, + which can be purchased at the upper and lower Post Offices and + at all the stations. The charge will be 36 cents per dozen, 2 + dols. 50 cents per hundred. All letters intended to be sent + forward to the General Post Office for the inland mails must + have a free stamp attached to them. Letters not having a free + stamp will be charged 3 cents on delivery. + + JOHN LORIMER GRAHAM, P. M. + _New York, June, 1843._ + +The stamp issued and used by this post was known in an early day and is +catalogued in Kline's Manual 1862, but its true history was unknown +until the publication of the above document. It is a stamp probably +alone of its kind. Any one familiar with the law of 1836 will see that +the Postmaster General widely exceeded the authority conferred on him as +it would be construed to day in making the "arrangement" under the power +to provide a carrier system. The labels and stamps mentioned in the +letter quoted were probably however, not intended to include the postage +stamp actually issued, as these terms are used in various documents, +reports, etc., of the period to designate quite different articles, the +"stamps" being invariably the hand stamps such as we have already +described. But whatever may have been intended by the letter, the law +did not confer any authority upon the Postmaster General to issue or +authorize the issue of the stamp and undertake to insist on its use. It +certainly has no more character than the hand stamps already described, +but is none the less interesting or worthy of preservation on this +account. It was probably employed because the public had seen and +appreciated the utility of the adhesive stamp, by its employment by the +local or private posts, in advance of the official adoption of the +system. + + +NEW YORK. + +ISSUE OF AUGUST, 1842. + +Portrait of President Washington turned ¾ to the right on plain oval, +enclosed by plain oval band bounded within and without by two colored +lines and inscribed: _United States City Despatch Post_ *_Three Cents_*, +the lower legend separated from the upper by a star on each side; +rectangular frame of two colored lines, corners filled with rayed +ornaments between frame and oval. + +Plate impression 18 by 22 mm., in black on colored paper. + + 3 cents, black on violet. + 3 " " " brown. + 3 " " " green. + 3 " " " blue glazed. + + + + +II. + +UNIFORM POSTAGE. + + +The "arrangement" put in operation in New York does not seem to have +been a great success for it was not extended to other cities, and local +posts continued to flourish and do the work at less than the government +rates. The demand for better service and lower rates, for "reform" as it +was called grew louder and louder, until the Postmaster General in his +report dated November 25th, 1844, recommended to Congress a reduced +uniform rate according to distance and weight. Stamps were recommended +but only for use on foreign letters. + +The bill which was introduced in Congress in pursuance of this +recommendation provided, it is said, both for obligatory prepayment and +the use of postage stamps. But there was great hesitation in adopting +the English system in the United States; the conditions were considered +to be so different; the distances were so great that a greater rate was +necessary; the country was so new that the risk from counterfeiting was +much greater; the custom was not to prepay letters, and custom is +stronger than law. Such and like objections were raised and the law +passed without adopting prepayment by stamp, but the great principle of +the reform, uniform rate by distance and weight was adopted. The only +portion of the law that is of interest here is the following section of +the Statutes of the United States, XXVIII Congress, II Session, XLIII +Chapter, approved March 30, 1845. + + "From and after the first day of July next, members of Congress + and Delegates from Territories may receive letters not exceeding + two ounces in weight, free of postage during the recess of + Congress anything to the contrary in this act notwithstanding; + and the same franking privilege which is granted by this act to + the members of the two Houses of Congress, is hereby extended to + the Vice President of the United States; and in lieu of the + rates of postage now established by law, there shall be charged + the following rates, viz: For every single letter in manuscript + or paper of any kind by or upon which information shall be asked + for or communicated in writing or by marks or signs, conveyed in + the mail, for any distance under three hundred miles, five + cents: and for any distance over three hundred miles, ten cents: + and for a double letter there shall be charged double these + rates: and for a treble letter treble these rates: and for a + quadruple letter quadruple these rates: and every letter or + parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be deemed a + single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or + additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged + with an additional single postage. + + And all drop letters, or letters placed in any post office, not + for transmission through the mail, but for delivery only, shall + be charged with postage at the rate of two cents each." + +The newspaper rate was one cent within one hundred miles and one and a +half cents for a greater distance, for all newspapers not exceeding a +certain size, and two cents for each sheet over that size, and two cents +for all hand bills and circulars per sheet, and two and a half cents for +all magazines and pamphlets. + + + + +III. + +POSTMASTER'S STAMPS. + + +Notwithstanding the failure of Congress to adopt postage stamps, and to +authorize the Postmaster General to issue them, and to provide an +appropriation for their manufacture, public attention had been drawn to +the advantages of the system, and the convenience, to the business +community particularly, of mailing and receiving letters at hours when +the post office or business houses were closed. The question as to +whether the Postmaster General might not issue postage stamps on his own +authority was raised and officially decided in the negative, although +the Postmaster General himself favored their use. The postmasters in +several places however undertook to meet the public demand by having +stamps prepared on their own responsibility, paying the expense of +manufacture themselves and selling them to the public at a sufficient +advance on the postal rates, to cover the cost of engraving and +printing. In some cases the matter was brought to the attention of the +Postmaster General and he saw no objection to the arrangement; in +others the whole affair seems to have passed without any attention being +paid to it by the Department. In fact it was a mere contract between the +postmaster and the purchaser of his stamps, that when a letter bearing +one of his stamps was mailed at his office, it should be treated as if +the money were handed in with it. No postmaster recognized the stamp of +any post office but his own. A letter adorned with a New York stamp +mailed at the St. Louis office would have been treated as unpaid. A New +York stamp was recognized only at the New York office, and a St. Louis +stamp only at the St. Louis office. When a letter bearing a stamp was +mailed _at the office that issued the stamp_, and accepted as prepaid, +the contract between the postmaster and the purchaser of the stamp was +fulfilled, the postmaster had to account to the government for the +amount of the postage as if he had received it with the letter. The +Department had nothing to do with the fact that the stamp had been +actually paid for at another time or with its existence at all. +Examination at several of these offices show that there was no stamp +account kept in the records of the office. Such letters were treated +exactly as letters were, on which the postage was either paid in money +or charged in the open accounts which the postmaster chose to keep with +the commercial houses. It was marked "Paid." The stamp had no +significance at any other office, except as the mark or stamp indicating +the amount charged, always put on letters at that date, but the word +"paid" was recognized by every office. The letter was entered as a paid +letter on the way bill, and was treated as prepaid, not because of the +stamp, but because the forwarding office treated it as prepaid. + +It has been thought necessary to define the exact character of these +stamps with some exactness, and at the risk of some re-iteration, +because their true character seems to be little understood. They had no +official sanction whatever, because no official had any authority to +sanction them. It was a mere arrangement between the individual +postmaster and the public for their mutual accommodation. + +Such stamps were issued at New York, St. Louis, Brattleboro, New Haven, +Providence, Alexandria, Baltimore, Millbury and probably other places. +Although not governmental or official stamps, they are none the less +interesting or valuable mementoes. They show how determined the public +were to have the postage stamp, and their history shows how the Public +Will compelled the government to adopt the postage stamp in spite of the +supposed difficulties in the way. + + + + +IV. + +STAMP OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER. + + +The stamp issued by the postmaster of New York was chronicled in the +earliest American Catalogue, (Kline, 1862,) but its true character was +not established until the resuscitation and republication in the +communications of the author of this work to the Philatelist and Le +Timbre Poste, in 1873-4, of the following articles from contemporaneous +newspapers. + +The Express of New York in its issue of July 1st, 1845, contains an +editorial mentioning, that the Act of March 3rd, 1845, went into force +on the day of publication, and a report of the meeting of the Cheap +Postage Association. In its issue of July 7th, 1845, the same paper +published as part of its Washington correspondence, the following: + + _Washington, July 2nd._ + + It was suggested in New York to Mr. Morris, your postmaster, + that he might accommodate the public very much by selling + stamped envelopes, as the law does not authorize the sale of + stamps on the English plan. When he was here he laid the subject + before the Postmaster General, who has to-day decided that he + may do this. The envelopes are to be marked with the amount of + postage thereon, say 5 or 10 or more cents as the case may be, + and the initials of the postmaster are to be superadded, and + then the envelopes can be sold. The object is to facilitate the + payment of prepaid letters. Postmasters can interchange + envelopes whenever they can agree to do so among themselves. + +In the issue of the next day (Express, July 8th) appeared the following +editorial: + + FREE STAMPED ENVELOPES. When the Bill for Cheap Postage was + before Congress, it contained a clause authorizing the sale of + stamps on the English system. The provision was however stricken + out, leaving the public only the old method of prepaying letters + during the business hours of the Post Office. A suggestion was + made to our new Postmaster, Mr. Morris, that the public + convenience would be very much promoted if he would sell + envelopes which would pass free through his office. By this + measure letters could be sent at any hour of the night to the + post office and the postage paid, where the writer desires it, + by enclosing it in a free envelope. The postmaster proposed to + sell stamps at five cents each, but this not having been + sanctioned by Congress, we should think would not be the best + way, and as the public convenience demands something of the + kind, we are glad to learn that he has prepared envelopes of the + kind referred to, some of which we have seen. They are marked + "Five Cents," and under these words is the name "R. H. Morris." + For letters over one ounce they are marked according to the Post + Office Rates in the same way. These envelopes will be sold by + the Postmaster at six and a quarter cents each, or sixteen for a + dollar of the common kind and common size. This will be as + cheap or cheaper than they can be bought in small quantities at + the stationers. A thin envelope will contain two letters and be + subject only to a single postage. Envelopes of various sizes + will also be furnished and of fine quality when desired by the + purchaser. The plan we hear, has also been adopted by the + postmaster at Washington, D. C., and has met the approval of the + Postmaster General. We think it will add to the revenue of the + Department very considerably. + +From the preceding extract we should infer that envelopes marked in some +way "Five Cents," "R. H. Morris, P. M." had been issued and used at New +York, and possibly something of the kind at Washington. The latter would +be signed C. K. Gardner, P. M., but up to the present day none have been +found. They must have been prepared at New York at least, since the +editor of the Express claims to have seen them. They were probably made +by some of the New York hand stamps noted as current at this time, +leaving out the date and signed by the postmaster. + +Such an arrangement was clumsy and liable to abuse and could have had +but a short duration in so large an office as New York, and in the +Express of the 14th of July, 1845, appears another editorial as follows: + + Post Office Stamps. We would call the attention of merchants and + indeed all who pay postage, to the advertisement of the + postmaster, who offers to sell stamps of the value of five cents + each for the prepayment of letters. This is the cost of the + postage under 300 miles. The stamps should be generally adopted + as they will give additional facilities to business men, and + save them time in making change. The postmaster will receive + nothing for this trouble and his stamps beyond the profit of + lost stamps. The disposition of the postmaster to make the new + system popular merits the thanks of our citizens. + +In another column of the same paper appears the advertisement of the +postmaster referred to in the editorial. + + POST OFFICE, + _New York, July 14th. 1845_. + + The public is respectfully informed that the undersigned has + caused to be prepared stamps for the prepayment of postage, made + for five cents each, which will be sold in parcels of five and + upwards. To prevent counterfeits they will be sold only at this + office and the branch office. The public may therefore be + assured that any stamps which may be offered for sale at any + place other than the two post offices are spurious and will not + be considered as prepayment. + + (Signed.) Robert H. Morris, P. M. + + [Evening papers please copy.] + +Unfortunately these articles contain no description of the stamp issued, +and it will occur to those familiar with the process of engraving stamps +at that date, that the production of a stamp as elaborate as the stamp +known, in so short a time as elapsed between the date of the first and +last of these articles, was either a remarkable piece of work, or had +been commenced some time before. Possibly the stamps first issued were +not those known to collectors and have never been discovered. + +Be this as it may, the plate contained more than a single stamp. From +double copies that have passed through our hands, we have proof that it +consisted of at least eight different varieties, arranged in two +horizontal rows of four stamps each, differing in minute details and at +different distances apart. There may have been more, but this remains to +be verified. The stamp which appears to have occupied the upper left +hand corner of the sheet shows in each letter the outlines of the same +letters, engraved in black and a little lower down than the white ones, +as if the intention had originally been to have the value appear in +black on a white label. It is said that the plate is now in the +possession of the consolidated Bank Note Companies (American) of New +York. At any rate PROOFS were struck from it long after the stamp was +out of use, in various colors. + + +NEW YORK POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF JULY 14, 1845. + +Portrait of President Washington, faced ¾ to left in an oval, 19½ mm. +wide by 21½ mm. high, with a back ground of colored lines, crossed at +right angles and bordered by a colorless line. Solid colored label +bordered by a colorless line above and below the oval, inscribed in +colorless ordinary capitals, above "_Post Office_," below "_Five +Cents_." Foliated ornaments in the four corners, the upper enclosing +small colorless labels inscribed in small colored capitals "_New_," at +the left "_York_," at the right, the whole surrounded by a colored line +forming a rectangle. + +Engraved on copper at New York by Messrs. Rawden, Wright and Hatch. + +Plate impression 20½ by 28 mm., on slightly bluish paper. + + 5 cents black. + +In most of the catalogues this stamp has been described also, as on +white paper. Such specimens are shown, but they are produced by some +chemical action of the gum used to fasten them to letters, or of the +composition of the paper or other accidental causes. Specimens may be +also found of a buff color as if steeped in coffee, another changeling +produced by the action of strong gum. + +Each stamp is signed A. C. M. in red ink. They are generally cancelled +with a pen and blue ink, or by the word "Paid" hand stamped in red ink, +or by the dating stamp. + +There is another type of stamp said to have been issued by the +postmaster of New York in 1849. The design is two concentric circles, +the inner 13½, the outer 17½ mm. in diameter. In the center, "_One +Cent_" in two lines of ordinary colored capitals, about 2 mm. high. +Between the circles, above, "_U. S. Mail_;" below, "_Prepaid_" in +similar letters 2½ mm. high. They were printed in black on small squares +of rose colored paper, and afterwards on paper varying from bright +yellow to pale drab and generally glazed. + +This stamp was chronicled in Kline's Manual, first edition, 1862, as a +"Carrier Stamp," and has since been alternately considered a +governmental, or a local stamp. Upon what ground it is so confidently +asserted to have been issued by the New York postmaster, and its date +assigned to 1849, seems never to have been stated. It is certain however +that if it were issued prior to 1851, it did not prepay any authorized +government postage, and if issued after 1847, such an issue was +forbidden by law unless authorized by the Postmaster General. It is +hardly to be supposed that the postmaster of New York City would have +openly violated the law. The inscription, "U. S. Mail," does not prove +anything but probably means "prepaid to the U. S. Mail," and the stamp +is probably the issue of some of the local delivery companies. + + + + +V. + +STAMPS OF THE ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER. + + +Of all the stamps of this character, those issued by the St. Louis +Postmaster have been most discussed in the Philatelical Press. The ten +cents was first noticed in an article in the Stamp Collector's Magazine +in November, 1863, and the five cents was mentioned in Kline's Manual, +3rd edition, 1865. Mr. L. W. Durbin first mentioned the second die of +the 10 cents, Mr. Pemberton the second die of the 5 cents, and Mr. Scott +is entitled to the credit of discovering the third die of each. + +It is unnecessary to repeat the numerous discussions, pro and con, +concerning the authenticity of these stamps, since the present author +discovered, and republished in Le Timbre Poste, in May, 1873, the +following articles from contemporaneous daily papers, which leave no +further room for doubt concerning the two values, 5 and 10 cents. + + _Missouri Republican._ July 17th. 1845. + + "Free stamped envelopes. For the convenience of those who may + wish to prepay their packages at any hour of the night, Robert + H. Morris, the postmaster of New York, as we learn from the + Express, has prepared a variety of stamped envelopes. They are + marked five cents, ten cents, &c., and under these words is the + name R. H. Morris. The five cent envelopes will be sold by the + postmaster at 6¼ cents each, or 16 for a dollar of the common + kind and common size, and the others in proportion. This will be + as cheap as they can be bought in small quantities at the + stationers. A thin envelope will contain two letters and be + subject only to a single postage. Envelopes of various sizes + will also be furnished and of fine quality when desired by the + purchaser. The plan has also been adopted by the postmaster at + Washington and has met the approval of the Postmaster General. + We think it not only a convenience to the public but that it + will add to the revenue of the Department very considerably. The + above arrangement would be a great convenience to many persons. + Why should not the postmaster here adopt the same plan. We + believe the public generally would buy them." + +This article, although a mere repetition of the article of the Express, +and like that mentioning envelopes of New York and Washington which no +one has ever seen, contains at the end a reference which was evidently +the inspiration of the St. Louis postmaster to issue his stamps, for we +read in the Missouri Republican of November 5th, 1845, the following: + + "LETTER STAMPS. Mr. Wimer, the postmaster, has prepared a set of + letter stamps, or rather marks to put upon letters, indicating + that the postage has been paid. In this he has copied after the + plan adopted by the postmaster of New York and other cities. + These stamps are engraved to represent the Missouri Coat of + Arms, and are five and ten cents. They are so prepared that they + may be stuck upon a letter like a wafer and will prove a great + convenience to merchants and all those having many letters to + send post paid, as it saves all trouble of paying at the post + office. They will be sold as they are sold in the East, viz: + Sixteen five cent stamps and eight ten cent stamps for a dollar. + We would recommend merchants and others to give them a trial." + +And a few days later in the same paper of November 13th, 1845, we again +read: + + "Post Office Stamps. Mr. Wimer, the postmaster, requests us to + say that he will furnish nine ten cent stamps and eighteen five + cent stamps for one dollar, the difference being required to pay + for the printing of the stamps." + +The above articles contain nearly the whole history of the stamps of St. +Louis. We learn the name of the postmaster who had them made, (the name, +however is incorrectly spelled) their use and price, the date and object +of their issue. A thorough search of all the files preserved, of the +daily papers published in St. Louis from January, 1845, to December, +1848, resulted in no further discoveries concerning them. + + +ST. LOUIS POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 5th, 1845. + +Arms of the State of Missouri. A round shield parted per pale; on the +dexter side, gules (red or vertically lined ground), the grizzly bear +of Missouri, passant guardant, proper; on a chief engrailed azure +(horizontally lined), a crescent argent; on the sinister side, argent, +the arms of the United States, (the stamp is dotted or gold) the whole +with a band inscribed "United we stand, divided we fall" (The buckle +below on the left, in the 5 cents, should be omitted). Supporters on +each side, a grizzly bear of Missouri, proper; rampant guardant, +standing on a scroll inscribed "Salus Populi Suprema lex esto." Above, +the value is expressed in large outline numerals, ornamented and shaded. +In the corners "_Saint_" and "_Louis_" with numerous flourishes. Below +the arms "_Post Office_" in large ordinary capitals. The whole in a +rectangular frame of a thin and thick colored line. + +Engraved on copper by J. M. Kershaw, at St. Louis. The plate consisted +of six stamps, three of each value, and was delivered to Mr. Wymer, and +is said to have been lost with other of his effects during the war. The +engraver thinks he printed about 500 sheets, at three different times, +upon such paper as he happened to have at hand, and that as the plate +deteriorated easily, he probably retouched it slightly each time in +parts, before printing. He denies positively the possibility of the +figures upon the twenty cent value being his work. These are all the +facts he can now vouch for, and states that many of the statements from +time to time attributed to him "were the ideas of his interviewers, who +tried to refresh his recollection and may have mixed him up." + +Plate Impression in black upon three qualities of bluish paper, 3 +varieties of each value. + + 5 cents, black 17½ by 22½ mm. + 10 cents, black 18½ by 22½ mm. + +These stamps are printed on a rather thick greenish blue paper, on a +thinner grey-blue paper, and on a very thin greyish paper, which agrees +with the recollection of the engraver that he printed three different +lots of them. A pair is also known on a coffee colored paper. They were +taken from buff envelopes, and are undoubtedly discolored by the action +of the paper or gum. Those on white paper have been made so by chemical +action. + +The varieties may be thus distinguished: + +FIVE CENTS. The dashes in the corners form a sort of triangular +ornament, or branch. The letters are block capitals, shaded by a fine +line. There are no lines or dashes under "_Post Office_." + +_First Variety._ (_a_) The buckle on the garter has the point and tongue +turned up to the left. + +(_b_) There are six dashes above "_Saint_," and eight above "_Louis_," +of which the top and bottom ones on each side are long strokes. + +(_c_) One long and two short lines and a speck under "_Saint_," and one +long and three short lines under "_Louis_." + +(_d_) A long diamond in top of numeral, and a mis-shapened diamond in +the bow of the numeral, with four dots above and nine below it, and a +dot in the ball of the numeral. + +(_e_) The bear in the shield is on a vertically lined ground. + +_Second Variety._ (_a_) The buckle has the tongue and point turned down +to the right. + +(_b_) There are eleven dashes above "_Saint_," and ten above "_Louis_," +one of which cuts the frame on the right. + +(_c_) One long and two short lines, a dot, and a horizontal stroke below +"_Saint_," one very long, and three short lines under "_Louis_," two +above and two below the level of the bear's ear. + +(_d_) A triangle in the top of the numeral, and a diamond in the bow of +the numeral, with four dots above and nine below the latter. No dot in +the ball of the numeral. The right end of the scroll is double, and +touches the frame. + +(_e_) The bear is on a vertically lined ground. + +_Third Variety._ (_a_) The buckle has the point turned down to the +right. + +(_b_) There are twelve lines above "_Saint_," and seventeen above +"_Louis_." + +(_c_) There are one long and three short lines under "_Saint_," and one +long and two short lines and a dot under "_Louis_," the latter on a line +between the ear and eye of the bear. + +(_d_) A diamond in the top of the 5, and an upright diamond in the back, +with eleven dots below and four dots above it. + +(_e_) The bear is on a ground lined horizontally above and vertically +below. + +Mr. Pemberton thinks, from a fine clear copy he had seen, that for some +reason the numeral of this variety had been originally engraved as a 1. +He says there is a thin line to the right of the down stroke of the 5, +three small dots in a curve to the right of the diamond in the top of +the 5, and two small dots, one over the other to the left of the +diamond. + +_Fourth Variety._[A] Mr. Pemberton describes a fourth type of the Five +cents which he claims is a restoration of the second variety, from which +one variety of the 20 cents was made by alteration. + +(_a_) The buckle has the point turned down to the right. + +(_b_) There are eleven dashes above "_Saint_," and ten above "_Louis_." + +(_c_) There are four lines under "_Saint_," and three long and two short +lines under "_Louis_," the last on a level with the bear's ear. + +(_d_) A diamond in the top, and a long diamond in the back of 5, with +four dots over and four dots under the latter. Coarser shading around +the figure, and a curved vertical line at the back of the bow, being +part of the 0 of 20 badly erased. + +(_e_) Bear on a vertically lined ground. The two lines of the frame +above Louis bulged. + + [A] NOTE.--Without examining the specimen from which Mr. + Pemberton described, it is impossible to say that it may not be + one of the retouches which Mr. Kershaw thinks he made. + +TEN CENTS. The words "_Saint_," and "_Louis_" are in small, colored, +ordinary capitals, unshaded. There is a long flourish curved upwards +over each word. It seems to have been intended to have a point with a +short dash on each side of it, above each of these, with a second long +flourish curved upwards and then brought down round the end of the word, +and continued as a flourish under them, but the details are different in +the several types. The numerals are ornamented by a diamond in the +middle of each down stroke, with three dots, above and below each +diamond, except in type one, which has only two dots below the diamond +in the 1. + +The following varieties will be noticed: + +_First Variety._ The point and right dash, between the corner flourishes +on both sides, usually missing, and the upper flourish does not come +distinctly round the right hand word. + + 3 lines beneath "Post Office." + 5 " " "Saint." + 4 " " "Louis." + +_Second Variety._ The point and right dash, between the flourishes in +the right hand corner, gone, and the upper flourish, does not come round +the right hand word distinctly. + + 3 lines beneath "Post Office," with a smaller stroke over each. + 4 lines beneath "Saint." + 4 " " "Louis." + +_Third Variety._ The point between the dashes, between the flourishes on +the left, missing. + + 3 lines beneath "Post Office," with a smaller stroke over each, + and dots between them. + 3 lines and 2 dots beneath "Saint." + 4 " 1 " " "Louis." + +Mr. Pemberton at one time chronicled a fourth variety of this value +also, but could not afterward identify it. Indeed the impressions show +great variation from the intended design in the corner flourishes, which +seem to have been engraved too fine in parts. + +TWENTY CENTS. While the author and many others do not believe the twenty +cent value to be genuine, in deference to such authorities as Messrs. +Scott and Pemberton, who accept the few specimens known, they are here +described. In the American Journal of Philately, of January, 1870, Mr. +Scott, after describing the three varieties each of the 5 and 10 cents +for the first time, mentions the 20 cent value as a new discovery. +Comparing the three specimens, he says: Two are exactly alike, and have +evidently been altered from variety three, above described, while the +third is different, having evidently been altered from variety two. At a +later date he mentions a fourth specimen. Five specimens are all that +have ever been chronicled, we believe. + +Mr. Pemberton describes the first three more at length, in a paper in +the Stamp Collector's Magazine, for January, 1871. He says he had before +him 13 stamps of the 5 cent value, and 12 of the 10 cents, but he does +not state how many he had of the 20 cents, but that 10 of the 25 +specimens were lent him from America. The American Journal, for +January, 1871, however, says he had the three known specimens of the 20 +cents. The theory of his article is that the twenty cents was made by +erasing the numerals, and of course incidentally other surrounding parts +of the varieties two and three, of the five cent value on the plate, and +engraving the numerals 20, printing that value and afterwards erasing +the 20 and replacing the five. It is also the theory of the article that +this was done with all three varieties of the 3 cents, although the +author had seen only two varieties of the 20 cents, and only one +specimen of the 5 cents, which he could torture into a re-engraving. He +alters the arrangement of varieties of Mr. Scott, to which we prefer to +adhere, and thus describes them: + +_Variety One_, from variety three of the five cents. + +One long and one short line under "_Saint_." Half of each of the +original top strokes and the third stroke under "_Louis_" being erased, +but the dot left. The inner line of the frame erased from the T to L, +and a smaller portion of the outer frame above erased also. + +_Variety Two_, from variety two of the five cents. Four strokes under +"_Saint_," but bolder and closer than the original, the vertical stroke +over the left bear's paw nearly erased. + +Four strokes under "_Louis_," but deeper and more regular, the third +stroke downwards on a level with the bear's ear. L of "Louis" has been +re-engraved. Bear's paw on the garter erased. + +The inner line of frame half erased between "_Saint_," and "_Louis_." + +It remains to be added that the numerals are, in both these varieties, +very badly drawn, single lined and solid, instead of open and +ornamented, and are shaded by miserably drawn irregular horizontal fine +lines of uneven length, totally different from the figures in the other +two values. + +It is both impracticable and useless to attempt to repeat here all the +arguments for and against the authenticity of these specimens. It is +claimed that they were found in the same file of letters with the +greater part of the specimens of the other values known. That the rate +they indicate was a regular rate upon heavy letters from St. Louis to +New York, and that many letters so marked that do not bear stamps, were +found in the same and other files; that there are no traces of erasure +of the 5 by scratching, and the paper is no thinner under the numerals +than elsewhere. This seems to be the substance of what can be said in +their favor. + +On the other hand they are not alluded to in the notices published in +the Republican, above quoted, or elsewhere; the engraver is positive +that he did not alter the values; says that he retained the plate until +after Mr. Wyman had ceased to be postmaster, which was at least two +years after the stamps were prohibited by law, and that the workmanship +of the numerals could not possibly be his, and would be a disgrace to +any engraver; the figures are apparently made by an unskilled hand with +an ordinary pen and ink; competent authorities in such matters state +that it is possible to remove printing ink from paper; three of the +known specimens have been photographed, two of one variety and one of +another; in all the numerals differ, those of the two varieties +mentioned by Mr. Scott as corresponding, vary as much as the two from +different varieties of the five cents. While it is true that a portion +of the inner line of the frame is gone between Saint and Louis, and that +the strokes are bolder beneath these words on one variety, it is not +apparent that they are nearer together, or of different shape as Mr. +Pemberton thought, or that the L of "Louis" has been re-engraved. The +absent lines need no comment. Lastly, the work has a blurred appearance, +as if the ink had slightly run into the paper around these famous 20 +numerals, and in all the photographs they are of a different color from +the remaining parts of the same stamps, and the other stamps +photographed with them, particularly noticeable in light photographs, +while the blurred appearance is more apparent in the dark photographs. +If these facts do not convince those who believe in the authenticity of +these 20 cent varieties, that they, with Messrs. Scott and Pemberton, +have been the victims of a clever fraud, the question will probably +never be settled for them, as no new facts are likely at this date to be +discovered. + +The two cent value, once chronicled, is of a different design, and an +admitted invention. + + + + +VI. + +STAMP OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER. + + +The stamp issued by the Postmaster, of Brattleboro, Vermont, is +catalogued as a local as early as Kline's Manual, 2nd edition, 1863. The +first magazine to describe it was Taylor's Record, February, 1865, which +states that it was issued in 1848, by F. N. Palmer, to supply a +temporary lack of the current five cents and gives a fair description of +it. The American Journal of Philately, in January, 1869, in an article +by Dr. Petrie, gave the first correct account of it. The article gives a +letter purporting to have been written by Dr. Palmer, who says it was a +strictly private enterprise, neither ordered or repudiated by the +Department, and did not appear in his account with the head office at +Washington. "My object," he says, "in issuing it was to accommodate the +people, and save myself labor in making and collecting quarterly bills, +almost everything at that time being either charged or forwarded without +prepayment. I was disappointed in the effect, having still to charge +the stamps and collect my bills. As to the number issued, I should say +five or six hundred as an experiment. They were engraved by Mr. Thomas +Chubbuck, then of Brattleboro, now of Springfield." + +Mr. Palmer thinks the stamp was issued during his first year as +postmaster, (1845). + +The March number of the same journal, for the same year, mentions a +specimen on a letter of 1846, postmarked with a pen, November 10th, but +the stamp cancelled with the word "PAID," hand stamped in red. In the +Stamp Collector's Magazine, November, 1870, Mr. L. H. Bagg, +recapitulating the foregoing, states incidentally, that one reason for +this accommodating spirit on the part of the postmaster, was that his +salary depended on the cash receipts of his office, and hence his +anxiety to have as many letters prepaid as possible, a fact which +assists us in understanding why a stamp should have been issued at such +a small place as Brattleboro then was. The postmarked letter shows that +the use of the stamp did not do away with the necessity of marking the +letter "PAID," and that it was this mark and not the stamp that was +recognized by other postmasters. In his interview with Mr. Bagg, the +engraver, Mr. Chubbuck, was quite confident that Mr. Palmer burned all +the unsold stamps in his possession upon the appearance of the first +regular United States Stamps, that the bill for engraving them was not +collected until June, 1848, and that the charges were $7.50 for +engraving the plate, and $1.50 for printing 500 stamps. Mr. Bagg also +obtained from Mr. Chubbuck a part of a sheet, eight stamps, which was +afterwards purchased by Mr. Scott, who got together all the copies he +could, and thus reconstructed the sheet, which was shown to have +contained ten varieties, in two horizontal rows of 5 stamps each, each +stamp separately engraved, the words "Eng. by Thos. Chubbuck, Bratt'o," +appearing in small script under the middle stamp of the lower row, and +not extending over the length of that stamp. + + +BRATTLEBORO POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1845 OR 1846. + +"F. N. P.", the initials of the postmaster, Frederick N. Palmer, in +fac-simile, with flourish beneath, on a vertically lined ground, in an +oblong with cut corners, bordered by a heavy colored, a colorless and a +finer colored line in a band lined diagonally, (from right above, to +left below) and bordered by another fine colored, a colorless and +heavier colored line, forming an oblong rectangle, and inscribed above +"_Brattleboro, Vt._," in colored black letters, "_P._ and _O._" on left +and right, in ordinary colored capitals, and "_5 Cents_" in outline +capitals below. + +Plate impression 21 by 19 mm., in color, on brownish paper. + + 5 cents, black. + + + + +VII. + +STAMP OF THE NEW HAVEN POSTMASTER. + + +This stamp was discovered in an old collection by Mr. Wm. P. Brown, and +described by him in his Curiosity Cabinet in May, 1871. The New Haven +Palladium of May 11, 1871, has the following account of the discovery, +which, though it contains some errors as to the former postal rates, and +some ignorance as to the history of the stamps of the United States, is +worthy of insertion here. + + "A CURIOSITY." + + "An old envelope post office stamp, issued at New Haven, of the + denomination of 5 cents, marked 'PAID,' and subscribed by 'E. A. + Mitchell, P. M.,' has lately turned up. It must have been issued + over 20 years ago and is probably one of the oldest United + States stamps in existence. Mr. Mitchell was postmaster of this + city from 1844 to 1850. When he took office the rates were 6, + 10, 12½, and 25 cents for single letters, according to distance, + no prepayment being required. The rates were afterwards reduced + to 10 and 5 cents according to distance, and subsequently to + five cents, uniform for all distances, the weight not exceeding + one quarter ounce, and prepayment required. At this period + envelopes began to come in use, and as prepayment of postage + could only be made at the office during business hours, Mr. + Mitchell took the responsibility of issuing envelopes, stamped + as above, with his signature on each, and selling them at the + cost of envelopes and postage as an accommodation; some of the + post offices refused to recognize them, and reported the fact to + the Department. As however the stamps could only be used at the + New Haven office, and were sent as prepaid matter, properly + entered on the New Haven Post Bill, there could be no loss to + the government, and the Department taking a liberal view of the + subject, authorized their continuance. There is no doubt that + the adoption of stamps by our government was much hastened by + the issue of these prepaid envelopes, and it can truly be said + that they were the first stamps issued by the United States. Mr. + Mitchell is still in possession of the original plate." + +From a letter of Mr. Mitchell's, printed in the American Journal of +Philately in May, 1871, it further appears that Mr. Mitchell permitted +parties to bring their own envelopes to be stamped. The die was a simple +hand stamp engraved by F. G. Gorham, and the ink employed was that in +ordinary use for hand stamps in the office, red or blue. He was +postmaster from September, 1844, to 1852, and thinks the stamp was +issued first in 1845. Only one original stamp has so far been found. + + +NEW HAVEN POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1845. + +Large rectangular stamp, with corners cut by quarter circles. Frame of a +very heavy outside line with an interior fine line. "_Post Office_" in +heavy block letters inclined to left, in a straight line across the top, +"_New Haven, Ct._," in a curved line of Roman capitals, in a second +line. Large numeral "5" with "PAID" in large block capitals beneath, +signature (E. A. Mitchell) written, and "P. M." in ordinary capitals +forming the fifth line. + +Impression 26 by 31 mm., from brass hand stamp, in color on white or +colored envelopes. + + 5 cents, red. + +The only known original is cut square. In 1871, Mr. Mitchell made a few +re-impressions in red and blue ink, which he signed and distributed to +collectors. The die was then deposited in the archives of the New Haven +Colonial Historical Society. + + Reprints. 5 cents, blue impression, red signature. + 5 " red " blue " + 5 " " " black " + 5 " " " no " + +All on large white paper. + + + + +VIII. + +STAMPS OF THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER. + + +These stamps, of which the 5 cent value was catalogued as early as 1863, +and the 10 cent in June, 1865, were issued by Mr. H. B. Sayles, +postmaster at Providence, and engraved by a Mr. Kidden, of that city in +1846. None of the daily papers of the locality, which we have been +permitted to consult, seem to have noticed the issue. The plate has +however been preserved among the archives of the State of Rhode Island. + + +PROVIDENCE POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1846. + +"_Post Office_," in a curved line, "_Prov. R. I._" in a straight line, +and "_Five Cents_" in a curved line, all in outline colorless block +capitals on a ground of fine horizontal lines, bordered by a fine +colored, a broad colorless and second fine colored line, forming a +horizontal oval, the space outside filled in with similar horizontal +lined ground to form a rectangle, bordered by a fine colored line, the +bottom and right side double thickness, and ornamented with a white +foliated ornament in each of the four corners, separated by a white ball +on the sides, and by from two to five balls above, but none at the +bottom, where there is instead a prolongation of the foliation. + +Plate impression (copper), 20 by 28 mm., on yellowish white paper. + + 5 cents, black, + 10 cents, black. + +These stamps were issued gummed. + +The paper of the sheet measures 85½ by 88 mm. On the plate there are +three stamps in each horizontal and four in each vertical row, or twelve +stamps. The upper right hand corner stamp alone bears the value "_Ten +Cents_." If for the sake of convenience the first stamp on the left of +the upper row is designated as type one, the next two, etc.; the first +stamp on the left of the second row as type four; the first of the third +row as seven; and the first of the fourth row as ten, the following may +be noticed among the many points of difference. The plate was originally +ruled into spaces for the stamps by very fine lines, which seem to have +been carried straight through over the spaces intended to separate the +stamps, and not always to have been perfectly obliterated afterwards. On +the right of the plate there is also a vertical line parallel to the +right side of all the stamps in the right hand row, at the distance +separating two stamps (nearly 2 mm.) as if the intention had been to add +another stamp to each horizontal row. + +_Type 1._ At the upper left corner, the horizontal frame line thickened +projects to the left and the vertical line projects upward. 5 balls +between the foliations the middle one is an oblong rectangle, the end +ones touch the ornaments. The side balls are on a line with the tops of +the letters of "Prov., R. I." There is a period after Cents. + +_Type 2._ At the upper left corner, the horizontal frame line thickened +projects to the left. At the lower left corner both the horizontal and +vertical lines thickened project. Both the horizontal top and bottom +lines continue on the right to Type 3. 5 balls, the middle one is a +square, the next on the right is the lower half of a circle, the next on +left flat at top and bottom. These three are all small. The end ball on +the right larger than the others. Both it and the end ball on the left +are flat on top. "F" in "Five" very close to the border. Side balls +above the line of the top of the letters of "Prov., R. I." A period +after Cents. + +_Type 3._ Ten cents. The horizontal top line of frame projects each way. +The vertical line at the right plain above but thickened and partially +obliterated below the lower right corner. The lower horizontal line +projects to the left to Type 2. 5 balls, the middle one large and +square, the extreme right one nearly round, the remaining three +irregular and nearly equal in size. "E" of "Office" touches the oval. +Side balls below the line of the top of the letters of "Prov., R. I.," +and lower point of left foliation cuts into the left ball. No period +after Cents. + +_Type 4._ The top horizontal line projects to the left. The bottom +horizontal line projects both to the left and right. 5 balls. The middle +one is a small oblong rectangle. Those next to it very small. Left side +ball on a level with the top line of letters of "Prov., R. I.," but the +right ball smaller and lower down. No period after Cents. + +_Type 5._ The top horizontal line projects to the left, and part of it +is thickened. It also projects to the right. The bottom horizontal line +projects to the left. 5 balls. The middle one in an oblong rectangle. +The "s" of Cents, resembles an 8. Side balls are above the line of the +top of "Prov., R. I." No period after Cents. + +_Type 6._ The top horizontal line projects to left. The bottom +horizontal line also. The vertical left line projects to type 9. 5 +balls. The middle one is a square. Shading of "E" of "Office" touches +the oval. The side balls are below the tops of "Prov., R. I." No period +after Cents. + +_Type 7._ The top horizontal line projects both to left and right. The +right vertical line projects above the corner. 4 balls only. The middle +one is gone. They are all small. A period after Cents. + +_Type 8._ The top horizontal and left vertical lines both project at the +upper left corner. 5 balls. The middle ball is a square. The top of the +"E" of "Office" touches the oval. The "s" in Cents is very small, and is +followed by a period. + +_Type 9._ The top horizontal line projects both ways, and the left +vertical line projects above the upper left corner. Both vertical lines +are continued down to type 12. 2 balls only, the middle ones are left +out. "V" in "Prov." is too large and the "F" of "Five" touches the oval. +No period after Cents. + +_Type 10._ The top horizontal and right vertical lines both project +beyond the upper right corner. 5 balls. The middle one square. The lower +leaf of the upper left foliation has no notch. Point after Cents. + +_Type 11._ The top horizontal line projects to the left and both +verticals project upwards. 5 balls. The middle one is square. The end +balls project above top line. No period after Cents. + +_Type 12._ Both vertical lines project up to Type 9. 5 dots. Middle one +is an oblong rectangle. The next on the right projects above the frame. +The one at right end is nearly round, but both those at the left are +rectangular. Ball at right side large and flat. No period after Cents. + +It has been stated that the engraver of the original plate re-engraved +these stamps for the benefit of collectors many years ago. However this +may be, there are a number of very dangerous counterfeits in existence, +as well as some that are easily detected. + +In the following table the lines which touch the letters or other parts +are counted as well as those between them. By these differences and +peculiarities the position of a given specimen on the plate can readily +be determined. + +The following peculiarities are noticed in Le Timbre Poste, page 5, 1871. + + Row A, Width of the oval + " B, Height of the oval + + Horizontal lines between the; + Row C, Upper frame and oval + " D, O of Office, and oval above + " E, V of Prov., and oval above + " F, V of Prov., and C of Cents + " G, C of Cents, and oval below + " H, P of Prov., & E or T of 5, 10 + " I, I of R. I., and S of Cents + " J, P of Post, and P of Prov. + " K, E of Office, and I of R. I. + + ------------------------------------------------------------- + |Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type| + | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + A |24¼ | 24 | 24 | 23¾| 23¾| 24 | 24 | 24 | 24¼| 24 | 24 | 24¼| + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + B |18½ | 18¼| 18¼| 18½| 18¼| 18¼| 18¼| 18½| 18¼| 18½|18¼ | 18¼| + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + C | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + D |12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + E |15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + F |13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + G | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + H | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + I | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + J | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + K | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | + ------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +IX. + +STAMP OF THE ALEXANDRIA POSTMASTER. + + +This stamp was discovered by the present author, and was first +chronicled in an article by him in Le Timbre Poste, of February, 1873. A +second specimen is chronicled in Durbin's Philatelic Monthly, of August, +1879. They are both postmarked with the ordinary dated hand stamp of +Alexandria, D. C., the word "PAID," and large numeral "5." The first +postmark is dated July 10th, that of the second is illegible, but the +letter was dated Sept. 9th, 1846. + + +ALEXANDRIA POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1846. + +Large round stamp, 30 mm. in diameter, with border of 40 six-rayed +stars. Within "_Alexandria_," above, and "_Post Office_," below, in +heavy block capitals, a six-rayed star separating the words, on each +side. In the centre "PAID," in smaller capitals, with the numeral "5" +beneath. + +Impression from wood block, 30 mm. in diameter, on yellow paper. + + 5 cents, black. + +This stamp appears to have been originally stamped upon the buff +envelopes common at the time, and to have been cut out and fastened to +the letter. No further information concerning it has yet been +discovered. The files at Washington, of the Alexandria Gazette, the only +Alexandria paper of that period, are defective from May 22nd, to +October, 1845, and in part for 1847. Daniel Brien was Postmaster at +Alexandria during 1845-47. + + + + +X. + +STAMPS OF THE BALTIMORE POSTMASTER. + + +This stamp was first chronicled in the Philatelical Journal in 1874. The +copy there described was the only one known, until very recently, a +second copy was described in the New York World, and subsequently that +and another were mentioned in the Alexandria Gazette, of August 3rd, +1886, as having been in possession of Mr. Thomas Semmes, of Alexandria. +These are described as postmarked respectively, January 15th, and 31st., +1847, with the other marks usual upon letters of the period. From 1845 +to 1849, Mr. James Madison Buchannan was the postmaster at Baltimore, +and is said to have issued this stamp in the fall of 1846. Further +details are wanting. The stamp is a simple looking slip of paper +containing the signature of the postmaster in fac-simile, in one line, +and the value, "_5 Cents_," in a second line, bordered by a frame of +single colored lines, crossed at the four angles. + +Impression, 55 by 15 mm., in color upon thin bluish paper. + + 5 cents, black. + +[Illustration: James M. Buchannan (handwritten signature) PAID 5 (with 5 +inside circle)] + +Besides these adhesive stamps, Mr. Buchannan also issued a species of +franked envelope. Two copies of this were found by Mr. Robt. H. Smith, +in examining his old letters. They are the ordinary buff wove envelopes +of the period, size 80 by 137 mm., of the old simple form with straight +edged flaps. In the right upper hand corner the signature "James M. +Buchannan," hand stamped, 50½ mm. long, the "B," 4½ mm. high. Beneath +this in a second line the word "PAID," in capitals, 4 mm. high, and 16 +mm. long is also hand stamped. Below this again, a large numeral "5," +11½ mm. high, in an oval 20½ mm. long by 7½ high, is also hand stamped. + +The specimen described is hand stamped with the ordinary round hand +stamp of Baltimore, Md., and dated Nov. 24th, no year stated and is +directed to the present owner and finder. + +Impression hand stamped in blue ink on buff envelopes. + + 5 cents, blue. + +Besides these it has been claimed that the stamp known as the +"horseman," was also issued in 1860 or 1861, by the Postmaster of +Baltimore. It may be described as a rough design of a horseman, +galloping to the right, holding a streamer, inscribed: "_One Cent_." On +ribbons above, "_Government City Dispatch_." Rough frame of vertical +lines with rough ornaments in the corners, bordered by a single colored +line. + +Impression, 23 by 17 mm., apparently lithographed in color on white +paper. + + 1 Cent, red. + 1 " black. + Variety, 1 Sent " + +It will appear further on, that at this date, 1860, and long prior +thereto, the law prohibited postmasters from recognizing or permitting +to be used any stamps not received from the Postmaster General. In a +letter published in the American Journal of Philately, July 20th, 1869, +W. H. H. Corell, 3rd Assistant Postmaster General, says: "The records of +the Department do not contain any reference to the other stamp, Post +Rider." It is supposed to have been issued by one of the numerous "City +Dispatch" companies located in New York. These facts and the very rough +workmanship, so unlike any of the authorized Government issues, would +seem sufficient to settle the absolutely unofficial character of this +stamp. + + + + +XI. + +STAMP OF THE MILLBURY POSTMASTER. + + +In the collection of letters received by Col. Isaac Davis, of Worcester, +Mass., now in the library of the American Antiquarian Society, were +found, in 1884, two letters written and posted at Millbury, in August +and December, 1846, postmarked with the ordinary dating stamp of +Millbury, of the dates August 21st, and December 16th, respectively, and +stamped with an adhesive stamp, cancelled with the word "PAID," in large +capitals, partly on the letter and partly on the stamp. The earliest +also bears a large "V," in an octagon frame, and the other a large +numeral "5," in a circle. Col. Asa H. Waters, was postmaster of Millbury +in 1846, having received his commission, dated January 2nd, 1836, from +President Jackson, "Old Hickory," and retained the office until +November, 1848, when he resigned and obtained the office for Henry +Waterman, who had been his assistant. A third copy of the adhesive stamp +is in the possession of Col. Waters, postmarked exactly as the first +described specimen, but the date is July 18th. Both Col. Waters and Mr. +Waterman state that the idea of the stamp was suggested by the reception +of letters bearing the New York stamp, and that the stamp was printed in +Boston, from a block cut in 1846. Neither gentleman has any data by +which to fix more exactly the date of its issue. + + +MILLBURY POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1846. + +Head of Washington, ¾ face to the right, on a colorless circular disk, +16½ mm. in diameter, shaded to left of the head, and part way in front +by 4 diagonal lines, and bordered by a circular band, 2 mm. wide, edged +outside and inside by a colored line. The band is inscribed above, +"_Post Office_," below, "_Paid 5 Cents_," in colored block capitals, +except "5 Cents," which is in script. There are three five-pointed stars +irregularly formed on each side in the band. The outer circle is a +little flat between T and O. The vertical diameter is ½ mm. longer than +the horizontal. + +Impression from wood block 22 by 22½ mm. in diameter, in black on smooth +unsurfaced white paper. + + 5 cents, black. + + + + +XII. + +STAMPED ENVELOPES OF THE WASHINGTON POSTMASTER. + + +The Daily Union, published at Washington, Wednesday, July 23rd, 1845, +and the National Intelligencer, of Friday, July 25th, 1845, contain the +following advertising editorial[A]: + + "INTERESTING TO CITIZENS AND SOJOURNERS IN WASHINGTON. Upon + inquiring at the city post office, we learn that Col. Gardiner + has had franked (or rather prepaid) envelopes prepared, which do + away with the necessity of personal application at the delivery + window when one wishes to pay postage on sending off a letter. + They are for sale at the post office, at the following rates; + which barely pay the cost, after deducting the sum chargeable on + each for postage, viz: + + 18 envelopes to enclose letters charged at 5 cents for $1.00 + 9 " " " " 50 + 1 " " " " 6¼ + 9 " " " 10 cents 1.00 + 4 " " " 10 " } 50 + 1 " " " 5 " } + + This plan, it will be recollected has been adopted in the + northern cities to the great advantage of the public, and its + introduction here will save our fellow citizens many a long and + hitherto, indispensable trudge, in this metropolis of + magnificent distances." + +The latter paper, however quotes the price of the 5 cent envelopes at 6 +cents, instead of 6¼. These are evidently the envelopes mentioned in the +article of the Express, of July 8th, quoted in the chapter on the stamps +of the New York postmaster. Up to the present time none of them have +been reported to have been found. + + [A] The newspaper articles concerning these envelopes were found + by Mr. C. F. Rothfuchs who, at the suggestion of the author, + kindly searched the files of the Washington papers. + + + + +XIII. + +STAMPS OF THE PHILADELPHIA POSTMASTER. + + +From 1845 to 1849, Dr. Geo. F. Lehman was postmaster of Philadelphia. It +is asserted that he adopted for use in the post office at Philadelphia, +a number of peculiar devices of his own, which appear to have been a +substitute for postage stamps. They are described as bands with the +names of the persons who mailed the letters upon them, which were +fastened around the letters, and upon receipt at the post office, were +removed by the clerks and kept as vouchers, the amount of postage due +being charged to the account of the sender, and collected with the +quarterly bill. There are also said to have been in use several other +designs in the form of stamps, printed and sold by the post office, +which when fastened upon the letter indicated that the office had +received postage, and such letters were then forwarded and marked as +paid. + +Although several varieties of these are said to have been in use, none +of them have yet been found. + + + + +XIV. + +STAMPS OF THE WORCESTER POSTMASTER. + + +In the National Aegis, published at Worcester, Mass., September 2nd, +1846, may be found the following item: + + "POST OFFICE STAMPS. The postmaster has issued postage stamps of + the denomination of five cents and ten cents. They are very + convenient, and will save the trouble of making change at the + post office, and will enable people to send prepaid letters at + times when the office is closed. To cover the expense of + engraving and printing, these stamps are sold at five per cent + advance upon the regular rates of postage." + +Maturin L. Fisher was postmaster at Worcester, from 1839 to 1849, and +Andrew A. Williams was his chief clerk in 1846. The above item was +recently found by the present author in searching old files of +newspapers, for information about the various postmaster's stamps. No +other Worcester paper seems to have noticed the matter, and no further +information has so far rewarded the limited inquiry and search possible +since the discovery. Both of the gentlemen in the office at the time are +now deceased. + + + + +XV. + +STAMPS OF THE PITTSFIELD POSTMASTER. + + +A short notice published in one of the Springfield, Mass., papers, in +the summer of 1874, asserts that in overhauling the vaults of the +Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Pittsfield, a number of +stamps were found that were issued by the Pittsfield postmaster, in +1846-7. Phineas Allen was postmaster of Pittsfield at the time. No +further information concerning these stamps, has rewarded inquiry. + + + + +XVI. + +OBSERVATIONS. + + +It is by no means improbable that other similar devices were in use in +other towns and cities at this period, by which prepayment of postage +was secured. The salaries of many of the smaller offices depended on the +amount of postage collected, and the importance of all offices was +estimated by the revenue collected. It was natural, therefore, as the +public demand for such accommodation grew, that the postmaster should +adopt a device tending to their own benefit. There are in the possession +of the present author a number of hand stamps, apparently cut from +letters and envelopes, inscribed such and such a "Post Office," "5 Cents +Paid," which would seem to be stamps of this kind, but in the absence of +further information, are not here chronicled. The wide spread use of +such stamps would appear from the following caution, published in the +Courier, of New York, July 18th, 1845. + + "The postmaster of this city has given notice that he has + prepared stamps for the use of merchants, and requests them to + provide themselves with these stamps to facilitate the business + of the post office, and for their own convenience. It will be + observed that the postmaster warns the public that any stamps + offered for sale at any place other than the post office of this + city are spurious. That the use of proper stamps by merchants + will be a great convenience is admitted; but these stamps, thus + offered, should be considered in no other light than the + personal obligations of the postmaster, unauthorized as far as + the public know, by any proper authority, and if issued by the + postmaster of one city, may also be issued by the postmaster of + any town or city in the United States; and if this practice + becomes general, the amount in these stamps held by the public + will be very considerable, and will evidently lead to great + abuses and probably losses. + + In case of the death or removal of a postmaster, we know of no + legal obligation of his successor to consider these stamps of + any value whatever. + + Post office stamps to be of general utility, should be issued by + the General Post Office at Washington, sanctioned by law, and + with suitable penalties in case of forgery: they would be of + great advantage to the Post Office Department, and would much + facilitate business in various ways, but if issued by any or all + postmasters, will in some cases be used "to raise the wind," and + may raise it pretty effectually in cases of death or default, as + the amount held by the public in any of the large cities would + be a very considerable sum." + + (Signed) CAVEAT. + +This article was reprinted by numerous journals, among them the Express, +of New York, July 18th, 1845. + + + + +XVII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1847. + + +Notwithstanding these manifest dangers, noticed by the Courier and +Express, the public continued to demand and use, and the postmasters to +issue, as we have seen, these unauthorized stamps, without action on the +part of Congress, or interference by the Department, until the beginning +of 1847 when, apparently in response to the necessities of the case the +following law was passed: + + STATUTES OF THE UNITED STATES, XXIX Congress, Session II, + Chapter LXIII, Section 1, approved March 3rd, 1847. An Act to + establish certain Post Roads and for other purposes. + + "And be it further enacted, that to facilitate the + transportation of letters by mail, the Postmaster General be + authorized to prepare postage stamps, which, when attached to + any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the prepayment of the + postage chargeable on such letter, which said stamps the + Postmaster General may deliver to any deputy postmaster who may + apply for the same, the deputy postmaster paying or becoming + accountable for the amount of the stamps so received by him, and + if any of said stamps shall not be used, but be returned to the + General Post Office, the amount so returned shall be credited to + such deputy postmaster, and such deputy postmaster may sell or + dispose of any stamps so received by him to any person who may + wish to use the same, but it shall not be lawful for any deputy + postmaster, to prepare, use, or dispose of any postage stamps + not authorized by and received from the Postmaster General. And + any person who shall falsely and fraudulently make, alter or + forge any postage stamp with intent to defraud the Post Office + Department, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction + shall be subject to the same punishment as provided in the 21 + Section of the Act approved March 3rd, 1825, entitled an Act," + etc. + +This is the first authorization of postage stamps in the United States, +and it will be well to observe that the use of any stamps other than +_those authorized and received from_ the Postmaster General is strictly +prohibited. The use of the stamps of the postmasters herein before +treated of, must therefore have ceased from and after the 1st of July, +1847, when the law went into effect, or as soon thereafter as supplies +were received from the Department. This effectually determines the +character of such locals, as the so-called "Horseman," and "U. S. Mail +Prepaid," before referred to. + +According to the law and custom in the United States, a contract for the +engraving and printing of stamps, under the authority of this Act, was +made by the Postmaster General with Messrs. Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and +Edson, for four years. During this time they furnished 4,400,000, five +cent stamps, and 1,050,000, ten cent stamps, of which 3,712,000 five +cent, and 891,000 ten cent stamps are officially reported to have been +distributed by the Department to deputy postmasters for sale. A portion +of these, valued at $12,038.55, were however afterwards returned to the +Department and exchanged for those of the subsequent issue, and credited +to the deputies who returned them. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1847. + +The issue consisted of two values only, five and ten cents. + +FIVE CENTS. Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, Continental Postmaster +General, facing three quarters to the left, on an oval disk with hatched +ground, 14½ by 17¼ mm., bounded by a broad colorless line with a fine +colored line outside, in a rectangular frame, also bordered by a broad +colorless line with a fine colored line outside. The ground work of this +frame is composed of fine horizontal colored lines, and is ornamented by +foliations, and inscribed in outlined colorless capitals, "_U._" and +"_S._," in the upper corners, with "_Post Office_," between, following +the form of the oval, large numeral "5," and "5," in the lower corners, +with "_Five Cents_" between, following the form of the oval. + +Between the lines of the outer border, exactly in the centre, are the +initials of the engravers, "R. W. H. & E.," in small colored capitals. + +Plate impression, 18½ by 23½ mm., in color, on faintly bluish paper. + + 5 cents, bronze. + +TEN CENTS. Portrait of George Washington, first President, facing three +quarters to the right, on an oval disk, with hatched background, +bordered by a broad colorless line, with a fine colored line outside, in +a rectangular frame, bordered in the same manner. The ground of the +frame and inscriptions are similar to the five cents, but changed for +the value to a large "X," in each lower corner, with "_Ten Cents_," +between. Same small initials in the lower border. + +Plate impression, 18½ by 23½ mm., in color, on faintly bluish paper. + + 10 cents, black. + +In the Hartford Times of August 5th, 1885, appeared a long article, +entitled: "The First Postage Stamps," from which the following relating +to the actual date of this issue may be here repeated. + + "Thirty eight years ago to-day the first postage stamps were + used in the United States. * * * On the 25th of March, 1840, + John M. Niles, of Hartford, became Postmaster General and + signalized his administration by many reforms. * * * It was + necessary to cap all by a genuine innovation, and he performed + this by suggesting the postage stamp. The suggestion was + received with ridicule, and Mr. Niles soon after retired. * * * + When Cave Johnson assumed the post office, on the 5th of March, + 1845, he found it an Herculian task to reinstate the reform + measures of Mr. Niles. * * * Among the measures of Mr. Niles + that he adopted was the postage stamp idea. * * * Johnson + garnished his conversation with fathering the suggestion + originated six years before. * * * The matter took form as a + bill. * * * Approved March 3rd, 1847. The date of the issue was + appointed as July 1st, but there was a delay in the contractors' + work and the time ran over a month. + + On the 5th of August, soon after the opening of the Postmaster + General's office for the day, an old gentleman called to see Mr. + Johnson on business. The gentleman was the Hon. Henry Shaw, a + New Yorker, * * * and the father of the well known Henry Shaw, + Jr., (Josh Billings). * * * Mr. Johnson came into his office + accompanied by the printer of the new stamps, a few minutes + after Mr. Shaw had arrived, on that August morning. Sheets of + the stamps were laid before the Postmaster General, who, after + receipting for them, handed them to his visitor to inspect. Mr. + Shaw returned them after a hasty glance, and then drawing out + his wallet, he counted fifteen cents, with which he purchased + two of the stamps--the first two ever issued. The five cent + stamp he kept as a curiosity, and the ten cent stamp he + presented to Governor Briggs, as an appropriate gift." + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +In nearly all the early catalogues and in some recent foreign ones, +these stamps are catalogued upon _white_ paper. Mr. Terrell, Third +Assistant Postmaster General, in a letter published on page 111, +American Stamp Mercury, 1870, states positively that this issue was +never printed except upon faintly tinted bluish paper. It may be +observed, generally, that the paper of all stamps of the early issues of +all countries which were affixed to the blue or bluish paper in general +use at the time, has a tendency to vary from the original color, +sometimes becoming blue or bluish, when originally white, darker or +lighter blue or even whitish if originally blue. This has been variously +explained, as the action of some ingredient in the paper of the letter, +or of the stamp, in the gum or the ink. + +It must be further observed that the color of the impression of the five +cents varies greatly from the original pale red brown, called bronze. +Many shades of faint red brown, red brown, faint dark brown, deep dark +brown, black brown, bluish black, and almost pure black, may be found. +Whether these result, as seems to be the case, from a natural change in +the course of time, from something in the ink, paper or surroundings of +the stamp itself, or whether it results from the use of different +colored ink originally, may perhaps be impossible now to determine. + +The ten cent, however, varies very little in the color of the +impression. Beyond a lighter, or grayish shade, a black with a bluish +cast, and the ordinary black impression, little is to be noticed. + +The stamps are separated in the sheet by about 2 mm., each way. Double +copies of the five cents, adhering either by the side, or by the top and +bottom, are often found on old letters, and occasionally, three or four +adhering specimens are encountered. The ten cents is almost invariably +found in single specimens, though a few pairs, and even three used +together are known. + +According to a statement in the American Journal of Philately, of April, +1871, this issue was withdrawn from circulation between June 11th and +September 30th, 1851. The instructions of the Department to the deputy +postmasters, concerning the distribution of the next issue, published in +June, 1851, order that these five and ten cent stamps must not be +recognized as prepaying letters after the 30th of June, 1851, and +request the public to return them to the deputy postmasters, in exchange +for others of the new issue. The report of the Postmaster General for +the year expiring June 30th, 1851, and published in the fall of that +year, further states: "Directions for the destruction of the dies and +plates, employed in the manufacture of the stamps formerly used, have +been given, and for counting and burning such stamps as have not been +issued to postmasters or have been returned." + +These facts probably explain the extreme rarity of unused stamps of this +issue, and the re-engraving of the dies by the Government, when it was +considered advisable to make an exhibit of all its issues of adhesive +stamps at the Centennial Exhibition. + +The existence therefore, of a specimen of four unused five cent stamps, +adhering by the sides, and another of four unused ten cent stamps, +adhering also by the sides, in the private collection of Mr. Sterling, +is worthy of notice. The latter specimen, at any rate, is probably +unique, and though called whitish paper by him, has nevertheless, the +bluish tint, and certainly is not _white_ paper. + +NOTE. There are _proofs_ however on white paper. + + + + +XVIII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1851. + + +The Act of the XXXI Congress, Session II, Chapter XX, approved March +3rd, 1851, and entitled: "An Act to reduce and modify the Rates of +Postage in the United States, and for other purposes" reads: + + "Be it enacted, etc., that from and after the 30th day of June, + 1851, in lieu of the rates of postage now established by law, + there shall be charged the following rates, viz: For every + single letter in manuscript, or paper of any kind, upon which + information shall be asked for, or communicated, in writing, or + by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail for any distance, + between places within the United States, not exceeding 3,000 + miles, when the postage upon said letter shall have been + prepaid, three cents, and five cents when the postage thereon + shall not have been prepaid, and for any distance exceeding + 3,000 miles, double these rates; for every such single letter or + paper when conveyed wholly or in part by sea, and to or from a + foreign country, for any distance over 2,500 miles, twenty + cents, and for any distance under 2,500 miles, ten cents, + excepting however, all cases where such postages have been or + shall be adjusted at different rates by postal treaty or + convention already concluded or hereafter to be made; and for a + double letter there shall be charged double the rates above + specified; and for a treble letter, treble these rates; and for + a quadruple letter, quadruple these rates; and every letter or + parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight, shall be deemed a + single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or + every additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be + charged with an additional single postage. And all drop letters, + or letters placed in any post office, not for transmission, but + for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of + one cent each, and all letters which shall hereafter be + advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any post office + shall be charged with one cent in addition to the regular + postage to be accounted for as other postages now are." + +The second section fixed the rates upon newspapers of all descriptions, +coming from the publishers, etc., etc., which were not to be paid for by +stamps, but: + + "Every other newspaper circular, hand bill, engraving, + pamphlet," etc., etc., "shall be charged one cent an ounce under + 500 miles and one cent each additional ounce between 500 and + 1500 miles," double beyond, etc., etc. + +The third section provides: + + "And be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the + Postmaster General to provide and furnish to all deputy + postmasters, and to all other persons applying and paying + therefor, suitable postage stamps, of the denomination of three + cents, and of such other denominations as he may think expedient + to facilitate prepayment of postages provided for in this Act; + and any person who shall forge or counterfeit any postage stamp, + provided or furnished under this Act, whether the same are + impressed or printed on or attached to envelopes or not, or any + die, plate or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or + knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent to + use or sell, any such false, forged or counterfeit die, plate, + engraving, or postage stamps, or who shall make or print, or + otherwise procure to be made or printed, any postage stamps of + the kind provided and furnished by the Postmaster General, as + aforesaid, without the especial authority and direction of the + Post Office Department, or who, after such postage stamps have + been printed, shall, with intent to defraud the revenue of the + Post Office Department, deliver any postage stamps to any person + or persons other than such as shall be authorized to receive the + same by an instrument of writing duly executed under the hand of + the Postmaster General, and the seal of the Post Office + Department, shall on conviction thereof be deemed guilty of + felony, and punishable by a fine not exceeding 500 dollars, or + by imprisonment not exceeding five years; or by both such fine + or imprisonment, and the expenses of procuring and providing all + such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided or + authorized by this Act, shall be paid, after being adjusted by + the auditor of the Post Office Department, on the certificate of + the Postmaster General, out of any money in the Treasury, + arising from the Revenues of the Post Office Department." + +The 4th section provides that postage stamps shall be defaced as the +Postmaster General may direct, and the penalty for omitting so to do. + +The 10th section provides for the appointment of carriers, the rate to +be one or two cents prepaid, the carriers to be paid out of the receipts +from this postage. + +The 11th section authorizes the coining of the three cent coin, probably +to facilitate the payment of these rates. + +The other matters mentioned in the foregoing Act are of little interest +here, but the following circular contains some matters of importance: + + REGULATIONS CONCERNING POSTAGE STAMPS. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + _June 10th, 1851_. + + "To facilitate the payment of postages upon letters and + packages, postage stamps of the following denominations are + provided and furnished by the postmaster General, pursuant to + the third section of the "Act to reduce and modify the rates of + Postage in the United States," and for other purposes approved + March 3rd, 1851. + + Viz: No. 1. Printed in black, representing the head of + Washington, of the denomination of twelve cents. + No. 2. Printed in red, representing the head of + Washington, in profile, of the denomination of three + cents. + No. 3. Printed in blue, representing the head of Franklin, + in profile, of the denomination of one cent. + + These stamps will be furnished to one or more of the principal + postmasters in each county, who will be required to supply the + other postmasters in their vicinities, upon being paid for the + amount furnished." + +The remaining provisions relate to the mode of distribution, accounting, +cancelling, etc., and are of no particular interest. The circular is +signed "Nathan D. Hall, Postmaster General." + +A similar circular dated April 3rd, 1852, is almost an exact repetition +of the foregoing. The stamps issued may be described more fully thus: + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1851. + +ONE CENT. Bust of Benjamin Franklin, first Postmaster General, in +profile, facing to the right, in an oval disk 17 by 20½ mm., with a +ground of very fine horizontal colored lines, slightly waved, bordered +by a colorless line between two fine colored lines. The colorless line +is ornamented by a line of fine dots. Above is a label, bordered at the +top by a similarly ornamented colorless line, between two fine colored +lines, terminated at the ends by the corner ornaments of the stamp, with +a ground of fine colored lines following the lines of the oval, and +inscribed in outline capitals "_U. S. Postage_." Below the oval is a +similar label, the ends terminated by a similar border, with a ground of +fine colored lines, inscribed "_One Cent_" in outline capitals. This +label is shaded by a number of vertical lines. Scroll and foliated +corner ornaments extending down the sides. There is no outside line +finishing the frame. The stamps are very near each other on the sheet. + +Plate impression, 19 by 22 mm., color, white paper. + + 1 cent, shades of indigo blue. + +THREE CENTS. Bust of Washington, first President of the United States, +in profile to left, on an oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by a +fine colorless line between two fine colored lines, surrounded by a +frame composed of colorless lines, forming diamonds on a solid ground, +the alternate diamonds filled in with diagonal colorless lines, leaving +a colored chain conspicuous, with rosettes in the four angles. The space +between the oval and frame filled with horizontal lines, and the corners +outside the rosettes filled with ornamented triangles. Above and below +all these are solid colored labels, with a small piece containing a +diamond cut off at each end by a vertical colorless line, inscribed in +colorless Roman capitals, above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Three +Cents_." The whole is surrounded, at a little distance, by a colored +line forming a rectangle. + +Plate impression 20 by 25 mm., color, white paper. + + 3 cents, in shades of brick and rose red. + +TWELVE CENTS. Bust of Washington, after Stewart, facing three quarters +to the left, on an oval disk 13½ by 17 mm., with hatched ground, +bordered by a colorless line between two colored lines. This colorless +line is crossed by horizontal lines. About this is a frame like that of +the 3 cents, with rosettes at the angles, but showing six and two half +links in the chain on each side, instead of five and two half links as +in the three cents. The outside corners are filled by small foliations. +The space between the oval and frame is filled by horizontal lines. +Inscription above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Twelve Cents_" in colorless +capitals, shaded outside on the back ground and following the curve of +the oval. The whole is surrounded by a fine colored line. + +Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper. + + 12 cents, black. + +As it was considered desirable to keep the amounts collected and paid +for delivery by carriers (under section 10 of the act) separate, a +special stamp for the payment of such postage was soon added: + + +ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 29TH, 1851. + +ONE CENT. Bust of Benjamin Franklin, in profile, to the left, on an oval +disk, 15 by 17½ mm. with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +between two fine colored lines. Frame, labels, etc., like the three +cents, but with a colorless star between curved colorless lines at the +end instead of the diamonds. The inscription is in colorless Roman +capitals, on the upper label "_Carrier's_," and "_Stamp_" in the lower +label. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 24 mm., color, rose paper. + + No value indicated, indigo blue. + +Specimens exist in brick red, some of which show the crack in the die. +These must be proofs, although a letter purporting to be from W. M. +Ireland, Third Assistant Postmaster General, dated August 10th, 1869, +and published in the August number of the American Journal of Philately, +after describing this stamp says: + + "Color, orange-brown, typographed in color on white paper. + Proofs were issued printed in blue on pink paper; also in green + and yellow. It was issued about September 29th, 1851, but was + suppressed almost immediately, owing to its great similarity to + the then three cent stamp. Only about 300,000 were ever issued. + It has always surprised me that the Department has never kept + any official history of its stamps." + +This stamp was succeeded by the; + + +ISSUE OF NOVEMBER, 17, 1851. + +ONE CENT. Eagle poised for flight, turned to the left, resting on a +branch of laurel, on an oval disk, 18 by 13 mm., the ground of clouds +and rays, surrounded by a fine colored line, a colorless line, and a +band of solid color inscribed in colorless Roman capitals above "_U. S. +P. O. Dispatch_," below "_Prepaid, One Cent_," with ornaments of oak +leaves on the left and of laurels on the right. + +Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper. + + 1 cent, blue. + +A letter dated from the Post Office Department, Finance Office. July +20th, 1869, and signed W. H. H. Corell, Third Assistant Postmaster +General, published in the American Journal of Philately, says: + + "The blue stamp "Eagle" was used for prepaying City letters + delivered by carriers. It was issued about Nov. 17th, 1851, and + was withdrawn Jan. 27th, 1852. It was very little used except in + Philadelphia, Pa., and Cincinnati, Ohio." + +As a matter of fact however, the published reports of the Postmaster +General, shows that there were issued: + + 4,777,552 from Nov. 1851, up to June, 1852. + 4,370,383 " June 1852, " " " 1853. + 7,103,416 " " 1853, " " " 1854. + +These stamps were all engraved and printed by Messrs. Toppan, Carpenter, +Cassilar and Co., of Philadelphia, under a contract with the Department. + +The collector naturally desires to know what supposed peculiarities of +the public demand led to the selection of these values, and not others. +As already shown, the carriers were paid out of the receipts from the +sale of the two carrier stamps. + +The one cent was required for newspapers and other printed matter, +either singly or in twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, etc., and Mr. +Sterling has preserved specimens thus used, adhering, either in strips +by the sides or ends, or in blocks. + +The three cent stamp paid the ordinary letter rate, and two or more +would be required on double, triple, etc., letters. Mr. Sterling has +also preserved strips and blocks of these found so used. + +The single postage to California was six cents. This was also the double +letter rate, and it seems singular that a stamp of this value was not +issued. Its place was supplied by two three cent stamps, the double rate +to California by four three cent stamps, etc. That it was also supplied +occasionally by half of the twelve cent stamp, cut diagonally from +corner to corner, specimens so used on the original envelopes in the +possession of the same gentleman abundantly prove. The twelve cent must, +therefore, have had no function except to replace a quadruple ordinary +rate, or a double California rate. For foreign letters, the postage was +10 or 20 cents, when not provided for by treaty. Most of the treaties +fixed the same rates, and stamps of those values would seem to have been +required. The fact that prepayment was optional, may have influenced the +demand for these values. + +Soon after the issue of the foregoing series, the postal rates were +again discussed in congress, and the law amended as follows: + + XXXIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 173, Section 31, approved + March 30th, 1885, entitled: "An Act further to amend the Act + entitled: 'An Act to reduce, etc., approved March 3d, 1851.'" + + Be it enacted, etc. That in lieu of the rates of postage now + established by law, there shall be charged the following rates + to wit: For every single letter in manuscript, or paper of any + kind in which information shall be asked, or, communicated in + writing, or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail, for any + distance between places in the United States not exceeding 3,000 + miles, three cents; and for any distance exceeding 3,000 miles, + ten cents. And for a double letter, there shall be charged + double the rates above specified; and for a treble letter, + treble these rates, and for a quadruple letter, quadruple these + rates; and every letter or paper not exceeding half an ounce in + weight shall be deemed a single letter; and every additional + weight of half an ounce, or every additional weight of less than + half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single + postage; and upon all letters passing through or in the mail of + the United States, except such as are to or from a foreign + country, the postages as above specified, shall be prepaid, + except upon letters and papers addressed to officers of the + government on official business, which shall be so marked on the + envelope. And from and after the first day of January, 1856, + the Postmaster General may require postmasters to place postage + stamps upon all prepaid letters, upon which such stamps may not + have been placed by the writers. + + And all drop letters, or letters placed in the post office, not + for transmission through the mail, but for delivery only, shall + be charged with postage at the rate of one cent each, and all + letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remaining over or + uncalled for in any post office, shall be charged with one cent + each in addition to the regular postage, both to be accounted + for as other postages now are. + + Section 2. And be it further enacted, that it shall be unlawful + for any postmaster or other person, to sell any postage stamp or + stamped envelope for any larger sum than that indicated upon the + face of such postage stamp, or for a larger sum than that + charged therefor by the Post Office Department. + + [Here follows the penalty for so doing.] + + Section 3. And be it further enacted: That for the greater + security of valuable letters posted for transmission in the + mails of the United States, the Postmaster General be, and + hereby is authorized to establish a uniform plan for the + registration of such letters on application of parties posting + the same, and to require the prepayment of the postage, as well + as a registration fee of five cents, on every such letter or + packet, to be accounted for by postmasters receiving the same, + in such manner as the Postmaster General may direct: Provided, + however, that such registration shall not be compulsory: and + shall not render the Post Office Department, or its revenues + liable for the loss of such letter or package, or the contents + thereof. + +By this Act there was established for the first time compulsory +prepayment, at a uniform rate of 3 and 10 cents, according as the +distance was less or greater than 3,000 miles, upon letters in the +United States, and the Act of the XXXIV Congress, Session III, Chapter +1, approved January 2d, 1857, entitled: "An Act to provide for the +compulsory Prepayment of Postage on all transient printed matter," which +provided, that such postage "shall be prepaid by stamps or otherwise, as +the Postmaster General may direct," completes the legislation upon the +subject, so far as it is of interest here, up to the year 1861. + +Upon the approval of this Act, the following circular, dated at +Washington, March 12th, 1855, was issued to postmasters: + + NEW POSTAGE ACT. + + INSTRUCTIONS TO POSTMASTERS. + + The particular attention of Postmasters and others is invited to + the annexed Act, passed at the last session of Congress. It will + be observed: + + 1st. That from and after April 1st, 1855, the single rate of + postage on a letter conveyed in the mail, for any distance in + the United States, not exceeding three thousand miles, is three + cents, and for any distance exceeding three thousand miles, ten + cents. + + 2nd. That from and after April 1st, 1855, prepayment by stamps, + stamped envelopes or in money is compulsory. + + 3rd. That from and after January 1st, 1856, all letters, between + places in the United States, must be prepaid either by postage + stamps or stamped envelopes. + + 4th. That the laws relating to the Franking Privilege are not + altered. + + 5th. That the existing rates and regulations in regard to + letters to or from Canada, and all foreign countries, remain + unchanged. + + Unpaid letters mailed before April 1st, 1855, will be forwarded + and delivered upon payment of the postage, by the person + addressed. Postage stamps and stamped envelopes, of the + denomination of ten cents, will be prepared and issued speedily, + and the Department will use every exertion to supply all post + offices with one and and three cent stamps also, as fast as they + are required. + + Absolute prepayment being required on all letters to places + within the United States, from and after April 1st, 1855, great + care should be used as well in prepaying the proper amount on + letters above the weight of half an ounce, as on single letters. + + Postmasters will post up conspicuously in their respective + offices a notice, calling attention to the provisions of the Act + requiring prepayment. + + The provisions in regard to the registration of valuable letters + will be carried into effect, and special instructions issued on + the subject, as soon as the necessary blanks can be prepared and + distributed. + + (Signed) JAMES CAMPBELL, + Postmaster General. + + _Post Office Department, March 12, 1855._ + + N. B.--Copy of the Act of March 3d, 1855, on the back. + +Another circular dated at Washington, Nov. 20th, 1855, also signed by +the Postmaster General, after reciting certain regulations which are +addressed to and concern only the postmasters themselves, contains the +following: + + "Section 7. The denominations of postage stamps authorized by + the Department to be issued, are _one_, _three_, _five_, _ten_ + and _twelve_ cents." + +The one, three and twelve cents of the issue of 1851, remaining in use +without apparent change, and the same contract with Messrs. Toppan, +Carpenter, Cassilar & Co., of Philadelphia, remaining in force, the +following were added to the series: + + +ISSUE OF MAY 5TH, 1855. + +TEN CENTS. Portrait of Washington, after Stewart, faced three-quarters +to the left, on an oval disk with hatched ground, bordered by a +colorless line between two fine colored lines, the colorless line +crossed in parts by small horizontal lines, on a hatched back-ground, +bordered by outlined foliations, which form small ovals in the upper +corners containing a colorless "X," with "_U. S. Postage_" in colored +capitals between them. Thirteen colorless stars on the ground above the +oval. "_Ten Cents_" in colorless capitals in a waved line below. + +Plate impression, 18 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper. + + 10 cents, green. + +This stamp was issued to provide for the single rate to California. + + +ISSUE OF JANUARY 5TH, 1856. + +FIVE CENTS. Portrait of Jefferson, the third President of the United +States, faced three quarters to the right, on an oval disk, 12½ by 15½ +mm., with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line between two fine +colored lines, in a broad frame with solid ground, ornamented by +colorless lines forming a geometric lathe pattern. This frame is +rounded at the corners, with a small projection of about 2 mm. between +at the top, bottom and sides, and is surrounded at a little distance by +a fine colored line following the same outline. On the back ground, +without labels, above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Five Cents_," in +colorless Roman capitals. + +Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper. + + 5 cents, in shades of yellow brown, red brown, + and dark brown. + +This stamp was issued to prepay the registration fee, but is often found +in unsevered pairs upon California letters, and sometimes in triplets +including the registration fee and a single postage to California. + +On the 24th of April, 1856, a stamp of the value of twenty-four cents +was approved. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Portrait of Washington, after Stewart, faced three +quarters to the right, on an oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by +a colorless line, surrounded by a solid band of color, inscribed in +colorless Roman capitals, above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Twenty-four +Cents_," separated by a sort of buckle at the sides. A broad solid +colored frame, ornamented by colorless lathe work is surrounded, at a +little distance, by a fine colored line, and the corners are rounded, +with a single swell between them above and below, and three between them +at the sides. + +Plate impression, 18½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper. + + 24 cents, lilac. + +Although made and approved, this stamp is said to have been withheld +from issue in this imperforate condition. They were finished and gummed, +and some of them seem to have gotten into circulation, as occasional +specimens are to be found in collections, and one entire sheet, at +least, is known to have existed. + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +Every collector ought at least to be aware of the nature and character +of the varieties that exist in these stamps. Although many of them are +very minute, and can be distinguished only by the use of a good +magnifying glass, others, once noticed, can readily be selected by the +unassisted eye. Few will care, probably, to place more than the most +marked varieties in their collections, still fewer will have the +patience to explore the necessary piles of common "stock," in order to +find these marked varieties, for the most marked are the most uncommon, +or to distinguish the more minute varieties from each other. + +The plates of all values printed 200 stamps each upon the sheet. Before +the stamps were distributed, each sheet was cut vertically into half +sheets, the place where they were to be cut being marked on the plate by +a vertical colored line, and each half containing ten rows of ten +stamps each. Upon each side of the plate, at a little distance from the +outer row of stamps, the tops of the letters being towards the stamps, +and running along the sides of the 5th and 6th stamp from the top or +bottom of the sheet, and part of the 4th and 7th stamp, is the maker's +imprint, "Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar & Co., BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS, +Phila., New York, Boston and Cincinnati," with "No--P." in a second +line. This imprint was afterwards changed by leaving out the third name. + +The one cent eagle is an exception, as the imprint here appears at the +top and bottom of the sheet, running along the space covered by four +stamps, and the sheet is said to have contained only 100 stamps. + +Upon some of the sheets, of the other values, from the first plate, +there is also a vertical line from the top to bottom of the plate, +probably upon each outer margin. Upon other sheets, this does not +appear. Specimens of these are now difficult to obtain, as the wide +borders at the sides, the top and bottom of the sheets, were usually cut +off when the stamps were used. + + +ONE CENT UNPERFORATED. + +The stamps are about ½ mm. apart between the nearest points of the tops +and bottoms, and 1 mm. between the nearest points of the sides. + +It should be noticed that the top and bottom labels have a fine line +parallel to the solid body of the inscribed labels, both at the top and +bottom. + +The imprint is about 1½ mm. from the outer row of stamps. The central +vertical line is about 1¾ mm. from each central row. The side vertical +lines are about 3¾ mm. from the outside rows. These dimensions vary +slightly. There is little appreciable difference in the stamps in a +sheet, except in the thickness of the lines bordering or shading the +ornaments. In some specimens, these lines are all fine in all parts of +the stamp, in others, they are much heavier, and in others fine in parts +and heavy in other parts, in many gradations. The color used seems to +have been always the same, varying only in intensity, as more or less +ink was left on the paper in printing. Dark, or pale specimens, with +intermediate shades may therefore be found. The paper is always white, +but more or less tinted with the color of the stamp from imperfect +wiping of the plates. + + +THREE CENTS UNPERFORATED. + +The number of plates used in printing this value unperforated, has not +been possible to determine. The distance between the stamps varies +considerably in different plates. In some, they are only 7/10 mm. apart +between the tops and bottoms, in others a little over 1 mm. In some they +are only 9/10 mm. apart between the side lines, in other fully 1-2/10 +mm. Specimens with broad, white margins (A) show the paper to have +extended, sometimes 15 mm. beyond the stamps. The vertical lines are (B) +6 mm., or (C) 2½, 3 and 3¾ mm. from the center rows. The makers imprint +(D) is about 1½ mm. from the outer rows, but varies slightly in +different sheets. + +The process of making these plates is said to have been; first to mark +out on a soft plate of steel the points at which the right vertical line +of each vertical row of stamps was to come, by a dot at the top and +bottom of the plate. These dots were sometimes too large and too heavily +put in, and may be found in some specimens (E) at or near, the upper or +lower right hand corner of the stamp. The lines however were not always +accurately drawn so that the dot appears (F) on the top or bottom line, +at a distance to the left of the corner, or (G) above the line, or (H) +below the line, or (I) entirely outside of the stamp to the right. These +lines having been drawn, the next step in the process was to put in the +body of the design, which had been engraved on a soft steel punch or +die, and then hardened, by placing the die successively in the position +to be occupied by each stamp on the plate, and "rocking" it back and +forth under pressure. As this process was not as perfect as that now +employed, the die was not always placed in exactly the proper position, +not infrequently being too near or too far from the vertical side lines, +or the die was not rocked far enough, and the edges were left imperfect. + +In the design, it was evidently intended that the outside lines should +be equally distant from the top and bottom labels, and the side edges of +the block, and that the corners should be exactly mitered. The top and +bottom lines are practically always at the same distance from the +labels, and one engraver maintains that they were engraved on the die. +But specimens are plentiful in which (a) the top and bottom line +projects beyond the side line, or (b) does not touch it, or rarely (c) +is double or split, or again the side line (d) projects beyond the top +or bottom line, or (e) does not touch it. Again, instead of the side +line being (f) at the proper distance from the corner blocks, it is not +infrequently (g) too far from one or more of them, or (h) too near one +or more of them, or (i) touches one or more of them. Again, the side +line is found (j) connecting with the next stamp above or below, and +occasionally there is a second line (J) near this between two stamps. + +In the die itself it will be noticed that the lower left block is almost +always a little further to the left than the top one, in fact, that the +distance from the right of the right block to the left of the left block +is about ¼ of a mm. greater at the bottom than at the top of the stamp. +The lower right rosette is a little too far also to the right, +ordinarily at least. The blocks vary in size in the same and different +stamps, as well as the diamonds in them, which are not of uniform shape +or size. The labels above and below are crowded upon the rosettes. The +sides of the groundwork should terminate in a straight line, formed by +the bases of the little colored triangles, which touch each other. But +this line is often broken in appearance as parts of it are too finely +cut, or the die was not rocked far enough. In some cases this seems to +have been remedied by re-engraving this line, and there is a heavy line, +independent of the base lines of the triangles extending, (K) from +rosette to rosette, (L) from the lower rosette to the upper triangle, +(M) from the lower rosette to the middle of the upper triangle, (N) from +the lower rosette to the top of the upper triangle, (O) from the lower +rosette to the upper block, (P) a light line extending from the lower +rosette to the upper block, (Q) a heavy line extending from the middle +of the lower block to the upper triangle, (R) or from the middle of the +lower triangle to the upper rosette. Frequently there is a light line +(S) from the side of the triangle in the corner to the adjacent block. +The triangles are ordinarily shaded by horizontal parallel lines, and +are formed by a single fine line on the top and vertical sides, while +the curved side is double. But the following variations occur: (T) the +triangle has a heavy side line, (U) a double side line, (V) a triple +side line, (W) is white or nearly so, the horizontal line having +disappeared. + +Again it will be found that there are added lines along the whole or +part of either side line, making these double, or even triple. Thus +whether there is a distinct line, as described, between the rosettes, +etc., or not, if the next line be called the frame line, there may be +found varieties with an extra line outside the frame line, but (k) very +near it, (l) farther from it, (m) very heavy, the frame line being +thin, (n) the frame line split into two parts from the middle up, (o) +frame line split into two parts from chin up, (p) two extra side lines +all the way, (q) extra line from the level of the chin to the upper +rosette, (r) extra line from the level of the lips to upper rosette, (s) +from the level of the lips to the centre of the rosette, (t) from the +level of the nose to the top of the triangle, (u) from the level of the +breast to the top of the triangle, (v) opposite the bottom rosette. If +there be added to these letters the numerals 1 to express the left side, +2 the right when the variations occur along the whole side, and 1 for +the top, 3 for the bottom on the left side, 2 for the top, and 4 for the +bottom on the right side, when the variations occur only at the top or +bottom, the following table will facilitate investigation. + + On the On the + LEFT Specimens Showing RIGHT + at the at the + Top Bottom Top Bottom + + A^1 broad margin over 6 mm. and no line A^2 + B^1 " " ver. line 6 mm. from stamp B^2 + C^1 " " " 2½ to 3½ " C^2 + D^1 " " printer's imprint D^2 + ... ... dot on or near the corner E^2 E^4 + ... ... " " the end line, away from corner F^2 F^4 + ... ... " above " G^2 G^4 + ... ... " below " H^2 H^4 + ... ... " outside the corner I^2 I^4 + a^1 a^3 end line projecting beyond the corner a^2 a^4 + b^1 b^3 " " not touching " b^2 b^4 + c^3 " " split or double c^4 + d^1 d^3 side " projecting beyond " d^2 d^4 + e^1 e^3 " " not touching " e^2 e^4 + f^1 f^3 " " ordinary distance from block f^2 f^4 + g^1 g^3 " " too far from " g^2 g^4 + h^1 h^3 " " too close to " h^2 h^4 + i^1 i^3 " " touching the " i^2 i^4 + j^1 j^3 " " connecting with the next stamp j^2 j^4 + ... ... " " and another " " " J^2 ... + K^1 heavy " from rosette to rosette K^2 + L^1 " " " low. roset. to up'r triangle L^2 + M^1 " " " lo. r. to mid. of " " M^2 + N^1 " " " " " top of " " N^2 + O^1 " " " " " " block O^2 + P^1 light " " " " " " P^2 + Q^1 heavy " " mid. low. block to triangle Q^2 + R^1 " " " " tri. to up. roset. R^2 + S^1 S^3 fine " " triangle to adjoining block S^2 S^4 + T^1 T^3 triangle with heavy side line T^2 T^4 + U^1 U^3 " extra " U^2 U^4 + V^1 V^3 " 2 " " V^2 V^4 + W^1 W^3 " white or nearly so W^2 W^4 + k^1 extra line, outside frame line near it k^2 + l^1 " " " " far off l^2 + m^1 heavy " " thin frame line m^2 + n^1 frame " split into 2 parts half way n^2 + o^1 " " " " ¾ " ... + p^1 two extra lines, continuous ... + q^1 extra line frame, lev. of chin to up'r roset. ... + r^1 " " " lips " ... + s^1 " " " " center roset. ... + t^1 " " " nose, top of trian. ... + u^1 " " " breast, " ... + v^1 " opposite the bottom rosette ... + +All the variations mentioned in this table have been found. It is +scarcely possible that each of them exists separately, i. e.; on +specimens that are in other respects normal. Many of them have been +found so, but most of them only in combination. The following may be +mentioned: + + A, B, C, D. Specimens showing broad margins with no outer line, + with outer line 6 mm. from stamp, with outer line about 3 mm. + from the stamp, or with printer's imprint, have been found, both + from the left and right sides of the sheet, with all the other + parts normal. These would be, + + A^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, A^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, B^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, B^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, + C^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, C^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, D^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, D^2 f^{1 2 3 4}. + + With the vertical line about 3 mm. from the stamp, three corners + only normal, the side line too near the lower right block, a dot + on the upper right corner, the right line connected with the + stamp below, and a fine line from each of the upper triangles to + the block above, which would be C^2 f^{1 2 3} h^4 E^2 j^4 S^{2 4}. + + And also with the vertical line about 3 mm. from the stamp, all + the corners normal, a heavy line terminating the ground between + the rosettes on the right, both the triangles on the right + connected with the blocks next them, and an extra vertical line + in the upper right triangle, which would be C^2 f^{1 2 3 4} K^2 + S^{2 4} U^2, which will serve to show the character of the + combinations in which these varieties may be found. + + Varieties showing the dot, E to I, generally present other + varieties also. The following combinations may be noted: + + With the bottom line double, or rather split, three of the + triangles have fine connecting lines, c^3 c^4 S^{2 3 4}. + + With the right side prolonged, and continuous with the side line + of the stamp above or below, j^2 or j^4. + + With the right side line prolonged upwards, and continuous with + the lower, but not with the upper stamp and a second line 1 mm. + to left from stamp to stamp, J^2. + + With the extra line outside the frame line on right and near it, + all the other parts being normal, the line of the ground work + not appearing as a separate line, k^2. + + With an extra line outside the frame line on right and near it, + a heavy line from rosette to rosette on the right, giving the + appearance of three parallel lines on that side, a similar line + from rosette to rosette on the left, and a fine line from the + upper right triangle to block, k^2 K^{2 1} S^2. + + With the same arrangement, but the heavy line on the right of + ground extends to the top of the upper triangle, there is a fine + line to the block, k^2 K^1 N^2 S^2. + + With an extra line outside the frame line on the right but + further from it. The left line touches the rosette, and is very + near the upper left block. The upper triangles both have the + extra vertical line, and the right triangles both have the fine + line connecting them with the adjacent block, l^2 h^1 U^{1 2} + S^{2 4}. + + With the right frame line split into two parts in its lower + half. The upper right triangle has the extra vertical line, and + the fine line to upper block, n^2 U^2 S^2. + + With the extra line outside the left frame line, and a distinct + line between the left rosettes, the right line near the corner + blocks, k^1 K^1 h^{2 4}. + + With the same peculiarities, but frame line touches the lower + left corner, k^1 K^1 h^2 i^4. + + With two extra lines outside the left frame line, and a heavy + line between the left rosettes, so that the stamp appears to + have four lines on that side. The right frame line runs from + block to block, touching both triangles and rosettes. There is a + dot in the lower right corner, and another to the left of it, + p^1 S^1 i^{2 4} E^4 F^4. + + With the extra line on the left very light, and a heavier one + outside, and the ground does not appear to end in a line, m^1. + + With the extra line on the left the usual thickness, and the + frame line heavier. The right frame line touches all the parts + on that side, l^1 i^{2 4}. + + With the frame line on the left split into two parts from the + level of the chin up, the inner touches the rosette, the + triangle and almost touches the block. The right frame line is + split into two parts in the lower half. Both the right triangles + have the finer line, and the upper the extra vertical line, q^1 + i^2 n^2 U^{2 4} S^4. + + With the extra outside line from level of lips to the upper + rosette. All four triangles are connected with the blocks, the + upper right and lower left have the extra vertical line, r^1 + U^{1 2 3 4} S^{3 4}. + + With extra outside line from level of the lips to the level of + the center of the rosette. The frame line is too near the top on + the left, the upper right triangle is connected with the block, + and has the extra vertical line, the lower right triangle is + also connected with the block, s^1 h^1 S^{2 4} U^2. + + With the extra left line from the level of the nose to the top + of the rosette, the upper right triangle connected with the + upper block, and with extra vertical line, t^1 S^2 U^2. + + With the extra line on the left from the level of the breast to + the top of the rosette, the frame line is too near the upper + left corner, and an extra vertical line in all the triangles, + u^1 i^1 U^{1 2 3 4}. + + With the extra line on the left opposite the bottom rosette + only. The two upper triangles are connected with the blocks, and + an extra line in the upper right one, v^1 S^{1 2} U^2. + + With the left frame line heavy, and too near to the bottom + block, a split runs off to left half way down. Both sides appear + to have a heavy line from rosette to rosette, but the left one + is irregular, all the triangles are connected with the adjoining + blocks, and all except the lower right one have the extra + vertical line, h^3 n^1 S^{1 2 3 4} U^{1 2 3} K^{1 2}. + +In the above descriptions, no mention has been made of those parts that +are in their proper ordinary position. + +These varieties are the leading ones, and are probably more than enough +to show the combinations. Less conspicuous ones are numberless. Owing to +the scarcity of adhering specimens, and the uncertainty as to how many +plates were actually employed, no attempt has been made to reconstruct +any plate. It is perhaps necessary to repeat that the collection of any, +except perhaps the more marked varieties, is not advocated. + +The color of these stamps varies wonderfully, every shade from pale to +dark, with yellowish vermilion, pink, red, and carmine may be found. +Some are undoubtedly changelings from accidental causes, particularly +those that run from brown and black brown, to an almost jet black, which +were at one time much sought after. + + +UNPERFORATED FIVE CENTS. + +The stamps are about 1½ mm. apart each way on the sheet. All have the +projection at the top and bottom. Double and triple adhering specimens +may be found, but are rare. The imprint is on the sides, 1¾ mm. from the +stamps. No specimens have been found with vertical lines. + +The color is generally dark, either a chestnut brown, or with a stronger +reddish cast. + + +UNPERFORATED TEN CENTS. + +The stamps are 2½ mm. apart each way on the sheet. The imprint is at +about 1¾ mm. from the side rows. The few specimens with the vertical +lines examined, show it at 3 mm. from the stamps. The color is a +yellow-green, of which dark and light impressions may readily be found. +A block of four used, adhering 2 and 2, is possessed by Mr. Sterling. + + +UNPERFORATED TWELVE CENTS. + +The stamps are 1 mm. apart each way on the sheet. The vertical line 2½ +mm. from the stamps. No specimens with the imprint have come under the +notice of the author. The color is very uniform, slightly greyish-black. +Adhering specimens are rare. A pair adhering by the sides, used, and a +block of four unused, are in Mr. Sterlings' collection, and the curious +specimens divided diagonally, on the original letters, in the same +collection, have already been mentioned. + + +UNPERFORATED TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. + +The imprint is at the side, 1¾ mm. from the stamp. The stamps are 2 mm. +apart. The rarity of specimens has prevented further examination. The +color of the specimens seen is lilac, with the reddish cast. + + +ONE CENT "CARRIER," (FRANKLIN.) + +This stamp was never issued perforated. The imprint is 4 mm. from the +side rows, and the stamps are about 1 mm. apart. + + +ONE CENT "CARRIER," (EAGLE.) + +This stamp was never issued perforated, and any specimens so catalogued +will be found to be the reprints. The printer's imprint is at the bottom +or top of the four centre rows in the sheet. As the Department is +accustomed to call the half sheets issued "sheets," it is often +difficult to know which is meant. It has been stated that there are only +100 stamps on the plate. The imprint is 4 mm. from the stamps, and the +places where the stamps are to be cut apart are indicated by single +lines ruled horizontally and vertically. + + + + +XIX. + +THE ISSUE OF 1857. + + +Without any change in the law, and, so far as is known, without any +announcement of the improvement, on the 24th of February, 1857, the +three cent value of the type of 1851 was issued perforated, and the +other values of the series speedily followed with the perforation, and +so remained without addition until the middle of 1860. + + +ISSUE OF 1857. + +Same values, types and colors as the prior issue, perforated with 15 +holes in the space of two millimetres. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 15. + + 1 cent, shades of indigo blue. + 3 " " " red. + 5 " " " brown. + 10 " " " green. + 12 " " " black. + +The report of the Postmaster General, dated December 1st, 1860, states +that: + + "Larger denominations of postage stamps have been adopted and + introduced, especially intended for the purpose of affording + requisite facilities to prepay the postage on letters to foreign + countries, and of removing all excuse heretofore existing for + paying such postages in money. The new denominations are + twenty-four cents, thirty cents and ninety cents. The two latter + have been introduced since July 1st, last," i. e. since the + commencement of the new fiscal year. + + +ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1860. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. The stamp described on page 95 as prepared +imperforated in 1856, but not regularly issued in that condition, was +now issued perforated. + +Plate impression, 18½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +15. + + 24 cents, lilac. + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST 12TH, 1860. + +THIRTY CENTS. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the left, similar +to that on, the Carrier's Stamp of September, 1851, on an oval disk with +hatched back-ground bounded by a colorless line ornamented by a single +fine colored line. A colored back-ground fills out the rectangle and is +ornamented by a shield of the United States in each of the four corners, +the bottom of the shields pointed towards the center, and the ground +just behind them ornamented by colorless rays, with a foliated ornament +on each side of them. Between the ornaments in colorless capitals, on +the solid ground, above, in two lines, "_U. S._" and "_Postage_," below +"30," on the left side "_Thirty_," and on the right side "_Cents_." + +Plate impression, 20 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 15. + + 30 cents, orange. + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST 13TH, 1860. + +NINETY CENTS. Bust of Washington, in General's uniform, after Trumbal, +faced three quarters to the left, on closely hatched ground, appearing +nearly solid, square below, arched above, bordered by a colorless line. +Solid arched label above, inscribed in colorless capitals, "_U. S. +Postage_"; below, solid straight label, inscribed in the same letters +"_Ninety Cents_." The ends of the upper label are curved inwards, those +of the lower label outwards, and the colorless line borders the ends and +remaining side of each. Outside a double colored line borders all, +forming foliated ornaments, etc. There is an added colored line at the +top and bottom, and fine lines shading the ornaments. + +Plate impression, 18½ by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +15. + + 90 cents, deep indigo blue. + +The twenty-four cents was required to prepay the single rate of postage +on letters to England, and the thirty cents to prepay the single rate on +letters to Germany. The ninety cents does not seem to have been required +for any single rate. The contract with the Bank Note Engravers, Toppan, +Carpenter and Co., expired on the 10th of June, 1861, and all the stamps +made by them were withdrawn from circulation, and ceased to be +available for postage, between August 1st, 1861, and January 1st 1862, +as will appear from the circulars quoted, relating to the issue of 1861. +They have been reprinted, differently perforated, and sold to collectors +by the department. (See chapter on reprints.) + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +The one, three, five, ten and twelve cent values were first made by +perforating sheets from the original plates, and later, certain changes +were made that require to be noticed. + + +ONE CENT, PERFORATED. + +The first perforated sheets being from the same plates as the +unperforated, the same observations apply to them. It is to be noticed +that these had the fine colored line outside the labels _at the top and +bottom_. Owing to the nearness of the stamps on the sheets the +perforation generally cut into the stamps, either at the top or bottom, +and cut these lines, but the remains will be found on the points left +between the holes. Careful search will secure specimens in which both +these lines are intact, though they are somewhat rare. The vertical +lines, printer's imprint, etc., are of course in the same positions, and +the same varieties of finer or coarser lines may be found. The color +varies in the same degree. The paper is apparently the same, with the +same tinting, from the imperfectly wiped plates. + +In later specimens, however, the attempt was made to keep the +perforations from impinging on the printed portion. This was done by +removing the larger portion of the fine colored lines outside the +labels, and with them, portions of the upper and lower ornaments. In +many cases, they appear to have been wiped off, and the ends are +smudged. In others, they are clear and distinct. A great many varieties +result, as a greater or less portion of the lines or ornaments were +removed. Some of them are curious enough, in stamps that have always +been supposed to present no varieties. The fact being pointed out, it is +hardly worth while to attempt to distinguish them. + +The vertical lines and printer's imprints are in the same positions. +The stamps are still so near together that evenly perforated specimens, +i. e.; specimens in which the perforation does not cut some portion of +the stamp, are not easily found. + +_Two marked varieties_ may be noticed. In one, the outer fine line _is +removed above the top label_, while that under the bottom is left +intact. In the other, this outer line is removed _below the bottom +label_, while it remains intact above the top label. Both these +variations are exceedingly uncommon and appear to belong to the bottom +and top rows of the sheet respectively, though this has not been +verified. The same observations may be repeated as to variations in the +thickness of lines, the color of the paper and the impression. + +_Oddities._ Specimen showing two rows of perforations at the top and +bottom. Specimen without the outer lines to labels, unperforated. + + +THREE CENTS PERFORATED. + +The first perforated sheets of the three cents were from the same plate +as the last unperforated sheets, and consequently have the rectangular +outside frame lines, not only at the sides, but at the top and bottom as +well. As the stamps measure 25 mm. vertically and are only 1 mm. apart, +and the horizontal rows of perforation are about 25½ mm. from center to +center of the holes vertically, the perforations generally cut into the +stamp and partially obliterate these lines. As the stamps are only 1 mm. +apart at the sides, and are 19½ mm. wide, and the vertical rows of +perforations are 20½ mm. from center to center of the holes horizontally +and the holes are nearly 1 mm. in diameter, the side perforations also +usually cut into some part of the stamp. It is therefore quite difficult +to find good specimens of this variety, and to distinguish some of the +minor varieties, as the corners are generally imperfect. Specimens were +found showing the sheet cut along the colored vertical line, and (X) +perforated between this line and the stamp, from either half of the +sheet. New plates were however, soon constructed. In one of these, No. +24, the side lines are drawn on the plate from the top to the bottom, +and are about 19½ mm. apart. The fine outer lines at the top and bottom +are entirely omitted. The maker's imprint, "Toppan, Carpenter & Co., +Bank Note Engravers, Phila., New York, Boston and Cincinnati," 1¼ mm. +from the outer rows, is 68 mm. long. "No. 24 P," is 4 mm. from the +outer rows. The vertical center line is 1¾ mm. from the stamp. The sheet +measures 418 mm. from side to side, and 252½ mm. from top to bottom of +the printed part. The paper is 447 by 283 mm. The vertical rows of +stamps are 1½ mm. apart, and the vertical rows of perforations nearly 21 +mm. apart horizontally from center to center of the holes. The last two +rows at the sides are a little further apart. The horizontal rows of +holes are 25½ mm. apart vertically. Most of the differences in the +stamps on this sheet arise from the fact that the central portion is not +always placed in the same position in regard to the vertical lines. A +few of the stamps show dots in or near the corners. + +In some the lines are too near some of the corners, in some too far off, +and in others they touch and even cut into the blocks. Some few show +double or partly double lines. + +The whole sheet from plate 24, above mentioned, does not contain all the +varieties round, nor are they arranged just in the same order that they +appear in portions of other sheets examined. + +All the varieties possible, considering merely the position of the +corners and side lines, would be 246. So that each stamp on a sheet +might be different in this respect without showing them all. + +In sheet 24 however, only 32 exist. There are therefore, a number of +each variety, as follows, by the table previously given: + + hhhh 1 hiif 1 ifih 2 fihh 5 + hhhf 2 hifh 1 ifif 13 fiih 8 + hhih 16 hfif 3 fhhh 2 fiii 2 + hhif 20 ihih 14 fhhi 1 fiif 9 + hihh 2 ihif 32 fhhf 2 fihh 2 + hihi 2 iiih 7 fhih 3 fihi 3 + hiih 20 iiii 12 fhif 5 ffhf 1 + hiii 5 iiif 1 fhff 1 ffif 2 + +The 11th stamp in the first horizontal row, the 11th and 12th in the +second row, the 13th in the 4th row, and the 17th to 20th in the 10th +row show an extra line to the left of the left bottom rosette, V^1. + +In the 18th vertical row the left line actually cuts through the left +block in four specimens which are marked as if it merely touched in the +foregoing list. + +The 14th and 15th stamps in the top row show the dot. + +The 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th stamps in the upper row show +the right vertical line not only too far, g^2 g^4, as marked, but very +far from the corner block. + +The 9th stamp in the upper row has the double left line. + +The center stamps of this sheet are all of the varieties marked hiih in +the list, on the right half of the sheet, and hhih or hhif, on the left +half. + +None of the more prominent varieties are to be found on this sheet +unless the 9th stamp in the upper row may be considered as such. Loose +specimens from other plates show the vertical line only 7/8 mm. from the +stamps. Some of these are otherwise like those mentioned before, and +hfhg, gfff and ffhf from the left side, and hfhh, fhfg, fgfg and ifig +have also been noted. The above are all cut at or near the vertical +line. Some of the same varieties exist perforated along this line, and +higg and fihh exist also so perforated. In loose specimens have also +been found, igig, ihih, ifif, hhhf, hhhi, hhfh, hhff, hhif, hfhh, hfif, +hfig, hgig, hgif, hifi, hiih, gfgh, gfgf, gfff, ghgh, gigi, ffff, fffh, +ffhg, fgfg, fghf, fghg, fgig, fhfh, figh, varieties not on sheet from +plate 24. + +Passing now from these varieties dependent upon the nearness of the +lines and corner blocks the following more interesting variations may be +found: + +With the upper left corners too far from the blocks, the others being +ordinary; there is an extra line outside the frame line and close to it, +at the right, g^1 f^{2 3 4} k^2. + +With the upper left corner too far from the block, the lower left corner +too near to the block, an extra line outside the frame line and close to +it, g^1 f^2 h^3 f^4 k^2. + +With the upper left corner too far from the block, the others ordinary, +the frame line light, the extra line heavier. Numerous specimens showing +the frame line broken, those with it perfect are much rarer, g^1 f^{2 3 +4} m^2. + +With the upper right corner very near the block, all the others ordinary +but the right frame line runs only half way down, and into the ground +work. The extra line outside is the real side line, beginning too far +from the upper right corner, and running down to the right position at +the bottom (Y). Both the triangles on the right have the fine line +connecting them with the adjacent blocks, and also the extra vertical +line, f^1 i^2 t^{3 4} Y^2 S^{2 4} U^{2 4}. + +With the side line on the right starting at the usual distance from the +block, and running off to the right, and ending half way down, at nearly +twice the distance from the body of the stamps at which it started. A +second line starts at the proper distance from the stamp, and inside the +other at about the level of the lower point of the upper triangle, and +runs off to the right, down to the level of the lower rosette. A third +line starts at the proper distance from the stamp, inside this at about +the middle of the stamp, and runs down straight, (Z) g^1 f^2 i^3 f^4 +S^{1 2 3} Z^2. + +With the right line split about ½ way down, into two or three parts, i^1 +f^{2 3} g^4 n^2. + +With an extra line on both sides, f^{1 2} g^3 f^4 k^1 k^2. + +With an extra line outside the left frame line, but far from it (almost +the same distance as the frame line is from the blocks), f^1 f^2 h^3 g^4 +l^1. + +With the frame line thin, often broken, and the extra line heavy and +further off. The outer line is really the one drawn on the plate, and +the inner line probably put in afterwards. A number of differing +specimens. Also one in which there is no side line on the left except a +very thin line from the level of the chin down, and another from the +middle of the lower triangle down, apparently an impression from a worn +plate, the left margin is wide, the perforation cutting into the next +stamp, m^1 in varieties. + +With the left frame line split into two parts from the level of the chin +up, n^1. + +These variations, and a few others easily recognized, not found in the +imperforate stamps add to the table: + + LEFT. RIGHT. + Top Bottom Top Bottom + + X^1 perforated along center line X^2 + ... extra line inside half way Y^2 + ... side line starts thrice Z^2 + extra line opposite lower ½ of stamp w^4 + " " " ¼ " x^4 + " cen. of roset. to cen. of stamp y^4 + " lower block to upper " z^4 + +The color of all these stamps varies like the unperforated greatly, and +the same remarks concerning it might be here repeated. + + +PERFORATED FIVE CENTS. + +The stamps are 2½ mm. apart between the sides and 1½ between the tops +and bottoms; the imprint etc., as before. In these sheets the +perforations generally cut into the stamp. They were printed in many +varying shades of several colors; dark brown, dark black-brown, yellow +brown, red brown, and almost rose. + +The second plate was slightly altered. The little projection or salie at +the top and bottom was partially or wholly removed, forming the +following variations: + + 5 cents perforated, projection at top and bottom. + " " ½ " " " + " " no " " or " + +The color is very variable, numerous shades of dark black-brown, dark +chestnut-brown, brown, and yellow-brown may be found. + + +PERFORATED TEN CENTS. + +The stamps were apparently, a little further apart in some sheets than +in others, and the color presents only shades of the yellow-green. A +specimen is shown perforated in two rows at the sides. + + +PERFORATED TWELVE CENTS. + +There seems to have been no change in this value. An oddity is shown, +showing two extra lines at the right. + + +TWENTY-FOUR, THIRTY AND NINETY CENTS. + +The plates for these values having been prepared with a view to +perforating, the stamps are arranged about 1¾ mm. apart between the +sides, and 1¼ mm. apart between the tops and bottoms. There is very +little difference to be noted in the color beyond a dark and lighter +shade of the orange of the thirty cents, and of the dark blue of the +ninety cents. There are however, two shades of the lilac of the +twenty-four cents, a red and a blue cast. + + + + +XX. + +THE ISSUE OF 1861. + + +The reason for the introduction of this issue is not to be found in any +change in the law. The report of the Postmaster General, dated on +December 2d, 1861, states that: + + "The contract for the manufacture of postage stamps having + expired on the 10th of June, 1861, a new one was entered into + with the National Bank Note Company of New York, upon terms + very advantageous to the Department, from which there will + result an annual saving of more than thirty per cent, in the + cost of the stamps. In order to prevent the fraudulent use of + the large quantity of stamps remaining unaccounted for, in the + hands of postmasters in the disloyal States, it was deemed + advisable to change the design and the color of those + manufactured under the new contract, and also to modify the + design of the stamp upon the stamped envelope, and to substitute + as soon as possible the new for the old issues. It was the + design of the Department that the distribution of the new stamps + and envelopes should commence on the first of August, but, from + unavoidable delays, that of the latter did not take place until + the 15th of that month. * * * Those of the old issue have been + exchanged and superseded. The old stamps on hand, and such as + were received by exchange, at the larger offices, have been to a + great extent counted and destroyed, and those at the smaller + offices returned to the Department." + +The Act of the 27th Congress, Statute II, Chapter 37, Section 14, +approved March 3d, 1861, had so qualified the Act of 1851: + + "As to require the ten cent rate of postage to be prepaid on + letters in the mail, from any point in the United States east of + the Rocky Mountains to any State or Territory on the Pacific, + and from any State or Territory on the Pacific to any point in + the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. And all drop + letters shall be prepaid by postage stamps." + +Other sections also introduced minor changes in the rates on printed +matter, which it is not important to notice. + +The denomination of the stamps of the new issue therefore remained at +first the same. + +The circular letter from the Department to the several postmasters, +informing them of the change is as follows: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. + + _Finance Office_ ... 1861. + + POSTMASTER, + + Sir: You will receive herewith a supply of postage stamps which + you will observe are of a new style, differing both in design + and color, from those hitherto used, and having the letters U. + S. in the lower corners of each stamp, and its respective + denomination indicated by figures as well as letters. You will + immediately give public notice through the newspapers and + otherwise, that you are prepared to exchange stamps of the new + style for an equivalent amount of the old issue, during a period + of six days from the date of the notice, and that the latter + will not thereafter be received in payment of postage on letters + sent from your office. + + You will satisfy yourself by personal inspection that stamps + offered in exchange have not been used through the mails or + otherwise; and if in any case you have good grounds for + suspecting that stamps presented to you for exchange, were sent + from any of the disloyal states, you will not receive them + without due investigation. + + Immediately after the expiration of the above period of six + days, you will return to the Third Assistant Postmaster General + all stamps of the old style in your possession, including such + as you may obtain by exchange, placing them in a secure package, + which must be carefully registered in the manner prescribed by + Chapter 39, of the Regulations of this Department. + + Be careful also to write legibly the name of your office as well + as that of your county and state. A strict compliance with the + foregoing instructions is absolutely necessary, that you may not + fail to obtain credit for the amount of stamps returned. + + Instead of sending stamps to the Department you can if + convenient, exchange them for new ones at some city post office, + where large supplies are to be found. It being impossible to + supply all offices with new stamps at once, you will deliver + letters received from Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, + Indiana, Maryland and Pennsylvania, prepayed by stamps of the + old issue, until September 10th, those from other loyal states + east of the Rocky Mountains until the first of October, and + those from the states of California and Oregon and from the + Territories of New Mexico, Utah, and Washington, until the first + of November, 1861. + + Your Obedient Servant, + A. N. ZEVELY, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +A second issue of this circular merely extended the dates September +10th, October 1st and November 1st, 1861 to November 1st, December 1st, +1861, and January 1st, 1862, respectively. + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST 14TH, 1861. + +The portraits upon the 8 types or values of this issue seem to be copied +from the same pictures as were those on the corresponding denominations +of the preceeding issue. The same values are represented, that is: + +ONE CENT. Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the right, on an +oval disk with engine turned ground of interlaced colored lines on a +solid colored ground, framed round with interlaced colorless lines of +engine turned work on solid colored ground, bordered by a colorless line +with exterior fine colored line. "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless ordinary +capitals in a curved line following the oval above, "_One Cent_" in the +same letters and reversed curve below. Corners of quarter circles and +two foliated ornaments. "1" and "1" in the upper and "_U._" and "_S._" +in the lower corners, in ornamental colorless numerals and letters, on a +vertically lined ground. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 Cent, pale and dark blue. + +THREE CENTS. Head of Washington, in profile to left, upon engine turned +ground with sinuous frame of interlaced engine turned colorless lines +upon a solid colored ground, bordered by a colorless line, with exterior +fine colored line following the curves of the ground. Above, "_U. S._" +in a straight line with "_Postage_" below it in an arched line, and +large numeral "3" on each side. Below the head "_Three_," in reversed +curve with "_Cents_" in double curve below and "_U._" and "_S._" at the +sides all in colorless capitals and numerals on the engine turned frame +and ground, the corner numerals and letters ornamented. Corners and +sides filled out with foliated ornaments. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 3 cents, shades of rose. + +FIVE CENTS. Head of Jefferson, faced three quarters to the left on an +oval disk with rectangular hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +with fine colored exterior line. Broad frame of engine turned colorless +lines on a solid ground, with rounded corners, and curved outwards at +top, bottom and sides, bordered by a colorless line and a fine colored +line. Large "5" in upper corners, and "_U. S. Postage_" in a double +curve above the oval, "_Five Cents_" in a curved line following the oval +below, "_U._" in lower left, and "_S._" in lower right corner, all in +colorless letters upon the engine turned work of frame. The corners are +filled out with foliated ornaments. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, upon white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, ochre, shades of brown. + +TEN CENTS. Head of Washington, faced three quarters to left, on a +rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by four bands, forming a sort of +oval. The bands are bordered all around by a colorless and exterior fine +colored line. The upper band is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," on the +solid ground, and the ends of the bands are rounded; the lower band is +inscribed "_Ten Cents_" on the solid ground, and the ends of the band +are curved inwards; the side bands are of irregular shape, with the ends +rounded and bear four stars each, on a horizontally lined ground. The +rest of the stamp is composed of colorless foliated ornaments, between +colored lines upon the solid ground, forming irregular ovals in the +corners, with a band between the upper ones, bearing five stars, "10" +and "10" in the upper, "_U._" and "_S._" in the lower corners, on +horizontally lined ground, letters, numerals and stars all colorless in +colored outlines. + +Plate impression, 20 by 24½ mm, in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 10 cents, green, yellow-green. + +TWELVE CENTS. Head of Washington, similar to the ten cents, on an oval +disk, with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +and exterior fine colored line. Broad frame of engine turned colorless +lines on a solid ground, with rounded corners and waved edges, bordered +by a colorless line, and a fine colored line. The corners are filled out +with loops on colored ground. "12" and "12" set diagonally in the upper +corners, "_U. S. Postage_" following the curve of the oval above, +"_Twelve Cents_" in double curve line below, and "_U._" and "_S._" in +the lower corners. The letters and numerals are colorless, with colored +outlines on the engine turned work of frame. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 24½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 12 cents, black. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Small portrait of Washington, faced three quarters to +the right, on a rectangularly hatched ground, surrounded by a fancy +lozenge-shaped frame of engine turned colorless lines on solid colored +ground, bordered by a colorless line and exterior fine colored line. The +upper corners are filled out with foliated ornaments, containing the +numerals "24" and "24," set diagonally with 3 colorless stars between. +The lower corners each contain a large colored star between foliated +ornaments. "_U._" on the left and "_S._" on the right star; "_U. S. +Postage_" above and "_Twenty-four Cents_" below the head, near and +following the outer curve of frame. The letters, numerals and ornaments +are all colorless, but with colored outlines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 24 cents, lilac. + +THIRTY CENTS. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to left, on a +circular disk with diagonally hatched ground, 16½ mm. in diameter, +bordered by a colorless line and exterior fine colored line. A colorless +line between two fine colored lines, at about 2 mm. from the circle, +with foliated ends, forms a label above and below, the upper inscribed +"_U. S. Postage_," the lower "_Thirty Cents_," on lined ground, in +colorless letters outlined with color. Foliated ornaments without color, +but colored outlines form irregular spaces in the corners, with "30" and +"30" in the upper, "_U._" and "_S._" in the lower ones, in colorless +letters outlined and heavily shaded in color on a lined ground. + +Plate impression, 20 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 30 cents, orange. + +NINETY CENTS. Head of Washington, in General's costume, after Trumbal's +portrait, faced three quarters to the left, on an oval disk, 13½ by 17½ +mm., with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line and +exterior colored line, surrounded by a band forming a point above and +below, and bordered outside by a second colorless line and an exterior +colored line, and crossed by fine colored lines. "90" and "90" on this +band above, "_Ninety Cents_" below in colorless letters with colored +outlines. Waved band with similar borders crossing the former above, +and inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in the same letters. The lower corners +are filled with foliated ornaments upon which are "_U._" and "_S._" in +similar letters. + +Plate impression, 19 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 90 cents, indigo blue. + +It will be noticed that the original contract under which these stamps +were first manufactured by the National Bank Note Co., expired in 1865. +On its expiration a new contract was made with the same company for a +term of four years longer. + +To preserve the history of the postal legislation of the United States +which effects the use of stamps, the provisions of the Act of the XXXVII +Congress, Session III, Chapter 71, approved March 3d, 1863, must be +noted here, although they did not result in any change in the stamps in +use, except the addition of two new values: + + Sec. 3. No mail matter shall be delivered until postage + is paid. + + Sec. 13. The Postmaster General is authorized to establish + branch offices for the sale of stamps, etc. + + Sec. 17. Postage must be prepaid at the time of mailing + on domestic letters, transient printed matter + and all other things not herein provided for. + + Sec. 18. Daily, weekly, etc., publications must be prepaid + quarterly in advance by the receiver. + + Sec. 23. Drop letters will be charged 2 cents, to be prepaid + by postage stamps, but no carrier's fee. + + Sec. 32. The registration fee to be fixed by the Postmaster + General, but not to exceed in any case 20 + cents. + +In accordance with these last provisions however, there were issued two +additional values. + +The report of the Postmaster General for the year 1863, states that a +two cent stamp had been prepared and issued, principally to prepay the +postage on drop letters, and the report for 1878, fixes the date of +issue at of the 1st of July, 1863. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1863. + +(As additional to the series of 1861.) + +TWO CENTS. Very large head of Andrew Jackson, on an oval disk with +rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a fine colorless line with an +exterior colored line; on a band above, similarly bordered, and with +parallel lined ground, "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless capitals outlined +and shaded; on short bands, similarly constructed, below on the left +"_Two_," on the right "_Cents_." Foliated ornaments in the four corners, +forming small solid circles, bearing the numeral "2" in the upper, and +colorless ovals bearing "_U._" on the left, and "_S._" on the right, in +irregular shaped colored letters. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 2 cents, black. + +The Postmaster General having fixed the registration fee at 15 cents, a +stamp of that denomination was issued. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 1ST, 1866. + +FIFTEEN CENTS. Bust of Abraham Lincoln, on an oval disk 13½ by 18 mm. +with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a broad colorless line, +between two fine colored lines, and ornamented by short horizontal +colored lines. On the sides, Roman fasces, without the ax, on each side. +Above on a scroll, bordered by a colorless line between two fine colored +lines, curved up and back to form small ovals, and ending at the top in +foliations and inscribed on the band "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless +capitals, in the ovals "15" in colorless numerals; below, a curved band +following the outline of the oval, similarly bordered, and inscribed in +similar letters "_Fifteen Cents_"; foliated ornaments forming colored +ovals in the corners, with "_U._" in the left, "_S._" in the right, in +colorless capitals. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 15 cents, black. + +Issued originally for registered letters, this stamp also served the +next year, principally to prepay the postage on letters to Belgium, +Prussia, Holland, Switzerland and the German Postal Union. + +The entire series of 1861-63-66 was reprinted in 1874. + +It may also be noticed, that the act of the XXXIX Congress, Session I, +Chapter 281, approved July 27, 1866, authorized the use in all post +offices of weights of the denomination of grams, 15 grams to equal one +half ounce, and the postal laws to be applied accordingly. + +Also the Act of the XL Congress, Session I, Chapter 246, Section 10 and +11, approved July 29th, 1868, provided penalties for re-using stamps +that had once paid postage, and authorized the sale of stamps at a +discount of five per cent to persons to sell again as agents. + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +The plates of this issue having been prepared with a view of +perforating, the stamps are placed sufficiently far apart to allow a +perforation, without ordinarily cutting into the stamps. Occasionally +eccentricities may be found, which are the result of accident. The +sheets, as in the previous issue, consist of 200 stamps, the central +point is indicated by three lines at the top and at the bottom, and the +sheets are cut apart on this line and distributed in half sheets of 100, +or ten stamps in ten rows. The printer's imprint is generally to be +found at the center of the top and bottom of each half sheet, at about 4 +mm. from the printed stamps, and consists of a small colored label with +a dotted edge, inscribed "National Bank Note Co." preceded by "New +York," and followed by "City" in colored capitals. The plate number also +appears near this. + +The ONE CENT varies in color from a pale blue to a dark blue, generally +of the shade known as ultramarine. The paper is ordinarily white with a +yellowish cast, but there are specimens which appear surfaced with the +same ink as the stamp, which is probably an accident from imperfect +wiping of the plates, and others the paper of which has a pale pink +cast, both on the front and back. + +The TWO CENTS varies from grey to black, with occasional specimens +partially tinted with the ink, probably from the same cause as in the +one cent. + +_Variety._ Doubly perforated at the sides. + +The THREE CENTS varies from a very faint rose to a deep rose, with +occasional specimens tinted as in the other values, probably from the +same cause. + +_Variety._ Doubly perforated at sides. + " " top and bottom. + +There are also a few specimens known of a scarlet tint. They resemble +the ordinary stamps of this value in all other particulars, and it does +not appear to be settled whether they were ever used or not. Proofs, +both perforated and unperforated, exist in this shade, and the better +opinion would seem to be that all of this shade are proofs. It is +claimed, however, that a sheet, or part of a sheet unused, was picked up +at the New York Post Office by a collector. + +Strips of ten stamps adhering, forming a vertical row from the sheet, +and showing a double perforation along the sides are also exhibited. + +Unperforated specimens have been catalogued. + +The FIVE CENTS was originally issued in a pale yellow brown or ochre, +but was changed in September to a darker brown, with a reddish cast, +there is also a brown with a yellowish cast, another with a blackish +cast and a chestnut brown. It would appear that the latter is the true +color composed of red, yellow and black, and that the others result from +some improper mixing of these colors, by which one or the other +predominates. + +_Variety._ Doubly perforated at the sides. + +A "yellowish brown," meaning the brown with a yellowish cast, has been +chronicled unperforated. + +The TEN CENTS is light and dark green. The lighter shade is generally +called a yellow-green, but the two shades differ only in intensity. + +The TWELVE AND FIFTEEN CENTS also vary from grey to deep black. + +The TWENTY-FOUR CENTS is violet, and pale or dark lilac. + +The THIRTY CENTS is of two shades of orange, and an orange-brown. + +The NINETY CENTS is faint deep blue and indigo blue. + +The number of the several values of these stamps issued, without the +_grille_ is approximated as follows: it being not quite certain whether +a few with the grille were not issued prior to the dates to which the +enumeration is made. + + 1 cent 91,256,650 + 2 cents 254,265,050 + 3 cents 1,847,559,100 + 5 cents 8,258,460 + 10 cents 28,872,780 + 12 cents 7,639,525 + 15 cents 2,139,300 + 24 cents 10,238,650 + 30 cents 3,208,980 + 90 cents 337,770 + + + + +XXI. + +THE ISSUE OF 1867-9. + + +The Act of the XXXIX Congress, Session I, Chapter 114, Section 7, +approved June 12th, 1866, entitled an Act to amend the Postal Laws, had +provided among other things. + + "Sec. 7. And be it further enacted: that whenever it shall + become expedient in the opinion of the Postmaster General to + substitute a different kind of postage stamps for those now in + use, he shall be, and is hereby authorized to modify the + existing contracts for the manufacture of postage stamps, so as + to allow the contractors a sum sufficient to cover the increased + expenses, if any, of manufacturing stamps so substituted." + +The Report for the Postmaster General for the year ending June 30th, +1867, states that experiments had been made in printing postage stamps +on an embossed paper, which appeared to offer a fair guarantee against +fraud; that the tissues of the paper were broken by the process, so that +the ink of the cancelling stamps penetrated the stamps in such a manner +as to render cleaning impossible; that the adhesiveness of the stamps +was also increased, to say nothing of other advantages, which recommend +the invention. Some of these curious experiments will be noticed in the +chapter on Essays. The plan adopted was, however, to emboss the stamp, +after it was printed, with a series of small square points, arranged in +the form of a rectangle, much in the same way that checks are sometimes +treated to prevent alteration. This breaks the tissues of the paper. The +French collectors call this a _grille_, or grating, which it resembles. +There were several varieties used on this issue, and they were applied +to the stamps then current, without other change in the design, paper, +color or gum. + + +ISSUE OF 1867 TO 1869. + +The first variety was a grille covering the entire stamp, adopted May +8th, 1867, and applied only to the; + + 3 cents, rose, perforated 12, grilled all over. + +If this is examined with a glass on the face of the stamp, there appear +to be rows of slightly raised squares, separated by depressed straight +lines, with a still more raised cross, formed by diagonal lines running +from corner to corner of the square. If the back is examined, the +straight lines appear raised, the crosses depressed. In all specimens +examined, the embossing is very flat. + +The second variety does not cover the entire stamp, but shows a +rectangle, measuring 13 by 16 mm., composed of 16 rows of 20 small +squares each. It was adopted August 8th, 1867, and was applied only to +the; + + 3 cents, rose, perforated 12, large grille. + +Copies with this grille may be found in which one side row or the other +shows only half squares instead of whole ones, also with some of the top +or bottom rows missing, wholly or partly. + +_Var._ 12½ by 16 mm., 15½ by 20 rows, 3c., perf. 12. + 12¼ " 15 " 15 by 18½ " 3c " + +The appearance of this grille, examined on the face, is just the reverse +of the preceding, as the straight lines are raised and the crosses +depressed. + +The third variety was a still smaller rectangle, about 11 by 14 mm., +composed of 14 rows of 17 small squares or parts of squares. The date is +January 8th, 1868. Numerous variations may be found. It was applied only +to the; + + 1 cent, blue, perforated 12, medium grille. + 2 " black " 12 " + 3 " rose " 12 " + 10 " green " 12 " + 12 " black " 12 " + 15 " black " 12 " + +_Var._ 11½ by 14½ mm., 15 by 18 rows, 3c, rose, perf. 12. + 11 by 14 mm., 14 by 17½ " 3c " " + 14 by 17 " 3c " " + 14 by 16½ " 1c blue " + 14 by 16½ " 3c rose " + 14 by 16½ " 10c green " + 14 by 16½ " 12c black " + 14 by 16½ " 2c " " + 14 by 16½ " 3c rose " + 11 by 13 mm., 14 by 16½ " 3c " " + 14 by 16 " 3c " " + 10½ by 14 mm., 14 by 16½ " 3c " " + 13 by 16½ " 3c " " + 13 by 16½ " 10c green " + +_Oddity._ With 2 grilles touching on the same stamp. 3 cents, rose, +perforated 12. + +_Note._ It is not uncommon to find parts of two grilles on the same +stamp at a distance from each other, part of a grille being at the top +and part at the bottom, or part of a grille on each side. The oddity +noted presents two grilles touching by the top and bottom, one a little +farther to the left than the other, making a strip of squares from the +top to the bottom of the stamp. + +This medium grille if examined on the face is quite different from the +foregoing large grille. It appears to be composed of raised lines +between the squares and depressed crosses in them. A glass transforms +these lines into rows of diamonds. On the reverse it appears as if +composed of depressed lines, between the squares, and raised crosses in +them. + +_Note._ The other values so far as known, have not been found with this +grille. Up to May, 1868, only the values from 1 to 12 cents had been +noted by the stamp papers as having been found with any grille. The 24 +and 30 cents are chronicled with a grille in the November, 1868, but the +90 cents was not so noticed until much later, February, 1869, (see +American Journal of Philately). + +The fourth and most common grille is a square of 9 by 14 mm., composed +of 12 rows of 16½ squares each. The date of its adoption is not known. +It was applied to the whole series. + + 1 cent, blue, perforated 12, small grille. + 2 " black " 12 " + 3 " rose " 12 " + 5 " brown " 12 " + 10 " green " 12 " + 12 " black " 12 " + 15 " black " 12 " + Nov. 1868, 24 " lilac " 12 " + " 30 " orange " 12 " + Feb. 1869, 90 " blue " 12 " + +_Varieties._ 9 by 14 mm., 12 by 16½ rows, 1c., perf. 12. + " " " 3c " + " 12 by 17 " 30c " + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +The colors are generally stronger than in those without the grille. The +majority of the specimens of these stamps appear to have the surface of +the paper tinted slightly with the color of the stamps, possibly from +some imperfection in cleaning the plates. A few values have been noted +on pure white paper. + + 1 cent, blue, small grille, perforated 12. + 2 " black " " 12 + 10 " green " " 12 + +The 3 cents, rose, small grille, unperforated, has been noted, and + + 2 cents, black, grille, variety 4 { unperforated + 3 " rose " " 4 { at the + 5 " brown " " 4 { sides. + +The re-impressions of these designs did not have the grille. + +The five cents was in use up to September, 1870. + +Some specimens examined seem to indicate that all these varieties of +grille are occasionally to be found reversed, i. e. they present the +appearance on the face that is usually to be seen on the back, and vice +versa. + +Of these stamps with the grille, there were, issued approximately the +following numbers: + + 1 cent 9,638,600 + 2 cents 46,440,000 + 3 " 231,773,300 + 5 " 1,006,400 + 10 " 3,076,070 + 12 " 2,087,575 + 15 " 868,080 + 24 " 167,453 + 30 " 214,000 + 90 " 26,870 + +During the currency of these stamps, a new contract was entered into +with the same company. A special despatch to the St. Louis +Globe-Democrat, dated Oct. 3rd, 1868 states: + + "Postmaster General Randall to-day accepted the proposal of the + National Bank Note Company, of New York, for furnishing stamps + for four years at 25½ cents per 1000. This includes everything + required for preparing the stamps for immediate use, gumming, + perforation printing and preparing receipts. The contractors are + also required to furnish new designs, at least four of which + must be printed in combination colors." + +The number of the several values of these stamps issued, with the +_grille_ is approximated as above, it being not quite certain whether a +few without the grille were not in stock at the dates from which the +enumeration is made. + + + + +XXII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1869. + + +The New York Evening Post of October 6th, 1868, also contains a notice +of; + + "THE NEW CONTRACT FOR POSTAGE STAMPS. + + In June last, Postmaster General Randall, advertised for + proposals for furnishing the Government with postage stamps for + a term of years. The Committee of experts appointed for the + purpose, decided in favor of the National Bank Note Company, and + on Saturday last, the Postmaster General awarded the contract to + that Company for a term of four years. We have been shown proofs + of the new stamps, and they reflect credit upon the artistic + taste of the Company." + +Some of these proofs are then described. + + "One of the characteristics of the stamps manufactured by this + Company is that the ink used prevents persons washing, and using + the stamps a second time. The fiber in the centre of the stamp + is broken completely, and they adhere better, while the ink of + cancellation sinks into the paper. The engraving on these stamps + are remarkable copies of historical pictures, and bear the test + of microscopical examination." + +These are probably the only words of approbation to be found in the +daily press among the host of comments upon these stamps, which by the +terms of the contract were to be ready on the first of February, 1869. +Messrs. Butler & Carpenter, of Philadelphia, had claimed to be entitled +to the award on the ground that they had submitted a better bid than the +National Bank Note Co., which resulted in delay and the appointment of +the commission above mentioned. + +However, in March, 1869, the greater part if not all the values were +printed and ready for issue, but were distributed to the public only as +the stock of the old issue was exhausted. About the end of April they +began to appear, and even in September only the 1, 2, 3 and 6 cents were +to be obtained in the larger post offices. Already the public demanded +that they should be replaced, and this was done in April, 1870. As late +as March, 1870, the 90 cents of the previous issue was on sale in some +of the offices. + +This unfortunate issue was generally received with approval by the +Philatelic press. It is certainly well engraved, and forms an +interesting and handsome series for the most part, and is an adornment +to the collectors' album. But it is hardly so well suited to the +practical requirements of a postage stamp. It was announced that the +series was intended in some sort, to portray the history of the Post +Office in the United States, beginning with Franklin, the Continental +postmaster, and the post rider of the early days, followed by the +locomotive of a later day, and the Ocean Steamer carrying the mails +which had become so important a branch of the postal service, the most +important scenes in the early history of the country, its triumphant +arms, and Washington its first and Lincoln its last President. But +hardly had it been issued before its doom was sealed. + +In August the New York Tribune says: + + "The greater part of the stamps sold at the Post Office in this + city are worthless, and have not sufficient gum to make them + stick to letters. One can be amused, or become indignant, in + watching people who buy stamps, demanding a little mucilage from + the clerk, in order to fasten the stamp on their envelopes. It + appears that the invention of embossing which is continued in + this emission, while it spoils the stamps, does not increase + their adhesive properties as was pretended." + +Other papers pronounced the stamp too small. The comic papers exhibited +caricatures in which the people were looking for their stamps in their +pocket books with powerful microscopes. + +The Evening Telegram says: + + "The new United States postage stamps have a very un-American + look." + +The Evening Mail says: + + "Our old postage stamps were really neat and pleasing in + appearance. They were National and American, as they ought to + have been. The head of Washington was venerable, and our three + cent stamps were as perfect as they well could be. So also the + one cent stamp with the head of Franklin was equally + appropriate. There was a fitness of congruity in putting the + head of the old, thrifty economist, on the one cent stamp. Our + youth were reminded of the wise saws and sayings of "Poor + Richard" and it taught them that if they learned to save the + cents, the dollars were more likely to take care of themselves. + But now think of the miserable, confused looking thing, with its + wretched printing, that the Post Office has given us for the + present three cent stamp. It is neither historical, national, + beautiful, nor anything but a paltry evidence of the fact, that + some engraver has got paid or will get paid for a job that ought + never to have been done. Can our authorities not let well enough + alone? + + Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, all have railroad engines + such as ours. What is there in a big chimney on a railroad + carriage to indicate the nationality of our postal system. Aye, + but there are words, "United States Postage" on the stamp. Just + so. We remember to have seen a boy's drawing on a sheet of + paper, the words "this is a church" underneath, and certainly + the artistic performance needed the index, but not more so than + the new stamp requires a similar proclamation to tell the world + what it means. And then again look at the printing of the word + "Postage." Can our engravers do nothing better than that? We + hope that the contractors have been paid for their work. If so, + then let the post office folks give us back again our old head + of Washington, and save us from looking at the contemptible + thing that we are now getting in its stead." + +Another paper says: + + "The present miserable experiments in blue, with a meaningless + legend, are to be recalled and something new in red is to be + substituted. The old heads of Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, + Franklin and Lincoln are to be restored. It is about time that + some definite form and design of postage stamp should be + adopted, so that people may know to a certainty what mucilaged + square of paper will carry a letter to its designation, and what + not." + +The New York Herald says: + + "The old style of three cent postage stamps had thereon a face + of Washington, out of compliment to a good man. It now has a + railway scene to represent how Congressmen make money. The two + cent stamp represents a man on horseback. This represents + Booth's death ride into Maryland. The one cent stamp should + represent a cow with the favorite son of the Covington + postmaster fast to her tail. This out of compliment to Grant." + +An Eastern paper says: + + "The Government introduced the present nondescript things called + postage stamps, for the purpose of frightening counterfeiters." + +And later the Herald says: + + "Another attempt is to be made to give us decent postage stamps. + We suppose it will fail, as so many have hitherto. Our postal + authorities try too much. If they will only take the Italian or + French stamp, and put Washington's head in place of Victor + Emanuel's, or Napoleon's, they cannot fail; but they will try + some improvements and spoil all." + +The post office department announced the issue in the following +circular: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. + + _Finance Office, March 1st, 1869._ + + Sir: + + At an early day, in the regular course of business, the + Department will issue to Postmasters stamps of new designs. + [See description annexed.] In the proposed issue the six cent + stamp is substituted for the five cents. You are required to + exhaust all of the present style on hand, before supplying the + public with the new; and in no case will you be allowed to make + exchanges for individuals, or to return stamps to the Department + to be exchanged. The stamps now in use are not to be + disregarded, but must be recognized in all cases equally with + the new ones. + + Special attention is called to the fact that sheets of all + denominations below 15 cents contain 150 stamps. The 15 cents + and all higher denominations, contain 100 stamps on each sheet. + This must be borne in mind to prevent mistakes in counting, as + in the present issue each denomination has but 100 stamps to the + sheet. Special requests for the new style of stamps will be + disregarded until the stock of the present issue in possession + of the Department is exhausted. Due notice will be given of the + date of issue of any new design of stamped envelopes, therefor + all inquiries respecting them will be disregarded. + + (Signed.) A. N. ZEVELY, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +The description upon the other side requires to be supplemented for +collectors, but is incorporated in those following. + + +ISSUE OF MARCH 19TH, 1869. + +Composed of ten values each of a different type. + +ONE CENT. Head of Franklin, in profile, looking to the left, on a +circular disk horizontally lined, surrounded by a broad circle +ornamented with colorless pearls, bordered by a band of rayed lines +between fine white lines, with exterior fine colored line, and divided +into three labels by ornaments at the sides and bottom. "_U. S. +Postage_" at the top; large numeral "1" in a small oval (sic) with a +border of colorless loops between the words "_One Cent_" at the bottom. +Color, Roman ochre. Corners plain without color. + +Plate impression, circular, 20 by 20 mm., in color, on white paper, +perforated 12, grilled and without grille. + + 1 cent, Roman ochre. + +TWO CENTS. Post horse and rider facing to the left, trees, fence, etc., +in background, surrounded by ornamental scroll work, "_United States_" +in small colored capitals on the ground above, a curtain inscribed +"_Postage_" in colorless capitals at the top. "_Two Cents_" at the +bottom on a ribbon with large numeral "2" between the words, both in +outline shaded. Color, light bronze. + +Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, +grilled and without grille. + + 2 cents, yellow-brown, light and dark chestnut-brown. + +THREE CENTS. Locomotive heading to the right, surrounded by ornamental +scroll work, "_United States_" in colored block capitals on a curved +band, "_Postage_" in colorless capitals in a tablet beneath, at top. +"_Three Cents_" in outline shaded block capitals, in two scrolls at the +bottom, with numeral "3" in a shield (sic) between the words. Color, +Imperial ultramarine blue. + +There is no shield as stated in the official description. + +Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, +grilled and without grille. + + 3 cents blue. + +SIX CENTS. Head of Washington, three quarters face looking to the right, +on a ground of vertical and horizontal lines, bordered by a solid broad +colored line, ornamented by 68 pearls. Spandrels checkered and bordered +by colorless lines. Frame square, composed of vertically lined squares +in the upper corners, with narrower horizontally lined label between, +with a broad colored border, ornamented by pearls and exterior colorless +and colored line above. The colored labels are narrower than the upper +squares at the sides, and are bordered by colorless pearls and an +interior white line, an exterior colorless and fine colored line. +Horizontally lined label across the entire bottom, widened at the ends +to correspond with the upper squares, with exterior colorless and +colored line. "_U. S._" in upper left and right corners of frame +respectively. The word "_Postage_" in upper bar of frame, "_Six Cents_" +in lower, the numeral "6" between the words, and "_United States_" on +each side. Color, ultramarine. + +Plate impression, 20 by 20 mm., square, in color, on white paper, +perforated 12, grilled and possibly without grille. + + 6 cents blue. + +TEN CENTS. Shield of the United States on which is resting an eagle with +outspread wings, looking to the left. "_United States_" in small +colored capitals with "_Postage_" in large outline capitals, shaded in +a second line beneath, in the upper section of the shield, numeral "10" +in lower. The words "_Ten Cents_" in scroll at the bottom in outline +shaded capitals. The whole design surrounded by thirteen stars arranged +in a semicircle, (sic) color, orange. The background is rayed behind the +eagle and the semicircle of stars are upon this only, the background +behind the shield is of clouds, there is no frame. + +Plate impression, 19 by 18 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12 +and grilled, possibly also without grille. + + 10 cents orange. + +TWELVE CENTS. Ocean Steam ship, headed to left in horizontal oval, +surrounded by ornamented scroll work. In a double tablet with arched top +on horizontally lined ground, and colored capitals in a curved line, +"_United States_" and "_Postage_" in outline capitals on a solid ground. +On three scrolls in outline capitals and numerals shaded, "_Twelve +Cents_" at the bottom, with numeral "12" between the words. Color, +malori green. + +Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly +surfaced green, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also without grille. + + 12 cents, green. + +FIFTEEN CENTS. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture, in the +Capitol at Washington, of the "Landing of Columbus," in an oblong +rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with rounded upper corners, surrounded at a +little distance by a single colored line. Ornamental and scroll work at +top and bottom on a ground ruled horizontally inside and vertically +outside of the scrolls, the whole surrounded by a colorless and fine +colored line. On a colorless tablet, in Gothic capitals, "_U. S._"; in a +curved line of outline capitals on the ground, "_Postage_" at top. +_Fifteen Cents_ at bottom, with numerals "15" underneath in outline +colorless capitals, on the ground. Colors: picture, Prussian blue, +scroll and ornamental work pale Indian red. + +Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12, grilled and not grilled. The paper is more or less surfaced with +blue. + + 15 cents blue and brown. + +NOTE. There are two varieties of this stamp, depending on the type, and +an error, the latter was however never circulated. The line of the +frame, above the picture, is curved up on the left hand, beginning under +the O, and on the right hand beginning under the G, in what is called +the O. G. curve, till the two meet in a point. In the ordinary variety +there are two fine lines within the space left for the picture, which +along the whole top, including the curved corners and this central +double curve, are united in a heavy line and at about ½ a millimeter +from the center line on each side, curve down, as well as up, to a +point, forming a diamond. On the sides and bottom within this line, +there is a shading of fine diagonal lines. When the picture is exactly +in position, which is rare, the colored line surrounding it falls +between these fine lines, and on the heavy curved line, just touching +the lower part of the diamond. + +In the rarer variety, the two fine lines, the broad top line, and the +bottom of the diamond are all omitted, the entire space is either empty +or shows one, two or three horizontal lines across the top of the space, +and three or four across the bottom, with a row of short horizontal +lines at the sides. When the picture is in proper place there is an +almost blank space at the top, and apparently a white line surrounding +the picture. When it is misplaced the colored lines described can be +seen and there appear to have been several varieties, as there were more +or less of them. + +_The error_ is not as is sometimes supposed an error of printing, but in +the plate. Two plates, one for each color, had to be used. Originally, +there were 150 stamps as in the smaller values, (See circular of March +1st, 1869 above cited) but upon the plate for printing the picture, it +is said one picture was reversed, and the error once discovered, the +plate was cut down to print only 100 stamps as stated in the circular. +It is probable that no copies with the error were ever circulated. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture at the +Capitol, of the "Signing of the Declaration of Independence" forming an +oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with all four corners cut off diagonally, +surrounded by a fine colored line at a little distance. Ornamental +scroll work at top and bottom on a lined ground. A line of pearls on a +colored line, between a colorless and colored line, forms the frame for +the picture. In block capitals "_U._" and "_S._" surrounded by ovals at +upper left and right corners respectively, the word "_Postage_" between +the two, in a curved line of outline capitals, shaded on the background. +"_Twenty-four Cents_" in scrolls at bottom, with numeral "24" beneath in +outline letters shaded. Colors: the picture, purple lake, scroll and +ornamental work, light malori green. Just beneath the picture in small +colored numerals, "1776." + +Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12, grilled and not grilled. + + 24 cents, purple and green. + +NOTE. There is the same error of this stamp "reversed picture" stated to +be from the same cause, a defect in the plate as for the 15 cents, and +the same remarks apply. + +THIRTY CENTS. Eagle facing to left, with outspread wings, resting on +shield with flags grouped on either side. The words "_United States +Postage_" in upper section of shield. The numeral "30" in lower. The +words "_Thirty Cents_" across the bottom, with three stars arranged in a +semi-circle at top of the design. Colors: Eagle and Shield, carmine, +flags blue. Except for the change of numerals and words of value, the +omission of the scroll, and the substitution of the two flags on each +side for the clouds, the design, though not the drawing of this stamp is +identical with the ten cents. "Thirty cents" is however in block +letters, the T Y C E in outline, the rest shaded. + +Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly +tinted with pink, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. + + 30 cents, carmine and blue. + +_Error._ There is also an error of this stamp in which the flags are +reversed. It is also stated to be an error on the plate, but may be only +an error in printing. + +NINETY CENTS. Portrait of Lincoln in an oval, looking to the right, +surrounded by ornamental scroll work, numerals "90" at each of the upper +corners, set diagonally in outline, and shaded on vertically lined +ground. On a label with rayed ground, edged by a colorless and colored +line, in outline capitals shaded, "_U. S. Postage_" at top of oval. +"_Ninety_" and "_Cents_" on scrolls at the lower left and right corners +of oval respectively, set diagonally and in colored capitals. In outline +Gothic capitals "_U._" and "_S._" at the lower left and right corners of +the stamp respectively. Colors: portrait black, surrounding ornamental +and scroll work, carmine. It may be well to add that the portrait is +three quarters face, on a square hatched ground, and a single colored +line in same color surrounds the oval at a little distance. The space +left in the frame for the picture is bordered by fine short horizontal +lines, which show when the picture is not properly placed. + +Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm. square, in two colors, on white paper, +slightly surfaced pink, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. + + 90 cents, black and carmine. + +The grille in this series is a square 9½ by 9½ mm. composed of 11½ rows +of 12 smaller squares each, apparently separated by raised lines +crossing each other at right angles, each little square divided by +depressed diagonals also, as if produced by forcing a series of pyramids +set close together, but not touching, into the face of the stamp. Seen +from the reverse, the dividing lines are depressed and the squares stand +up like pyramids, with ragged edges showing the broken fibre of the +paper. + +The numbers of the several values of this issue is approximated as +follows: + + 1 cent, 24,988,100 + 2 cents, 114,058,000 + 3 cents 530,346,800 + 6 cents, 6,363,700 + 10 cents, 5,770,130 + 12 cents, 4,088,875 + 15 cents, 2,360,740 + 24 cents, 414,325 + 30 cents 513,180 + 90 cents, 77,650 + + + + +XXIII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1870. + + +In the report of the Postmaster General for the year ending the 30th of +June, 1870, under date of Nov. 15th, 1870, he says: + + The adhesive postage stamps adopted by my predecessor in 1869, + having failed to give satisfaction to the public, on account of + their small size, their unshapely form, the inappropriations of + their designs, the difficulty of cancelling them effectually, + and the inferior quality of gum used in their manufacture, I + found it necessary in April last, to issue new stamps of larger + size, superior quality of gum and new designs. As the contract + then in force contained a provision that the stamps should be + changed, and new designs and plates furnished at the pleasure of + the Postmaster General, without additional cost to the + department, I decided to substitute an entire new series, + one-third larger in size, and to adopt for designs the heads, in + profile, of distinguished deceased Americans. This style was + deemed the most eligible, because it not only afforded the best + opportunity for the exercise of the highest grade of artistic + skill in composition and execution, but also appeared to be the + most difficult to counterfeit. The designs were selected from + marble busts of acknowledged excellence, as follows: One cent, + Franklin, after Rubricht; two cents, Jackson, after Powers; + three cents, Washington, after Houdon; six cents, Lincoln, after + Volk; ten cents, Jefferson, after Powers' statue; twelve cents, + Clay, after Hart; fifteen cents, Webster, after Clevenger; + twenty-four cents, Scott, after Coffee; thirty cents, Hamilton, + after Cerrachi; ninety cents, Commodore O. H. Perry, profile + bust, after Walcott's statue. The stamps were completed and + issues of them began in April last. The superior gum with which + they are coated is not the least of the advantages derived from + the change. + + Upon the conclusion of the postal treaty with the North German + Confederation, fixing the single letter rate by direct steamers + at seven cents, to take effect the 1st of July last, a stamp of + that denomination was adopted, and the profile bust of the late + Edwin M. Stanton selected for the design. This has been + completed in a satisfactory manner, but owing to the temporary + discontinuance of the direct mail steamship service to North + Germany, it has not yet been issued to postmasters. + +It may not be uninteresting to remark that the following stamps were +adapted among other uses, to the payment of the rates under postal +treaties as follows; + + 6 cents, England, Dec. 3d, 1869; + Sandwich Islands, May 5th, 1870; + British Columbia, July 15th, 1870; + Germany, March 31st, 1871. + + 7 cents, Germany, April 7th, 1870; + Denmark, Dec. 1st 1871. + + 10 cent, Italy, Feb. 8th, 1870; + Belgium, March 1st, 1870; + Switzerland, April 13, 1870; + Salvador, Oct. 5th, 1870. + + 12 cents, British Honduras, August 11th. 1869; + New Zealand, Oct. 5th, 1870. + + 15 cents, Brazil, May 9th, 1870. + +The series being ready for issue, was announced to the various +Postmasters in the following: + + CIRCULAR TO POSTMASTERS. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General, + + _April 9th, 1870_. + + New Series of Postage Stamps. + + At an early date in the regular course of business, the + Department will issue to Postmasters, postage stamps of a new + design. [See description annexed.] + + You are required to exhaust all of the present style on hand + before supplying the public with the new; and in no case will + you be allowed to make exchanges for individuals or to return + stamps to the Department to be exchanged. + + The stamps now in use are not to be disregarded, but must be + recognized in all cases equally with the new ones. The stamps + known as the series of 1861, of which a few are supposed to be + yet outstanding, are also to be recognized. Those issued prior + to the commencement of the war of the Rebellion were long since + declared to be valueless. + + Special attention is called to the fact that each sheet, of all + denominations of the new series, contains but 100 stamps. This + must be borne in mind to prevent mistakes in counting, as in the + present issue some of the denominations have 150 stamps to the + sheet. + + Special requests for the new style of stamps will be disregarded + until the stock of the present issue, in possession of the + Department, is exhausted. [ * * * * relating to envelopes to be + issued to conform * * * * ] + + [Signed] Wm. H. Terrell, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +[The "description annexed" is on the other side and is merely a list of +values, the bust from which the portrait was copied, the color, etc., +exactly following that in the extract from the Postmaster General's +report above.] The exact date of issue is fixed by the Postmaster +General's report, as May, 1870. + + +ISSUE OF MAY, 1870. + +Composed of ten values as follows: + +ONE CENT. Bust of Benj. Franklin, in profile to the left, after +Rubricht, on an oval disk, lined horizontally and obliquely, bordered by +a broad colorless line and exterior colored fine line. Outside of this a +series of colorless curved lines, bordered by fine colored lines, and +foliated at the corners on a ground of parallel vertical colored lines, +completes the rectangle. There is no enclosing colored line at top or +bottom. Short horizontal colored lines form the shadows of the oval and +ornaments. The upper corners are formed by a line curved round from the +oval and terminating in a large ball, a second line curving round from +this and continued along the top, ending in two foliations with a small +leaf-shaped dash beyond. There is a large ball at the intersection of +these lines in the corner of the stamp. A slightly curved line continues +down from the corner, forming the sides. The lower corner being formed +by a curved line starting in a dot, curving upward and round, and +terminating inside the side lines in a large foliation with three balls +above it. The bottom is formed of a waved line. These are all distinct +and plain colorless lines between fine colored lines, and about the +width of the line surrounding the oval. + +The ornaments in the corners have shadows beneath, and on the inner +edges, and the side lines have shadows on the outer edges, formed of +short horizontal lines. The oval has heavy shadows similarly formed. The +vertical lines of the background are fine, and of even width throughout. +Above the oval, a thin colorless line, bordered by a fine colored line, +within and without, parallel with the oval, but curved round at the ends +to meet it, forms a label inscribed in outline capitals, "_U. S. +Postage_," shaded without on a rectangularly hatched ground. Below the +oval a large outline pearled numeral "1" shaded without, divides the +lower border line, and a similar line parallel to the border line, but +terminated at each end by a ball, forms a label inscribed in outline +capitals "_One Cent_" shaded outside on a rectangularly hatched ground. +Above this label are three small white pearls on each side of the +numeral. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent, imperial ultramarine. + +TWO CENTS. Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile to the left, after Powers, +on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly obliquely, bordered by a +broad white line and fine exterior colored line, the whole super-imposed +on a shield, with ground of vertical colored lines, and bordered by a +very fine colored exterior line. The shield is curved in at the top, +corners diagonal, sides curved in and then out, bottom rounded and rests +on a background of horizontal colored lines. There are no exterior lines +on the sides. Below the oval, a large outline numeral "2" divides a +colorless ribbon bordered by fine colored lines, and inscribed "_Two +Cents_" in outline colored capitals shaded outside, on a background of +short vertical colored lines. Above the oval, a band bordered by a +colorless line edged by fine colored lines, extends nearly to the outer +edge of the stamp, and is inscribed, "_U. S. Postage_" in outline +colorless capitals, shaded outside on a rectangularly hatched ground. +The shadows of the shield are made by short vertical lines, those of the +oval by short horizontal lines. The shield is ornamented by fine laurel +leaves on each side, just above the lower label. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 2 cents, velvet brown. + +THREE CENTS. Bust of Geo. Washington, after Houdon, in profile to left, +on oval disk with horizontally lined ground, and occasional diagonal +latticed hatchings, bordered by a broad colorless line with exterior +fine colored line, resting on a shield with vertically lined ground, on +a background of horizontal lines, with a border line on the right side +but none on the left. Above the oval, a band bordered by a colorless +line, with a ball on each end and three little foliations above on each +side, all edged by a fine colored line inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," in +outline capitals, shaded outside on a horizontally lined ground. Below +the oval a large numeral "3," shaded outside, divides a ribbon bordered +by a colored line, and inscribed in similar capitals, "_Three Cents_" on +a ground of short vertical lines. The shadows of the oval are made by +short colored horizontal lines, and those of the shield by vertical +lines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 3 cents, malori green. + +SIX CENTS. Bust of Abraham Lincoln, in profile to the left, after Volk, +on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly lined obliquely, bordered +by a colorless line. On a depressed panel, lined horizontally, the sides +projected, darker than the frame of fine vertical lines which surrounds +it, completes the rectangle. There is no terminal line at the sides. +Above the oval a yoke-shaped label, bordered by a colorless line, edged +by fine colored lines, inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in outline colorless +capitals, shaded outside on a ground of horizontal lines. Below the oval +is a ribbon bordered by fine colored lines, inscribed in the same +letters, "_Six Cents_" divided by a large outline numeral "6," on a +ground of short colored vertical lines. A distinct line borders the +depressed panel all the way around, being heaviest on the left side. The +shadows of the oval and depressed panel are made by vertical colored +lines, and those of the upper and lower labels are made by horizontal +colored lines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 6 cents, cochineal red. + +TEN CENTS. Bust of Thomas Jefferson, in profile to left, after Powers, +on an oval disk, lined horizontally, and obliquely from right to left, +bordered by a colorless line with exterior colored line, on a shield +bordered by a fine colored line, vertically lined, on a rectangular +background, which is lined horizontally. Above the oval a label formed +by a colorless line edged by a colored exterior line, curved round from +the oval line at the ends, and then parallel with it, having a small +ball ornament at each end, is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in outline +capitals, shaded outside, on a ground of vertical lines, except at the +ends, where the lines are horizontal. Below the oval, on a ribbon +bordered by colored lines, in the same letters "_Ten Cents_," on a +ground of short vertical lines, the words separated by large outline +numerals "10." Shadows of the oval in short horizontal lines crossed by +lines parallel to the oval. Shadows of the lower ribbon in vertical +lines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 10 cents, chocolate. + +TWELVE CENTS. Bust of Henry Clay, after Hart, in profile to the left, on +an oval disk, closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a colorless +line between two fine colored lines, surrounded by labels bordered +without by a second colorless line, between fine colored lines, but +curved inwards, crossed and the sides united in a vertical line at the +sides of the stamp, the whole arranged in a double tablet formed by +vertical lines, terminated by an outside colored line at top and bottom. +The outer edges representing a chamfer are horizontally lined. A little +distance from the edge, a series of diagonal lines between two parallel +lines, represent a beveled edge, making the parts within appear higher. +The upper label is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," in outline capitals, +doubly shaded outside, on a ground of horizontal lines. The lower label +is inscribed, "_Twelve Cents_," in outline block capitals, doubly shaded +on a ground of horizontal lines. Large outline numerals "12," doubly +shaded, divide the lower band and separate the words. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 12 cents, neutral tint. + +FIFTEEN CENTS. Bust of Daniel Webster, in profile to the left, after +Clevenger, on an oval disk, very closely lined horizontally and +obliquely, bordered by a colorless line, on a vertically lined +background, with no terminal line at the top or bottom. There is a +triangular depression represented in each of the four corners by +horizontally lined ground and shade lines, and mitered at the angles. +Above the oval and following its outline, is a label indicated by a +colorless line between fine colored lines, square at the ends with a +ball beyond, inscribed on a horizontally lined ground in colorless +capitals, outlined by colored lines and shaded without, "_U. S. +Postage_." Below the oval is a similarly formed label with pointed ends, +inscribed in the same letters on horizontally lined ground, "_Fifteen +Cents_," divided by large pearled numerals "15." + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 15 cents, orange. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Bust of Winfield Scott, in profile to the left, after +Coffee, on an oval disk closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a +colorless line with exterior colored line, on a rectangular background +of horizontal lines. Above and following the line of the oval are +thirteen five pointed stars, two at each end plain, and one letter of +the inscription "_U. S. Postage_" in colored block capitals in each of +the others. Above these and parallel to the oval is a colorless line +between colored lines, divided and curving into two balls below, but +curving into a single ball above and shaded by another colored line. +Above these in each corner on a solid ground of color, bordered by a +similar arrangement of lines, etc., in colorless block numerals "24." +Below the oval is a label inscribed "_Twenty Four_," with another +beneath it inscribed "_Cents_," both indicated by a colorless line +between colored lines, with a horizontally lined background. The letters +are colorless block capitals. In the lower left corner are flags and +cannon, and in the right three muskets stacked. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 24 cents, pure purple. + +THIRTY CENTS. Bust of Alexander Hamilton, in profile to the left, after +Cerrachi, on an oval disk horizontally and obliquely lined, bordered by +a colorless line with outer colored line, on a shield shaped panel +vertically lined, the edges beveled and obliquely lined, resting on a +background of horizontal lines. The upper corners of the panel project +beyond the rest at top and sides, the sides project beyond the curved +bottom, the shadows of the oval on the shield are indicated by short +horizontal lines; those of the shield by vertical lines. Across the +curved top of the shield is a colorless line bordered by outside colored +lines. Across the top of the shield in a double curve of outline +capitals, shaded outside, "_U. S. Postage_." Below the oval, a small +shield, outlined by a colorless line between colored lines, bears the +outlined numerals "30," shaded outside on ground of horizontal lines, +dividing a ribbon outlined by colored lines, inscribed "_Thirty Cents_," +in colored spurred capitals, on a ground of vertical lines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 30 cents, black. + +NINETY CENTS. Bust of Com. O. H. Perry, in profile to left, after +Wolcutt, on an oval disk bordered by a colorless line with exterior +colored line. The upper half of this line is covered by a cable, rove at +each end to a ring, that supports the lower label. Above the oval a +label with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line, with exterior +colored line following the oval, the ends curved outward and inward in a +sort of foliation, is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in outline capitals, +shaded outside. A five pointed star in each corner. Below the oval, the +lower label, square at the ends, with hatched ground, bordered by a +colorless line and outer colored line, is inscribed "_Ninety Cents_," in +outline block capitals, shaded outside. There is a heavy shadow beneath +the label, an anchor in each lower corner. The whole is on a vertically +lined panel chamfered at the top, bottom and sides. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 90 cents, carmine. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1870. + +SEVEN CENTS. Bust of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, in profile to left, on +an oval disk, closely lined horizontally, bordered by a colorless line. +Above and below, a label bordered by a colorless line following the +outline of the oval, but curved round and terminated inside by a ball at +each end. The whole on a panel, vertically lined, with rounded corners, +and large ball on a rectangular background of horizontal lines. The +labels are inscribed in outline capitals, shaded outside on a hatched +ground, the upper, "_U. S. Postage_," the lower, "_Seven Cents_," +divided by a large outline numeral "7," doubly shaded outside. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 7 cents, vermilion. + +All these values were first issued with a grille, of which there are +several sizes, but on many, if not most, even of unused specimens it is +so indistinct that it is impossible to distinguish the outlines, measure +the size, or count the squares. Some very perfect unused specimens have +been examined however, and on the face it appears to be composed of +horizontal rows of depressed diamonds, divided by alternate rows of +smaller raised diamonds, with deep-depressed lines along the sides of +the latter. On the reverse, the appearance is of rows of squares divided +by depressed lines, with little raised crosses in each square. By these +specimens it has also been determined, that there were at least two +distinct sizes of grille. + +The first measures 10½ by 12½ mm., composed of 13 by 15½ rows of +squares. Perfect specimens of the 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 cent so grilled, +have been found, and satisfactory specimens of the 6, 12, 15, 24, 30 and +90 cents. + +The other variety measures 8½ by 10½ mm., and is composed of 10 by 13 +rows of squares. Perfect specimens of the 1, 2, 3 and 7 cents so +grilled have been found, but no satisfactory specimens of any other +value. + +Specimens with only a few distinct squares, are comparatively common. + +The difficulty of arriving at accurate measurement, is increased when +the specimens examined have been used, but apparently the larger of the +above grilles was gradually cut down row by row to the smaller, as +specimens of the 1, 2 and 3 cents, the most used values, are found +undoubtedly grilled. + + 10½ by 12½ mm., or 13 by 17 rows. + 10 " 12 " " 13 " 15 " + 9 " 11½ " " 12 " 15 " + 9 " 11 " " 11 " 14 " + 8½ " 10 " " 11 " 13 " + +These all now bear a deep yellow or brown gum. The colors are very +uniform. + +As stated by the passage quoted above, there are 100 stamps, or ten rows +of ten stamps in the so called sheet, or properly half sheet, there +being 200 on the plate. The imprint was either "Engraved and printed by +the," in one line, "National Bank Note Co., New York," in a second line +in colorless capitals, on a solid ground, with pearled edges and outer +fine colored line, or the second line above without pearls on colored +ground, bordered by a double colored line. The author cannot state +whether all the values bore both imprints, having only seen the 1, 2 and +3 cents with the first, and the 30 and 90 with the second, the latter +without the grille. These imprints are placed 2 mm. from the stamps, +above and below the 5th and 6th rows on each half sheet, the plate +number being between the 8th and 9th rows. The line on which the sheets +are divided is indicated by three lines forming a sort of arrow head, at +the top and bottom of the sheet. The center rows of stamps are 2½ mm. +apart, and there are no perforations between them. The vertical rows of +perforation are 22½ mm. apart horizontally. The horizontal rows 27½ mm. +apart vertically, but the upper and lower rows are sometimes 28½ and +sometimes 29½ mm. apart. If a sheet is selected, where the vertical rows +are so far from the center line as to cut into the stamps, and the +horizontal rows too high or too low, and a stamp from the top or bottom +of the row next to the center cut line is selected, and the perforations +carefully cut off, specimens can be made that have a much larger margin +than the ordinary perforated stamps, and might easily pass as +unperforated. This may not account for all the unperforated specimens, +some of which may be the result of accident, but all the values of this +series and the following may be so made unperforated, and have been so +catalogued. + +The number of these stamps issued with grille, is estimated as follows: + + 1 cent, 95,127,100. + 2 cents, 208,375,550. + 3 " 962,467,790. + 6 " 21,600,900. + 7 " 2,070,800. + 10 cents 8,509,280. + 12 " 2,857,975. + 15 " 4,299,220. + 24 " 637,450. + 30 " 711,430. + 90 " 165,180. + + +ISSUE WITHOUT GRILLE (1873?) + +The use of the grille was finally abandoned altogether. The first notice +of this change appeared in the stamp papers of February, 1873. They were +made by the same company, and are in all respects the same, except the +embossing. + + 1 cent, imperial ultramarine, perforated 12. + 2 cents, velvet brown " " + 3 " milori green " " + 6 " cochineal " " + 7 " vermilion " " + 10 " chocolate " " + 12 " purple " " + 15 " orange " " + 24 " pure purple " " + 30 " black " " + 90 " carmine " " + +The colors do not vary materially from those of the grilled series, but +there are two quite distinct shades of the twelve cents, a blackish +purple and a brownish tint. + + +ISSUE OF 1873. + +In accordance with the provisions of the general law, before the +expiration of the contract with the National Bank Note Company, the +Postmaster General advertised in the daily papers, in December, 1872, +that he would receive bids for furnishing the Department with postage +stamps from the 1st of May, 1873, to the 1st of May, 1877. This +contract, as well as the subsequent one which terminated the 1st of +July, 1881, was awarded to the Continental Bank Note Company, of New +York. The dies and plates, by the terms of the contract with the +National Bank Note Company, were the property of the Government, and +were turned over to the new contractors, who continued to print the +stamps from the same plates, until they were worn out, and theoretically +in the same colors. As new plates were required from time to time, they +were made from the original dies, but bore the imprint of the new +contractor, which resembles the first one described as used by the +National Company, but reads "Printed by the" in the first line, +"Continental Bank Note Co., New York," in the second line. This imprint +probably, was not put upon one of the values above 15 cents. In fact the +30 and 90 cents sent out just before, and for some years after the +expiration of the second contract awarded to this Company, bore the +second named imprint of the National Bank Note Company. + +Specimens are found which show the heavier border lines and shadows of +the different parts of the design, the fine lines of the background, of +the tablets, and sometimes of the shields, being invisible to the eye, +though more or less of them can generally be traced with a glass. These +collectors have designated as "plain frames," as they appear to be +without color. They are, really, defective impressions either from worn +plates, when the plates made by the National Bank Note Company, were +giving out in 1873, or from the poor results of the process of printing +adopted, as is claimed by the Postmaster General. + +But similar varieties have certainly appeared, and for like causes, at +other times. Collectors of curiosities will find: + + 1 cent plain frame, perforated 12. + 2 cents " " " " + 3 " " " " " + 6 " " " " " + 10 " " " " " + +The stamps from the plates with the imprint of this Company, now bear on +the back a white gum, and not the brownish, used by the National Bank +Note Company, which will help to distinguish impressions made by them +from the old plates. The colors, however, are not identical, and will +further serve to distinguish them. There may be exceptions, but +ordinarily the ONE CENT is a pure indigo, without the red or ultramarine +cast, of those printed previously, whether lighter or deeper impressions +are chosen. + +The TWO CENTS has also lost its reddish tone, and is a dull brown, with +a tendency to blackish-brown, whether lighter or deeper in shade. + +The THREE CENTS is of a duller and generally a pale shade. + +The SIX CENTS is much lighter and is a washy pink. + +The SEVEN CENTS is a more yellowish vermilion. + +The TEN CENTS approaches very nearly to the original shade of the two +cents, but is a little more of a blackish brown, very unlike the +delicate original shade. The oval and face lines are dark and heavy. + +The FIFTEEN CENTS is a much paler orange. + +The higher values, TWENTY-FOUR, THIRTY and NINETY CENTS, have a thinner +tone than the deep rich color of the former Company's work. + +In the meantime, the following changes were announced in a circular to +postmasters: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes & Postal Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., June 21st, 1875._ + + The Department is prepared to commence the issue of postage + stamps of the denomination of five (5) cents to meet the new + letter rate of postage, under the treaty of Berne, to the + following countries, viz: + + [Here follow the names of all countries that had then joined the + Postal Union, to which five cents was the rate.] + + The new five cent stamp is designed from a bust of Gen. Zackary + Taylor in full face, and printed in dark blue color. The + changes in foreign postages will render unnecessary the further + use of the 7, 12 and 24 cent stamps and stamped envelopes, and + they will accordingly be discontinued. + + In order to avoid the liability to mistake caused by the near + similarity in color between the two cent and ten cent stamp, the + former will in future be printed in vermilion, the color of the + discontinued seven cent stamp. + + [Here follows directions to use up the stock of the discontinued + stamps and envelopes, whenever they can be utilized.] + + (Signed.) E. W. BARBER, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1875. + +TWO CENTS. Same design, and from the same die and plate as the previous +brown impression, the color only changed. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 2 cents, vermilion. + + +ISSUE OF OCTOBER 5TH, 1875. + +One of the New York daily papers in April, 1882, speaking of the new +five cent stamp (Garfield) about to be issued, says: The history of the +current five cent stamp with Taylor's portrait is as follows: + + The rates for international postage had been decided upon as 5 + cents, the United States series of postage stamps had not such a + value. Mr. Jewell, the Postmaster General at the time, suggested + to President Grant the propriety of having his portrait on the + new stamp of the required value. Gen. Grant did not agree with + his Cabinet officer. Finally, he suggested that if Mr. Jewell + would insist upon consulting his wishes, he (Gen. Grant) would + be well pleased if the portrait of old Zack Taylor, with whom he + served in the Mexican war, could be used on the new stamp. + Instead of instructing the then contractors to prepare a + portrait of Gen. Taylor, which would be in harmony with the + other stamps of the series, Mr. Jewell found in the Bureau of + Engraving and Printing, a portrait of Taylor, which had been + used on the old tobacco strip series. This portrait was + transmogrified into the five cent stamp. It was badly engraved + and of wretched color. + + +ISSUE OF OCTOBER 5TH, 1875. + +FIVE CENTS. Bust of General Zachary Taylor, full face, on an oval disk +lined horizontally and obliquely, the horizontal lines growing closer +and closer towards the top, surrounded by a colorless line with outer +colored line, and resting on a shield, vertically lined, and bordered by +an exterior colored line, all on a background of colored horizontal +lines, the shadows of short horizontal lines. Above the oval is a label, +bordered by a colorless line between fine colored lines, and curved +round and divided at the ends, the outer part terminating in a ball, +horizontally lined and inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," in outline capitals +shaded without. Below the oval is a ribbon, bordered by a colored line, +and inscribed "_Five Cents_," the words divided by a large numeral "5", +all in outline capitals, shaded without on a ground of short vertical +lines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, dark blue. + +The stamp is identical with the two and ten cent values, with the value +changed, and the portrait of Taylor from the six ounce tobacco stamp of +the "series of 1871," placed in the medallion. + +Both the two cent vermilion and the five cent blue, bear the imprint +"Printed by the Continental Bank Note Company," which also prepared the +tobacco stamp in question. + +These two stamps have been chronicled as having been issued grilled. The +error crept into the French edition of this work likewise, but they were +at least never so issued for circulation. + +All the values as issued by this company have likewise been chronicled +as unperforated. If they are not accounted for as indicated under the +remarks made on page 172, they are the result of accident. + +In many cases indistinct dots can be seen where the perforating machine +failed to do its work. Such specimens are curious but do not require +more than mention. + +Before the second contract with the Continental Bank Note Co. expired, +it was consolidated with the American Bank Note Co. under, the name of +the American Bank Note Company, and new plates began to appear with the +imprint of this company, in large colored block capitals, shaded by a +colored line parallel to the letters and an outside row of lighter +horizontal lines. + +The one, two, three, five and ten are found with this imprint, without +material change. The seven, twelve and twenty-four cent having long been +retired are not to be looked for with this imprint, and the fifteen, +thirty and ninety cents at this time were still printed from the plates, +with the imprint of the Continental Bank Note Co. + +The gum has the white shade and the colors are the same as used by that +company. + +The _one cent_ of the dull indigo blue. + +The _two cents_ has a misty look. + +The _three cents_ inclines to a blue-green. + +The _five cents_ has heavier lines and is a darker blue. + +The _ten cents_ returns to the light appearance of the original of 1870 +but is of the yellow-brown shade. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 10TH, 1882. + +With the letting of the contract for another term in June, 1881, the +American Bank Note Company again secured the contract. + +Soon after the death of President Garfield, it was proposed that his +portrait should be placed on the five cent stamp used for foreign +postage, and the stamp printed in mourning, as was said to have been +done with the fifteen cent stamp, then used for foreign postage, after +the death of President Lincoln. The stamp with the head of Taylor, it +was said had been hurriedly gotten up, and did not correspond with the +rest of the series. By direction of Postmaster General James, the +American Bank Note Co. therefore prepared the new stamp, after a +photograph of President Garfield. Mrs. Garfield was consulted, and +proofs in various colors were, it is said, submitted to her. Instead of +black, she finally selected a vandyke brown. The first proofs were in +black, and at the request of Mrs. Garfield it is stated, the Postmaster +General sent one of them, mounted on card and placed in a frame of +silver, surrounded by a second frame of gold, on a background of purple +velvet, and protected by a glass in an ebony frame, to Her Majesty, the +Queen of England. + +From the correspondence columns of the daily papers, we learn that the +Department received the first invoice of these stamps at Washington, the +7th of February, 1882, and that it was expected to begin the issue the +1st of March, following. Mr. Durbin obtained some copies which he used +on St. Valentines day. But the stamps were not distributed from the +offices until the 10th of April, 1882 and were then sold only as the +supply of the old ones was exhausted. This is the date officially given +by the report of Postmaster General for the year, and the same date is +also given by the New York papers. The description given by the +Postmaster General it is not necessary to repeat. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 10TH, 1882. + +FIVE CENTS. Portrait in profile to the left, of President Garfield, in +an oval disk 16 by 20 mm., lined horizontally and obliquely, and +bordered by a line of colorless pearls on a broad colored band, resting +on a shield lined horizontally, and bordered by a colored line, very +heavy on the right side and at the bottom, and an exterior fine +colorless line at the bottom and sides, all on a back ground of +horizontal lines bordered at the sides by a terminal line of color. The +shield is square at the top, of the width of the stamp, with +perpendicular sides not quite so far apart, the corners being slanted +back, and is pointed at the bottom which is formed of two diagonal +lines. A large solid six pointed star, bordered by a colorless line and +exterior colored line covers the lower point of the shield and a part of +the pearled border, and bears a large colorless numeral "5." On each +side of this a ribbon indicated by a colored line, inscribed on left +"_Five_," on right "_Cents_," in outline capitals, on a ground of short +vertical lines. On the background of the stamp, beneath all, "_U. S. +Postage_" in colored block letters, shaded on the left and top by +colorless lines. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, dark chocolate. + + +ISSUE OF NOVEMBER, 1882. + +Without any notice to the postmasters or the public, new plates were +made by the American Bank Note Company, and slight changes were made in +the engraving. These began to appear in November, 1882, and may be +found in the one three, six and ten cent values. + +ONE CENT. The vertical lines of the background are thickened in the +upper half and so nearly touch, that the ground now appears solid and in +fact from the running of the ink, sometimes really is solid. The curved +ornamental lines in the upper corners and the balls are now shaded with +one or more interior colored lines, instead of being plain. The exterior +shading of horizontal lines is omitted here, at the ends of the upper +labels, and also outside of the side lines, and is very faint under the +lower ornaments and label. + +(_a_) The first impressions of this altered plate are in an ashey blue +and, the upper ornaments are rendered indistinct by the interior lines. +There is a whitish space, like a reflection beneath the bust. + +(_b_) Later impressions in 1886, show the upper ornaments more +distinctly white, and shaded outside again by lines parallel to their +curves. A heavy shadow now appears under the bust, the ground being +almost solid where it falls. The color by daylight is again slightly of +the ultramarine cast, but differing only slightly from the ashey hue by +gaslight. + +(_c_) Later impressions in 1887, show the return to the heavy upper +ornaments, but their exterior shading remains as in (b). The ground work +of the oval is uniform and there is no light or dark shadow under the +bust. The ultramarine is of a more pronounced cast by daylight. + +TWO CENTS. There seems to have been no change beyond that already +mentioned, as the design was soon changed. + +THREE CENTS. The altered die beside the other appears quite different, +but a close examination is necessary to determine the differences at +first. Once detected, they are very apparent. The lines of ground of the +oval are heavier. The cross lines can still be seen with the glass, and +the part behind the head is now crossed by vertical lines also. The +shadows of the upper ornaments are now solid, and the horizontal lines +cannot be detected. The shadows of the oval are also solid, and about +half as broad as in the other die. The horizontal lines can be seen by +the glass, but are very light. This is the most conspicuous difference. +The vertical shadow lines under the lower label are omitted. The shield +in the old die has a ground of horizontal lines on the right side, with +an outside vertical border line, and two fine vertical lines on the +horizontal lines form the shadow of the shield. The altered die has the +three vertical lines, but the horizontal lines are omitted to the point +where the bottom line begins. The color is a blue-green, not +yellow-green as before. + +SIX CENTS. The ground work of the oval, is practically solid or mottled, +that of the panel nearly so. The border line cannot be distinguished +from the ground, while in the original issue, not only is the border +line distinct, but in the "sallie" the fine vertical shadow lines can be +counted inside, and on the right side three, very close together, and +four lines besides these between the panel and the edge, counting the +outside line. In the new, none of these shadows exist, and there are +only _three_ lines between the panel and the edge, including the outside +line. In the old, on the right side, there are fourteen lines in the +frame above and below the projection. In the new there are thirteen +above, and eleven below. The color is a brick red, neither the cochineal +or pink previously used. + +TEN CENTS. The frame lines have all been strengthened as well as those +of the background, so that the entire stamp is more uniform in engraving +and color, but has entirely lost its light look. The edges no longer +fade away, but stand out sharp from the paper. It is apparent to the eye +that the space between the oval and the shield, is reduced one-third its +width. There are only four vertical lines between the line of the shield +and the line of the oval at their nearest point on the left, or six +lines in all; in the originals, there were five lines, or seven in all. +Beneath the ribbon containing the value in the old stamps, the +horizontal lines of the background are scarcely visible, the vertical +shade lines being conspicuous. In the new the horizontal lines are +strong and clear. + +(_a_) The earliest impressions are in muddy yellow brown, quite uniform +all over the stamp. + +(_b_) Later impressions, in 1886, are in a clearer shade of +yellow-brown, and the light on the face has been increased, much +improving the effect. + +(_c_) An odd purple-brown shade appeared in 1886. + +(_d_) A dark black-brown shade is now, 1887, in use. + + +THE ISSUE OF OCTOBER, 1883. + +The Act of the 47th Congress, Session II, Chapter 92, approved March 3d, +1883, provided that: + + "Upon all matter of the 1st class [as defined by chapter 180 of + the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, 1879, entitled: An Act, + etc.] postage shall be charged on and after the first day of + October, A. D. 1883, at the rate of two cents for each half + ounce or fraction thereof, and all acts so far as they fix a + different rate of postage than herein provided upon said first + class matter, are to that extent hereby repealed." + +The report of the Third Assistant Postmaster General under date of +November 8th, 1883, says: + + "Soon after the passage of the Act of March 3d, 1883, + preparations were begun to carry the new law into effect. The + change left the 3 cent denomination of postage stamps of little + utility, it no longer representing the single rate of postage on + any class of matter, and it was determined to discontinue its + issue. As the public would have undoubtedly regarded with + disfavor, the dropping of Washington from portraits, forming the + distinguishing feature in the series of postage stamps, it was + decided to replace the old 2 cent stamp by a new one bearing the + profile of the first president, thus restoring it to its old + place on the stamp in most general use. It was also decided to + issue a new stamp of the value of four cents, a denomination not + previously in use, and designed to cover two rates of letter + postage. The portrait of Jackson, formerly on the 2 cent stamp, + was transferred to this new (four cent) stamp. The following is + a brief description of the new stamp: + + TWO CENT STAMP. + + An oblong shield, slightly shouldered on the upper square, the + lower lines terminating in a point. Within this shield is an + oval containing a profile bust of George Washington engraved in + line, surrounded by a ribbon ending with small scrolls bearing + the legend "United States Postage," in white letters. From each + end of the scrolls a chain of pearls completes the outlines of + the oval. A prominent white-faced figure "2" laps over the lower + centre point of the oval and shield, dividing the words "Two + Cents." The whole is enclosed in a dark upright square to give + relief to the device. The stamp is printed in dark red. + + FOUR CENT STAMP. + + Over an oval containing a bust of Andrew Jackson in profile, is + a ribbon with the legend "United States Postage," in white + letters. A string of pearls forms round the lower half of the + oval and unites the two ends of the ribbon. At the lower part + of the oval, on either side, appears the figure "4," and under + that the words "Four Cents," with a star on each side, all + engraved in white faced letters. The whole device is inclosed + in an upright oblong tablet. The stamp is printed in green. + + It is worthy of notice that these are the first postage stamps + ever bearing the words "United States Postage" in full, the + name of the country being abbreviated to "U. S." on all other + stamps * * * Postmasters were notified by circular of the + coming change of postage, and intrusted to make their + requisitions for 3 cent stamps and envelopes sufficient only + for carefully estimated needs to the 1st October. * * * The + issue of the new 2 cent and 4 cent stamped envelopes was + commenced on the 1st September, and of the 2 and 4 cent + adhesive stamps on the 15th September; and they were so + generally distributed by the 1st October that the change of + postage was attended with but little inconvenience for want of + the necessary stamps." + +The circular issued to postmasters read as follows: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General. + + _Washington, D. C., July 18th, 1883._ + + On and after the first day of October, 1883, the rate of postage + on domestic mail matter of the first class, will be reduced from + three cents per half ounce, or fraction thereof, as provided by + Act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1883. + + The department has adopted a new design for the two cent stamp. + + The head of Washington, in profile from Houdon's bust, placed on + a plain tablet. Above the oval, surrounding the head, are the + words "United States Postage," and underneath the tablet are the + words "Two Cents." The stamp will be printed in metallic red. + The engraved stamp on the 2 cent envelope will also bear the + head of Washington. + + A four cent denomination of postage stamps and stamped + envelopes, to cover double postage under the new rate, will also + be issued. + + The design embraces the head of Jackson, similar to that on the + present 2 cent stamp and envelope. No change will be made in the + postage due stamps. + + The same 3 cent stamps and stamped envelopes of the present + design, will continue to be valid after the 1st of October, and + must be accepted in payment of postage whenever offered in + appropriate amounts. + + The drop letter rate of postage will remain the same as now. + + A. D. HAZEN, + _Third Assistant Postmaster General_. + + +ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 15TH, 1883. + +TWO CENTS. Bust of General Washington, in profile to the left, after +Houdon, on an oval disk, lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, +bordered by a colorless line, surrounded by a solid colored band, +ornamented in the lower two-thirds with a row of white pearls, the upper +third broadened into a label, edged outside by a colorless line, with +outside colored line, the ends curved round into a hook, the whole +resting on a shield shaped tablet, corresponding to that of the last +three cents, horizontally lined and edged by a colored line, very heavy +on the right and bottom, with an outside colorless line, the whole on a +rectangular background of horizontal lines, very close together below, +and farther apart above. There are no shadows except a few vertical +lines beneath the projecting part of the top parts of the shield. + +The label above the oval is inscribed "_United States Postage_," in full +colorless capitals, on the solid ground. A large colorless numeral +outlined in color and doubly shaded outside, obscures the point of the +shield and the pearled and colorless border of the oval, dividing the +words "_Two Cents_" in full colorless capitals on the background, so +shaded as to be on a solid colored ground. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 2 cents, metallic red. + +FOUR CENTS. Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile to left, after Powers, +in an oval disk, horizontally lined, very closely at the top, and doubly +diagonally bordered by a colorless line, twice as wide as that in the +last two cents, surrounded by a solid colored band, ornamented with +pearls below, and broadened above into a label, bordered above and at +the ends by a colorless line, and inscribed "_United States Postage_," +just as in the two cents, the whole resting on a rectangular tablet, +with horizontally lined ground, crossed by vertical lines below the +oval, and bordered by a vertical colorless line on the right and above +the oval on the left, with mitered or bevelled edge, represented by five +colored lines parallel with the top, bottom and sides, the right, upper +third of the left, and bottom bevel crossed by short colored lines at +right angles. On the ground below the oval, which is nearly solid color, +in colorless capitals, "_Four Cents_," between colored five pointed +stars. Large colorless numeral "4" on each side, above the stars and end +letters of the value. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly +surfaced with green, perforated 12. + + 4 cents, blue green. + +The arrangement of the plates, printer's imprint, plate number, etc., is +the same as before, for both of the new stamps. + +The report of 1883 also proposed that the 3 and 6 cent stamps should be +called in, redeemed and destroyed. Nothing seems to have been done about +it however, until Frank Hatton, Postmaster General, issued an order, +dated December 1st, 1884, that the three and six cents of all issues +with the exceptions following, should be exchanged by postmasters for +other values. + + "Especial care must be taken not to redeem postage stamps issued + prior to 1861, as such stamps were long since declared obsolete + and valueless for postage. No six cent stamps were issued prior + to 1861. The three cent issued before that time bears the head + of Washington, and is printed in red. In a straight line at the + top are the words "U. S. Postage," and at the bottom, the words + "Three Cents." The figure 3 does not appear on the stamps, as it + does upon all subsequent issues of that denomination. Stamps + answering to this description, must in all cases be refused." + +On the 14th of January, 1885, Postmaster General Frank Hatton, by order +No. 75, appointed a committee of three to proceed among other things to +the stamp manufactory at New York, and effectually cancel all the +plates, except one working plate of each denomination, of the issues of +1847, of 1851, including the two carrier stamps, of 1861, of 1865 +newspaper and periodicals, of 1869, of the 3, 5, Taylor, 7, 12 and 24 +cents of 1870, 3 and 9 cent newspaper and periodical of 1874, and of all +the Department stamps. + + "One plate of each kind and denomination of postage stamp + reserved as above, and the dies and rolls from which they have + been produced, together with all the cancelled plates, to be + inventoried, waxed and carefully boxed and sealed, and placed in + the vault of the stamp manufactory, in the custody and under the + control of the agent." + +The committee were also to cancel any worn out and unserviceable plates +of the current series, and to count and destroy the official stamps +remaining in the vaults of the American Bank Note Company, of all +denominations and Departments, numbering 17,024,588, of the 3 and 9 cent +newspaper and periodical stamps of 1874, numbering 324,990, and of the +7, 12, and 24 cent stamps of the 1870 issue, numbering 1,414,300, a +grand total of 18,763,878 stamps. On the 24th of February, the committee +reported that they had carried out the order. + +A. D. Hazen, Third Assistant Postmaster General, who recommended this +holocaust, says: + + "I have excepted from this recommendation the 3 cent stamps of + the current series, of which there are 135,800 in the vault, for + the reason that though their general issue has been + discontinued, occasional calls are made for them by some of the + larger offices." + +The reports show further that from January 1st, to June 30, 1886, +1,094,200 three cent stamps were actually issued. During the same +period, 201,600 six cent stamps were also issued, while 645,950 thirty +cent stamps, and only 29,620 ninety cent stamps were issued. As a matter +of fact therefore these values, though retired from general issue, are +more in demand than the two higher values retained, nearly 2 to 1, as +between the 3 and 30 cents, 50 to 1 as between the 3 and 90 cents, or 9 +to 1 as between the 6 and 90 cents, and that too when the general public +is unaware that these values can be obtained at all. + + +CONTRACT FOR 1885-89. + +The contract for the manufacture of adhesive stamps between the +Department and the American Bank Note Company, expiring on the 30th of +June, 1885, sealed proposals were invited by public advertisement of +March 30th, 1885, for a new contract for four years from July 1st, 1885. +The important features of the new contract to be noticed here, are +_first_, that a definite standard of paper to be used for printing the +stamps, made by an improved formula, was for the first time required, +all other contracts having provided that the paper should be equal to a +sample only; and _second_, that all ordinary postage stamps should be +printed wholly by machinery run by steam power. "The two previous +contracts, 1877 to 1881, and 1881 to 1885, expressly stipulated that the +printing should be done on hand roller presses, the use of steam presses +under the contract immediately preceeding the same, 1873 to 1877, which +was silent as to the mode of printing, having resulted in extremely +unsatisfactory work." + +The act of the 48th Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved March +30th, 1885, provides: + + "That upon all matter of the first class, as defined by chapter + 180 of the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, 1879, entitled: + An Act, etc., and by that act declared subject to postage at the + rate of three cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof, and + reduced by act of March 3d, 1883, to two cents for each ounce or + fraction thereof, postage shall be charged, on and after the + first day of July, 1885, at the rate of two cents for each + ounce or fraction thereof; and drop letters shall be mailed at + the rate of two cents per ounce or fraction thereof, including + delivery at letter carrier offices, and one cent for each ounce + or fraction thereof where free delivery by carriers is not + established." + +It was claimed that the improvements in machinery had produced steam +presses that could produce better word than the hand presses, at less +cost. Bids were taken for stamps printed entirely by hand, partly by +hand and partly by steam, entirely by steam; the last two with or +without an option reserved to the Postmaster General, to require the +work to be done by hand roller presses. The Treasury Bureau of Engraving +and Printing, the Franklin Bank Note Co., and the American Bank Note +Co., were the only bidders. The latter again secured the contract to +print the ordinary stamps, by steam power entirely, and the newspaper, +postage due and special delivery stamps by hand roller presses. For the +latter of these they are paid $18 per 1000, for the postage due $8.49 +per 1000, and for the steam printed stamps $6.99 per thousand. For these +latter the Government paid $9.19 under the previous contract up to 1885, +$9.98 up to 1881, and $14.99 up to 1877. + +The following is the number of stamps of the issue of 1870 as it is +called without the grille. + + 1 cent, old plate, blue, 1,748,378,900 + 1 " altered " " 1,872,063,600 + 2 cents, old " brown 176,830,300 + 2 " " " vermilion 661,829,150 + 2 " new " red-brown 4,370,788,300 + 3 " old " 4,986,505,600 + 3 " altered " 629,537,100 + 5 " Jackson 80,390,500 + 5 " Garfield 14,454,640 + 6 " old plate 76,726,850 + 6 " altered " 8,013,300 + 7 " 3,349,100 + 10 " old " 79,126,690 + 10 " altered " 81,307,910 + 12 " 3,272,125 + 15 " 16,136,380 + 24 " 716,975 + 30 " 6,134,410 + 90 " 436,150 + +The paper provided for in this contract is the soft porous paper, which +according to Mr. Sterling was introduced in 1883. It is not stiff and +hard like the previous paper, and seems to have been adopted about the +time of the change in the dies, the fall 1882. All the values employed +since are to be found on it. It may be noted that the fifteen and thirty +cents on this paper are with the imprint of the American Company. The +fifteen is again a deep orange and the thirty a full black. + + +ISSUE OF 1883, ETC. + +Same colors, values and designs, soft porous paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, ultramarine blue. + 2 cents, red-brown. + 3 cents, green. + 4 " dark green. + 5 " " brown. + 6 " cochineal. + 10 " brown. + 15 " orange. + 30 " black. + 90 " carmine. + + +ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1887. + +The following circular explains itself: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Postmaster General. + + _Washington, D. C., May 23d, 1887._ + + On or about the 15th of June, 1887, the Department will begin + the issue of a new design of the ordinary one cent postage + stamp, of which the following is a description: The center of + the stamp consists of a profile bust of Benjamin Franklin + (after-the original by Caracci), looking to the left, in an oval + disk, with shaded background, the lower portion of the oval + being bordered with pearls and the upper portion with a curved + frame, containing in small white letters, the words, "United + States Postage." The whole is engraved in line upon a shield + shaped tablet, with a truncated pyramidal base, bearing on it + the words "one" and "cent," on either side of the figure "1." + The color of the stamp is ultramarine blue, and its general + appearance is somewhat similar to that of the stamp now in use. + + Before ordering supplies of the new stamps, postmasters will be + expected to exhaust their stock of the old, which will continue + to be valid. Under no circumstances are the old stamps to be + sent to the Department for redemption or exchange. + + WILLIAM T. VILAS, + Postmaster General. + + H. R. HARRIS, + Third Assist. P. M. General. + + +ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1887. + +ONE CENT. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the left, after +Carraci, on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, the +upper third bordered by a label, the lower two thirds by a broad solid +colored line, ornamented with colorless pearls increasing in size from +top to bottom, with a colorless line outside this, shaded by another +heavy colored line. The label is of solid color, between two colorless +lines, the upper one curved round the ends, forming a hook and edged +outside by a fine colored line, and is inscribed in white capitals +similar to the two cents last described, "United States Postage." The +whole is on a horizontally lined shield shaped tablet, the top similar +to that of the two cents, but with a small point in the centre of the +top and the diagonals shorter. The bottom is curved at the corners, then +curved back up and round, and spreads out into the lower part of a +"truncated pyramid." It is edged with a heavy colored line on the right +and bottom, with a heavy colored line on the left and top. On the +truncated base is a large pearled outlined colorless numeral "1," +dividing the border of the oval and the words "One Cent," in outline +colorless capitals. The rectangle is filled out with horizontal lines at +the sides of the shield and vertical line at the top. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent, ultramarine blue. + + + + +XXIV. + +POSTAGE DUE STAMPS. + + +From the adoption of compulsory prepayment up to 1879, various +regulations had been made from time to time regarding insufficiently +paid letters, in order to relieve the Dead Letter Office as far as +possible, and yet enforce the prepayment of all mail matter. +Nevertheless mistakes continued to be made and the practice of +forwarding all letters upon which one full rate was paid, and collecting +the balance of the receiver had finally been adopted, the amount to be +collected being written or stamped upon the letter. From this practice +abuses arose, and by the Act of the XLV Congress, Section III, Chapter +180, Section 26, approved March 3d, 1879, it was enacted: + + "That all mail matter of the first class upon which one full + rate of postage has been prepaid shall be forwarded to its + destination charged with the unpaid rate, to be collected on + delivery, but postmasters before delivering the same, or any + article of mail matter upon which prepayment in full has not + been made, shall affix, or cause to be affixed, and cancelled as + ordinary stamps are cancelled, one or more stamps equivalent in + value to the amount of postage due on such article of mail + matter, which stamps shall be of such special design as the + Postmaster General shall prescribe, and which shall in no case + be sold by any postmaster or received by him in prepayment of + postage," etc. + + Sec. 27. "That any postmaster or other person engaged in the + postal service who shall collect and fail to account for the + postage due upon any article of mail matter which he may deliver + without having previously affixed and cancelled such stamp as + herein before provided shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, + and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of fifty + dollars." + +Shortly after the passage of this Act the following circular was +addressed to all postmasters: + + Form No. 3288. + + SPECIAL STAMP FOR POSTAGE DUE. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes and Postal Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., May 5th 1879._ + + By Sections 26 and 27 of the Act of Congress, making + appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for + the year ending June 30th, 1880, and for other purposes + "approved March 3d, 1879, it is made the duty of postmasters to + affix to all mail matter that has arrived at destination without + full payment of postage, and before delivery of the same, an + amount of stamps equal to the postage due, the stamps to be of + such special design as the Postmaster General may direct." + + To avoid any confusion in the accounts of Postmasters with the + Auditor, and on account of the length of the time necessary to + prepare for the change contemplated by the above sections in + the mode of collecting and accounting for short paid postage, it + has been decided to have the same go into practical operation on + the 1st of July next. + + The Department however, will begin issuing sometime during the + present month, in anticipation of the wants of postmasters, + special stamps for the collection of postage due of the + denomination of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, and of the following + general description: + + A large figure, representing the denomination is placed in the + center of the stamp, and is surrounded by an oval of very + delicate lathe work. On the upper border of this oval, the words + "Postage Due" are printed in white letters; in the lower border + is the denomination, in letters of the same kind; on either side + of the oval are the letters "U. S." in a small white shield. + Around the oval is a form of complex character, described upon + an oblong tablet. The general design is the same for all the + stamps, the only difference being in the figures and lettering + for the several denominations. The color is the same, a reddish + brown. + + These stamps are intended, exclusively for the collection of + postage due on matter arriving at destination through the mails, + and are to be used in combination, wherever required to cover + unusual amounts of postage. They are to be cancelled in the + customary way after being attached to mail matter, are never to + be sold or received by Postmasters for prepayment of postage. + Postmasters must distinctly understand, that these stamps are + not to be used until July 1st, 1879. + + A supply of these will be sent at first to all post offices in + advance of requisitions from postmasters, and charged to their + account; but afterwards they must be ordered on blank forms (No. + 3285) to be furnished by the First Assistant Postmaster General. + With the first supply of stamps, however, blank requisitions for + future use will be enclosed. + + The stamps will be accounted for to the auditor the same as + other stamps, and will enter into the monthly reports of stamps, + etc., received, sold and on hand, required by the regulations, + to be made by postmasters at Presidential offices, to the Third + Assistant Postmaster General. + + On the next page of this circular will be found the sections of + the new postal law and regulations relating to the above + described stamps, which are published in advance for the + information and guidance of postmasters. The distinguishing + numbers of the sections cannot now be given, but the + instructions are here printed in the same order in which they + will appear in the forthcoming volume of the new postal + regulations. + + A. D. HAZEN, + _Third Assistant Postmaster General_. + + +ISSUE OF MAY 9TH, 1879. + +For use from and after July 1st, 1879. + +Large colorless numeral, 10 mm. high, representing the value, ornamented +and shaded, on an oval disk, 17 by 13½ mm., with colored ground +ornamented by colorless geometric lathe work, bordered by a solid +colored band between two heavy colorless lines and an exterior fine +colored line, interrupted by small white shields on the sides bearing +"_U._" on the left, "_S._" on the right, in fancy colored capitals. The +band is inscribed in white capitals, above, "_Postage Due_," below with +the value in full letters, the whole on a tablet with vertically lined +ground, with an irregular outline colorless line bordered by an +extensive fine colored line, and a double rectangular frame, the +interior formed by parallel, diagonal curved lines, and the exterior by +vertical short lines at top and bottom, horizontal ones at sides, +indicating a bevel. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, reddish brown. + 2 cents, " + 3 " " + 5 " " + +The report of the Postmaster General dated December, 1879, states: + + "Under a provision in the act of Congress, approved March 3d + 1879, authorizing a change in the mode of collecting postage + due, on matter arriving at destination through the mails, the + Department began issuing on the 9th of May, special stamps, + called postage due stamps, of the denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 + cents, and subsequently of the additional denominations of 10, + 30, and 50 cents. Before the first of July, every office in the + country was provided with a supply of these stamps, and the new + system of collecting short paid postage is now fairly in + operation." + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST, 1879. + +Stamps of the same design, but there being two figures, the numerals are +smaller. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 10 cents, reddish brown. + 30 " " + 50 " " + +The number of these stamps issued from May, 1879, to June 30th, 1885, +was: + + 1 cent, 25,328,525 + 2 cents, 30,534,425 + 3 " 31,146,230 + 5 " 5,029,435 + 10 " 6,105,175 + 30 " 169,078 + 50 " 93,490 + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +There are two quite distinct shades of the red-brown in which these +stamps are printed, the earlier issues being of a brown that shows +hardly a trace of red, while those printed under the 1885 contract are +of the shade of the current two cent postage stamp. + + + + +XXV. + +SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP. + + +The history of the introduction and usage of these stamps is contained +in the following extracts from two circulars, both dated at Post Office +Department, Office of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., August +11th, 1885, and signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The +first directed to postmasters reads as follows: + + "SIR:--On the first of October, 1885, you are directed to + establish at your office, a system for special delivery of + letters, in accordance with sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Act + making appropriation for the postal service for the current + fiscal year (XLVIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved + March 3d, 1885,) which are as follows: + + SECTION 3. That a special stamp of the face valuation of 10 + cents may be provided and issued, whenever deemed advisable or + expedient, in such form and bearing such device as may meet the + approval of the Postmaster General, which when attached to a + letter, in addition to the lawful postage thereon, the delivery + of which is to be at a free delivery office, or at any city, + town or village containing a population of 4,000 or over, + according to the Federal census, shall be regarded as entitling + such letter to immediate delivery within the carrier limit of + any free delivery office which may be designated by the + Postmaster General as a special delivery office, or within one + mile of the post office at any other office coming within, the + provisions of this section which may in like manner be + designated as a special delivery office." + + SECTION 4 provides for immediate delivery between the hours of 7 + A. M. and midnight. + + SECTION 5 provides for the employment of special messengers and, + + SECTION 6 the mode of paying them. The rest of this circular + gives the details of the service which it is not necessary to + repeat here." + +The second circular after reciting the provisions of Section 3, of the +Act of March 3d, 1885, and that it has been decided to introduce the +system on the first day of October, at all the post offices permitted by +the law; contains a description of the stamp prepared to carry out the +law, which with some additions is as follows: + + +SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP. + +ISSUE OF OCTOBER 1ST, 1885. + +A line engraving on steel, oblong in form; dimensions 13/16 by 1-7/16 +inches, color dark blue. Design: on the left in an arched panel, 10½ by +15½ mm., a mail messenger boy on a run, faced to the right on a hatched +back-ground, and surrounded above by the words "_United States_," in +curved line of colorless capitals. On the right an oblong tablet, +ornamented with a wreath of oak on the left, and laurel on the right, +surrounding the words, "_Secures--Immediate--Delivery--At a +special--Delivery--Office_," in six lines of white capitals on a solid +ground. The ground of the tablet above is composed of light vertical +lines with colorless border. Across the top of the tablet, but above it, +is the legend, "_Special--Postal delivery_," and at the bottom the +words, "_Ten Cents_," separated by a shield bearing the numeral "10." +The entire ground of the stamp is composed of fine vertical lines except +the edges, which are so contrived as to appear bevelled. + +Plate impression, 21 by 27 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 10 cents, dark blue. + + "They are to be sold by Postmasters to any required amount, and + to any person who may apply for them, but they can be used only + for the purpose of securing the immediate delivery of letters." + +About a year ago, after the system was inaugurated at carrier offices +there was a further change in the law, and the system was further +extended as is shown by the following extracts from three circulars, all +dated August 10th, 1886, from the office of the Postmaster General, +Washington, D. C., signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The +first is addressed to Postmasters at carrier offices, the second to all +other postmasters, and the third to the public. The following from the +first circular: + + "By the Act of August 4th, 1886, Congress has authorized the + extention of the special delivery system to all post offices and + to all mailable matter. The Act is as follows, namely: + + 'That every article of mailable matter upon which the special + stamp, provided for by Section 3 of the act entitled: an Act, + etc., shall be duly affixed, shall be entitled to immediate + delivery according to said act, within the carrier limit of any + free delivery office, and within one mile of any other post + office which the Postmaster General shall at any time designate + as a special delivery office.'" + +From the second circular only this is of interest: + + "No change will be made in the general style of the special + delivery stamp now in use. The following is its description: + (same as in the original circular). The words 'Secures immediate + delivery at a special delivery office,' will however, be changed + to read: 'Secures immediate delivery at any post office.' But as + stamps with the former words are now in the hands of the + postmasters and the public, their use will continue until the + present supply shall be exhausted." + +From the third circular only this is to be noticed: + + "The attention of the public is invited to the fact that under a + recent Act of Congress the special delivery system heretofore in + effect in cities and towns having a population of 4,000 and + upwards, has been extended to all post offices in the United + States, to take effect on and after October 1st, 1886. The + privileges of this system have also been extended to all classes + of mail matter." + +The remainder of these circulars are devoted to directions to +postmasters at the two classes of offices, and to the public. + +These stamps are printed in sheets of 100, and distributed in half +sheets of 50, the center of the sheets being marked as usual by an arrow +head. There are consequently 10 stamps in a row, and 10 rows in the +whole sheet. The makers imprint appears four times on the sheet, above +and below the center row of each half sheet, and the plate number is +also four times repeated on the sheet. + +3,699,560 special delivery stamps were issued up to June 30th, 1886. + + + + +XXVI. + +NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL STAMPS. + +ISSUE OF 1865. + + +The newspaper stamps issued by the United States Post Office Department +do not correspond in their usage very nearly to the stamps denominated +newspaper stamps in other countries. The series under review had a very +limited and peculiar use. While the dissemination of learning and +information had always been fostered in every way by the Acts of +Congress, and the distribution of newspapers and periodicals had always +been undertaken by the post office at rates that did not pay for the +expense of the service, in the intention of encouraging these +publications, the Department always found a great rival in the express +companies, which, having conformed their rules to the exigencies of +business, were enabled to deliver newspapers and periodicals from the +trains to the agents and dealers always hours, sometimes days before +those sent by the mails reached their destination, as these were sent +to the post office and there assorted, some to be delivered locally and +others to be made up again into the new mail for further transportation, +while those sent by the express companies being transferred at the +depot, often finished their journey before the mails could be made up +and started. + +This service assisted the express companies in those violations of the +postal laws which each year the Postmaster General called to the +attention of Congress, and Congress endeavored to reach by new laws. The +government got the expensive service, the express companies the paying +business partly because of their more liberal rates, but particularly +because of their more expeditious service. + +The attempt was therefore made to so frame the law that the post office +might successfully compete for the carriage of newspapers. The Act of +the XXXVII Congress, III Session, Chapter 71, Section 38, approved the +3rd of March, 1863, reads: + + "And be it further enacted that the Postmaster General may, from + time to time, provide by order the rates and terms upon which + route agents may receive and deliver, at the mail car or + steamer, packages of newspapers and periodicals, delivered to + them for that purpose by the publishers or any news agent in + charge thereof, and not received from or designed for delivery + at any post office." + +Under this act for some time payment was made in money, but the report +of the Postmaster General dated November 15th, 1865, states: + + "New stamps have been adopted of the denominations of 5, 10, + and 25 cents for prepaying postage on packages of newspapers + forwarded by publishers or news dealers under the authority of + law, whereby a revenue will be secured, hitherto lost to the + Department." + +In the report of the Postmaster General for 1878, the date of this issue +is stated to have been April 1st, 1865. In the accounts of the number of +stamps issued in each quarter it appears, however, that the first issue +was in the quarter between June 30th and September 30th, 1865. + +The stamps were of very large dimensions, and the figures conspicuous. A +package adorned with the requisite number was mailed on the train and it +could easily be seen that it was duly stamped. The stamps were +ordinarily if not always, cancelled by smearing them with ink, with a +brush, and not with hand stamps, and the packages were thrown out of the +cars to the agents waiting at each station to receive them, and were +often torn open by the agent at the depot and distributed to his +customers there. Thus the delay that sending them to the post office for +distribution would have caused, was avoided. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 1ST, 1865. + +FIVE CENTS. Large bust of Washington in profile, faced to the right, +indicated by colorless curved lines, on a round medallion of straight +horizontal lines, 28 mm. in diameter, surrounded by a circular band of +curved interlaced colorless lines, all on a colored ground, a smaller +circular disk, 11 mm. in diameter, interrupting this band on each side +displays a large "V," in color on a horizontally lined ground. Above on +a solid ground of color, but ornamented by interlaced colorless lines in +colorless letters, "_U. S._" and "_Postage_," in a second curved line; +below the head on a solid curved label covering a portion of the +circular band in large colorless capitals, "_Five Cents_"; below this +again, the ground is ornamented by several colorless lines upon which +appear in colored capitals, "_Newspapers_," a colored label with +"_and_"; in colorless capitals "_Periodicals_"; below this again, in two +lines of colorless capitals on the colored ground, "_Sec. 18, Act of +Congress approved--March 3d, 1863_." In each upper corner is a large +colorless numeral "5." About all is a frame of 3 colorless lines, +ornamented at the corners. The words "_National Bank Note Company, New +York_," in small colorless capitals appear between the lower colorless +lines. The colored ground extends between the stamps which were +perforated. + +Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 5 cents, dark blue. + +Note. 20,140 of this value were issued. + +TEN CENTS. Similar design, but with the profile of Franklin in an oval, +the side letters "X," the label "_Ten Cents_," the upper numerals "10," +set at an angle. + +Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 10 cents, green. + +Note. 215,600 of this value were issued. + +TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. Similar design, but with the profile of Lincoln, +faced to the left, in a rectangle with corners cut off, "25" in figures +instead of numerals at the side, on the label "_Twenty Five Cents_," the +upper numerals "25" set at an angle. + +Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 25 cents, vermilion. + +Note. 31,488 of this value were issued. + +In 1868-9 there were issued 35,420 more of the five cent value, but +these were improved by having the broad colored border removed till only +a fine colored line remained outside the colorless frame. + +Plate impression, 51½ by 95 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, dark blue, white border. + +The Postmaster General's Report for 1869 states that the use of these +stamps ceased about the 1st of February, 1869. They were used +principally at Chicago, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis. Reprints were made of +all of them except the 5 cents with white border, with the other early +issues in 1874. + +There was a very wide margin of some 65 mm. at the top and bottom of the +sheet, the manufacturers imprint appearing at the top and bottom in +colored letters on a small white label let into the colored ground. It +is not known how many stamps formed a sheet. + + +NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL STAMPS. + +ISSUE OF 1874. + +Notwithstanding the very liberal provisions of all the laws regarding +postage on printed matter, and particularly those of this Act of March +3rd, 1863, we find the Postmaster General in his report of November +15th, 1869, complaining that the Department was largely defrauded of its +revenues by abuses rendered possible by the provisions of that Act, and +suggesting that: + + "For this mischief there is but one adequate remedy, and that is + to require prepayment on all printed matter. A due regard to the + convenience of the publishers of newspapers would require that + postage on newspapers should be charged according to the weight + of packages, and that such packages should when suspected, be + liable to be opened and searched, and penalties provided if they + were found to contain improper matter." + +Nothing seems to have resulted from his recommendations, however. The +inconveniences of the system led to calling the attention of Congress to +the matter again in the Report of the Postmaster General, in 1873. He +says: + + "In my report for 1869, I had the honor to suggest a plan for + the prepayment of postage on newspapers and other matter of the + second class by weight of packages rather than by the present + system, which requires the manipulation of each particular + paper, and allows the payment of postage at either the mailing + office, or the office of delivery. A careful revision of the + subject confirms me in the opinion, that the postage on all + such matter should be collected in advance at the mailing + office. * * * No stamps are used for the payment of such + postage; and the Department is compelled to accept in full + satisfaction whatever sums of money postmasters choose to charge + against themselves. So execrably bad is this system, that postal + officers of high standing have estimated that not more than + one-third of the postage properly chargeable on newspapers is + accounted for and paid over. Furthermore, disputes are + continually arising, as to whether the sheets they transmit, + come within the meaning of the term newspapers. * * * I + respectfully submit the following plan for the prepayment of + postage on newspapers of the second class, and urge its + adoption. Let all publishers, their business managers or agents, + be required at the beginning of every quarter, to state under + oath the number of papers of a certain name, they will send by + mail during the quarter, and pay the postage thereon in advance. + On the other hand, postmasters to make return of all newspapers, + with particulars, mailed to regular subscribers. No stamps would + be required. Every paper answering to the description would be + forwarded. No manipulation of each paper would be required, and + the saving to publishers in time and labor, would, it is + thought, be greater than the amount paid for postage, while the + saving to the Department, would justify a reduction of 40 per + cent in the rates, on this class of matter. Periodicals to come + under the same law." + +The result of the deliberations upon this suggestion, was the passage by +Congress of the following law: + + XLIII Congress, Statute 1, Chapter 456, approved June 23rd, + 1874, "Section 5. That on and after the first day of January, + 1875, all newspapers and periodical publications mailed from a + known office of publication or news agency and addressed to + regular subscribers or news agents shall be charged the + following rates: + + On newspapers and periodical publications issued weekly and more + frequently than once a week, two cents for each pound or + fraction thereof, and on those issued less frequently than once + a week three cents for each pound or fraction thereof, provided + that nothing in this Act shall be held to change or amend + Section 99 of the Act entitled: An Act to revise, consolidate + and amend the statutes relating to the Post Office Department, + approved June 8th, 1872. + + SEC. 6. That on and after the first day of January, 1875, upon + the receipt of such newspapers and periodical publications at + the office of mailing, they shall be weighed in bulk, and + postage paid thereon by a special adhesive stamp; to be devised + and furnished by the Postmaster General, which shall be affixed + to such matter or to the sack containing the same; or upon a + memorandum of such mailing, or otherwise as the Postmaster + General may from time to time provide by regulation," etc., etc. + +The report of the Postmaster General also states Nov. 14th 1874, that +being confined to these three modes of collecting this postage; + + "It was deemed best to recommend the adoption of the system + of prepayment by postage stamps 'affixed to a memorandum of + mailing' or in other words, to a stub in a book retained by + the postmaster at the mailing office; a receipt, showing the + weight of matter and the amount paid, being given by the + postmaster to the person mailing the same; the stamps affixed + to the stub, to be cancelled by a cutting punch, thus preventing + their reuse. * * * The Postmaster General having approved the + recommendations, a series of stamps have been devised of twenty + four denominations, by means of which any sum which is a multiple + of either the two or three cent rate, from two cents to + seventy-two dollars, can be made by the use of not more than + five stamps." + +In the report dated November 15th, 1875, we find the following +observations and descriptions of this issue which will further explain +the mode of using them, which seems to be little understood, except by +publishers and post office officials. + + "On the first day of January 1875, the new law, requiring + prepayment of postage by stamps, on all newspapers and + periodicals sent from a known office of publication, to regular + subscribers through the mails, went into operation. The system + inaugurated to carry the law into effect, was approved in + October, 1874 and has been found by experience to be admirably + adapted to the purposes for which it was devised. No complaints + of abuses on the part of publishers or postmasters, have been + received at this office during the nine months, that have + elapsed since the law went into effect. Indeed, it has worked so + well in all its details, and has given such general + satisfaction, that the idea of returning to the old system, or + materially modifying the new one, ought not to be entertained. + + Previous to the time when this law began to operate, no stamps + were required for the payment of postage on newspapers sent to + regular subscribers, as the postage was collected in money + quarterly, at the office of delivery. Last year there were + 35,000 post offices at which newspaper postage was collected, + while under the present true system of the absolute prepayment + of all postage, the whole amount is collected at about 3,400 + offices, the latter representing the number of places in the + United States at which newspapers and periodicals are mailed. + + The papers for subscribers living outside of the county in + which they are published, are made up in bulk at the publication + office, carried to the post office and there weighed. The + postage is computed on the whole issue, the proper amount in + stamps handed to the postmaster, who gives the publisher a + receipt as evidence of payment, and on the stubs of the receipt + book he affixes and cancels the stamps which correspond in + value, with the sum mentioned in the receipt. Thus one + transaction is all that is required in paying the postage upon a + single issue of any regular publication. The stubs with their + cancelled stamps, are kept in the post office as vouchers for + the postage paid. In no case are the stamps affixed to the + papers or packages that pass through the mails. + + These stamps are twenty-four in number and were prepared by the + Continental Bank Note Company, of New York, from designs + selected in October, 1874." Elsewhere it is stated that the + distribution to postmasters began December 11th, 1874. "The + denominations are as follows, viz: 2 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 6 + cents, 8 cents, 9 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 36 cents, + 48 cents, 60 cents, 72 cents, 84 cents, 96 cents, $1.92 cents, + $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. These denominations were + found to be necessary, in order that payment might be made on + any given quantity from one pound to one ton, at both the two + and three cent rate, with the use of not to exceed five stamps + in any transaction. + + No description of these stamps having been given in any official + form. I may be pardoned for presenting herewith a detailed + description of them, in order that it may be printed, and be + permanently preserved in the records of the department." + +TWO CENTS TO TEN CENTS, inclusive, emblematical figure of America, +looking to the right and modeled after Crawford's statue surmounting the +dome of the capitol. The left hand rests on a shield, and holds a +wreath; the right rests on a sword. The head is adorned with a head +dress consisting of a coronet of stars, surmounted by an eagle's head +and plumes. The background is horizontally lined and in parts diagonally +also. The vignette stands in an arched frame, composed of vertical +lines; and on either side of this frame, and at the top are slabs +containing the inscriptions (the upper in colored letters on +horizontally lined ground, the others in colorless block capitals, the +sides upon vertically lined ground), "_Newspapers_" and "_Periodicals_" +(at the sides), "_U. S. Postage_" (at top). At the bottom are shaded +outline block letters, representing the value, which is also indicated +by large outlined figures shaded on the face, in the upper corners, on +foliated scrolls. The lower corners are ornamented with shields. The +color of these stamps is black. + +TWELVE CENTS TO NINETY-SIX CENTS, inclusive. Vignette of Astraea or +Justice, in niche, bordered by a colorless line curved at the top, +holding in her right hand the balance, and resting with her left on a +shield bearing the United States coat of arms. The figure is full robed, +mailed and girdled as to the upper part and helmeted. Surmounting the +helmet is an eagle with out-stretched wings on a background horizontally +and diagonally lined. Figures representing values in shaded numerals on +shields, in the upper corners; values also in sunken letters below, on +solid labels bordered by a colorless and colored line, richly +ornamented. Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on side and +at top in shaded outlined capitals on vertically lined ground. Color, +pink. + +ONE DOLLAR AND NINETY-TWO CENTS. Vignette of Ceres, Goddess of +Agriculture, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line and a +vertically lined frame. She holds in her left hand an ear of corn, her +right holding a wreath, rests against the hip. The figure faced to the +front and is clad in full flowing robes. "_U. S. Postage_" at the top, +other inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," in italic capitals +shaded on the face and outside, on obelisks at either side, resting on +the lower slab, which is in solid color, containing value, "_One dollar +and ninety-two cents_," in two lines of white capitals. Value also in +figures, "$1-92/100" in upper corners. Color, deep brown. + +THREE DOLLARS. Goddess of Victory in curved niche, full-robed, girdled +with sword to the left, and mantle thrown over shoulders. The right hand +is stretched forward, holding a wreath; the left rests on a shield. +Outline figures of value, "$3" on octagons in upper corners, value below +in letters on either side of a large outline figure "3" on a shield. +Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," in colorless capitals, in +solid labels on either side, and "_U. S. Postage_" on lined ground +above. The niche and labels are all edged with colorless lines. The +background is vertically lined. Color, vermilion. + +SIX DOLLARS. Clio, the Muse of History in curved niche, bordered by +colorless line, on horizontally lined ground, full robed the toga thrown +over the left shoulder. In her right hand she holds a stylus, in the +left a tablet. Outline colorless figures of value, "$6" in upper +corners, surrounded by curved ornaments. Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," +"_Periodicals_," in white shaded letters on the sides, and above "_U. S. +Postage_" in dark letters, value, "_Six Dollars_" in outline colorless +letters in label, on vertically lined ground. Color, light blue. + +NINE DOLLARS. Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, full robed, in curved +niche, bordered by a colorless line with horizontally and diagonally +lined ground. The left hand is placed across her breast, holding a +portion of her toga; the right is grasping a spear. Figures of value +"$9" in upper corners, in foliated ornaments. Inscriptions, +"_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on sides in outline colorless and +shaded italics, and above in small colored letters, on the lined ground, +"_U. S. Postage_." Value, "_Nine Dollars_," also in letters shaded on +the face, below on scroll. Beneath is a large "9" in curved foliated +ornaments. Color, orange. + +TWELVE DOLLARS. Vesta, Goddess of the Fireside, full robed in curved +niche, with horizontally lined ground, and bordered by a colorless line. +The left hand lifts her drapery; the right holds a burning lamp. Figures +of value, "$12" in upper corners on tablets. Value, "_Twelve Dollars_" +also in colorless letters on beaded frame beneath. Inscriptions, +"_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on solid (sic), italic letters on +sides, and "_U. S. Postage_" in small white letters above. Frame of +vertical lines. Color, rich green. + +TWENTY-FOUR DOLLARS. Goddess of Peace in curved niche, bordered by a +colorless line, and on horizontally lined ground, a half naked figure +leaning against a broken column. She holds in her right hand an olive +branch, while her left grasps three arrows. The value, "_Twenty-four +Dollars_" is in colorless letters beneath, on a solid tablet; also in +figures "$24" in ornamented curves in upper corners. Inscriptions, "_U. +S. Postage_" in white shaded letters above, and "_Newspapers_," +"_Periodicals_" on the sides between which latter and each upper corner +is a six-pointed star. The back ground is vertically lined. The +ornaments bordered by a colorless line. Color, purplish shade. + +THIRTY-SIX DOLLARS. Figure representing Commerce, in full garments, in +curved niche, bordered by a colorless line with hatched background. She +holds in her left hand the _caduceus_, the winged rod of Mercury, in her +right a miniature ship. Figures of value, "$36" in the upper corners and +"_Thirty-six Dollars_" in ornamented capitals below, in two lines. +Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," also in ornamented +capitals on sides and "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless capitals above. The +frame is vertically lined. Color, dull red. + +FORTY-EIGHT DOLLARS. Hebe, the Goddess of Youth, partly draped in curved +niche with colorless border and horizontally lined ground. The right +hand holds a cup, which she is offering to the eagle around whose neck +is thrown her left arm. Shaded figures of value, "$48" on shields in the +upper corners, the word "_Postage_" between in colorless capitals on +solid label. The value, "_Forty-eight Dollars_" also in colorless +letters below on solid ground, in curved ornaments. The letters "_U._" +and "_S._" in colorless circles between the corners and side +inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," the latter being in +colorless letters on solid curved labels. Frame vertically lined. Color, +light brown. + +SIXTY DOLLARS. Vignette of an Indian Maiden, standing in a rectangular +frame. She is robed from her waist downward. Her right arm is extended, +while her left hangs by her side. The background is a landscape. Trees +and vines to the left, and wigwams to the right in the distance, +bordered by a colorless line between fine colored lines. Figures of +value, "$60" on shields in the upper corners. Value, "_Sixty Dollars_" +also in white letters on solid tablets below. Inscriptions, +"_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," in white on solid labels on the sides. +"_U. S._" in colorless capitals on the ground, and "_Postage_" on a band +in colored letters above. Ground vertically lined. Color, rich purple. + + # # # # # + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Postage Stamps, Stamped Env. & Post Cards. + + _Washington D. C., April 25, 1879._ + + The attention of Postmasters is hereby called to the fact, that + on and after the first of May proximo, under the act of March + 3d, 1879, matter of the second class, commonly known as + newspaper and periodical matter, will be entitled to pass + through the mail, at a uniform rate of 2 cents per pound. Care + will be taken not to collect payment on such matter, at more + than that rate. The same general regulations concerning the + collection of newspaper postage, as have been heretofore + promulgated will remain in force, and the same books and blanks + together with the newspaper and periodical stamps, that are now + outstanding will continue to be used. In future, however, the + issue of the three and nine cents denominations of newspaper and + periodical stamps, will be discontinued. * * * * + + A. D. HAZEN, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +Act of the XLV Congress, Session III, Chapter 180, approved March 3rd, +1879, Sections 10 and 14 merely change the classification to a uniform +one at the rate of two cents per pound. + +The Act of the XLVIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved +March 3rd, 1885, provides as stated in Order No. 109 of the Postmaster +General, dated April 24th, 1885, "That all publications of the second +class, * * * shall on and after July 1st, 1885, be entitled to +transmission through the mails at one cent a pound or fraction +thereof. * * * To provide for wants that may arise from this change in +the rate of second class postage, the Department has decided to issue +a newspaper and periodical stamp of the denomination of one cent, the +design and color of which will be the same as those of the present +series of newspaper and periodical stamps of the denomination of from +2 to 10 cents. Stamps of this new denomination will be ready for issue +by the 1st of June, after which all postmasters needing them will make +requisition for suitable supplies." + + +NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL STAMPS. + +SERIES OF 1875-1885. + +Plate impression, 24 by 35½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + June 1st, 1885, 1 cent, black. + Jan. 1st, 1875, 3 cents, " to April 25th, 1879. + 9 " " " " " + 2 " " + 4 " " + 6 " " + 8 " " + 10 " " + 12 " carmine, + 24 " " + 36 " " + 48 " " + 60 " " + 72 " " + 84 " " + 96 " " + 1 dollar 92 " deep brown + 3 dollars vermilion + 6 " light blue + 9 " orange + 12 dollars rich green + 24 " purplish slate + 36 " dull red + 48 " light brown + 60 " rich purple + +These stamps were not reprinted in 1874, but samples ungummed and +surcharged "specimen" were sold to collectors. + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +A slight change in the regulations now prohibits postmasters from +selling these stamps even to publishers, but the money is received and +the requisite amount in stamps placed upon the stubs and cancelled. The +amount sold and the amount used in an office should now correspond. The +stubs are sent periodically to Washington with the accounts, compared +and destroyed. Used specimens and even unused specimens are likely to +grow rare in collections. + + + + +XXVII. + +OFFICIAL STAMPS. + + +A thorough understanding of the use of these stamps will best be +obtained by a brief review of the system it for a time supplanted, which +was briefly designated as the "Franking Privilege." As early as the 1st +Session of the Second Congress the necessity and propriety of providing +for the carriage of official correspondence and the correspondence of +Government officers and Members of Congress upon public business was +recognized, and Chapter 7, Section 19, approved February 1st, 1792, of +the Acts of that Sessions provided: + + "That the following letters and packets and no others shall be + received and conveyed by post, free of postage under such + restrictions as are hereinafter provided, that is to say: all + letters and packages to or from the President or Vice-President + of the United States, and all letters and packages not exceeding + 2 ounces in weight, to or from any member of the Senate or House + of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, or Clerk of the + House of Representatives, during their actual attendance in any + session of Congress, and twenty days after such session, all + letters to and from the Secretary of the Treasury and his + assistant; Comptroller, Register and Auditor of the Treasury, + Treasurer, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, the Committee + for settling accounts between the United States and individual + States, the Postmaster General and his assistant. Provided that + no person shall frank or enclose any letter or packet other than + his own, but any public letter or packet from the department of + the Treasury may be franked by the Secretary of the Treasury, or + the assistant Secretary, or by the Comptroller, Register, + Auditor or Treasurer, and that each person before named shall + deliver to the post office, every letter or packet enclosed to + him, which may be directed to any other person, noting the place + from whence it comes by post, and the usual postage shall be + charged thereon." + +By various acts of Congress this privilege was gradually extended to +various persons in the employ of the Government until, in 1869, the +Postmaster General stated in his report that fully 31,933 persons were +authorized by the laws to enjoy this privilege. + +As early as 1836, Congress appropriated the sum of $700,000 to pay the +post office department for this carriage of official correspondence. The +abuses became enormous. Signatures with hand stamps were even +recognized. All sorts of favors were extended by persons having the +privilege, to their friends. In 1869 the annual expense to the +department of this free matter was estimated at $5,000,000. To remedy +this abuse, which had the effect of preventing a proper reduction of +postal rates to the general public, as the expenses of the Department, +including the expense of carrying official matter so-called, greatly +exceeded its annual revenue, there was but one remedy--the passage of +an act abolishing the franking privilege and providing by appropriation +for carrying the necessary government dispatches. The Act of the XLII +Congress, Session III, Chapter 82, approved the 27th of January, 1873, +accordingly provided: + + "That the franking privilege be hereby abolished from and after + the first day of July, Anno Domini 1873, and that henceforth all + official correspondence of whatever nature, and other mailable + matter sent from or addressed to any officer of the government + or person now authorized to frank such matter, shall be + chargeable with the same rates of postage as may be lawfully + imposed upon like matter sent by, or addressed to other persons. + Provided that no compensation or allowance shall be now or + hereafter made to Senators or Members and Delegates of the House + of Representatives on account of postage." + +The Act of the XLII Congress, Session III, Chapter 228, approved March +3, 1873, after appropriating so much as should be necessary of a certain +sum for the purchase of postage stamps for each department, continues: + + "That the Postmaster General shall cause to be prepared a + special stamp or stamped envelope to be used only for official + mail matter for each of the executive departments, and said + stamp and stamped envelope shall be supplied by proper officer + of said departments to all persons under its direction requiring + the same for official use, and all appropriations for postage + heretofore made shall no longer be available for said purpose, + and all said stamps and stamped envelopes shall be sold or + furnished to said several departments or clerks only at the + price for which stamps and stamped envelopes of like value are + sold at the several post offices." + +In the report of the Postmaster General for the year ending June 30, +1873, it is stated that: + + "The several Acts for the repeal of the franking privilege + became operative on the first of July last. The results of the + first quarter of the current year are highly satisfactory and + more fully verified the predictions of the friends of the + repeal. * * * Section 4 of the Act of March 3rd, 1873, making it + the duty of the Postmaster General to provide official stamps + and stamped envelopes for the several Executive Departments, has + been strictly complied with. The stamps and envelopes furnished + have been executed in the highest style of art and will compare + favorably with those of any other country. From July 1st to + September 30th of the current year the following varieties, + numbers and values were issued: + + To whom issued. D'minat'n. Number. Value. + The Executive Dep't 5 5,150 200.00 + The State Dep't 14 60,495 20,749.70 + The Treasury Dep't 11 7,842,500 407,000.00 + The War Dep't 11 446,500 17,689.00 + The Navy Dep't 11 247,230 12,239.00 + The Post Office Dep't 10 10,054,660 354,535.00 + The Interior Dep't 10 1,058,475 59,171.00 + The Dep't of Justice 10 65,400 3,900.00 + The Dep't of Agriculture, 9 275,000 20,730.00 + -- ---------- ---------- + Making a total of 91 20,055,410 896,213.70 + + * * * * * + + The stamps for the Departments other than the Post Office do not + differ materially from those for sale to the public except that + each Department has its own distinctive color and legend. The + colors are: For the Executive, carmine; State Department, green; + Treasury, velvet-brown; War, cochineal red; Navy, blue; Post + Office, black; Interior, vermilion; Department of Justice, + purple; and Department of Agriculture, straw color. + + In the stamps for the Post Office Department the medallion head + gives place to a numeral representing the value with the words + "Post Office Department" above and the denomination expressed in + words below. All the official stamps correspond in denomination + with those issued for the public, except in the case of the + State Department, for which four of higher value were made for + dispatch bags. These four are of the denominations of $2, $5, + $10, and $20, respectively, are of large size and printed in two + colors, and bear a profile bust of the late Secretary Seward." + +Elsewhere the Postmaster General states that the stamps were ready the +24th of May, for use the 1st of July, 1873. The following circular was +accordingly issued to postmasters: + + OFFICIAL POSTAGE STAMPS AND STAMPED ENVELOPES. + + [Circular to postmasters.] + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Postage Stamps, Stamped Env. & Post Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., May 15th, 1873._ + + "The Franking Privilege having been abolished, to take effect on + the first day of July, 1873, the Postmaster General is required + by law to provide postage stamps or stamped envelopes of special + design for each of the several Executive Departments of the + Government for the prepayment of postage on official matter + passing through the mails. + + DESCRIPTION. + + In place of the heads on the regular stamps, the official stamps + adopted for the Post Office Department have conspicuous figures + (numerals) to represent the denomination, with the word + "_Official_" above, and the word "_Stamp_" below. + + These printed in black, and resting on an oval shaped + background, render the stamps especially distinctive, and leave + no good excuse for confounding them with the other stamps. To + further distinguish them, the name of the Department is printed + across the top in lieu of the words "U. S. Postage." There is + also a slight difference in the ornamentation of the border. + + In design, the official stamps for the other Departments do not + differ materially from those issued for sale to the public, the + profile busts are retained but each stamp has at the top the + name of the particular Department for which it is provided. + Other changes appearing in the border need not be specified. + + The stamps for each Department have their own distinctive color, + as follows: For the Executive, carmine; State Department, green; + Treasury Department, velvet-brown; War Department, cochineal + red; Navy Department, blue; Interior Department, vermilion; + Department of Justice, purple; Department of Agriculture, straw; + and for the Post Office Department, black. + + The official stamps will correspond in denomination with the + regular stamps except that for the State Department there will + be four additional denominations, viz: two, five, ten and twenty + dollars respectively. These additional stamps are designed from + a profile bust of the late Hon. William H. Seward, and are of + double size and printed in two colors. + + OFFICIAL STAMPS FOR POSTMASTERS. + + Postmasters at all offices will be furnished with the official + stamps of this Department in suitable denominations and amounts + as far as they can be supplied. The Department will exercise its + own discretion in filling requisitions, and will send only in + such denominations and amounts, as the needs of an office may + seem to require. The less important offices, say those at which + the money order system has not been established, will need only + three cent stamps, but comparatively few offices will require + stamps above the denomination of six cents. The higher + denominations will be supplied to a few of the larger offices + only. Postmasters will combine stamps of the most convenient + denominations at hand to meet emergencies for which they may + have no single stamp exactly filling the rate required." + * * * * * * * + + EDWARD W. BARBER, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1st, 1873. + +The several denominations for all the departments have certain +characteristics that are common to all stamps of that value, which may +as well be stated once for all, to avoid repetition. + +With the exception of those of the post office department, the head is +the same as that on the ordinary stamp of the same value then current. + +The value is expressed in numerals and words beneath the oval in the +same numerals, letters and scrolls as on the ordinary stamps of the same +value, except that in those for the Post Office Department the numerals +in the 1, 12 and 30 cents and the letters in all are a trifle smaller. + +The ONE CENT has the head of Franklin in an oval as described, the large +"1" dividing "_One Cent_" on a band bordered by heavy white lines as +described, but the ornament across the ends is omitted except in that +for the Executive and Agriculture, and is lessened in that for the +Interior. + +The TWO CENTS has the head of Jackson as described, the large numeral +"2" dividing "_Two Cents_" upon a scroll with white border as described, +the ends of the scroll are, however, differently arranged to accommodate +parts of the design. + +The THREE CENTS has the head of Washington as described, the large "3" +dividing the words "_Three Cents_" upon a scroll as described. + +The SIX CENTS has the head of Lincoln, the large "6" dividing the words +"_Six Cents_" upon a scroll with colorless borders as described. + +The SEVEN CENTS has the head of Stanton, the large "7" dividing the +words "_Seven Cents_" upon a label following the oval and bordered by +the white line between two colored lines and ending in a curve and ball +as described. + +The TEN CENTS has the head of Jefferson, the large "10" dividing the +words "_Ten Cents_" upon a colorless bordered scroll as described. + +The TWELVE CENTS has the head of Clay, the large numerals "2" dividing +the words "_Twelve Cents_" in block letters following the oval bounded +by the white line between two colored lines and curved back as +described. + +The FIFTEEN CENTS has the head of Webster, the large numerals "15" +dividing the words "_Fifteen Cents_" upon a label bordered as described. + +The TWENTY-FOUR CENTS has the head of Scott, no numerals below, the +words "_Twenty-four_" and "_Cents_" upon two labels and in block letters +as described. In that for the Department of Agriculture the upper label +is changed into a scroll with large ends curved backwards, then forwards +and then downwards. + +The THIRTY CENTS has the head of Hamilton, the large numerals "30" on +the shield dividing the words "_Thirty Cents_" in colored letters on the +scroll as described. + +The NINETY CENTS has the head of Perry, the large numerals "90" dividing +the words "_Ninety Cents_" in block letters on a label bordered as +described, but the ends have a small curve inward in those for the Post +Office Department, are square in those for the Interior and Navy +Departments, are curved inwards in that for the War Department, are +terminated by curves forming a point in that for the Department of +Justice, and are square with a projecting small half circle in those for +the Treasury and State Departments. + + +EXECUTIVE. + +The oval containing the bust, the scroll or label and numeral are all +placed upon a back-ground of vertical parallel lines so disposed as to +produce the stripes of the shield or flag. Above and following the oval +a solid colored label inscribed in colorless capitals, "_Executive_," +and bounded by a white and exterior colored line terminating in a +foliated ornament against the oval; foliated ornaments in the corners +forming small white circles enclosing "_U._" and "_S._" on rectangularly +hatched disks. + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm. in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent carmine, 6,800 issued. + 2 cents " 9,100 " + 3 " " 23,500 " + 6 " " 5,500 " + 10 " " 5,150 " + + +DEPARTMENT OF STATE. + +The oval containing the bust, the scroll or label and numeral are all +placed upon a ground of parallel vertical lines. At the top these are +crossed by horizontal lines at about 1 mm. from the edge over a space of +equal width, so as to form a darker band and thus form a double frame +half way down where the darker frame terminates on each side in a round +ball, except in the 12 cents, which has the dark frame all the way +round. In the values with scrolls "_U._" on the left, "_S._" on the +right above the ends of the scrolls in large white letters shaded +outside. In the values with labels the same letters in the corners below +the ends of the labels, also colorless, except in the 15 cents, in which +they are crossed by parallel horizontal lines. Above the ovals "_Dep't +of State_," in similar capitals, large at the sides and gradually +decreasing towards the center. Above these a fine curved colorless line +between colored lines, the lower heavily shaded; beneath the letters a +white ornament terminating on each side in a fleur de lis, and shaded by +colored lines. + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent green, 31,800 issued. + 2 cents green, 41,800 " + 3 " 109,200 " + 6 " 82,100 " + 7 " 37,800 " + 10 " 64,900 " + 12 " 20,800 " + 15 " 22,800 " + 24 " 13,800 " + 30 " 20,100 " + 90 " 6,043 " + +To these are added the four higher values of larger size. These have a +large profile head of Wm. H. Seward, facing to the left, on a hatched +ground forming an oval disk, with a ground of fine parallel lines all +printed in black. The lines are arranged to form a panelled triangle in +the upper corners, the lines being horizontal and light in the borders +and thickened to form the darker panels which contain a foliated +ornament. On a broad colorless, curved label, with rounded ends, +"_Department of_" in outline Roman capitals shaded at top by curved +parallel colored lines, a series of curved parallel colored lines +filling the lower part of the label. Beneath this, in outlined pearled +capitals, following the label and shaded outside, "_State_." At the +sides bunches of rods tied above and below with crossed bands with "_U. +S. A._" in colorless letters below each. Across the bottom a hatched +label with colorless borders inscribed in colorless letters shaded +outside with the value. + +Plate impression 25 by 39 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + Two dollars, black and green, 3,508 issued. + Five " " " 363 " + Ten " " " 363 " + Twenty " " " 363 " + + +TREASURY DEPARTMENT. + +The oval containing the portraits, the scrolls or labels and large +numerals are placed on a background of vertical parallel lines arranged +to form a drapery with fringes, cords and tassels, and a panel similar +to the State Department stamps. At the top a label indicated by a +colorless line curved up at the ends and terminating above in foliated +ornaments, is inscribed "_Treasury_" in the same letters as the other +official stamps with "_U. S._" beneath the left end and "_Dept._" +beneath the right end. + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent velvet-brown, 2,900,000 issued. + 2 cents " 2,484,500 " + 3 " " 11,250,000 " + 6 " " 4,105,000 " + 7 " " 220,000 " + 10 " " 1,291,500 " + 12 " " 783,000 " + 15 " " 663,000 " + 24 " " 100,000 " + 30 " " 456,500 " + 90 " " 312,500 " + +The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in depth, some specimens having +a spotted appearance as if the ink did not work well. + + +WAR DEPARTMENT. + +The oval containing the bust, the scrolls or labels and numerals are +placed on a back ground of parallel vertical lines above and below, +horizontal on the sides. In the upper corners "_U._" on the left, "_S._" +on the right. A curved solid label bordered by a cord, cuts off the +upper corners and is inscribed on the left "_War_" on right "_Dept._" in +the usual capitals. The lines of the sides are arranged to show the +stripes of the flag. A shield on each side above the scrolls or beneath +the labels. + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent cochineal red, 3,301,230 issued. + 2 cents " 1,867,160 " + 3 " " 5,393,137 " + 6 " " 3,584,813 " + 7 " " 55,728 " + 10 " " 342,152 " + 12 " " 792,070 " + 15 " " 284,960 " + 24 " " 201,025 " + 30 " " 336,641 " + 90 " " 48,172 " + +The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in intensity, some being much +lighter and some darker than ordinary. + + +NAVY DEPARTMENT. + +The ovals containing the busts, the labels or scrolls and large numerals +are placed on a ground of vertical parallel lines. A large, six-pointed +star in each upper corner, and a smaller one on each side. A cable runs +round the sides and top. The words "_Navy_" on the left and "_Dept._" on +the right in the usual capitals across the upper corners and a losenge +with "_U._" on the left and "_S._" on the right shaded in the lower +corners and placed diagonally above the scrolls or below the labels. + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, ultramarine-blue, 106,800 issued. + 2 cents " 201,300 " + 3 " " 580,700 " + 6 " " 234,800 " + 7 " " 16,000 " + 10 " " 55,210 " + 12 " " 61,300 " + 15 " " 37,500 " + 24 " " 26,000 " + 30 " " 29,600 " + 90 " " 11,270 " + + +POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. + +The oval as before stated contains a large numeral of value instead of +the head with the word "_Official_" above and "_Stamp_" below, on a +plain colorless ground. Same labels or scrolls and numerals rather +smaller below as in the stamps of other departments, with small circular +disks bearing "_U._" and "_S._" on the left and right above the scrolls +or under the labels. In the 1, 6, 10, 30 and 90 cents these small disks +are shaded by vertical lines, in the other values by diagonal lines, and +the letters are filled with horizontal lines. Around the top of the oval +a solid colored label bordered by colorless lines and inscribed "_Post +Office Department_." There is a small circle with four horizontal lines, +and shaded outside in each upper corner, all on a ground of parallel +vertical lines. + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent black, 1,114,250 issued. + 2 cents " 894,600 " + 3 " " 6,479,700 " + 6 " " 3,306,800 " + 10 " " 182,450 " + 12 " " 298,780 " + 15 " " 109,285 " + 24 " " 87,625 " + 30 " " 133,255 " + 90 " " 65,200 " + +Two complete series of these stamps may be found, the one on white +paper, the other having the surface tinted with the ink of the stamp, +also intermediate or partly tinted specimens, showing that the tinting +probably results from imperfect wiping of the plates. + + +DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. + +The ovals containing the heads, the scrolls, labels and large numerals +are placed on a ground of vertically ruled lines, crossed in parts to +form heavy shadows and showing stripes at the sides, small shields above +the ends of the scrolls and below the ends of the labels, bearing the +"_U._" and "_S._" lined and shaded. A large, six-pointed star in the +upper corners. A broad, colorless band doubly curved and following in +part the outline of the oval above, inscribed in lined and shaded Roman +capitals, "_Dept. of the Interior_." + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent vermilion, 394,800 issued. + 2 cents " 1,414,400 " + 3 " " 5,255,300 " + 6 " " 1,722,500 " + 10 " " 284,550 " + 12 " " 359,850 " + 15 " " 257,100 " + 24 " " 134,125 " + 30 " " 138,300 " + 90 " " 64,377 " + + +DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. + +The ovals containing the heads, bands, scrolls and large numerals are +placed on a ground of vertically ruled lines. Six pointed stars with the +letters "_U._" and "_S._" above the ends of the scrolls or under the +ends of the labels. Diagonally in small capitals in the upper left +corner, "_Dept._" in the right "_of_" and in larger capitals following +the line of the oval, "_Justice_" all in outline Roman capitals heavily +shaded, on the ground without bands. The oval, stars, scrolls, etc., are +also heavily shaded. + +Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, purple, 25,000 issued. + 2 cents, " 26,900 " + 3 " " 182,000 " + 6 " " 84,000 " + 10 " " 20,500 " + 12 " " 26,800 " + 15 " " 12,800 " + 24 " " 12,800 " + 30 " " 8,600 " + 90 " " 3,200 " + +The color varies very slightly in intensity. + + +DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. + +The ovals containing the heads, bands scrolls and large numerals are +placed upon a ground of vertically ruled lines, showing stripes at the +sides. A solid label curved with the oval above bounded by a colorless +line and rounded at the ends, is inscribed "_Agriculture_" in outlined +capitals. In small similar capitals in the upper left corner, "_Dept. +of_" in two lines. In the upper right corner in monogram, "_U. S._" + +Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent, straw, 95,415 issued. + 2 cents " 230,150 " + 3 " " 435,050 " + 6 cents, straw, 120,000 issued. + 10 " " 95,265 " + 12 " " 51,265 " + 15 " " 54,050 " + 24 " " 60,265 " + 30 " " 82,265 " + +By the appropriation acts each year from the Act of the 22 June, 1874, a +certain amount was annually appropriated to each Department for the +purchase from the Post Office Department of such of these official +stamps as were necessary for the use of the Department and its +subordinate officers. By the 9th Section of the Act of the XLIVth +Congress, Session I, Chapter 287, approved the 15th of August, 1876, it +was enacted. + + "That the Secretaries respectively of the Departments of State, + Treasury, War, Navy and Interior and the Attorney General are + authorized to make requisition upon the Postmaster General for + the necessary amount of postage stamps for the use of their + Departments not exceeding the amount stated in the estimates + submitted to Congress, and upon presentation of proper vouchers + therefore at the Treasury, the amount thereof shall be credited + to the appropriation for the Post Office Department for the same + fiscal year." + +This was the beginning of an entire change in the method of crediting +the Post Office Department for work done in carrying official +correspondence. + +By the Act of XLIVth Congress, Session II, Chapter 103, approved March +30, 1877, the law was modified in the following terms: + + Sec. 5. That it shall be lawful to transmit through the mail, + free of postage any letters, packages or other matter relating + exclusively to the business of the Government of the United + States: Provided that every such letter or package to entitle it + to pass free shall bear over the words "Official Business" an + endorsement, showing also the name of the Department, and if + from a bureau or office, the names of the Department and bureau + or office, as the case may be, whence transmitted. And if any + person shall make use of any such official envelope to avoid the + payment of postage on his private letter, package or other + matter in the mail, the person so offending shall be deemed + guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of three hundred + dollars, to be prosecuted in any court of competent + jurisdiction. + + Sec. 6. That for the purpose of carrying this act into effect it + shall be the duty of each of the Executive Departments of the + United States to provide for itself and its subordinate officers + the necessary envelopes, and in addition to the endorsement + designating the Department in which they are to be used, the + penalty for the unlawful use shall be stated thereon. + + Sec. 7. That Senators, Representatives and Delegates in + Congress, the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of + Representatives may send and receive through the mail all public + documents printed by order of Congress, and the name of each + Senator, Representative, Delegate, Secretary of the Senate, and + Clerk of the House, shall be written thereon with the proper + designation of the office he holds, and the provisions of this + section shall apply to each of the persons mentioned therein + until the first day of December following the expiration of + their terms of office. + +By this act the use of official stamps upon mail matter _from_ the +Departments, bureaus and offices was practically abolished, but official +stamps continued to be used by postmasters and other subordinate +officers in their mail matter _to_ the Departments or each other on +official business. + +By the 29th Section of the Act of the XLVth Congress, Chapter 180, +approved March 3d, 1879, it was enacted that,-- + + "The provisions of the 5th and 6th Sections of the Act entitled, + An Act Establishing Post Routes and for other purposes, approved + March 3d, 1877, for the transmission of official mail matter, be + and they are hereby extended to all officers of the United + States Government, and made applicable to all official mail + matter transmitted between any of the officers of the United + States, or between any such officer and either of the Executive + Departments or officers of the Government, the envelopes of such + matter in all cases to bear appropriate endorsements containing + the proper designation of the office from which the same is + transmitted, with a statement of the penalty for their misuse. + And the provisions of said 5th and 6th Sections are hereby + likewise extended and made applicable to all official mail + matter sent from the Smithsonian Institution. Provided, that + this Act shall not extend or apply to pension agents, or other + officers who receive a fixed allowance for their services, + including expenses for postage." + +In his report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, D. M. Key, +Postmaster General, had already stated that,-- + + "The amount of matter sent through the mails free is very large, + adding greatly to our expenditures and giving us no revenue. The + Franking Privilege has been restored to the members and chief + officers of Congress, so as to allow them to send free almost + anything which they were ever allowed to transmit through the + mails free, except letters. Tons upon tons of books, documents, + seeds, shrubs and the like are placed in our mails free of cost, + on this score. The official letters of the Executive Departments + of the general Government, their documents, etc., go free + through the mails." + +The operation of the act of 1879, however, greatly increased the amount +of free matter, and decreased the use of official stamps. The Post +Office Department discontinued their use entirely. In a circular dated, +Washington, D. C., April 22nd, 1879, and signed by A. D. Hazen, third +assistant Postmaster General, it is stated that: + + "The Department will begin the issue on May 1st next, of + envelopes for official business which will secure the free + transmission through the mails of all official matter and which + are intended to supercede the Post Office envelopes now in use, + as well as official postage stamps and official stamped + envelopes. Accordingly the issue of official stamps and official + stamped envelopes will be discontinued on and after the date + named. * * * The stock of post office envelopes now in the hands + of postmasters will continue until exhausted to be used as + heretofore by the attachment of official postage stamps. So also + official stamped envelopes now in the hands of postmasters at + Presidential offices will be used as heretofore until + exhausted." + +This circular, of course, applies only to stamps, etc., of the Post +Office Department. The other Departments continued to use them for +certain purposes, though none were issued to the Executive Department. +The report of the Postmaster General for the year ending June 30th, +1885, says: + + "The use of official stamps and stamped envelopes was wholly + discontinued by this Department and substantially so by the + other Departments on the 30th of June, 1879, under the Act + authorizing the use of official penalty envelopes." + +By the Act of the XLVIIIth Congress, Session I, Chapter 234, Section 3, +approved July 5, 1884, the provisions of the Act of 1879, were +substantially re-enacted with the addition that any Department or +officer authorized to use the penalty envelopes, might enclose them to +any person from whom an answer was requested, and might register any +letter required by law, or the regulations to be registered free, and +might receive any letter partly paid free, and added that: + + "Section 3915 of the Revised Statutes of the United States so + far as the same relates to stamps and stamped envelopes for + official purposes is hereby repealed." + +To this the report of the Postmaster General for 1885, adds: + + "The use of official postage stamps and stamped envelopes having + ceased on the 30th of June, 1884, and the same having been + declared invalid for postages by the Act of July 5th, 1884, the + stock remaining in the hands of the stamp and envelope + contractors was destroyed in February last, under the + supervision of the committee appointed by the Postmaster + General." + +From the report of this committee it appears that they destroyed in all, +17,024,588 official stamps, and 1,739,290 of ordinary and newspaper +stamps that had ceased to be of use. Also that about 2½ per cent of all +the stamps manufactured annually, are destroyed, a single imperfect +specimen on the "sheet" of 100 causing the rejection of at least fifty +or half the sheet. + + + + +XXVIII. + +OFFICIAL SEALS. + + +The Post Office Department of the United States, besides the stamps for +the collection of postage, has employed from time to time for special +usages certain seals which, as they are adhesive and in the form of +postage stamps and officially used, are here described, although they +are of no postal value and not properly stamps, but are all employed to +indicate that the packages which bear them are properly secured and have +not been tampered with in transit. + + +REGISTERED PACKAGE SEAL. + +This is a large rectangular seal 71½ by 39 mm., in the form of an +adhesive stamp duly gummed and perforated. After the letters or parcels +of registered letters were duly placed in the large registered package +envelopes employed for the purpose, one of these seals was firmly +secured over the tongue of the envelope and duly stamped with the date +of mailing. It is simply an additional guarantee to the receiving office +that the package has not been opened since it was sealed at the sending +office. A circular announcing its issue and directing its use was issued +from the office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General at Washington, +dated February 14, 1872. A second circular from the same office dated +1875, without stating the month or day, announces the adoption of a +differently constructed envelope and the abandonment of the use of the +registered seal. + + +ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 14, 1872. + +Large, oblong, rectangular seals, having in the middle a circular disk +with ground of fine concentric circles, so broken as to present the +appearance of white rays, bounded by two heavier, but still fine colored +lines, separated by a colorless line, and and a broad colorless band +with exterior colored line, inscribed in plain block, colored capitals, +above "_Stamp Here_," below, "_Date_" and "_Place of Mailing_" separated +by a small maltese cross on each side. On each side of this is a ground +of horizontal lines bordered by a heavy colored line with ornamental +triangles of solid color, with colorless geometric lines forming the +corners. Outside all a single colored line. On the ground in three lines +of colored capitals, on each side are the inscriptions: on the left, +reading from the bottom to the top, "_Post Office_," "_Department_"; on +the right, reading from the top to the bottom, "_United States_," "_of +America_"; in the upper corner triangles "_U. S._" in monogram; in the +lower, "_P. O. D._" in white capitals. Across the middle of the whole +stamp in large block capitals 8½ mm. high and shaded by horizontal lines +is the word "_Registered_." + +Plate impression, 71½ by 39 mm., printed in color, on white paper, +perforated 12. + + No value, green. + +A second seal employed for a time by the United States Postage Stamp +Agency upon the packages of stamps sent out to postmasters, was equally +an additional guarantee against opening or tampering with the package. + + +ISSUE OF (END) 1875. + +A large rectangle bearing in the center the monogram, "_U. S._" in large +colorless capitals in an oval of geometric colored lines, surrounded by +a ground of interlaced colorless geometric lines on color. A frame of +fifteen colored parallel lines crossing in the angles. A clover leaf of +geometric work, also in the corners. On the frame above in large +colorless capitals, "_U. S. Postage Stamp Agency_," all in brown. A +black surcharge of eight lines reads: "_Postmasters Receiving this +Package--Will Please--Note Its Condition--If showing signs of having +been tam--pered with, report the same and return--this package to 3d +Asst. P. M. General, at--Washington, D. C. This Package--Should be +opened at the end. E. W. Barber, 3d Asst. P. M. G._" Lithographed in +color on white paper, but not perforated, 102 by 52 mm. + + No value, brown and black. + +This was afterwards changed by merely changing the signature to "_A. D. +Hazen, 3d Asst. P. M. G._" and the surcharge to vermilion. + +Lithographed in color on white paper and not perforated. + + No value, brown and vermilion. + +[The latter are still in use. Dec., '86]. + +A third seal was employed by the Dead Letter Office at Washington, and +afterwards by other offices, to reseal letters opened at that office or +broken in the mails. It was placed upon the flap of the envelope of +letters opened at the Dead Letter Office, in order to ascertain the name +of the sender, or on letters opened by the wrong persons through +mistake, or upon the torn places of other packages. + + +ISSUE OF (BEGINNING OF) 1877. + +A large rectangle with small head of Liberty, full face in an oval 11 by +8 mm. in the center. Above in curved line of colored block letters, +"_Post Office Department_," below in double curve of Old English colored +letters, "_United States of America_." On each side of the oval a solid +label bearing in large colorless letters on left, "_Officially_," on +right "_Sealed_." In the corners "_U. S._" in monogram. The frame is a +broad band 3 mm. wide, vertically lined forming a rectangle with rounded +corners, double lined outside and inside and shaded. The ground is +covered with the words "_Post Obitum_" repeated in whole or part 180 +times, in horizontal lines. On the frame below "National Bank Note +Company New York" in small colored letters. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, 43¼ by 27 mm., perforated +12. + + No value, brown. + + +ISSUE OF 1879. + +The foregoing stamp was replaced in 1879, by another of the same design, +but the words "_Post Obitum_" in the ground are replaced by a pattern of +interlaced circles. The same name on the frame. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, 43¼ by 27 mm., perforated +12. + + No value, brown. + + + + +XXIX. + +REPRINTS. + + +There seems to have been no special law authorizing the Postmaster +General to issue reprints of the stamps of the United States, or as the +authorities choose to call them, "Specimen Postage Stamps." On the other +hand his general authority under the law is sufficient to make any +re-issue for postal purposes of any of the issues of the Department +legal, for none of them except the official stamps have ever been made +invalid for postal purposes by any authority but his own, and this +authority he undoubtedly has also. It has always seemed expedient to the +Department to issue certain specimens of the stamps and envelopes in +circulation, or to be circulated, from time to time, in the proper, as +well as in trial colors. It has been said that it being considered +expedient to exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition a complete series of +all the various issues authorized from time to time, by the Department, +as a part of its history, and unused specimens not being easily +obtained, the old dies and plates were taken from their places of +storage in order to print the necessary specimens, and that the +Department having been solicited to furnish collectors with specimens of +its old issues, took this opportunity to provide itself to satisfy these +demands. It was, however, a mistaken kindness and unused originals were +not unattainable. So that for exhibition purposes even reprinting was +not necessary. Besides as the reprints or specimens of all except the +current series, are in some respects or other unlike the originals, they +were really only so many tolerably accurate pictures of what had been. + +When the Department was ready to furnish collectors with these doubtful +boons the following official circular was issued: + + SPECIMEN POSTAGE STAMPS. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Div. of Postage Stamps, St'ped Envelopes & Postal Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., March 27, 1875._ + + The Department is prepared to furnish upon application, at face + value, specimens of adhesive postage stamps issued under its + auspices as follows: + + + Ordinary Stamps for Use of the Public. + + 1. Issue of 1847. Denominations, 5 and 10 cents. Value of set, + 15 cents. + + 2. Issue of 1851. Denominations, 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 24, 30 and 90 + cents; also two separate designs of 1 cent carrier stamps. + Value of set, $1.77. + + 3. Issue of 1861. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 + and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.92. + + 4. Issue of 1869. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 + and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 5. Issue of 1870 (current series). Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, + 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + + Official Stamps. + + 1. Executive. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 cents. Value of + set, 22 cents. + + 2. Department of State. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents, and $2, $5, $10 and $20. Value of Set, + $39. + + 3. Treasury Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + 4. War Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 24, + 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + 5. Navy Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 24, + 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + 6. Post Office Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 7. Department of the Interior. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, + 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 8. Department of Justice. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 9. Department of Agriculture. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, + 15, 24 and 30 cents. Value of set, $1.03. + + + Newspaper and Periodical Stamps. + + 1. Issue of 1865. Denominations, 5, 10 and 25 cents. Value of + set, 40 cents. + + 2. Issue of 1874. Denominations, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, + 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 cents, $1.92, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, + $48 and $60. Value of set, $204.66. + + The 1847 and 1851 stamps are obsolete, and no longer receivable + for postage. The subsequent issues of ordinary stamps are still + valid. The newspaper and periodical stamps of 1865 are also + uncurrent; those of the issue of 1874 can be used only by + publishers and news agents for matter mailed in bulk under the + Act of June 23rd, 1874. The official stamps cannot be used + except for the official business of the particular Department for + which it is provided. + + All the specimens furnished will be ungummed, and the official + stamps will have printed across the face the word "Specimen" in + small type. It will be useless to apply for gummed stamps or for + official stamps with the word "Specimen" omitted. + + The stamps will be sold by sets, and application must not be made + for less than one full set of any issue except the State + Department official stamps and newspaper and periodical stamps of + the issue of 1874. The regular set of the former will embrace all + the denominations from 1 cent to 90 cents inclusive, valued at + $2; and any or all of the other denominations ($2, $5, $10 and + $20) will be added or sold separately from the regular set as + desired. + + The newspaper and periodical stamps will be sold in quantities of + not less than two dollars worth in each case, of any denomination + or denominations that may be ordered. + + Under no circumstances will stamps be sold for less than their + face value. + + Payment must invariably be made in advance in current funds of + the United States. Mutilated currency, internal revenue and + postage stamps, bank checks and drafts, will not be accepted, but + will in all cases be returned to the sender. + + To insure greater certainty in the transmission, it is strongly + urged that remittances be made either by money order or + registered letter. Applicants will also include a sufficient + amount for return postage and registry fee, it being desirable to + send stamps by registered letter. Losses in the mails or by any + mode of transmission must be at the risk of the purchaser. + + [Symbol: Right Index] Applications must be addressed to "The + Third Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, D. C." + + Specimens of stamped envelopes will not be furnished in any case. + + E. W. BARBER, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +Here is truly a pretty kettle of fish. The proceedings do not seem to +have been reported by the Department, and there seems to have been no +account rendered of this peculiar transaction of the Stamp Office. +Doubtless the amounts received for these specimens and the number of +them sold are blended in the accounts of the number of stamps sold and +no loss accrued to the service. The public are not, however, informed of +the extent of the transactions, and judging from the difficulty of +finding these specimens in collections, the business was not large. + +There was no law preventing any one from purchasing either the newspaper +or periodical stamps from the Post office, and at the time there was +probably no regulation of the Department which prevented postmasters +from selling them to all desirous of purchasing. Certainly some were +sold to dealers and collectors. Hence the privilege of purchasing the +current newspaper and periodical stamps _without gum_ for the same price +that actual and complete copies could be obtained, particularly in view +of the fact that the purchaser, unless a publisher or agent, could not +use them when so purchased, even if he were willing to gum them himself, +was probably not largely taken advantage of. The specimens when found +can hardly be called reprints and cannot be distinguished from the +ordinary stamps that have by some accident lost their gum. There is +reason to believe that some of them have been adorned with this +appendage by private parties, so that the presence of gum is no +guarantee of genuineness. As, however, they are only partly finished +stamps of the regular issue, no great harm is done if a specimen is +treasured in a collection. + +With the newspaper stamps of the 1865 issue the facts are different. +While they are from the same plates apparently, they can generally be +detected by the color. As the five cents with white border does not +appear in the list of reprints or "specimens" the series was not, after +all, complete, and the possessor of this stamp may feel confident of +possessing an original. The companion five cents with colored border is +exactly of the same color, varying only in different specimens of either +variety in depths of color. The blue of the reprints is of a different +shade, more intense and perhaps the difference can best be expressed by +saying there is a _bloom_ about it that there is not about the +originals. When the two are placed side by side the homely expression +that the "new is worn off" of the originals will serve to express the +difference, though in point of fact they never had the brightness of the +reprints. The same remarks apply to the old and new ten cent values. The +color of the 25 cents, is, however, very badly imitated, the originals +have a yellowish-red cast, the reprint is a dull common red. A very +good idea of it might be had by comparing what are called salmon brick +and pressed brick together. Unfortunately some unscrupulous parties have +"experimented" with the reprints and thus rendered some specimens rather +harder to distinguish, but so far as the observation of the writer goes, +comparison with originals will always satisfactorily expose the +difference. + +The extreme anxiety of the Department that the revenue of the service +should not suffer by the use of a private party of an official stamp for +which he had paid the department full value, led as the advertisement +states to the placing of the word "specimen" in small type across the +face, and thereby saved the collector any trouble in identifying +"specimens" from originals, though as the stamps were current the +omission of the gum only reduced them to partly finished stamps, and not +to the category of reprints or counterfeits. + +Of the "ordinary stamps for the use of the public," the 5th or 1870 +issue was then current, and why ungummed stamps which the circular says +were never the less available for postage, should have been sold when +the Department had a large supply of finished originals at command, is a +mystery to all but official minds. + +The 4th or 1869 series presents greater difficulties to the collector +who desires to have only genuine originals. Made by the same company +that produced the originals, and only a short time afterwards, the +processes of printing, ink and paper making had not materially changed, +but the reprints show signs of more careful workmanship. Notwithstanding +the circular some of them at least were sent out by the department +gummed. But strange to say as noticed by Mr. Coster (A. J. P. 1875 page +6) the gum of the originals "varied from decidedly brownish to almost +white" and "on the 1861-69 issues of the reprints (as also on the +eagles) simple gum arabic seems to have been used, the color being +perfectly white. Furthermore, if the stamps are bent at all, the gum +cracks, which is in no case true of the originals." Mr. Coster further +says, "the originals all had the grille and the reprints have not." +Unfortunately, Mr. Coster was not aware that the four higher values at +least, with the brownish gum and without the grille, and undoubtedly +original, existed in collections before the reprints were made, and have +since been officially stated to have been so issued, and other values +also in that condition are known, which have every appearance of being +originals. Unfortunately also, it is not very difficult to remove the +gum, imitate the grille or not and regum the stamp with brownish gum. +Such experiments have been made with fair success by members of that +fraternity who exist by the trade in bogus antiquities and counterfeit +evidences of value, who sometimes do these little things merely to +experience the delight they feel in deceiving the so-called experts, +especially when as in this case a known reprint is almost unsalable, +but if it can be made to pass as an original its value is increased +several hundred fold and its salable qualities many times more. +Fortunately there are not a large number of the reprints to encounter +and grilled specimens are in all probability original. The 3d or 1861 +issue was also made by the same company that did the reprinting. The +originals were issued first without the grille and afterwards with it, +both had the brownish gum. The reprints have the same perforation and, +notwithstanding the circular, were issued both without the gum and with +the white stiff gum noticed above. Originals without the grille are +rarely on tinted or surfaced paper, though sometimes smurched in parts +from careless wiping of the plates. Originals with the grille are +generally on lightly tinted or surfaced paper and the colors are usually +stronger than the earlier ones. The reprints were without the grille, +but the colors are rather those of the grilled originals, the paper is +however whiter, the printing more carefully worked, and there is the new +look about them noticed when speaking of the reprints of the newspaper +series of 1865. Sheets of the one cent reprinted show the printer's +imprint on the sides and of the pattern of that on the 1869 issue. All +the originals of this value probably had the imprint of the other +pattern, and at the top or bottom. The reprints are therefore, probably +from new plates. + +A few reprints with a forged grille have come under the observation of +the writer, but as the grille was the small grille imitated from that on +the 1869 issue it was easily detected. + +The 2nd or 1851 issue, as it is called in the circular, actually +consisted of two series, the imperforate and perforate. Imperforate +reprints were not furnished. The originals were perforated 15 to the mm. +or 17 to the 7/8 of an inch. The reprints were perforated 12 to the mm. +or 13 to the 7/8 of an inch. This is the perforation of the 1870 series +and of most of the U. S. stamps. + +This is an absolute test then for perforated specimens. Attempts are, +however, made to palm off trimmed reprints as imperforate specimens. The +originals are on a yellowish paper and with brown gum. The reprints on a +very white paper originally but easily manipulated to yellowish. The +reprint of the one cent is from a new plate, the stamps have the outside +fine labels of the original imperforate series, but are set farther +apart on the plate so that even the larger perforation used does not cut +into the stamp. The blue is too bright. The reprinted three cents has +the outer top and bottom lines of the original imperforate stamp. The +stamps do not seem to have been set quite far enough apart on the plate, +as most specimens are somewhat marred by the large perforation. The +color is however a vermilion and not the brick-red, pink or carmine of +the originals. The reprinted five cents is from plate No. 2 without the +top and bottom projection, and the stamps being too near together are +marred by the large perforation. The color is a decided yellow brown, +unlike any of the shades of the original. It would probably be +impossible to remove the perforation so as to make this stamp pass for +an imperforate specimen and then it would lack the projection of the +original. + +The ten and twelve cents are harder to distinguish, the green is too +green, the black too black. The twenty-four, thirty and ninety cents +were not issued imperforate (except the very rare instances of the 24 +cents) and are not likely to deceive any one, their colors, however, are +the more brilliant new colors and not the old dull colors of the +originals. + +The reprinted "Eagle" Carrier's stamp was first sent out perforated 12, +the original was, of course, imperforate, and the stamps upon the sheet +were separated by colored lines. The perforations of the reprints made +sad havoc with these. Later the reprints were sent out imperforate. Such +originals as the present writer has seen are on a yellowish tinted paper +arising probably from the gum or age, the reprints are on a paper blued +on the printed side by the ink of the stamp and with a blue cast at the +back. + +The reprinted "Franklin" Carrier's stamp is on too deep a pink paper and +the dark blue ink is not deep and dull enough. + +Finally the only safe test of any of these stamps is comparison with +undoubted originals, in every case of doubt. + +The first or 1847 reprints are not from the original plates nor even +from the original dies, but from newly engraved dies, and hence are +absolutely worthless as representing the originals. They are not +reprints, but official imitations. In speaking of this issue it was +stated that the Department had ordered all remainders to be burnt and +the plates and dies destroyed. Supposing this to have been done +reprinting was impossible. To take the place of the originals, new dies +were made. + +The imitations are both wider and shorter than the originals. The +foliated ornaments are too conspicuous in both. The small letters, R. W. +H. and E. in the margins, though clear in the originals are too small, +and particularly in the five cents almost illegible, being too light, +and apparently the engraver did not know whether to make an R or an H, +an M or a W, an H or an N, an E or an F. These are the general and +common differences. + +The Five Cents. The hair on the right of the head (left of the stamp) is +in heavy dark masses in the original, but is too light, open and airy in +the imitation. The mouth prolonged in the original beyond the dot on the +right, ends with it in the imitation, in which there is a second dot to +the right of the first. The eyes are clear and distinct in the original, +with perhaps too much white in the right one, they are weak undecided +eyes in the imitation. The shirt front in the original is terminated by +a diagonal line which reaches the oval above the top of the F of "Five" +in the original, but is more nearly horizontal in the imitation, +reaching the oval nearly on a line with the top of the 5. + +The Ten Cents. In the hair on the right of the stamp there is a small, +white circle with a dark center in the imitation which does not appear +in the original. The lips are larger and the mouth longer in the +original than the imitation, but in the latter the lower lip is +indicated throughout by vertical lines, in the original there are three +vertical lines, the rest indicated by points. In the original the white +cravat is separated from the inner colored line marking the oval by a +fine white line with a colored line above it; in the imitation the line +of the oval terminates the cravat. The lines of the face are all too +stiff and ridged and the execution does not compare in delicacy and +boldness of touch with the original. + + + + +INDEX. + + + Agriculture Department; 230, 243 + + Alexandria; 28, 60 + + + Baltimore; 28, 62, 63 + + Baltimore, Horseman; 63 + + Brattleboro; 28, 48, 50 + + + Carrier Stamps; 87, 88, 100, 191, 264 + + Compulsory prepayment; 23, 90, 91 + + + Eight Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 218 + + Eighty-four Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Executive Department; 230, 235 + + + Fifteen Cents, 1866; 131, 135, 136, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 142, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 153, 191 + " 1870; 166, 170, 173 + " 1873; 176 + " 1883; 195 + " Official; 234 + + Fifty Cents, Postage Due; 202 + + Five Cents, 1847; 76, 78, 191, 265 + " 1856; 94, 107, 191 + " 1857; 110, 120, 191 + " 1861; 126, 134, 135, 191 + " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1875; 178 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 181 + " 1883; 196 + " Newspapers, 1865; 191 + " Postage Due; 200 + + Five Dollars, State Department; 237 + + Four Cents, 1883; 187, 189, 196 + " Newspapers, 1874; 218 + + Forty-eight Cents, " 1874; 219 + + Forty-eight Dollars," 1874; 222 + + + Grille of 1867; 138, 139, 140 + " 1869; 157 + " 1870; 170 + + + Interior Dep't; 230, 241 + + Introduction; 13 + + Issue of 1847; 74, 191, 265 + " 1851; 81, 85, 87, 88, 191, 263 + " 1855; 94, 191 + " 1856; 94, 191 + " 1857; 110, 191 + " 1860; 111, 191 + " 1861; 122, 125, 191, 261 + " 1863; 131, 191 + " 1865; 209, 191 + " 1866; 132, 191 + " 1867; 137, 191 + " 1869; 144, 149, 191, 260 + " 1870; 158, 191, 260 + " 1873; 173, 227 + " 1874; 214 + " 1875; 177 + " 1879; 201 + " 1882; 180 + " 1883; 186, 189, 195 + " 1885; 205 + " 1887; 196 + + + Justice Dep't; 230, 242 + + + Millbury; 28, 65 + + + Navy Dep't; 230, 240 + + Newspaper and Periodical, 1865; 209, 259 + " " " 5 cts.; 211 + " " " 10 cts.; 212 + " " " 25 cts.; 213 + " " 1874; 214 + + New Haven; 28, 51, 53 + + New York; 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33 + + New York "U. S. Mail"; 34 + + Nine Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 191, 192, 218 + + Nine Dollars, " " ; 221 + + Ninety Cents, 1860; 112, 121, 191 + " 1861; 129, 135, 136, 191 + " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 156, 191 + " 1870; 169, 170, 173 + " 1873; 176 + " 1883; 195, 196 + " Official; 235 + + Ninety-six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + + Official Stamps; 227 + + Official Seals; 249 + + Officially Sealed; 250 + + One Cent Carrier, Eagle; 88, 109, 191, 264 + " " Franklin; 87, 109, 191, 264 + " 1851; 85, 89, 97, 191 + " 1857; 110, 113, 191 + " 1861; 125, 133, 134, 135, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 149, 191 + " 1870; 161, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 183 + " 1883; 195 + " 1886; 183 + " 1887; 183 + " 1887; 196 + " Newspaper, 1885; 224 + " Official; 233 + " Postage Due; 200 + + One Dollar and Ninety-two Cents, Newspaper, 1874; 220 + + + Philadelphia; 69 + + Pittsfield; 71 + + Postage Due; 198 + " 1, 2, 3, 5; 200 + " 10, 30, 50; 202 + + Postmarks; 14 to 18 + + Post Obitum; 252 + + Post Office Department; 230 + + Postmasters Stamps; 25, 72 + + Providence; 23, 54, 56 + + + Registered Seals; 249 + + Registered Seals for stamp packages; 250 + + Reprints; 254 + + + St. Louis; 27, 28, 36, 38 + " 2 Cents; 47 + " 5 " ; 40 + " 10 " ; 42 + " 20 " ; 44 + + Seven Cents, 1870; 159, 169, 170, 172, 173, 191, 192 + " 1873; 176 + " Official; 234 + + Seventy-two Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Six Cents, 1869; 151, 191 + " 1870; 159, 164, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175, 176 + " 1882; 184, 190, 192 + " 1883; 196 + " 1886; 192 + " Newspapers, 1874; 218 + " Official; 234 + + Sixty Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Sixty Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 223 + + Six Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 220 + + Specimen Postage Stamps; 225 + + Special Delivery; 204 + + State Department; 230, 236 + + + Ten Cents, 1847; 77, 79, 191, 266 + " 1855; 94, 108, 191 + " 1857; 110, 121, 191 + " 1861; 127, 135, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 151, 191 + " 1870; 159, 165, 170, 173 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 185 + " 1883; 185, 186 + " 1886; 196 + " 1887; 186 + " Newspapers, 1874; 218 + " Official; 234 + " Postage Due; 202 + " Special Delivery; 204 + + Ten Dollars, State; 237 + + Thirty Cents, 1860; 111, 112, 121, 191 + " 1861; 129, 135, 136, 191 + " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 155, 191 + " 1870; 168, 170, 173 + " 1873; 176 + " 1883; 196 + " Official; 235 + " Postage Due; 202 + + Thirty-six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Thirty-six Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 222 + + Three Cents, 1851; 85, 89, 98, 191 + " 1857; 110, 115, 191 + " 1861; 126, 134, 135, 191 + " 1867 grilled all over; 138, 191 + " " large grille; 139, 191 + " " medium grille; 139, 191 + " " small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " " imperforate; 142, 191 + " 1869; 150, 191 + " 1870; 163, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175, 176 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 184, 186, 190, 192 + " 1883; 196 + " 1886-7; 192 + " Official; 234 + " Newspapers, 1874; 191, 192, 218 + " Postage due; 200 + + Three Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 220 + + Treasury Dept; 230, 238 + + Twelve Cents, 1851; 86, 89, 108, 191 + " 1857; 110, 121, 191 + " 1861; 127, 135, 191 + " 1867 medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867 small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 152, 191 + " 1870; 159, 165, 170, 173, 191, 192 + " 1883; 196 + " Newspapers, 1874; 219 + " Official; 234 + + Twelve Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 221 + + Twenty Dollars, State; 237 + + Twenty-four Cents, 1856; 93, 108, 191 + " " 1860; 111, 112, 121, 191 + " " 1861; 128, 135, 136, 191 + " " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " " 1869; 154, 191 + " " 1870; 167, 170, 173, 191, 192 + " " 1873; 176 + " " Newspapers, 1874; 219 + " " Official; 234 + + Twenty-four Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 222 + + Two Cents, 1863; 131, 135, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1867, imperforate; 142, 191 + " 1869; 150, 191 + " 1870; 161, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175 + " 1875; 177 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 184, 186 + " 1883; 187, 189, 195 + " Official; 234 + " Newspaper; 218 + " Postage Due; 200 + + Two Dollars, State; 237 + + + Uniform Postage; 23 + + Unpaid Letter Stamps; 200 + + Unperforated Specimens, 1867; 142 + " " 1870; 172 + + U. S. Mail; 34 + + U. S. City Dispatch Post; 19, 22 + + + War Department; 230, 239 + + Washington; 31, 67 + + Worcester; 70 + + + + +THE + +=PHILATELIC CATALOGUE= + +OF POSTAGE STAMPS, STAMPED ENVELOPES +AND POSTAL CARDS. + +BY MAJOR EDW. B. EVANS, R. A. + + +This work is fully illustrated with engravings, also gives full +description of all stamps, particulars as to printing, perforation, +paper, watermarks, colors, as well as market price. Also valuable notes +by the author on subjects pertaining to the stamps. + +The following is the plan of the work: + + Part 1. Adhesives. + Part 2. Stamped Envelopes. + Part 3. Postal Cards. + +Each part is divided into sections: + + Section 1. America. + Section 2. Great Britain and Colonies. + Section 3. Europe. + Section 4. Asia, Africa and Australasia. + +Each section is divided into groups, the groups of Part 1, Section 1 are +now ready and are as follows: + + Group 1. United States (including Confederate issues). + Group 2. Mexico and Central America. + Group 3. U. S. of Columbia and states. + Group 4. Other South American countries. + +The price of each group is 10c; a new one will be published every month. + +The work is limited to 500 copies and when completed will be the +greatest philatelic work ever published. + +Subscriptions received $1.00 per 10 parts, until the number 500 is +reached subscribers will receive the first numbers. + +_C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher,_ +_Room 71, Turner Building._ _ST. LOUIS, MO._ + + + + +THE + +=Improved Stamp Album.= + +With a rational plan for the arrangement of a collection of stamps. +Copyrighted. + + +This is a blank album manufactured expressly for the purpose. + +Good paper is used; size of pages 8½ by 11 inches; a neat border +surrounds each page and an ornamental band at top for the reception of +the name of the country. Neatly printed names are provided on adhesive +paper. + +Guards or stubs are bound between the pages, so that when filled it will +not bulge, it is equally well adapted for postal cards, stamps or +envelopes. + +One thousand lithographed stamp mounts are furnished with each album. +The stamp mounts are on a new plan, a neat black border surrounds the +stamp, and the mounts are provided in different sizes for the various +stamps. + + No. 1. Album 168 pp., bound in cloth, good paper, with + names and 1000 mounts $2.00 + + No. 2. Album 328 pp., same as above but border printed + on only one side of the page $3.00 + + No. 3. Album 500 pp., same style as the No. 3, better + paper, printed on one side of page $5.00 + + No. 4. Album 500 pp., handsomely bound in leather, + superior paper, printed on one side of page $7.50 + + No. 5. Portfolio, with 200 sheets fine card-board, printed + on one side with names and mounts $5.00 + +The album has given satisfaction wherever it has been sold. + +C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher, +_Room 71, Turner B'l'g_, _ST. LOUIS, MO._ + + + + +THE + +=Philatelic Journal of America.= + + +A large monthly magazine published in interest of stamp collecting. + +Contributed to, by the leading philatelic writers of the day, including, +Major Edw. B. Evans, R. A., James M. Chute, John K. Tiffany, Edw. B. +Hanes, Lieut. J. M. T. Partello, Joseph J. Casey, E. B. Sterling, Wm. E. +Stone, and many others. + +The latest information regarding newly issued stamps and discoveries may +always be found. + +Reports of the proceedings of the leading American philatelic societies. + +Answers to questions, and open letters on current topics, are important +departments. + +The Philatelic Catalogue, by Major Edw. B. Evans, is being published in +monthly installments. + + +SUBSCRIPTION. + +Sent post free, 50 cents per annum, to United States, Canada and Mexico; +75 cents per annum to all countries in the Universal Postal Union. + +$1. per annum to Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Transvaal and Australian +Colonies. + +Payment must be made in advance. Subscription can commence at any time. +Back numbers of current volume, 10 cents each. + + +UNBOUND COPIES, VOLS. I AND II. + +Volume I. March, 1885--February, 1886. 12 numbers, 250p., $3. + +Volume II. March, 1886--February, 1887. 12 numbers, 350p., $1. + +_C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher_, +Room 71, Turner Building, ST. LOUIS, MO. + + + + +C. H. MEKEEL, + +PHILATELIC PUBLISHER + +--AND-- + +=POSTAGE STAMP DEALER,= + + +Solicits business relations with all philatelists. Rarities are always +on hand for the advanced collector. Rare stamps bought for cash or taken +in exchange. + +New issues and novelties always on hand. A fine stock of desirable +stamps at very reasonable prices. Selections of stamps on approval sent +to responsible parties. Agents wanted for the sale of stamps on liberal +commission. + +Foreign correspondence and exchange solicited. + +A large wholesale stock for sale by 10, 100 or 1000 at lowest prices. +Mexican, South and Central American stamps is a specialty in wholesale +trade. Hundreds of thousands of these stamps imported yearly. + +Cash paid for U. S. Department stamps, Newspaper and Periodical stamps, +Old U. S. Envelopes, Confederate and U. S. Locals. + +Large or old collections wanted for cash. Send for U. S. Exchange list. + +Inquiries should contain stamp for reply. + +C. H. MEKEEL, +_Room 71, Turner Building_, _ST. LOUIS, MO._ + + + # # # # # + +Transcriber's Notes: + +5. Obvious punctuation errors have been corrected without comment. + +6. Inconsistent quote marks in cited materials have been retained. + Mismatched quotes have been repaired. + +7. Inconsistent abbreviations, punctuation, character spacing, etc., + have been made uniform. + +8. Inconsistent variations of millimeter fractions, _i. e._ 1/2 (with + forward slash) and 1-2 (stacked 1 over 2), etc. have been made + consistent. + +9. Right justified page numbers in the "INDEX" have been replaced by + a left justified semi-colon ";" immediately followed by the + referenced page numbers. + +10. SPELLING CORRECTIONS: (#) shows number of times word was correctly + spelled in the text. + + p. 47, "apperance" to "appearance" (14) (has a blurred appearance) + p. 47, "diffent" to "different" (30) (a different design) + p. 48, "Brattleborro" to "Brattleboro" (8) (of Brattleboro, Vermont) + p. 50, "seperately" to "separately" (7) (stamp separately engraved) + p. 52, "accomodation" to "accommodation" (7) (as an accommodation;) + p. 53, "impresions" to "impressions" (102) (re-impressions in red) + p. 55, "orignally" to "originally" (11) (originally ruled into spaces) + p. 64, "permiting" to "permitting" (4) (permitting to be used) + p. 78, "Terell" to "Terrell" (2) (Mr. Terrell, Third Assistant + Postmaster General) + p. 80, "Goverment" to "Government" (34) (dies by the Government) + p. 88, "Pastmaster" to "Postmaster" (200) (the Postmaster General) + p. 91, "postmater" to "postmaster" (200) (unlawful for any postmaster) + p. 92, "Priviledge" to "Privilege" (13) (the Franking Privilege) + p. 93, "lettters" to "letters" (200) (amount on letters) + p. 94, "Casellar" to "Cassilar" (2) (Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar & Co.) + p. 104, "prolongued" to "prolonged" (3) (right side prolonged) + (this correction is noted on the publishers "Errata" page) + p. 107, "vermillion" to "vermilion" (15) (with yellowish vermilion) + p. 110, "millemetres" to "millimetres" (2) (space of two millimetres) + p. 110, "impresion" to "impression" (102) (Plate impression,) + p. 119, "runing" to "running" (5) (and running off to the right) + p. 120, "Botom" to "Bottom" (110) (LEFT. Top, Bottom) + p. 123, "newpapers" to "newspapers" (88+) (through the newspapers) + p. 124, "Immediatly" to "Immediately" (3) (Immediately after the + expiration) + p. 127, "ocre" to "ochre" (5) (5 cents, ochre, shades of brown.) + p. 129, "impresion" to "impression" (102) (Plate impression,) + p. 132, "borderded" to "bordered" (105) (bordered by a broad) + p. 140, "compossed" to "composed" (19) (composed of depressed lines) + p. 159, "ninty" to "ninety" (27) (ninety cents, Commodore) + p. 160, "posesion" to "possession" (11) (present issue, in possession) + p. 170, "vermillion" to "vermilion" (15) (7 cents, vermilion.) + p. 179, "ZEVERLY" to "ZEVELY" (2) ((Signed.) A. N. ZEVELY) + p. 180, "hurridly" to "hurriedly" (0) (hurriedly gotten up) + p. 185, "conspicious" to "conspicuous" (6) (shade lines being + conspicuous) + p. 194, "improvments" to "improvements" (5) (improvements in + machinery) + p. 197, "soild" to "solid" (60) (broad solid colored line) + p. 200, "whereever" to "wherever" (1) (wherever required) + p. 201, "beween" to "between" (117) (colored band between) + p. 207, "cirular" to "circular" (55) (From the third circular) + p. 209, "newpaper" to "newspaper" (88+) (newspaper stamps in other + countries) + p. 209, "newpapers" to "newspapers" (88+) (distribution of newspapers + and periodicals) + p. 213, "principly" to "principally" (3) (principally at Chicago) + p. 219, "horizontically" to "horizontally" (49) (horizontally and + diagonally) + p. 220, "Ninty" to "Ninety" (27) (One Dollar and Ninety-Two) + p. 224, "classs" to "class" (11) (publications of the second class) + p. 227, "reveiw" to "review" (2) (by a brief review) + p. 228, "Treasuay" to "Treasury" (16) (the Treasury may be) + p. 229, "Ano" to "Anno" (0) (Anno Domini 1873) + p. 232, "addional" to "additional" (19) (four additional denominations) + p. 232, "excercise" to "exercise" (2) (exercise its own discretion) + p. 232, "chocineal" to "cochineal" (7) (War Department, cochineal red;) + p. 245, "judisdiction" to "jurisdiction" (0) (court of competent + jurisdiction) + p. 245, "theron" to "thereon" (9) (shall be stated thereon) + p. 246, "transmision" to "transmission" (9) (for the transmission of) + p. 246, "throught" to "through" (23) (through the mails free) + p. 247, "attatchment" to "attachment" (6) (attachment of official + postage) + p. 259, "genuiness" to "genuineness" (0) (no guarantee of genuineness) + p. 271, "Newpapers" to "Newspapers" (88+) (Three Dollars, Newspapers) + p. 275, "Britian" to "Britain" (0) (Great Britain and Colonies) + +11. PRINTER AND TYPOGRAPHY CORRECTIONS: Words with missing and + misprinted letters, inconsistent hyphenation, punctuation and spacing + have been corrected without comment. Additional corrections; + + p. 23, removed duplicate word "the" (the distances were so great) + p. 56, removed duplicate word "the" (the lower half of a circle) + p. 59, removed duplicate "of" (I, of R. I., and S of Cents) + p. 67-68, added Footnote anchor [A] (following advertising + editorial[A]:) + p. 75, removed duplicate word "be" (shall be subject to) + p. 76, removed duplicate word "been" (to have been distributed) + p. 82, removed duplicate word "be" (shall be deemed) + p. 98, removed duplicate word "the" ((A) show the paper) + P. 104, corrected duplicate instance of D^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, to + D^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, to match established pattern of data. + p. 139, 3rd through 6th line from bottom, changed fraction from 16-2/2 + to 16-1/2. + p. 151, removed duplicate "the" (upper squares at the sides) + p. 177, changed "E. M. BARBER" to "E. W. BARBER" to match all other + instances. + +12. WORD VARIATIONS: + + "back ground" (6), "back-ground" (5), "background" (32) + "Caracci" (1), "Carraci" (1) "Cerrachi" (2) (misspellings appear in + official documents referring to Giuseppe Ceracchi, aka Giuseppe + Cirachi, the Italian sculptor.) + "despatch" (3) and "dispatch" (9) + "enclose(ed)" (7) and "inclose" (1) (in quoted Postmaster report) + "extention" (1) (as shown in quoted postal circular) + "grayish" (1) and "greyish" (2) + "lozenge" (1) and "losenge" (1) (middle english) + "millimeter" (1) and "millimetre(s)" (1) + "preceding" (2) and "preceeding" (2) + "prepaid" (15) and "prepayed" (1) (in quoted Postmaster letter) + "Rawdon" (1) and "Rawden" (1) (part of a company name) + "salie" (1) and "sallie" (1) + "semi-circle" (1) and "semicircle" (2) + "supersede(ed)" (1) and "supercede" (1) (in quoted Postmaster report) + "Wyman" (1) and "Wymer" (1) + "Zachary" (1) (in text) and "Zackary" (1) (General Taylor, in quoted + Postmaster letter) + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the +United States of America, by John Kerr Tiffany + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF POSTAGE STAMPS OF U.S.A. *** + +***** This file should be named 35566-8.txt or 35566-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/6/35566/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Christine Aldridge and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/35566-8.zip b/35566-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f7c3d3 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-8.zip diff --git a/35566-h.zip b/35566-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..42d89bb --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h.zip diff --git a/35566-h/35566-h.htm b/35566-h/35566-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..674e31d --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h/35566-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12148 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the +United States of America, by John K. Tiffany. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + + h1 {line-height: 1.2;} + h1 small {font-size: 50%; word-spacing: 0.4em;} + h1 big.medium {font-size: 75%;} + h1 small.tiny {font-size: 40%;} + h1 big {font-size: 120%; word-spacing: 0.4em;} + +h2,h3 {font-weight: normal;} + + div.main {margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 0; + padding-top: 1em; + padding-bottom: 1em; + clear: both; + page-break-after: always; + max-width: 33em; } + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +p.poddate {margin-top: 1.5em; text-align: right; padding-right: 1em;} +p.sig {text-align: right; padding-right: 1em;} +p.header {margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;} +p.datebot {margin-bottom: 1.5em;} +p.hang {padding-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;} +p.asterisks {word-spacing: 2em;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +hr.decor {width: 10%; margin: .75em auto .75em auto; clear: both;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +table.adjoining {margin-top: 1.5em;} +table.internal {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;} + +td.ltp1 {text-align: center;} +td.col1topr {text-align: right; vertical-align: top;} +td.col1topl {text-align: left; vertical-align: top;} +td.p117sp {text-align: left; padding-left: 1em;} +td.wider {text-align: left; padding-right: 6em;} + +ul {list-style-type: none;} +li {margin-top: 0.25em; line-height: 1.2em;} +li.alpha {margin-top: 1em;} +li.tnotes {padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot {margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; + margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.lpad1 {padding-left: 1em;} +.lpad2 {padding-left: 2em;} +.lpad4 {padding-left: 4em;} + +.nowrap {white-space: nowrap;} + +.rpad1 {padding-right: 1em;} +.rpad2 {padding-right: 2em;} +.rpad3 {padding-right: 3em;} +.rpad4 {padding-right: 4em;} +.rpad8 {padding-right: 8em;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.qspace1 {padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;} +.qspace3 {padding-left: 3em; padding-right: 3em;} + +.txt80 {font-size: 80%;} +.txt90 {font-size: 90%;} +.txt120 {font-size: 120%} +.txt150 {font-size: 150%;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +.tr { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 5%; + margin-top: 5%; + margin-bottom: 5%; + padding: 2em; + background-color: #f6f2f2; + color: black; + border: dotted black 1px; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the United +States of America, by John Kerr Tiffany + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America + +Author: John Kerr Tiffany + +Release Date: March 13, 2011 [EBook #35566] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF POSTAGE STAMPS OF U.S.A. *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Christine Aldridge and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tr"> +<h4>Transcriber's Notes:</h4> + +<p>1. Corrections from the "Errata" page have been incorporated into this e-text.</p> + +<p>2. Additional <a href="#Transcribers_Notes">Transcriber's Notes</a> for corrections, +e-text format and word variations, appear at the end of this e-text.</p></div> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;"><a name="Frontispiece" id="Frontispiece"></a> +<img src="images/frontispieceportrait.jpg" width="396" height="600" alt="John K. Tiffany" title="John K. Tiffany" /> +</div> + + + + +<h1><small>HISTORY OF THE</small><br /> + +<big>Postage Stamps</big><br /> + +<small class="tiny">— OF THE —</small><br /> + +<big class="medium">UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.</big></h1> + +<hr style="width: 10%;" /> + +<p class="center txt150">BY JOHN K. TIFFANY,</p> + +<p class="center txt80"> +Author of THE PHILATELICAL LIBRARY,<br /> +President of the American Philatelic Association and of the St. Louis Philatelic<br /> +Society. Honorary Member of the Philatelic Society of London.<br /> +Corresponding Member of the Societe Francaise de<br /> +Timbrologie, the Societies of Dresden,<br /> +Wurtemburg, Etc.<br /> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 10%;" /> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="txt80">1887:</span><br /> +C. H. MEKEEL, PHILATELIC PUBLISHER,<br /> +<span class="txt90">ST. LOUIS, MO.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center txt80"> +Copyrighted by J. K. Tiffany. 1886.<br /> +All Rights Reserved.<br /> +</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><span class="smcap">Contents.</span></h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> + +<tr><td align="left" colspan="3"><span class="smcap">Portrait of J. K. Tiffany</span></td> +<td align="right" colspan="2">(<a href="#Frontispiece">Frontispiece</a>).</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Preface</span></td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Introduction</span></td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Chapter</td><td align="left">I,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">U. S. City Dispatch Post</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">II,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Uniform Postage</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">III,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Postmaster's Stamps</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">IV,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Stamp of the N. Y. Postmaster</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_29">29</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">V,</td> +<td align="left">Stamps of the St. Louis</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">VI,</td> +<td align="left">Stamp of the Brattleboro</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_48">48</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">VII,</td> +<td align="left">Stamp of the New Haven</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">VIII,</td> +<td align="left">Stamps of the Providence</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_54">54</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">IX,</td> +<td align="left">Stamp of the Alexandria</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">X,</td> +<td align="left">Stamps of the Baltimore</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_62">62</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XI,</td> +<td align="left">Stamp of the Millbury</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XII,</td> +<td align="left">Stamped Env. of Wash'n</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XIII,</td> +<td align="left">Stamps of the Phila'lphia</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XIV,</td> +<td align="left">Stamp of the Worcester</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XV,</td> +<td align="left">Stamp of the Pittsfield</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XVI,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Observations</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XVII,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1847</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_74">74</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XVIII,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1851</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XIX,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1857</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XX,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1861</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_122">122</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXI,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1867-9</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXII,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1869</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXIII,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">The Issue of 1870</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXIV,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Postage Due Stamps</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXV,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Special Delivery Stamp</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXVI,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Newspaper and Periodical St'ps</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXVII,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Official Stamps</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_227">227</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXVIII,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Official Seals</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">XXIX,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">Reprints</td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Index</span> +</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_267">267</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left" colspan="4"><span class="smcap">Publishers' Announcements</span></td> +<td align="right"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><span class="smcap">Errata.</span></h2> + + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, 3d line from top, for <i>25</i>c lilac read <i>24</i> cents.</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_102">102</a> in lines 5, 6, 7 and 8 from bottom in last column +for F<sup>2</sup> G<sup>2</sup> H<sup>2</sup> I<sup>2</sup> read F<sup>4</sup> G<sup>4</sup> H<sup>4</sup> I<sup>4</sup>.</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_103">103</a> in lines 16 to 20 in second column for S<sup>2</sup> T<sup>2</sup> +U<sup>2</sup> V<sup>2</sup> W<sup>2</sup> read S<sup>3</sup>, T<sup>3</sup>, U<sup>3</sup>, V<sup>3</sup>, W<sup>3</sup>.</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_104">104</a> 5th line from bottom, omit <i>u</i> in "prolongued."</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, 9th line from top for "<i>follows</i>" read "<i>above</i>."</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, last line supply "<i>test of</i>" in the blank.</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, 4th line from top for (") read "<i>cochineal</i>."</p> + +<p>Page <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, 6th line from top, for "<i>12 cents</i>" read "<i>15 +cents</i>."</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> +<h2><span class="smcap">Preface.</span></h2> + + +<p>In seeking for information concerning the postage +stamps of the United States, we shall turn in +vain to sources which have furnished, in other countries, +such accurate details in regard to the stamps +issued by their postal authorities, for the stamps +authorized by the United States Post Office Department +are not manufactured by the government, and +there is no "stamp office" to authenticate each +plate, and register the number of sheets made from +it, and no edict, proclamation or law informs the public +of the values authorized for use, or of the designs, +or other peculiarities of the stamps to be employed. +The Postmaster General is authorized, in general +terms of the law, to provide such stamps as he may, +from time to time, judge most convenient and expedient +for the collection of the postal rates fixed by +other laws, and is required to have them manufactured +by those who, under general provisions of +other laws regulating all government work, offer to +do it at the lowest price.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>The proposals for such work and the contracts +made with the parties successful in the competition, +reserve the right to the Postmaster General to change +the values, designs, etc., from time to time as he may +judge expedient, and specify nothing as to these +particulars, while they are very specific as to the +quality of the work, and the precautions to be observed +in the manufacture, to prevent pecuniary loss to +the Department. A government official inspects the +work in order that it may conform in quality to the +contract, and the records are kept of the number of +stamps of each value made and turned over to the +Department, without further specifications. In a +word, no record is preserved of how many stamps of +any particular design, paper, water-mark, perforation +or other peculiarity, are made, or of the date of the +adoption of any of these things. Third Assistant +Postmaster General Ireland, during his term of office, +once wrote "It has always surprised me that the +Department has never kept any official history of its +stamps." Many of these details might be gathered +no doubt from the very voluminous correspondence +between the Department and the several contractors, +if it were accessible, but upon investigation it +appears that many interesting changes have been +made upon mere verbal instructions.</p> + +<p>We shall have therefore to rely upon quite different +sources for our information. Fortunately +the enterprise of collectors has probably discovered +all the varieties of the stamps themselves, and only +a careful study of them is necessary to their complete<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +description. The materials upon which the present +work is based were gathered together mostly as +accident threw them into the hands of the author, +from time to time, without any attempt at systematic +research or arrangement, until at the request of +J. B. Moens, of Brussells, they were arranged to +form a volume of his "Bibliotheque Des Timbrophiles." +The annual reports of the Postmaster +General have furnished some points of interest directly +and many inferentially; the circulars notifying +postmasters of the more important changes, a +nearly complete file of which has been consulted, +have been a great guide; while frequently very interesting +details have been extracted from the files of +contemporaneous daily papers; and the published results +of the researches of such indefatigable investigators +as Messrs. Bagg, Brown and Scott, in the Philatelical +Press, and the articles of Cosmopolitan and +Scott have been freely drawn upon. Many large collections +have been kindly submitted for inspection, +in particular those of Messrs Van Derlip, Sterling +and Casey, and thus we are able to describe every +stamp and essay from actual specimens, except in a +few instances specially noted. While there may be +possible omissions, the reader may feel assured of +the existence of everything described.</p> + +<p>Frequent demands for the translation of the +French work have led to the present publication. +But as that work was prepared to conform to the +general plan of the works compiled for the series +of M. Moens' Bibliotheque, it contained many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +things, concerning the history and customs of the +post office of the United States, which the American +collector is supposed to know, and omitted some +details concerning the part played by various collectors +and dealers in finding out the particulars of +the history of certain stamps and like matters, which +it was thought might be interesting to our home collectors, +but which the impersonal character of the +French Series made it advisable to omit in the original +compilation.</p> + +<p>The entire work has been therefore largely recast +in the hope of making it more acceptable to American +collectors, and in several instances comments +have been made upon stamps that were not mentioned +in the French edition, in order to correct certain +erroneous views entertained concerning them +in this country, which it was supposed was sufficiently +accomplished by their omission in the other +series.</p> + +<p><i>St. Louis, August, 1886.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Introduction.</span></h2> + + +<p>In 1676 John Heyward, by the authority of General +Court of the Colony of Massachusetts, established +his postal system with its office in Boston. In 1683 +the government of Penn established a postal system +for the Colony of Pennsylvania. In 1700 Col. J. +Hamilton organized "his postal establishment for +British America" including all the English colonies, +but soon after disposed of his right to the English +crown. In 1710 the English Parliament established +by law the first governmental postal system with +the general office at New York, which continued +until in 1776 the Continental Congress adopted and +set in action the postal system proposed by Franklin, +who was appointed the first Postmaster General. +The first law of the Federal Congress continued this +system in operation as sufficient for the public +wants, but the postal service was not finally settled +until the act of 1792.</p> + +<p>This law (1792) liked a tariff which with unimportant +changes remained in force until the adoption<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +of the system of Uniform Postage in the United +States. Single, double and triple letters were +charged 8, 16 and 24 cents respectively when sent +to other countries, and four cents plus the internal +postage when arriving from foreign countries. The +internal postage between offices in the United States +was 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 20, 22 and 25 cents for distances +of 30, 60, 100, 150, 200, 250, 350, or 400 +miles respectively for single letters, and double, +triple, etc., this for double, triple, etc., letters. A +single letter was defined by the law to be a single +sheet or piece of paper, a double letter, two sheets +or pieces of paper, etc., etc.</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" summary="Acts of Congress with regard to the Post Office"> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="9"><p>The following acts of Congress may be consulted with +advantage by those curious with regard to the Post Office +before the introduction of stamps.</p></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">I</td><td align="center">Congress.</td> +<td align="right">I</td><td align="center">Session.</td> +<td align="center">Chap.</td><td align="right">16,</td> +<td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left">Sept.,</td><td align="left">1789</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">II</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">36,</td> +<td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left">Aug.,</td><td align="left">1790</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">III</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">23,</td> +<td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left">March,</td><td align="left">1791</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">II</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">27,</td> +<td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left">Feb.,</td><td align="left">1792</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">III</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">23,</td> +<td align="right">8</td> +<td align="left">May,</td><td align="left">1794</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">V</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">III</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">41,</td> +<td align="right">2</td> +<td align="left">March,</td><td align="left">1799</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XI</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">II</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">37,</td> +<td align="right">30</td> +<td align="left">April,</td><td align="left">1810</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIII</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">III</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">16,</td> +<td align="right">23</td> +<td align="left">Dec.,</td><td align="left">1814</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIV</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">7,</td> +<td align="right">1</td> +<td align="left">Feb.,</td><td align="left">1815</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIV</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">43,</td> +<td align="right">9</td> +<td align="left">April,</td><td align="left">1816</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XIX</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">II</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">61,</td> +<td align="right">3</td> +<td align="left">March,</td><td align="left">1825</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XX</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">I</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">61,</td> +<td align="right">3</td> +<td align="left">March,</td><td align="left">1827</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">XXVII</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">II</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">43,</td> +<td align="right">2</td> +<td align="left">March,</td><td align="left">1845</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The earliest letters which we have seen, consist of +single sheets of paper folded and addressed upon +the sheet. An envelope would have subjected them +to double postage. They are penmarked with the +name of the mailing office, the date occasionally, the +amount of the postage paid or due, generally in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +simple figures, sometimes with the word "cents" in +full or abbreviated, added. Gradually, hand stamps +were introduced. At first the name of the mailing +office in a simple frame, generally circular, the month +and day being still written in with a pen, and the +amount of postage written as before. A further +improvement appears later on in the introduction of +the month and day as part of the hand stamp. The +word "paid" or "due," the amount of postage +in figures or with "cents," either written or hand +stamped, always added. And finally all the marks +are included in one hand stamp.</p> + +<p>There was evidently no uniformity of practice, +except the general requirement that the name of the +mailing office, the month and day, and the amount +of postage should in some form be marked on the +letter. Improvements seem generally to have originated +in the larger offices, but smaller offices sometimes +took the lead in enterprise. An improvement +once adopted does not seem always to have been +adhered to; letters mailed at the same office on the +same day and differently marked may be frequently +found in old files. The hand stamps seem to have +been obtained by the several offices for themselves, +as there is no uniformity of style.</p> + +<p>Some of these hand stamps are curious enough to +warrant a brief description, and it would be difficult +to lay down a rule which would distinguish some +of them from the stamps we admit to our albums.</p> + +<p>A letter mailed at Philadelphia in 1825, bears an +octagonal hand stamp with a double lined frame and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +the words "Phila. 20 Jan." in three lines, a second +similar but smaller hand stamp with the word +"Paid," and the figures "26" written with a pen, +all in red ink. These seem to have been regularly +employed for several years. Other letters from the +same city mailed in 1845-6-7 and 8, bear a circular +hand stamp, the name of the City and State surrounding +the edge, the month and day in the center, +a single line surrounding all, the amount of +postage in large numerals and the words "DUE" +or "PAID" in a small oval are separately hand +stamped. Letters from Baltimore of the same dates +bear a similar circular hand stamp with name and +date, the amount of postage in large numerals in an +oval, and sometimes the word "PAID" in large letters +without frame. Jacksonville, Ill., Pittsburgh, +Pa., and Little Rock, Ark., employed similar hand +stamps at the same time.</p> + +<p>Louisville, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Boston and +New York letters of the same years have the +same hand stamp with a numeral or numerals indicative +of the amount of postage added at the bottom +within the frame. When prepaid the word +"PAID" was hand stamped below the other.</p> + +<p>Some New York, Boston and Philadelphia letters +of the same dates bear the same hand stamp with +"5 cts," "10 cts," etc., in the lower margin within +the frame, the word "PAID" being separately +hand stamped when the letter was prepaid. Many +western letters bear also the word "Steam 5" hand +stamped upon them. These hand stamps remained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +in use up to 1851 when the rates were changed and +appear even upon letters bearing the adhesive stamps +of the first issue.</p> + +<p>In 1851 when the rates were changed to 3 cents +ordinary postage, and 1 cent for drop letters, many +of the same stamps appear with the figures changed +to 1 or 3, or to 1 ct., 3 cts., and 6 cts., Boston and +Petersburgh, Va., for example. A New York hand +stamp of this period has New York above, month +and day in the middle and "PAID" and "3 cts" +in two more lines.</p> + +<p>A Philadelphia hand stamp has name above, month +and day in one line, and "3 cts" in another, in the center, +and "PAID" in lower margin.</p> + +<p>Another, the ordinary dated postmark and a second +circular stamp, nearly as large, with the word +"PAID" in large letters crossed by the numeral "3" +nearly an inch long.</p> + +<p>A Springfield letter has the ordinary dated postmark +and a second hand stamp nearly as large with +a large numeral "3" above and "PAID" below.</p> + +<p>Cincinnati, Buffalo, Quincy, Ill., and others have +the ordinary hand stamp with the name above, month +and day in the center and "3 PAID" below.</p> + +<p>Another letter has a round hand stamp fully an +inch in diameter with the word "PAID" across +the center crossed by a large outline "3."</p> + +<p>Another letter was hand stamped with a large "6" +in an octagon double frame and "PAID" separately +hand stamped across it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Cincinnati hand stamp also appears with "1 +PAID" in the margin.</p> + +<p>New Orleans has the ordinary hand stamp and +"PAID," "1" in two lines of very large letters +beneath.</p> + +<p>St. Louis, has the ordinary hand stamp, and another +with "1 ct" in large octagonal frame added.</p> + +<p>Many letters where the word "paid" appears in +the dated stamp are also separately hand stamped +"PAID." Some of these letters bear also the 3 and +1 ct. adhesives of the period. Those that indicate +postage to be paid differ from postage due stamps +in no respect except that they are not adhesive. +Those that indicate postage prepaid correspond to +many other hand stamps in every thing except that +they were applied after, instead of before payment; +but in some countries we have examples of adhesive +stamps applied in the same way. They are not +beautiful but are interesting relics of the old system. +A number of similar stamps with the words +"Post Office" following the name of the town and +"5 paid" have passed through the hands of the +compiler, but having been cut from the letters the +date could not be authenticated. These would +appear to be very similar in character to the adhesives +issued by the postmasters of some offices about +the same time, and to many similar stamps used in +the early days of the Southern Confederacy.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<h2>I.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">United States City Dispatch Post.</span></h3> + + +<p>Hardly had the discussion of Postal reform begun +in England than the subject was taken up in the +United States. The daily press was full of it. +Pamphlets were distributed broadcast. In nearly +every city, private companies undertook to distribute +mail matter at less than the government rates. +Some even carried letters from city to city. In +Congress, members related the expedients resorted +to for sending letters at a reduced rate. In New +York, a certain A. M. Greig had established a local +delivery and employed an adhesive stamp, charging +but two cents when the government exacted three. +Such competition greatly harassed the department. +The act of 1836 had authorized the Postmaster General +to establish a carrier system in such cities as +he might think advisable. Apparently with the +view of disposing of Greig's post, Greig was made +a government officer. The following letter authorizing +the postmaster at New York to make the appointment +was first published by the American +Journal of Philately.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="poddate"><span class="smcap rpad1">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +<i>Contract Office, August 1st, 1842</i>.</p> + +<p>Sir—</p> + +<p>By an order made on Saturday, but journalized to-day, +the Postmaster General has established a letter carrier +arrangement for the City of New York to be called the +"United States City Despatch Post" for the conveyance +of letters from one part of the city to another subject to +a charge on each letter of three cents, under the 20th +section of the Act of 1836, and authorizes you to employ +Alex. M. Greig, nominated by you as letter carrier, other +carriers are to be appointed from time to time as may be +required, and you are requested to nominate for that +purpose. And you are also authorized to obtain the +necessary fixtures, pouches, boxes, labels, stamps, etc, +at not exceeding $1,200.00 for the whole and to appoint +a clerk to superintend said establishment at not exceeding +$1,000 per annum. You will be pleased to report the +date of commencement of this arrangement.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad8">Very respectfully,</span><br /> +<span class="rpad4">Your obedient servant,</span><br /> +<span class="rpad2">S. R. HOBBIE,</span><br /> +<i>First Ass't P. M. General</i>.<br /> +</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">John Lorimer Graham</span>,<br /> +<span class="lpad2"><i>Postmaster, New York</i>.</span><br /> +</p></div> + +<p>In another number of the same paper we have the +text of the following notice concerning the same +post.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header">UNITED STATES CITY DISPATCH POST.</p> + +<p>Hours of delivery every day (Sundays excepted) at the +principal office, upper P. O. Park and lower P. O. Merchants +Exchange.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>Letters deposited before 8, 12, 3 and at the stations +before 7, 11 and 2 will be sent out for delivery at 9, 1 and 4.</p> + +<p>Letters to be sent free must have a free stamp attached +to them, which can be purchased at the upper and lower +Post Offices and at all the stations. The charge will be +36 cents per dozen, 2 dols. 50 cents per hundred. All +letters intended to be sent forward to the General Post +Office for the inland mails must have a free stamp attached +to them. Letters not having a free stamp will be +charged 3 cents on delivery.</p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="smcap">John Lorimer Graham, P. M.</span></p> + +<p class="datebot"><i>New York, June, 1843.</i></p></div> + +<p>The stamp issued and used by this post was known +in an early day and is catalogued in Kline's Manual +1862, but its true history was unknown until the +publication of the above document. It is a stamp +probably alone of its kind. Any one familiar with +the law of 1836 will see that the Postmaster General +widely exceeded the authority conferred on him as it +would be construed to day in making the "arrangement" +under the power to provide a carrier system. +The labels and stamps mentioned in the letter quoted +were probably however, not intended to include the +postage stamp actually issued, as these terms are +used in various documents, reports, etc., of the +period to designate quite different articles, the +"stamps" being invariably the hand stamps such +as we have already described. But whatever may +have been intended by the letter, the law did not +confer any authority upon the Postmaster General +to issue or authorize the issue of the stamp and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +undertake to insist on its use. It certainly has no +more character than the hand stamps already described, +but is none the less interesting or worthy +of preservation on this account. It was probably +employed because the public had seen and appreciated +the utility of the adhesive stamp, by its employment +by the local or private posts, in advance +of the official adoption of the system.</p> + + +<h3>NEW YORK.</h3> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Issue of August, 1842.</span></p> + +<p>Portrait of President Washington turned ¾ to the +right on plain oval, enclosed by plain oval band +bounded within and without by two colored lines +and inscribed: <i>United States City Despatch Post</i> +*<i>Three Cents</i>*, the lower legend separated from the +upper by a star on each side; rectangular frame of two +colored lines, corners filled with rayed ornaments +between frame and oval.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 18 × 22 mm., in black on colored +paper.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Impression Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">cents,</td> +<td align="center">black</td><td align="center">on</td> +<td align="left">violet.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">green.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">blue glazed.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> +<h2>II.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Uniform Postage.</span></h3> + + +<p>The "arrangement" put in operation in New +York does not seem to have been a great success +for it was not extended to other cities, and local +posts continued to flourish and do the work at less +than the government rates. The demand for better +service and lower rates, for "reform" as it was +called grew louder and louder, until the Postmaster +General in his report dated November 25th, 1844, +recommended to Congress a reduced uniform rate +according to distance and weight. Stamps were recommended +but only for use on foreign letters.</p> + +<p>The bill which was introduced in Congress in pursuance +of this recommendation provided, it is said, +both for obligatory prepayment and the use of postage +stamps. But there was great hesitation in +adopting the English system in the United States; +the conditions were considered to be so different; the +distances were so great that a greater rate was +necessary; the country was so new that the risk +from counterfeiting was much greater; the custom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +was not to prepay letters, and custom is stronger than +law. Such and like objections were raised and the +law passed without adopting prepayment by stamp, +but the great principle of the reform, uniform +rate by distance and weight was adopted. The only +portion of the law that is of interest here is the following +section of the Statutes of the United States, +XXVIII Congress, II Session, XLIII Chapter, approved +March 30, 1845.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"From and after the first day of July next, members +of Congress and Delegates from Territories +may receive letters not exceeding two ounces in +weight, free of postage during the recess of Congress +anything to the contrary in this act notwithstanding; +and the same franking privilege which is +granted by this act to the members of the two Houses +of Congress, is hereby extended to the Vice President +of the United States; and in lieu of the rates +of postage now established by law, there shall be +charged the following rates, viz: For every single +letter in manuscript or paper of any kind by or upon +which information shall be asked for or communicated +in writing or by marks or signs, conveyed in +the mail, for any distance under three hundred +miles, five cents: and for any distance over three +hundred miles, ten cents: and for a double letter there +shall be charged double these rates: and for a treble +letter treble these rates: and for a quadruple letter +quadruple these rates: and every letter or parcel +not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be +deemed a single letter, and every additional weight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +of half an ounce, or additional weight of less than +half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional +single postage.</p> + +<p>And all drop letters, or letters placed in any post +office, not for transmission through the mail, but for +delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the +rate of two cents each."</p></div> + +<p>The newspaper rate was one cent within one hundred +miles and one and a half cents for a greater +distance, for all newspapers not exceeding a certain +size, and two cents for each sheet over that size, and +two cents for all hand bills and circulars per sheet, +and two and a half cents for all magazines and +pamphlets.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<h2>III.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Postmaster's Stamps.</span></h3> + + +<p>Notwithstanding the failure of Congress to adopt +postage stamps, and to authorize the Postmaster +General to issue them, and to provide an appropriation +for their manufacture, public attention had +been drawn to the advantages of the system, and the +convenience, to the business community particularly, +of mailing and receiving letters at hours when +the post office or business houses were closed. The +question as to whether the Postmaster General +might not issue postage stamps on his own authority +was raised and officially decided in the negative, +although the Postmaster General himself favored +their use. The postmasters in several places however +undertook to meet the public demand by having +stamps prepared on their own responsibility, paying +the expense of manufacture themselves and selling +them to the public at a sufficient advance on the +postal rates, to cover the cost of engraving and +printing. In some cases the matter was brought to +the attention of the Postmaster General and he saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +no objection to the arrangement; in others the +whole affair seems to have passed without any attention +being paid to it by the Department. In fact +it was a mere contract between the postmaster and +the purchaser of his stamps, that when a letter bearing +one of his stamps was mailed at his office, it +should be treated as if the money were handed in +with it. No postmaster recognized the stamp of +any post office but his own. A letter adorned with +a New York stamp mailed at the St. Louis office +would have been treated as unpaid. A New York +stamp was recognized only at the New York office, +and a St. Louis stamp only at the St. Louis office. +When a letter bearing a stamp was mailed <i>at the +office that issued the stamp</i>, and accepted as prepaid, +the contract between the postmaster and the purchaser +of the stamp was fulfilled, the postmaster had +to account to the government for the amount of the +postage as if he had received it with the letter. +The Department had nothing to do with the fact that +the stamp had been actually paid for at another time +or with its existence at all. Examination at several +of these offices show that there was no stamp account +kept in the records of the office. Such letters +were treated exactly as letters were, on which +the postage was either paid in money or charged in +the open accounts which the postmaster chose to +keep with the commercial houses. It was marked +"Paid." The stamp had no significance at any +other office, except as the mark or stamp indicating +the amount charged, always put on letters at that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +date, but the word "paid" was recognized by every +office. The letter was entered as a paid letter on +the way bill, and was treated as prepaid, not because +of the stamp, but because the forwarding office +treated it as prepaid.</p> + +<p>It has been thought necessary to define the exact +character of these stamps with some exactness, and +at the risk of some re-iteration, because their true +character seems to be little understood. They had +no official sanction whatever, because no official had +any authority to sanction them. It was a mere arrangement +between the individual postmaster and +the public for their mutual accommodation.</p> + +<p>Such stamps were issued at New York, St. Louis, +Brattleboro, New Haven, Providence, Alexandria, Baltimore, +Millbury and probably other places. Although +not governmental or official stamps, they are none the +less interesting or valuable mementoes. They show +how determined the public were to have the postage +stamp, and their history shows how the Public Will +compelled the government to adopt the postage +stamp in spite of the supposed difficulties in the way.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p> + +<h2>IV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamp of the New York Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>The stamp issued by the postmaster of New York +was chronicled in the earliest American Catalogue, +(Kline, 1862,) but its true character was not established +until the resuscitation and republication in the +communications of the author of this work to the +Philatelist and Le Timbre Poste, in 1873-4, of the following +articles from contemporaneous newspapers.</p> + +<p>The Express of New York in its issue of July 1st, +1845, contains an editorial mentioning, that the Act of +March 3rd, 1845, went into force on the day of publication, +and a report of the meeting of the Cheap +Postage Association. In its issue of July 7th, 1845, +the same paper published as part of its Washington +correspondence, the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, July 2nd.</i></p> + +<p>It was suggested in New York to Mr. Morris, your +postmaster, that he might accommodate the public very +much by selling stamped envelopes, as the law does not +authorize the sale of stamps on the English plan. When +he was here he laid the subject before the Postmaster<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +General, who has to-day decided that he may do this. +The envelopes are to be marked with the amount of postage +thereon, say 5 or 10 or more cents as the case may be, +and the initials of the postmaster are to be superadded, +and then the envelopes can be sold. The object is to +facilitate the payment of prepaid letters. Postmasters +can interchange envelopes whenever they can agree to +do so among themselves.</p></div> + +<p>In the issue of the next day (Express, July 8th) +appeared the following editorial:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="smcap">Free Stamped Envelopes.</span> When the Bill for Cheap +Postage was before Congress, it contained a clause authorizing +the sale of stamps on the English system. The +provision was however stricken out, leaving the public +only the old method of prepaying letters during the business +hours of the Post Office. A suggestion was made +to our new Postmaster, Mr. Morris, that the public convenience +would be very much promoted if he would sell +envelopes which would pass free through his office. By +this measure letters could be sent at any hour of the +night to the post office and the postage paid, where the +writer desires it, by enclosing it in a free envelope. +The postmaster proposed to sell stamps at five cents +each, but this not having been sanctioned by Congress, +we should think would not be the best way, and +as the public convenience demands something of the +kind, we are glad to learn that he has prepared envelopes +of the kind referred to, some of which we have seen. +They are marked "Five Cents," and under these words +is the name "R. H. Morris." For letters over one ounce +they are marked according to the Post Office Rates in +the same way. These envelopes will be sold by the +Postmaster at six and a quarter cents each, or sixteen for +a dollar of the common kind and common size. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +will be as cheap or cheaper than they can be bought in +small quantities at the stationers. A thin envelope will +contain two letters and be subject only to a single postage. +Envelopes of various sizes will also be furnished +and of fine quality when desired by the purchaser. The +plan we hear, has also been adopted by the postmaster +at Washington, D. C., and has met the approval of the +Postmaster General. We think it will add to the revenue +of the Department very considerably.</p></div> + +<p>From the preceding extract we should infer that +envelopes marked in some way "Five Cents," "R. +H. Morris, P. M." had been issued and used at +New York, and possibly something of the kind at +Washington. The latter would be signed C. K. +Gardner, P. M., but up to the present day none have +been found. They must have been prepared at New +York at least, since the editor of the Express claims +to have seen them. They were probably made by +some of the New York hand stamps noted as current +at this time, leaving out the date and signed by the +postmaster.</p> + +<p>Such an arrangement was clumsy and liable to +abuse and could have had but a short duration in so +large an office as New York, and in the Express of +the 14th of July, 1845, appears another editorial as +follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Post Office Stamps. We would call the attention of +merchants and indeed all who pay postage, to the advertisement +of the postmaster, who offers to sell stamps of +the value of five cents each for the prepayment of letters. +This is the cost of the postage under 300 miles.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +The stamps should be generally adopted as they will give +additional facilities to business men, and save them time +in making change. The postmaster will receive nothing +for this trouble and his stamps beyond the profit of lost +stamps. The disposition of the postmaster to make the +new system popular merits the thanks of our citizens.</p></div> + +<p>In another column of the same paper appears +the advertisement of the postmaster referred to in +the editorial.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="poddate"><span class="smcap rpad3">Post Office,</span><br /> +<i>New York, July 14th. 1845</i>.</p> + +<p>The public is respectfully informed that the undersigned +has caused to be prepared stamps for the prepayment +of postage, made for five cents each, which will be +sold in parcels of five and upwards. To prevent counterfeits +they will be sold only at this office and the branch +office. The public may therefore be assured that any +stamps which may be offered for sale at any place other +than the two post offices are spurious and will not be +considered as prepayment.</p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="rpad8">(Signed.)</span> Robert H. Morris, P. M.</p> + +<p>[Evening papers please copy.]</p></div> + +<p>Unfortunately these articles contain no description +of the stamp issued, and it will occur to those +familiar with the process of engraving stamps at +that date, that the production of a stamp as elaborate +as the stamp known, in so short a time as elapsed +between the date of the first and last of these +articles, was either a remarkable piece of work, or +had been commenced some time before. Possibly +the stamps first issued were not those known +to collectors and have never been discovered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> + +<p>Be this as it may, the plate contained more than +a single stamp. From double copies that have +passed through our hands, we have proof that it consisted +of at least eight different varieties, arranged +in two horizontal rows of four stamps each, differing +in minute details and at different distances +apart. There may have been more, but this remains +to be verified. The stamp which appears to have +occupied the upper left hand corner of the sheet +shows in each letter the outlines of the same letters, +engraved in black and a little lower down than the +white ones, as if the intention had originally been to +have the value appear in black on a white label. +It is said that the plate is now in the possession of +the consolidated Bank Note Companies (American) +of New York. At any rate <span class="txt80">PROOFS</span> were struck +from it long after the stamp was out of use, in various +colors.</p> + + +<p class="header">NEW YORK POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center">Issue of July 14, 1845.</p> + +<p>Portrait of President Washington, faced ¾ to +left in an oval, 19½ mm. wide by 21½ mm. high, with a +back ground of colored lines, crossed at right angles +and bordered by a colorless line. Solid colored label +bordered by a colorless line above and below the +oval, inscribed in colorless ordinary capitals, above +"<i>Post Office</i>," below "<i>Five Cents</i>." Foliated ornaments +in the four corners, the upper enclosing +small colorless labels inscribed in small colored +capitals "<i>New</i>," at the left "<i>York</i>," at the right,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +the whole surrounded by a colored line forming a +rectangle.</p> + +<p>Engraved on copper at New York by Messrs. +Rawden, Wright and Hatch.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 20½ by 28 mm., on slightly +bluish paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents black.</p> + +<p>In most of the catalogues this stamp has been +described also, as on white paper. Such specimens +are shown, but they are produced by some chemical +action of the gum used to fasten them to letters, +or of the composition of the paper or other accidental +causes. Specimens may be also found of a buff +color as if steeped in coffee, another changeling +produced by the action of strong gum.</p> + +<p>Each stamp is signed A. C. M. in red ink. They +are generally cancelled with a pen and blue ink, or +by the word "Paid" hand stamped in red ink, or +by the dating stamp.</p> + +<p>There is another type of stamp said to have been +issued by the postmaster of New York in 1849. +The design is two concentric circles, the inner 13½, +the outer 17½ mm. in diameter. In the center, "<i>One +Cent</i>" in two lines of ordinary colored capitals, about +2 mm. high. Between the circles, above, "<i>U. S. Mail</i>;" +below, "<i>Prepaid</i>" in similar letters 2½ mm. high. They +were printed in black on small squares of rose colored +paper, and afterwards on paper varying from +bright yellow to pale drab and generally glazed.</p> + +<p>This stamp was chronicled in Kline's Manual, +first edition, 1862, as a "Carrier Stamp," and has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +since been alternately considered a governmental, +or a local stamp. Upon what ground it is so confidently +asserted to have been issued by the New +York postmaster, and its date assigned to 1849, +seems never to have been stated. It is certain however +that if it were issued prior to 1851, it did not +prepay any authorized government postage, and +if issued after 1847, such an issue was forbidden +by law unless authorized by the Postmaster General. +It is hardly to be supposed that the postmaster +of New York City would have openly violated +the law. The inscription, "U. S. Mail," does not +prove anything but probably means "prepaid to the +U. S. Mail," and the stamp is probably the issue of +some of the local delivery companies.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<h2>V.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamps of the St. Louis Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>Of all the stamps of this character, those issued +by the St. Louis Postmaster have been most discussed +in the Philatelical Press. The ten cents +was first noticed in an article in the Stamp Collector's +Magazine in November, 1863, and the five cents +was mentioned in Kline's Manual, 3rd edition, 1865. +Mr. L. W. Durbin first mentioned the second die +of the 10 cents, Mr. Pemberton the second die of +the 5 cents, and Mr. Scott is entitled to the credit +of discovering the third die of each.</p> + +<p>It is unnecessary to repeat the numerous discussions, +pro and con, concerning the authenticity of +these stamps, since the present author discovered, +and republished in Le Timbre Poste, in May, 1873, +the following articles from contemporaneous daily +papers, which leave no further room for doubt concerning +the two values, 5 and 10 cents.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="center"><i>Missouri Republican.</i> July 17th. 1845.</p> + +<p>"Free stamped envelopes. For the convenience of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +those who may wish to prepay their packages at any +hour of the night, Robert H. Morris, the postmaster of +New York, as we learn from the Express, has prepared +a variety of stamped envelopes. They are marked five +cents, ten cents, &c., and under these words is the name +R. H. Morris. The five cent envelopes will be sold by +the postmaster at 6¼ cents each, or 16 for a dollar of the +common kind and common size, and the others in proportion. +This will be as cheap as they can be bought in +small quantities at the stationers. A thin envelope will +contain two letters and be subject only to a single postage. +Envelopes of various sizes will also be furnished +and of fine quality when desired by the purchaser. The +plan has also been adopted by the postmaster at Washington +and has met the approval of the Postmaster General. +We think it not only a convenience to the public +but that it will add to the revenue of the Department +very considerably. The above arrangement would be a +great convenience to many persons. Why should not +the postmaster here adopt the same plan. We believe +the public generally would buy them."</p></div> + +<p>This article, although a mere repetition of the article +of the Express, and like that mentioning envelopes +of New York and Washington which no one +has ever seen, contains at the end a reference which +was evidently the inspiration of the St. Louis postmaster +to issue his stamps, for we read in the Missouri +Republican of November 5th, 1845, the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Letter Stamps.</span> Mr. Wimer, the postmaster, has prepared +a set of letter stamps, or rather marks to put upon +letters, indicating that the postage has been paid. In +this he has copied after the plan adopted by the postmaster +of New York and other cities. These stamps are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +engraved to represent the Missouri Coat of Arms, and +are five and ten cents. They are so prepared that they +may be stuck upon a letter like a wafer and will prove a +great convenience to merchants and all those having +many letters to send post paid, as it saves all trouble of +paying at the post office. They will be sold as they are +sold in the East, viz: Sixteen five cent stamps and eight +ten cent stamps for a dollar. We would recommend +merchants and others to give them a trial."</p></div> + +<p>And a few days later in the same paper of November +13th, 1845, we again read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Post Office Stamps. Mr. Wimer, the postmaster, requests +us to say that he will furnish nine ten cent stamps +and eighteen five cent stamps for one dollar, the difference +being required to pay for the printing of the stamps."</p></div> + +<p>The above articles contain nearly the whole history +of the stamps of St. Louis. We learn the +name of the postmaster who had them made, (the +name, however is incorrectly spelled) their use and +price, the date and object of their issue. A thorough +search of all the files preserved, of the daily +papers published in St. Louis from January, 1845, +to December, 1848, resulted in no further discoveries +concerning them.</p> + + +<p class="header">ST. LOUIS POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center">Issue of November 5th, 1845.</p> + +<p>Arms of the State of Missouri. A round shield +parted per pale; on the dexter side, gules (red +or vertically lined ground), the grizzly bear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +Missouri, passant guardant, proper; on a chief engrailed +azure (horizontally lined), a crescent argent; +on the sinister side, argent, the arms of the +United States, (the stamp is dotted or gold) the +whole with a band inscribed "United we stand, divided +we fall" (The buckle below on the left, in +the 5 cents, should be omitted). Supporters on each +side, a grizzly bear of Missouri, proper; rampant +guardant, standing on a scroll inscribed "Salus +Populi Suprema lex esto." Above, the value is expressed +in large outline numerals, ornamented and +shaded. In the corners "<i>Saint</i>" and "<i>Louis</i>" +with numerous flourishes. Below the arms "<i>Post +Office</i>" in large ordinary capitals. The whole in a +rectangular frame of a thin and thick colored line.</p> + +<p>Engraved on copper by J. M. Kershaw, at St. +Louis. The plate consisted of six stamps, three of +each value, and was delivered to Mr. Wymer, +and is said to have been lost with other of +his effects during the war. The engraver thinks +he printed about 500 sheets, at three different +times, upon such paper as he happened to have +at hand, and that as the plate deteriorated easily, +he probably retouched it slightly each time in parts, +before printing. He denies positively the possibility +of the figures upon the twenty cent value being +his work. These are all the facts he can now vouch +for, and states that many of the statements from +time to time attributed to him "were the ideas of +his interviewers, who tried to refresh his recollection +and may have mixed him up."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate Impression in black upon three qualities +of bluish paper, 3 varieties of each value.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="right"> 5 cents, black 17½ by 22½ mm.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10 cents, black 18½ by 22½ mm.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>These stamps are printed on a rather thick greenish +blue paper, on a thinner grey-blue paper, and on +a very thin greyish paper, which agrees with the recollection +of the engraver that he printed three different +lots of them. A pair is also known on a coffee +colored paper. They were taken from buff envelopes, +and are undoubtedly discolored by the action +of the paper or gum. Those on white paper +have been made so by chemical action.</p> + +<p>The varieties may be thus distinguished:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Five Cents.</span> The dashes in the corners form a +sort of triangular ornament, or branch. The letters +are block capitals, shaded by a fine line. There +are no lines or dashes under "<i>Post Office</i>."</p> + +<p><i>First Variety.</i> (<i>a</i>) The buckle on the garter has +the point and tongue turned up to the left.</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>) There are six dashes above "<i>Saint</i>," and +eight above "<i>Louis</i>," of which the top and bottom +ones on each side are long strokes.</p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>) One long and two short lines and a speck +under "<i>Saint</i>," and one long and three short lines +under "<i>Louis</i>."</p> + +<p>(<i>d</i>) A long diamond in top of numeral, and a +mis-shapened diamond in the bow of the numeral, +with four dots above and nine below it, and a dot +in the ball of the numeral.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> + +<p>(<i>e</i>) The bear in the shield is on a vertically lined +ground.</p> + +<p><i>Second Variety.</i> (<i>a</i>) The buckle has the tongue +and point turned down to the right.</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>) There are eleven dashes above "<i>Saint</i>," and +ten above "<i>Louis</i>," one of which cuts the frame +on the right.</p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>) One long and two short lines, a dot, and a +horizontal stroke below "<i>Saint</i>," one very long, +and three short lines under "<i>Louis</i>," two above +and two below the level of the bear's ear.</p> + +<p>(<i>d</i>) A triangle in the top of the numeral, and a +diamond in the bow of the numeral, with four dots +above and nine below the latter. No dot in the +ball of the numeral. The right end of the scroll is +double, and touches the frame.</p> + +<p>(<i>e</i>) The bear is on a vertically lined ground.</p> + +<p><i>Third Variety.</i> (<i>a</i>) The buckle has the point +turned down to the right.</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>) There are twelve lines above "<i>Saint</i>," and +seventeen above "<i>Louis</i>."</p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>) There are one long and three short lines under +"<i>Saint</i>," and one long and two short lines and +a dot under "<i>Louis</i>," the latter on a line between +the ear and eye of the bear.</p> + +<p>(<i>d</i>) A diamond in the top of the 5, and an upright +diamond in the back, with eleven dots below and four +dots above it.</p> + +<p>(<i>e</i>) The bear is on a ground lined horizontally +above and vertically below.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pemberton thinks, from a fine clear copy he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +had seen, that for some reason the numeral of this +variety had been originally engraved as a 1. He +says there is a thin line to the right of the down +stroke of the 5, three small dots in a curve to the +right of the diamond in the top of the 5, and two +small dots, one over the other to the left of the +diamond.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth Variety.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Mr. Pemberton describes a +fourth type of the Five cents which he claims is a +restoration of the second variety, from which one +variety of the 20 cents was made by alteration.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Note.</span>—Without examining the specimen from which +Mr. Pemberton described, it is impossible to say that it +may not be one of the retouches which Mr. Kershaw +thinks he made.</p></div> + +<p>(<i>a</i>) The buckle has the point turned down to the +right.</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>) There are eleven dashes above "<i>Saint</i>," and +ten above "<i>Louis</i>."</p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>) There are four lines under "<i>Saint</i>," and +three long and two short lines under "<i>Louis</i>," the +last on a level with the bear's ear.</p> + +<p>(<i>d</i>) A diamond in the top, and a long diamond +in the back of 5, with four dots over and four dots +under the latter. Coarser shading around the figure, +and a curved vertical line at the back of the +bow, being part of the 0 of 20 badly erased.</p> + +<p>(<i>e</i>) Bear on a vertically lined ground. The two +lines of the frame above Louis bulged.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> The words "<i>Saint</i>," and "<i>Louis</i>" +are in small, colored, ordinary capitals, unshaded. +There is a long flourish curved upwards over each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +word. It seems to have been intended to have a +point with a short dash on each side of it, above +each of these, with a second long flourish curved +upwards and then brought down round the end of +the word, and continued as a flourish under them, +but the details are different in the several types. +The numerals are ornamented by a diamond in the +middle of each down stroke, with three dots, above +and below each diamond, except in type one, +which has only two dots below the diamond in +the 1.</p> + +<p>The following varieties will be noticed:</p> + +<p><i>First Variety.</i> The point and right dash, between +the corner flourishes on both sides, usually missing, +and the upper flourish does not come distinctly +round the right hand word.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Variety Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">lines</td> +<td align="center">beneath</td><td align="left">"Post Office."</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">"Saint."</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">4</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">"Louis."</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><i>Second Variety.</i> The point and right dash, between +the flourishes in the right hand corner, gone, and +the upper flourish, does not come round the right +hand word distinctly.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Variety Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">lines</td> +<td align="center">beneath</td> +<td align="left">"Post Office,"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left" colspan="3">with a smaller stroke over each.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">4</td><td align="center">lines</td> +<td align="center">beneath</td><td align="left">"Saint."</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">4</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">"Louis."</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><i>Third Variety.</i> The point between the dashes, +between the flourishes on the left, missing.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Variety Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="right">3</td> +<td align="left" colspan="6">lines beneath "Post Office,"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left" colspan="6">with a smaller stroke over each,</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> </td> +<td align="left" colspan="6">and dots between them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td> +<td align="left">lines</td><td align="left">and</td> +<td align="left">2</td><td align="left">dots</td> +<td align="left">beneath</td><td align="left">"Saint."</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">4</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">1</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">"Louis."</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>Mr. Pemberton at one time chronicled a fourth +variety of this value also, but could not afterward +identify it. Indeed the impressions show great variation +from the intended design in the corner flourishes, +which seem to have been engraved too fine +in parts.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty Cents.</span> While the author and many +others do not believe the twenty cent value to be +genuine, in deference to such authorities as Messrs. +Scott and Pemberton, who accept the few specimens +known, they are here described. In the +American Journal of Philately, of January, 1870, +Mr. Scott, after describing the three varieties each +of the 5 and 10 cents for the first time, mentions +the 20 cent value as a new discovery. Comparing +the three specimens, he says: Two are exactly +alike, and have evidently been altered from variety +three, above described, while the third is different, +having evidently been altered from variety two. +At a later date he mentions a fourth specimen. +Five specimens are all that have ever been chronicled, +we believe.</p> + +<p>Mr. Pemberton describes the first three more at +length, in a paper in the Stamp Collector's Magazine, +for January, 1871. He says he had before +him 13 stamps of the 5 cent value, and 12 of the 10 +cents, but he does not state how many he had of the +20 cents, but that 10 of the 25 specimens were lent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +him from America. The American Journal, for +January, 1871, however, says he had the three +known specimens of the 20 cents. The theory of +his article is that the twenty cents was made by +erasing the numerals, and of course incidentally other +surrounding parts of the varieties two and three, of +the five cent value on the plate, and engraving the +numerals 20, printing that value and afterwards +erasing the 20 and replacing the five. It is also +the theory of the article that this was done with all +three varieties of the 3 cents, although the author had +seen only two varieties of the 20 cents, and only one +specimen of the 5 cents, which he could torture into +a re-engraving. He alters the arrangement of +varieties of Mr. Scott, to which we prefer to adhere, +and thus describes them:</p> + +<p><i>Variety One</i>, from variety three of the five cents.</p> + +<p>One long and one short line under "<i>Saint</i>." +Half of each of the original top strokes and the +third stroke under "<i>Louis</i>" being erased, but the +dot left. The inner line of the frame erased from +the T to L, and a smaller portion of the outer +frame above erased also.</p> + +<p><i>Variety Two</i>, from variety two of the five cents. +Four strokes under "<i>Saint</i>," but bolder and closer +than the original, the vertical stroke over the left +bear's paw nearly erased.</p> + +<p>Four strokes under "<i>Louis</i>," but deeper and +more regular, the third stroke downwards on a +level with the bear's ear. L of "Louis" has been +re-engraved. Bear's paw on the garter erased.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>The inner line of frame half erased between +"<i>Saint</i>," and "<i>Louis</i>."</p> + +<p>It remains to be added that the numerals are, in +both these varieties, very badly drawn, single lined +and solid, instead of open and ornamented, and +are shaded by miserably drawn irregular horizontal +fine lines of uneven length, totally different from +the figures in the other two values.</p> + +<p>It is both impracticable and useless to attempt to +repeat here all the arguments for and against the +authenticity of these specimens. It is claimed that +they were found in the same file of letters with +the greater part of the specimens of the other +values known. That the rate they indicate was a +regular rate upon heavy letters from St. Louis to +New York, and that many letters so marked that +do not bear stamps, were found in the same and +other files; that there are no traces of erasure of the +5 by scratching, and the paper is no thinner under +the numerals than elsewhere. This seems to be the +substance of what can be said in their favor.</p> + +<p>On the other hand they are not alluded to in the +notices published in the Republican, above quoted, +or elsewhere; the engraver is positive that he did +not alter the values; says that he retained the plate +until after Mr. Wyman had ceased to be postmaster, +which was at least two years after the stamps +were prohibited by law, and that the workmanship +of the numerals could not possibly be his, and +would be a disgrace to any engraver; the figures +are apparently made by an unskilled hand with an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +ordinary pen and ink; competent authorities in +such matters state that it is possible to remove +printing ink from paper; three of the known +specimens have been photographed, two of one +variety and one of another; in all the numerals differ, +those of the two varieties mentioned by Mr. +Scott as corresponding, vary as much as the two +from different varieties of the five cents. While it +is true that a portion of the inner line of the frame +is gone between Saint and Louis, and that the +strokes are bolder beneath these words on one variety, +it is not apparent that they are nearer together, +or of different shape as Mr. Pemberton +thought, or that the L of "Louis" has been re-engraved. +The absent lines need no comment. Lastly, +the work has a blurred appearance, as if the ink +had slightly run into the paper around these famous +20 numerals, and in all the photographs they are +of a different color from the remaining parts of the +same stamps, and the other stamps photographed +with them, particularly noticeable in light photographs, +while the blurred appearance is more +apparent in the dark photographs. If these facts +do not convince those who believe in the authenticity +of these 20 cent varieties, that they, with Messrs. +Scott and Pemberton, have been the victims of a +clever fraud, the question will probably never be +settled for them, as no new facts are likely at this +date to be discovered.</p> + +<p>The two cent value, once chronicled, is of a different +design, and an admitted invention.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<h2>VI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamp of the Brattleboro Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>The stamp issued by the Postmaster, of Brattleboro, +Vermont, is catalogued as a local as early as +Kline's Manual, 2nd edition, 1863. The first magazine +to describe it was Taylor's Record, February, +1865, which states that it was issued in 1848, by +F. N. Palmer, to supply a temporary lack of the +current five cents and gives a fair description of it. +The American Journal of Philately, in January, +1869, in an article by Dr. Petrie, gave the first correct +account of it. The article gives a letter purporting +to have been written by Dr. Palmer, who +says it was a strictly private enterprise, neither +ordered or repudiated by the Department, and did +not appear in his account with the head office at +Washington. "My object," he says, "in issuing +it was to accommodate the people, and save myself +labor in making and collecting quarterly bills, almost +everything at that time being either charged +or forwarded without prepayment. I was disappointed +in the effect, having still to charge the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +stamps and collect my bills. As to the number issued, +I should say five or six hundred as an experiment. +They were engraved by Mr. Thomas Chubbuck, +then of Brattleboro, now of Springfield."</p> + +<p>Mr. Palmer thinks the stamp was issued during +his first year as postmaster, (1845).</p> + +<p>The March number of the same journal, for the +same year, mentions a specimen on a letter of 1846, +postmarked with a pen, November 10th, but the +stamp cancelled with the word "PAID," hand stamped +in red. In the Stamp Collector's Magazine, +November, 1870, Mr. L. H. Bagg, recapitulating +the foregoing, states incidentally, that one +reason for this accommodating spirit on the part of +the postmaster, was that his salary depended on +the cash receipts of his office, and hence his anxiety +to have as many letters prepaid as possible, a fact +which assists us in understanding why a stamp +should have been issued at such a small place as +Brattleboro then was. The postmarked letter shows +that the use of the stamp did not do away with the +necessity of marking the letter "PAID," and that +it was this mark and not the stamp that was recognized +by other postmasters. In his interview with +Mr. Bagg, the engraver, Mr. Chubbuck, was quite +confident that Mr. Palmer burned all the unsold +stamps in his possession upon the appearance of the +first regular United States Stamps, that the bill for +engraving them was not collected until June, 1848, +and that the charges were $7.50 for engraving the +plate, and $1.50 for printing 500 stamps. Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +Bagg also obtained from Mr. Chubbuck a part of a +sheet, eight stamps, which was afterwards purchased +by Mr. Scott, who got together all the copies +he could, and thus reconstructed the sheet, which +was shown to have contained ten varieties, in two +horizontal rows of 5 stamps each, each stamp separately +engraved, the words "Eng. by Thos. +Chubbuck, Bratt'o," appearing in small script under +the middle stamp of the lower row, and not extending +over the length of that stamp.</p> + + +<p class="header">BRATTLEBORO POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1845 or 1846.</span></p> + +<p>"F. N. P.", the initials of the postmaster, Frederick +N. Palmer, in fac-simile, with flourish beneath, +on a vertically lined ground, in an oblong with cut +corners, bordered by a heavy colored, a colorless +and a finer colored line in a band lined diagonally, +(from right above, to left below) and bordered by +another fine colored, a colorless and heavier colored +line, forming an oblong rectangle, and inscribed +above "<i>Brattleboro, Vt.</i>," in colored black letters, +"<i>P.</i> and <i>O.</i>" on left and right, in ordinary colored +capitals, and "<i>5 Cents</i>" in outline capitals below.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 21 by 19 mm., in color, on brownish +paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, black.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<h2>VII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamp of the New Haven Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>This stamp was discovered in an old collection +by Mr. Wm. P. Brown, and described by him in +his Curiosity Cabinet in May, 1871. The New +Haven Palladium of May 11, 1871, has the following +account of the discovery, which, though it contains +some errors as to the former postal rates, and +some ignorance as to the history of the stamps of +the United States, is worthy of insertion here.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header">"A CURIOSITY."</p> + +<p>"An old envelope post office stamp, issued at +New Haven, of the denomination of 5 cents, +marked 'PAID,' and subscribed by 'E. A. Mitchell, +P. M.,' has lately turned up. It must have been +issued over 20 years ago and is probably one of the +oldest United States stamps in existence. Mr. +Mitchell was postmaster of this city from 1844 to +1850. When he took office the rates were 6, 10, +12½, and 25 cents for single letters, according to +distance, no prepayment being required. The rates<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +were afterwards reduced to 10 and 5 cents according +to distance, and subsequently to five cents, uniform +for all distances, the weight not exceeding +one quarter ounce, and prepayment required. At +this period envelopes began to come in use, and as +prepayment of postage could only be made at the +office during business hours, Mr. Mitchell took the +responsibility of issuing envelopes, stamped as +above, with his signature on each, and selling them +at the cost of envelopes and postage as an accommodation; +some of the post offices refused to recognize +them, and reported the fact to the Department. As +however the stamps could only be used at the New +Haven office, and were sent as prepaid matter, +properly entered on the New Haven Post Bill, +there could be no loss to the government, and the +Department taking a liberal view of the subject, +authorized their continuance. There is no doubt +that the adoption of stamps by our government was +much hastened by the issue of these prepaid envelopes, +and it can truly be said that they were the +first stamps issued by the United States. Mr. +Mitchell is still in possession of the original plate."</p></div> + +<p>From a letter of Mr. Mitchell's, printed in the +American Journal of Philately in May, 1871, it further +appears that Mr. Mitchell permitted parties to +bring their own envelopes to be stamped. The die +was a simple hand stamp engraved by F. G. Gorham, +and the ink employed was that in ordinary use +for hand stamps in the office, red or blue. He was +postmaster from September, 1844, to 1852, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +thinks the stamp was issued first in 1845. Only +one original stamp has so far been found.</p> + + +<p class="header">NEW HAVEN POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1845.</span></p> + +<p>Large rectangular stamp, with corners cut by +quarter circles. Frame of a very heavy outside +line with an interior fine line. "<i>Post Office</i>" in +heavy block letters inclined to left, in a straight line +across the top, "<i>New Haven, Ct.</i>," in a curved line +of Roman capitals, in a second line. Large numeral +"5" with "PAID" in large block capitals beneath, +signature (E. A. Mitchell) written, and "P. M." +in ordinary capitals forming the fifth line.</p> + +<p>Impression 26 by 31 mm., from brass hand stamp, +in color on white or colored envelopes.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, red.</p> + +<p>The only known original is cut square. In 1871, +Mr. Mitchell made a few re-impressions in red and +blue ink, which he signed and distributed to collectors. +The die was then deposited in the archives +of the New Haven Colonial Historical Society.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Reprints Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="left">Reprints.</td><td align="left">5</td> +<td align="left">cents,</td><td align="left">blue</td> +<td align="left">impression,</td><td align="center" colspan="2">red signature.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">5</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">red</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">blue</td><td align="left">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">5</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">black</td><td align="left">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">5</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">no</td><td align="left">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>All on large white paper.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<h2>VIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamps of the Providence Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>These stamps, of which the 5 cent value was catalogued +as early as 1863, and the 10 cent in June, +1865, were issued by Mr. H. B. Sayles, postmaster +at Providence, and engraved by a Mr. Kidden, of +that city in 1846. None of the daily papers of the +locality, which we have been permitted to consult, +seem to have noticed the issue. The plate has however +been preserved among the archives of the +State of Rhode Island.</p> + + +<p class="header">PROVIDENCE POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1846.</span></p> + +<p>"<i>Post Office</i>," in a curved line, "<i>Prov. R. I.</i>" in +a straight line, and "<i>Five Cents</i>" in a curved line, +all in outline colorless block capitals on a ground +of fine horizontal lines, bordered by a fine colored, +a broad colorless and second fine colored line, forming +a horizontal oval, the space outside filled in with +similar horizontal lined ground to form a rectangle, +bordered by a fine colored line, the bottom and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +right side double thickness, and ornamented with a +white foliated ornament in each of the four corners, +separated by a white ball on the sides, and by from +two to five balls above, but none at the bottom, where +there is instead a prolongation of the foliation.</p> + +<p>Plate impression (copper), 20 by 28 mm., on +yellowish white paper.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Impression Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="left">5 cents, black,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">10 cents, black.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>These stamps were issued gummed.</p> + +<p>The paper of the sheet measures 85½ by 88 mm. +On the plate there are three stamps in each horizontal +and four in each vertical row, or twelve +stamps. The upper right hand corner stamp alone +bears the value "<i>Ten Cents</i>." If for the sake of +convenience the first stamp on the left of the upper +row is designated as type one, the next two, etc.; +the first stamp on the left of the second row as type +four; the first of the third row as seven; and the +first of the fourth row as ten, the following may +be noticed among the many points of difference. +The plate was originally ruled into spaces for the +stamps by very fine lines, which seem to have been +carried straight through over the spaces intended to +separate the stamps, and not always to have been +perfectly obliterated afterwards. On the right of +the plate there is also a vertical line parallel to the +right side of all the stamps in the right hand row, +at the distance separating two stamps (nearly 2 mm.) +as if the intention had been to add another stamp +to each horizontal row.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Type 1.</i> At the upper left corner, the horizontal +frame line thickened projects to the left and the +vertical line projects upward. 5 balls between the +foliations the middle one is an oblong rectangle, +the end ones touch the ornaments. The side balls +are on a line with the tops of the letters of "Prov., +R. I." There is a period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 2.</i> At the upper left corner, the horizontal +frame line thickened projects to the left. At the +lower left corner both the horizontal and vertical +lines thickened project. Both the horizontal top +and bottom lines continue on the right to Type 3. +5 balls, the middle one is a square, the next on the +right is the lower half of a circle, the next on +left flat at top and bottom. These three are all +small. The end ball on the right larger than the +others. Both it and the end ball on the left are +flat on top. "F" in "Five" very close to the +border. Side balls above the line of the top of the +letters of "Prov., R. I." A period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 3.</i> Ten cents. The horizontal top line of +frame projects each way. The vertical line at the +right plain above but thickened and partially obliterated +below the lower right corner. The lower horizontal +line projects to the left to Type 2. 5 balls, +the middle one large and square, the extreme right +one nearly round, the remaining three irregular and +nearly equal in size. "E" of "Office" touches the +oval. Side balls below the line of the top of the letters +of "Prov., R. I.," and lower point of left foliation +cuts into the left ball. No period after Cents.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Type 4.</i> The top horizontal line projects to the +left. The bottom horizontal line projects both to +the left and right. 5 balls. The middle one is +a small oblong rectangle. Those next to it very +small. Left side ball on a level with the top line of +letters of "Prov., R. I.," but the right ball smaller +and lower down. No period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 5.</i> The top horizontal line projects to the +left, and part of it is thickened. It also projects to +the right. The bottom horizontal line projects to +the left. 5 balls. The middle one in an oblong +rectangle. The "s" of Cents, resembles an 8. +Side balls are above the line of the top of "Prov., +R. I." No period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 6.</i> The top horizontal line projects to left. +The bottom horizontal line also. The vertical left +line projects to type 9. 5 balls. The middle one +is a square. Shading of "E" of "Office" touches +the oval. The side balls are below the tops of +"Prov., R. I." No period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 7.</i> The top horizontal line projects both +to left and right. The right vertical line projects +above the corner. 4 balls only. The middle one +is gone. They are all small. A period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 8.</i> The top horizontal and left vertical lines +both project at the upper left corner. 5 balls. The +middle ball is a square. The top of the "E" of +"Office" touches the oval. The "s" in Cents is +very small, and is followed by a period.</p> + +<p><i>Type 9.</i> The top horizontal line projects both<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +ways, and the left vertical line projects above the +upper left corner. Both vertical lines are continued +down to type 12. 2 balls only, the middle ones are +left out. "V" in "Prov." is too large and the +"F" of "Five" touches the oval. No period after +Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 10.</i> The top horizontal and right vertical +lines both project beyond the upper right corner. 5 +balls. The middle one square. The lower leaf of the +upper left foliation has no notch. Point after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 11.</i> The top horizontal line projects to the +left and both verticals project upwards. 5 balls. +The middle one is square. The end balls project +above top line. No period after Cents.</p> + +<p><i>Type 12.</i> Both vertical lines project up to Type +9. 5 dots. Middle one is an oblong rectangle. +The next on the right projects above the frame. +The one at right end is nearly round, but both those +at the left are rectangular. Ball at right side large +and flat. No period after Cents.</p> + +<p>It has been stated that the engraver of the original +plate re-engraved these stamps for the benefit of +collectors many years ago. However this may be, +there are a number of very dangerous counterfeits +in existence, as well as some that are easily detected.</p> + +<p>In the following table the lines which touch the +letters or other parts are counted as well as those +between them. By these differences and peculiarities +the position of a given specimen on the plate +can readily be determined.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center">The following peculiarities are noticed in Le Timbre Poste, page 5, 1871.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="bbox" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Peculiarities Chart"> + +<tr class="txt80"><td class="br" align="left"> </td> +<td class="br lpt1">Type</td><td class="br lpt1">Type</td> +<td class="br lpt1">Type</td><td class="br lpt1">Type</td> +<td class="br lpt1">Type</td><td class="br lpt1">Type</td> +<td class="br lpt1">Type</td><td class="br lpt1">Type</td> +<td class="br lpt1">Type</td><td class="br lpt1">Type</td> +<td class="br lpt1">Type</td><td class="lpt1">Type</td></tr> + +<tr class="txt80"><td class="br" align="left"> </td> +<td class="br lpt1">1</td><td class="br lpt1">2</td><td class="br lpt1">3</td> +<td class="br lpt1">4</td><td class="br lpt1">5</td><td class="br lpt1">6</td> +<td class="br lpt1">7</td><td class="br lpt1">8</td><td class="br lpt1">9</td> +<td class="br lpt1">10</td><td class="br lpt1">11</td><td class="lpt1">12</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">Width of the oval</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">24¼</td><td class="bt br lpt1">24</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">24</td><td class="bt br lpt1">23¾</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">23¾</td><td class="bt br lpt1">24</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">24</td><td class="bt br lpt1">24</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">24¼</td><td class="bt br lpt1">24</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">24</td><td class="bt lpt1">24¼</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">Height of the oval</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">18½</td><td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td><td class="bt br lpt1">18½</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td><td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td><td class="bt br lpt1">18½</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td><td class="bt br lpt1">18½</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">18¼</td><td class="bt lpt1">18¼</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*Upper frame and oval</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">2</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">2</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">0</td><td class="bt br lpt1">2</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">3</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">2</td><td class="bt lpt1">2</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*O of Office, and oval above</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">12</td><td class="bt br lpt1">13</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">11</td><td class="bt br lpt1">11</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">12</td><td class="bt br lpt1">11</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">12</td><td class="bt br lpt1">9</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">12</td><td class="bt br lpt1">11</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">12</td><td class="bt lpt1">11</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*V of Prov., and oval above</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">15</td><td class="bt br lpt1">14</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">14</td><td class="bt br lpt1">14</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">15</td><td class="bt br lpt1">12</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">12</td><td class="bt br lpt1">16</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">16</td><td class="bt br lpt1">14</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">15</td><td class="bt lpt1">15</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*V of Prov., and C of Cents</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">13</td><td class="bt br lpt1">14</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">14</td><td class="bt br lpt1">14</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">14</td><td class="bt br lpt1">16</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">16</td><td class="bt br lpt1">15</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">15</td><td class="bt br lpt1">13</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">14</td><td class="bt lpt1">13</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*C of Cents, and oval below</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">7</td><td class="bt br lpt1">6</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">7</td><td class="bt br lpt1">7</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">7</td><td class="bt br lpt1">7</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">8</td><td class="bt br lpt1">8</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">9</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">7</td><td class="bt lpt1">9</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br nowrap" align="left">*P of Prov., & E or T of 5, 10</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt br lpt1">5</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">5</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt br lpt1">5</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt lpt1">3</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*I of R. I., and S of Cents</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">5</td><td class="bt br lpt1">5</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">5</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">7</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">7</td><td class="bt br lpt1">6</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">7</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">5</td><td class="bt lpt1">4</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*P of Post, and P of Prov.</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">6</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">3</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">5</td><td class="bt br lpt1">7</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">6</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">5</td><td class="bt lpt1">6</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="br" align="left">*E of Office, and I of R. I.</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt br lpt1">4</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">3</td><td class="bt br lpt1">1</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt br lpt1">2</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">2</td><td class="bt br lpt1">6</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt br lpt1">3</td> +<td class="bt br lpt1">4</td><td class="bt lpt1">3</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="center" style="margin-top: 0;">*Horizontal lines between the</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> +<h2>IX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamp of the Alexandria Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>This stamp was discovered by the present author, +and was first chronicled in an article by him in +Le Timbre Poste, of February, 1873. A second +specimen is chronicled in Durbin's Philatelic +Monthly, of August, 1879. They are both postmarked +with the ordinary dated hand stamp of Alexandria, +D. C., the word "PAID," and large +numeral "5." The first postmark is dated July +10th, that of the second is illegible, but the letter +was dated Sept. 9th, 1846.</p> + + +<p class="header">ALEXANDRIA POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1846.</span></p> + +<p>Large round stamp, 30 mm. in diameter, with +border of 40 six-rayed stars. Within "<i>Alexandria</i>," +above, and "<i>Post Office</i>," below, in heavy block +capitals, a six-rayed star separating the words, on +each side. In the centre "PAID," in smaller capitals, +with the numeral "5" beneath.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + +<p>Impression from wood block, 30 mm. in diameter, +on yellow paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, black.</p> + +<p>This stamp appears to have been originally +stamped upon the buff envelopes common at the +time, and to have been cut out and fastened to the +letter. No further information concerning it has +yet been discovered. The files at Washington, of +the Alexandria Gazette, the only Alexandria paper +of that period, are defective from May 22nd, to +October, 1845, and in part for 1847. Daniel Brien +was Postmaster at Alexandria during 1845-47.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> +<h2>X.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamps of the Baltimore Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>This stamp was first chronicled in the Philatelical +Journal in 1874. The copy there described was the +only one known, until very recently, a second copy +was described in the New York World, and subsequently +that and another were mentioned in the +Alexandria Gazette, of August 3rd, 1886, as having +been in possession of Mr. Thomas Semmes, of Alexandria. +These are described as postmarked respectively, +January 15th, and 31st., 1847, with the +other marks usual upon letters of the period. From +1845 to 1849, Mr. James Madison Buchannan +was the postmaster at Baltimore, and is said to have +issued this stamp in the fall of 1846. Further details +are wanting. The stamp is a simple looking +slip of paper containing the signature of the postmaster +in fac-simile, in one line, and the value, "<i>5 +Cents</i>," in a second line, bordered by a frame of +single colored lines, crossed at the four angles.</p> + +<p>Impression, 55 by 15 mm., in color upon thin bluish +paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, black.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i61.jpg" width="300" height="177" alt="James M. Buchannan (handwritten signature) PAID 5 (with 5 inside circle)" title="James M. Buchannan (handwritten signature) PAID 5 (with 5 inside circle)" /> +</div> + +<p>Besides these adhesive stamps, Mr. Buchannan +also issued a species of franked envelope. Two +copies of this were found by Mr. Robt. H. Smith, +in examining his +old letters. They +are the ordinary +buff wove +envelopes of the +period, size 80 +by 137 mm., of +the old simple +form with straight edged flaps. In the right upper +hand corner the signature "James M. Buchannan," +hand stamped, 50½ mm. long, the "B," 4½ mm. +high. Beneath this in a second line the word +"PAID," in capitals, 4 mm. high, and 16 mm. +long is also hand stamped. Below this again, a +large numeral "5," 11½ mm. high, in an oval 20½ +mm. long by 7½ high, is also hand stamped.</p> + +<p>The specimen described is hand stamped with the +ordinary round hand stamp of Baltimore, Md., and +dated Nov. 24th, no year stated and is directed to +the present owner and finder.</p> + +<p>Impression hand stamped in blue ink on buff envelopes.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, blue.</p> + +<p>Besides these it has been claimed that the stamp +known as the "horseman," was also issued in 1860 +or 1861, by the Postmaster of Baltimore. It may +be described as a rough design of a horseman, galloping +to the right, holding a streamer, inscribed:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +"<i>One Cent</i>." On ribbons above, "<i>Government City +Dispatch</i>." Rough frame of vertical lines with +rough ornaments in the corners, bordered by a single +colored line.</p> + +<p>Impression, 23 by 17 mm., apparently lithographed +in color on white paper.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" summary="Impression Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">1</td><td align="left">Cent,</td><td align="left">red.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">1</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">black.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Variety,</td><td align="left">1</td> +<td align="left">Sent</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>It will appear further on, that at this date, 1860, +and long prior thereto, the law prohibited postmasters +from recognizing or permitting to be used +any stamps not received from the Postmaster General. +In a letter published in the American Journal +of Philately, July 20th, 1869, W. H. H. Corell, +3rd Assistant Postmaster General, says: "The records +of the Department do not contain any reference +to the other stamp, Post Rider." It is supposed +to have been issued by one of the numerous +"City Dispatch" companies located in New York. +These facts and the very rough workmanship, so unlike +any of the authorized Government issues, would +seem sufficient to settle the absolutely unofficial +character of this stamp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamp of the Millbury Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>In the collection of letters received by Col. Isaac +Davis, of Worcester, Mass., now in the library of +the American Antiquarian Society, were found, in +1884, two letters written and posted at Millbury, +in August and December, 1846, postmarked +with the ordinary dating stamp of Millbury, of +the dates August 21st, and December 16th, respectively, +and stamped with an adhesive stamp, +cancelled with the word "PAID," in large capitals, +partly on the letter and partly on the stamp. The +earliest also bears a large "V," in an octagon +frame, and the other a large numeral "5," in a circle. +Col. Asa H. Waters, was postmaster of Millbury +in 1846, having received his commission, dated +January 2nd, 1836, from President Jackson, "Old +Hickory," and retained the office until November, +1848, when he resigned and obtained the office for +Henry Waterman, who had been his assistant. A +third copy of the adhesive stamp is in the possession +of Col. Waters, postmarked exactly as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +first described specimen, but the date is July 18th. +Both Col. Waters and Mr. Waterman state that the +idea of the stamp was suggested by the reception +of letters bearing the New York stamp, and that the +stamp was printed in Boston, from a block cut +in 1846. Neither gentleman has any data by which +to fix more exactly the date of its issue.</p> + + +<p class="header">MILLBURY POST OFFICE.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1846.</span></p> + +<p>Head of Washington, ¾ face to the right, on a +colorless circular disk, 16½ mm. in diameter, shaded +to left of the head, and part way in front by 4 +diagonal lines, and bordered by a circular band, +2 mm. wide, edged outside and inside by a colored +line. The band is inscribed above, "<i>Post Office</i>," +below, "<i>Paid 5 Cents</i>," in colored block capitals, +except "5 Cents," which is in script. There are +three five-pointed stars irregularly formed on each +side in the band. The outer circle is a little flat +between T and O. The vertical diameter is ½ mm. +longer than the horizontal.</p> + +<p>Impression from wood block 22 by 22½ mm. in +diameter, in black on smooth unsurfaced white +paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, black.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamped Envelopes of the Washington Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>The Daily Union, published at Washington, Wednesday, +July 23rd, 1845, and the National Intelligencer, +of Friday, July 25th, 1845, contain the following +advertising editorial<a name="FNanchor_A_2" id="FNanchor_A_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_2" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Interesting to Citizens and Sojourners in +Washington.</span> Upon inquiring at the city post office, +we learn that Col. Gardiner has had franked (or rather +prepaid) envelopes prepared, which do away with the +necessity of personal application at the delivery window +when one wishes to pay postage on sending off a letter. +They are for sale at the post office, at the following +rates; which barely pay the cost, after deducting the +sum chargeable on each for postage, viz:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Envelope Cost Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">18</td><td align="left">envelopes</td> +<td align="left">to enclose letters</td><td align="left">charged at</td> +<td align="right">5</td><td align="left">cents</td><td align="left">for</td> +<td align="right">$1.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">9</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"> </td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="right">50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right"> </td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="right">6¼</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">9</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">10</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="right">1.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">4</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" rowspan="2"><img src="images/bracketright.jpg" width="15" height="40" alt="bracket right" title="bracket left" /></td> +<td align="right" rowspan="2">50</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>This plan, it will be recollected has been adopted in +the northern cities to the great advantage of the public,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +and its introduction here will save our fellow citizens +many a long and hitherto, indispensable trudge, in this +metropolis of magnificent distances."</p></div> + +<p>The latter paper, however quotes the price of the +5 cent envelopes at 6 cents, instead of 6¼. These +are evidently the envelopes mentioned in the article +of the Express, of July 8th, quoted in the chapter +on the stamps of the New York postmaster. Up to +the present time none of them have been reported +to have been found.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_2" id="Footnote_A_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_2"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The newspaper articles concerning these envelopes +were found by Mr. C. F. Rothfuchs who, at the suggestion +of the author, kindly searched the files of the +Washington papers.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<h2>XIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamps of the Philadelphia Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>From 1845 to 1849, Dr. Geo. F. Lehman was +postmaster of Philadelphia. It is asserted that he +adopted for use in the post office at Philadelphia, a +number of peculiar devices of his own, which appear +to have been a substitute for postage stamps. +They are described as bands with the names of the +persons who mailed the letters upon them, which +were fastened around the letters, and upon receipt +at the post office, were removed by the clerks and +kept as vouchers, the amount of postage due being +charged to the account of the sender, and collected +with the quarterly bill. There are also said to have +been in use several other designs in the form of +stamps, printed and sold by the post office, which +when fastened upon the letter indicated that the +office had received postage, and such letters were +then forwarded and marked as paid.</p> + +<p>Although several varieties of these are said to have +been in use, none of them have yet been found.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XIV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamps of the Worcester Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>In the National Aegis, published at Worcester, +Mass., September 2nd, 1846, may be found the +following item:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Post Office Stamps.</span> The postmaster has issued +postage stamps of the denomination of five cents and +ten cents. They are very convenient, and will save +the trouble of making change at the post office, and will +enable people to send prepaid letters at times when the +office is closed. To cover the expense of engraving and +printing, these stamps are sold at five per cent advance +upon the regular rates of postage."</p></div> + +<p>Maturin L. Fisher was postmaster at Worcester, +from 1839 to 1849, and Andrew A. Williams was +his chief clerk in 1846. The above item was recently +found by the present author in searching old +files of newspapers, for information about the various +postmaster's stamps. No other Worcester paper +seems to have noticed the matter, and no further +information has so far rewarded the limited inquiry +and search possible since the discovery. Both of +the gentlemen in the office at the time are now +deceased.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Stamps of the Pittsfield Postmaster.</span></h3> + + +<p>A short notice published in one of the Springfield, +Mass., papers, in the summer of 1874, asserts that +in overhauling the vaults of the Berkshire Mutual +Fire Insurance Company, of Pittsfield, a number of +stamps were found that were issued by the Pittsfield +postmaster, in 1846-7. Phineas Allen was +postmaster of Pittsfield at the time. No further information +concerning these stamps, has rewarded +inquiry.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XVI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></h3> + + +<p>It is by no means improbable that other similar +devices were in use in other towns and cities at this +period, by which prepayment of postage was secured. +The salaries of many of the smaller offices +depended on the amount of postage collected, and +the importance of all offices was estimated by the +revenue collected. It was natural, therefore, as +the public demand for such accommodation grew, +that the postmaster should adopt a device tending +to their own benefit. There are in the possession +of the present author a number of hand stamps, apparently +cut from letters and envelopes, inscribed +such and such a "Post Office," "5 Cents Paid," +which would seem to be stamps of this kind, but in +the absence of further information, are not here +chronicled. The wide spread use of such stamps +would appear from the following caution, published +in the Courier, of New York, July 18th, 1845.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The postmaster of this city has given notice that he +has prepared stamps for the use of merchants, and requests +them to provide themselves with these stamps to +facilitate the business of the post office, and for their +own convenience. It will be observed that the postmaster +warns the public that any stamps offered for sale +at any place other than the post office of this city are +spurious. That the use of proper stamps by merchants +will be a great convenience is admitted; but these stamps, +thus offered, should be considered in no other light than +the personal obligations of the postmaster, unauthorized +as far as the public know, by any proper authority, and +if issued by the postmaster of one city, may also be issued +by the postmaster of any town or city in the United +States; and if this practice becomes general, the amount +in these stamps held by the public will be very considerable, +and will evidently lead to great abuses and probably +losses.</p> + +<p>In case of the death or removal of a postmaster, we +know of no legal obligation of his successor to consider +these stamps of any value whatever.</p> + +<p>Post office stamps to be of general utility, should be +issued by the General Post Office at Washington, sanctioned +by law, and with suitable penalties in case of forgery: +they would be of great advantage to the Post Office +Department, and would much facilitate business in +various ways, but if issued by any or all postmasters, +will in some cases be used "to raise the wind," and may +raise it pretty effectually in cases of death or default, +as the amount held by the public in any of the large +cities would be a very considerable sum."</p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="rpad8">(Signed)</span> CAVEAT.</p></div> + +<p>This article was reprinted by numerous journals, +among them the Express, of New York, July 18th, +1845.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XVII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1847.</span></h3> + + +<p>Notwithstanding these manifest dangers, noticed +by the Courier and Express, the public continued +to demand and use, and the postmasters to issue, +as we have seen, these unauthorized stamps, without +action on the part of Congress, or interference +by the Department, until the beginning of 1847 +when, apparently in response to the necessities of +the case the following law was passed:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="smcap">Statutes of the United States</span>, XXIX Congress, +Session II, Chapter LXIII, Section 1, approved March +3rd, 1847. An Act to establish certain Post Roads and +for other purposes.</p> + +<p>"And be it further enacted, that to facilitate the transportation +of letters by mail, the Postmaster General be +authorized to prepare postage stamps, which, when attached +to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the +prepayment of the postage chargeable on such letter, +which said stamps the Postmaster General may deliver +to any deputy postmaster who may apply for the same, +the deputy postmaster paying or becoming accountable +for the amount of the stamps so received by him, and +if any of said stamps shall not be used, but be returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +to the General Post Office, the amount so returned shall +be credited to such deputy postmaster, and such deputy +postmaster may sell or dispose of any stamps so received +by him to any person who may wish to use the same, +but it shall not be lawful for any deputy postmaster, to +prepare, use, or dispose of any postage stamps not authorized +by and received from the Postmaster General. +And any person who shall falsely and fraudulently make, +alter or forge any postage stamp with intent to defraud +the Post Office Department, shall be deemed guilty of +felony, and on conviction shall be subject to the same +punishment as provided in the 21 Section of the Act approved +March 3rd, 1825, entitled an Act," etc.</p></div> + +<p>This is the first authorization of postage stamps +in the United States, and it will be well to observe +that the use of any stamps other than <i>those authorized +and received from</i> the Postmaster General is +strictly prohibited. The use of the stamps of the +postmasters herein before treated of, must therefore +have ceased from and after the 1st of July, +1847, when the law went into effect, or as soon +thereafter as supplies were received from the Department. +This effectually determines the character +of such locals, as the so-called "Horseman," and +"U. S. Mail Prepaid," before referred to.</p> + +<p>According to the law and custom in the United +States, a contract for the engraving and printing of +stamps, under the authority of this Act, was made by +the Postmaster General with Messrs. Rawdon, +Wright, Hatch and Edson, for four years. During +this time they furnished 4,400,000, five cent stamps, +and 1,050,000, ten cent stamps, of which 3,712,000<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +five cent, and 891,000 ten cent stamps are officially +reported to have been distributed by the Department +to deputy postmasters for sale. A portion +of these, valued at $12,038.55, were however +afterwards returned to the Department and exchanged +for those of the subsequent issue, and +credited to the deputies who returned them.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of July 1st, 1847.</span></p> + +<p>The issue consisted of two values only, five and +ten cents.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Five Cents.</span> Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, +Continental Postmaster General, facing three quarters +to the left, on an oval disk with hatched +ground, 14½ by 17¼ mm., bounded by a broad colorless +line with a fine colored line outside, in a rectangular +frame, also bordered by a broad colorless +line with a fine colored line outside. The ground +work of this frame is composed of fine horizontal +colored lines, and is ornamented by foliations, and +inscribed in outlined colorless capitals, "<i>U.</i>" and +"<i>S.</i>," in the upper corners, with "<i>Post Office</i>," +between, following the form of the oval, large +numeral "5," and "5," in the lower corners, with +"<i>Five Cents</i>" between, following the form of the +oval.</p> + +<p>Between the lines of the outer border, exactly in +the centre, are the initials of the engravers, "R. W. +H. & E.," in small colored capitals.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 18½ by 23½ mm., in color, on +faintly bluish paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, bronze.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> Portrait of George Washington, +first President, facing three quarters to the right, +on an oval disk, with hatched background, bordered +by a broad colorless line, with a fine colored +line outside, in a rectangular frame, bordered in +the same manner. The ground of the frame and inscriptions +are similar to the five cents, but changed +for the value to a large "X," in each lower corner, +with "<i>Ten Cents</i>," between. Same small initials +in the lower border.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 18½ by 23½ mm., in color, on +faintly bluish paper.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents, black.</p> + +<p>In the Hartford Times of August 5th, 1885, appeared +a long article, entitled: "The First Postage +Stamps," from which the following relating to the +actual date of this issue may be here repeated.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Thirty eight years ago to-day the first postage +stamps were used in the United States. * * * On the +25th of March, 1840, John M. Niles, of Hartford, became +Postmaster General and signalized his administration +by many reforms. * * * It was necessary to cap +all by a genuine innovation, and he performed this by +suggesting the postage stamp. The suggestion was received +with ridicule, and Mr. Niles soon after retired. +* * * When Cave Johnson assumed the post office, on +the 5th of March, 1845, he found it an Herculian task to reinstate +the reform measures of Mr. Niles. * * * Among +the measures of Mr. Niles that he adopted was the postage +stamp idea. * * * Johnson garnished his conversation +with fathering the suggestion originated six years +before. * * * The matter took form as a bill. * * *<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +Approved March 3rd, 1847. The date of the issue was +appointed as July 1st, but there was a delay in the contractors' +work and the time ran over a month.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of August, soon after the opening of the +Postmaster General's office for the day, an old gentleman +called to see Mr. Johnson on business. The +gentleman was the Hon. Henry Shaw, a New Yorker, +* * * and the father of the well known Henry Shaw, Jr., +(Josh Billings). * * * Mr. Johnson came into his office +accompanied by the printer of the new stamps, a few +minutes after Mr. Shaw had arrived, on that August +morning. Sheets of the stamps were laid before the Postmaster +General, who, after receipting for them, handed +them to his visitor to inspect. Mr. Shaw returned them +after a hasty glance, and then drawing out his wallet, +he counted fifteen cents, with which he purchased two +of the stamps—the first two ever issued. The five cent +stamp he kept as a curiosity, and the ten cent stamp he +presented to Governor Briggs, as an appropriate gift."</p></div> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></p> + +<p>In nearly all the early catalogues and in some recent +foreign ones, these stamps are catalogued upon +<i>white</i> paper. Mr. Terrell, Third Assistant Postmaster +General, in a letter published on page 111, +American Stamp Mercury, 1870, states positively +that this issue was never printed except upon faintly +tinted bluish paper. It may be observed, generally, +that the paper of all stamps of the early issues +of all countries which were affixed to the blue +or bluish paper in general use at the time, has a +tendency to vary from the original color, sometimes +becoming blue or bluish, when originally white,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +darker or lighter blue or even whitish if originally +blue. This has been variously explained, as the +action of some ingredient in the paper of the letter, +or of the stamp, in the gum or the ink.</p> + +<p>It must be further observed that the color of the +impression of the five cents varies greatly from the +original pale red brown, called bronze. Many +shades of faint red brown, red brown, faint dark +brown, deep dark brown, black brown, bluish black, +and almost pure black, may be found. Whether +these result, as seems to be the case, from a natural +change in the course of time, from something in +the ink, paper or surroundings of the stamp itself, +or whether it results from the use of different colored +ink originally, may perhaps be impossible +now to determine.</p> + +<p>The ten cent, however, varies very little in the +color of the impression. Beyond a lighter, or +grayish shade, a black with a bluish cast, and the +ordinary black impression, little is to be noticed.</p> + +<p>The stamps are separated in the sheet by about +2 mm., each way. Double copies of the five cents, +adhering either by the side, or by the top and bottom, +are often found on old letters, and occasionally, +three or four adhering specimens are encountered. +The ten cents is almost invariably found in +single specimens, though a few pairs, and even +three used together are known.</p> + +<p>According to a statement in the American Journal +of Philately, of April, 1871, this issue was withdrawn +from circulation between June 11th and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +September 30th, 1851. The instructions of the Department +to the deputy postmasters, concerning +the distribution of the next issue, published in +June, 1851, order that these five and ten cent +stamps must not be recognized as prepaying letters +after the 30th of June, 1851, and request the public +to return them to the deputy postmasters, in +exchange for others of the new issue. The report +of the Postmaster General for the year expiring +June 30th, 1851, and published in the fall of that +year, further states: "Directions for the destruction +of the dies and plates, employed in the manufacture +of the stamps formerly used, have been +given, and for counting and burning such stamps +as have not been issued to postmasters or have +been returned."</p> + +<p>These facts probably explain the extreme rarity +of unused stamps of this issue, and the re-engraving +of the dies by the Government, when it was +considered advisable to make an exhibit of all its +issues of adhesive stamps at the Centennial Exhibition.</p> + +<p>The existence therefore, of a specimen of four +unused five cent stamps, adhering by the sides, +and another of four unused ten cent stamps, adhering +also by the sides, in the private collection +of Mr. Sterling, is worthy of notice. The latter +specimen, at any rate, is probably unique, and +though called whitish paper by him, has nevertheless, +the bluish tint, and certainly is not <i>white</i> paper.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Note. There are <i>proofs</i> however on white paper.</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XVIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1851.</span></h3> + + +<p>The Act of the XXXI Congress, Session II, +Chapter XX, approved March 3rd, 1851, and entitled: +"An Act to reduce and modify the Rates of +Postage in the United States, and for other purposes" +reads:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Be it enacted, etc., that from and after the 30th day +of June, 1851, in lieu of the rates of postage now established +by law, there shall be charged the following +rates, viz: For every single letter in manuscript, or paper +of any kind, upon which information shall be asked +for, or communicated, in writing, or by marks or signs, +conveyed in the mail for any distance, between places +within the United States, not exceeding 3,000 miles, +when the postage upon said letter shall have been prepaid, +three cents, and five cents when the postage thereon +shall not have been prepaid, and for any distance +exceeding 3,000 miles, double these rates; for every such +single letter or paper when conveyed wholly or in part +by sea, and to or from a foreign country, for any distance +over 2,500 miles, twenty cents, and for any distance +under 2,500 miles, ten cents, excepting however, +all cases where such postages have been or shall be adjusted +at different rates by postal treaty or convention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +already concluded or hereafter to be made; and for a +double letter there shall be charged double the rates +above specified; and for a treble letter, treble these +rates; and for a quadruple letter, quadruple these rates; +and every letter or parcel not exceeding half an ounce +in weight, shall be deemed a single letter, and every +additional weight of half an ounce, or every additional +weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged with +an additional single postage. And all drop letters, or +letters placed in any post office, not for transmission, but +for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the +rate of one cent each, and all letters which shall hereafter +be advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in +any post office shall be charged with one cent in addition +to the regular postage to be accounted for as other +postages now are."</p></div> + +<p>The second section fixed the rates upon newspapers +of all descriptions, coming from the publishers, +etc., etc., which were not to be paid for by stamps, +but:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Every other newspaper circular, hand bill, engraving, +pamphlet," etc., etc., "shall be charged one cent an +ounce under 500 miles and one cent each additional +ounce between 500 and 1500 miles," double beyond, etc., +etc.</p></div> + +<p>The third section provides:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"And be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of +the Postmaster General to provide and furnish to all deputy +postmasters, and to all other persons applying and +paying therefor, suitable postage stamps, of the denomination +of three cents, and of such other denominations as +he may think expedient to facilitate prepayment of postages +provided for in this Act; and any person who shall +forge or counterfeit any postage stamp, provided or furnished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +under this Act, whether the same are impressed +or printed on or attached to envelopes or not, or any die, +plate or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or +knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent +to use or sell, any such false, forged or counterfeit +die, plate, engraving, or postage stamps, or who +shall make or print, or otherwise procure to be made or +printed, any postage stamps of the kind provided and +furnished by the Postmaster General, as aforesaid, +without the especial authority and direction of the +Post Office Department, or who, after such postage +stamps have been printed, shall, with intent to defraud +the revenue of the Post Office Department, deliver any +postage stamps to any person or persons other than +such as shall be authorized to receive the same by an +instrument of writing duly executed under the hand of +the Postmaster General, and the seal of the Post Office +Department, shall on conviction thereof be deemed +guilty of felony, and punishable by a fine not exceeding +500 dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding +five years; or by both such fine or imprisonment, +and the expenses of procuring and providing all +such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided +or authorized by this Act, shall be paid, after being +adjusted by the auditor of the Post Office Department, +on the certificate of the Postmaster General, out of any +money in the Treasury, arising from the Revenues of +the Post Office Department."</p></div> + +<p>The 4th section provides that postage stamps shall +be defaced as the Postmaster General may direct, +and the penalty for omitting so to do.</p> + +<p>The 10th section provides for the appointment +of carriers, the rate to be one or two cents prepaid, +the carriers to be paid out of the receipts from this +postage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>The 11th section authorizes the coining of the +three cent coin, probably to facilitate the payment +of these rates.</p> + +<p>The other matters mentioned in the foregoing Act +are of little interest here, but the following circular +contains some matters of importance:</p> + + +<p class="header">REGULATIONS CONCERNING POSTAGE STAMPS.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="poddate"> +<span class="rpad1"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,</span><br /> +<i>June 10th, 1851</i>.</p> + +<p>"To facilitate the payment of postages upon letters and +packages, postage stamps of the following denominations +are provided and furnished by the postmaster +General, pursuant to the third section of the "Act to reduce +and modify the rates of Postage in the United +States," and for other purposes approved March 3rd, +1851.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamp Descriptions"> +<tr><td class="col1topr"><span class="nowrap">Viz: No. 1.</span></td><td align="left">Printed in black, representing the head of + Washington, of the denomination of twelve + cents.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="col1topr">No. 2.</td><td align="left">Printed in red, representing the head of + Washington, in profile, of the denomination + of three cents.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="col1topr">No. 3.</td><td align="left">Printed in blue, representing the head of + Franklin, in profile, of the denomination of + one cent.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>These stamps will be furnished to one or more of the +principal postmasters in each county, who will be required +to supply the other postmasters in their vicinities, +upon being paid for the amount furnished."</p></div> + +<p>The remaining provisions relate to the mode of +distribution, accounting, cancelling, etc., and are +of no particular interest. The circular is signed +"Nathan D. Hall, Postmaster General."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>A similar circular dated April 3rd, 1852, is almost +an exact repetition of the foregoing. The +stamps issued may be described more fully thus:</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of July 1st, 1851.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> Bust of Benjamin Franklin, first +Postmaster General, in profile, facing to the right, +in an oval disk 17 by 20½ mm., with a ground of +very fine horizontal colored lines, slightly waved, +bordered by a colorless line between two fine colored +lines. The colorless line is ornamented by a +line of fine dots. Above is a label, bordered at the +top by a similarly ornamented colorless line, between +two fine colored lines, terminated at the ends by +the corner ornaments of the stamp, with a ground +of fine colored lines following the lines of the oval, +and inscribed in outline capitals "<i>U. S. Postage</i>." +Below the oval is a similar label, the ends terminated +by a similar border, with a ground of fine colored +lines, inscribed "<i>One Cent</i>" in outline capitals. +This label is shaded by a number of vertical +lines. Scroll and foliated corner ornaments extending +down the sides. There is no outside line +finishing the frame. The stamps are very near +each other on the sheet.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19 by 22 mm., color, white paper.</p> + +<p class="center">1 cent, shades of indigo blue.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three Cents.</span> Bust of Washington, first President +of the United States, in profile to left, on an +oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by a fine +colorless line between two fine colored lines, surrounded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +by a frame composed of colorless lines, +forming diamonds on a solid ground, the alternate +diamonds filled in with diagonal colorless lines, leaving +a colored chain conspicuous, with rosettes in +the four angles. The space between the oval and +frame filled with horizontal lines, and the corners +outside the rosettes filled with ornamented triangles. +Above and below all these are solid colored labels, +with a small piece containing a diamond cut off at +each end by a vertical colorless line, inscribed in +colorless Roman capitals, above "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," +below "<i>Three Cents</i>." The whole is surrounded, +at a little distance, by a colored line forming a rectangle.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 20 by 25 mm., color, white paper.</p> + +<p class="center">3 cents, in shades of brick and rose red.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twelve Cents.</span> Bust of Washington, after Stewart, +facing three quarters to the left, on an oval +disk 13½ by 17 mm., with hatched ground, bordered +by a colorless line between two colored +lines. This colorless line is crossed by horizontal +lines. About this is a frame like that of the 3 +cents, with rosettes at the angles, but showing six +and two half links in the chain on each side, instead +of five and two half links as in the three cents. +The outside corners are filled by small foliations. +The space between the oval and frame is filled by +horizontal lines. Inscription above "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," +below "<i>Twelve Cents</i>" in colorless capitals, +shaded outside on the back ground and following +the curve of the oval. The whole is surrounded by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +a fine colored line.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper.</p> + +<p class="center">12 cents, black.</p> + +<p>As it was considered desirable to keep the amounts +collected and paid for delivery by carriers (under +section 10 of the act) separate, a special stamp +for the payment of such postage was soon added:</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of September 29th, 1851.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> Bust of Benjamin Franklin, in profile, +to the left, on an oval disk, 15 by 17½ mm. with +hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line between +two fine colored lines. Frame, labels, etc., +like the three cents, but with a colorless star between +curved colorless lines at the end instead of +the diamonds. The inscription is in colorless Roman +capitals, on the upper label "<i>Carrier's</i>," and +"<i>Stamp</i>" in the lower label.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 24 mm., color, rose paper.</p> + +<p class="center">No value indicated, indigo blue.</p> + +<p>Specimens exist in brick red, some of which show +the crack in the die. These must be proofs, although +a letter purporting to be from W. M. Ireland, +Third Assistant Postmaster General, dated +August 10th, 1869, and published in the August +number of the American Journal of Philately, after +describing this stamp says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"Color, orange-brown, typographed in color on white +paper. Proofs were issued printed in blue on pink paper; +also in green and yellow. It was issued about September +29th, 1851, but was suppressed almost immediately,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +owing to its great similarity to the then three cent +stamp. Only about 300,000 were ever issued. It has always +surprised me that the Department has never kept +any official history of its stamps."</p></div> + +<p>This stamp was succeeded by the</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of November, 17, 1851.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> Eagle poised for flight, turned to the +left, resting on a branch of laurel, on an oval disk, +18 by 13 mm., the ground of clouds and rays, surrounded +by a fine colored line, a colorless line, and +a band of solid color inscribed in colorless Roman +capitals above "<i>U. S. P. O. Dispatch</i>," below +"<i>Prepaid, One Cent</i>," with ornaments of oak leaves +on the left and of laurels on the right.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper.</p> + +<p class="center">1 cent, blue.</p> + +<p>A letter dated from the Post Office Department, +Finance Office. July 20th, 1869, and signed W. H. +H. Corell, Third Assistant Postmaster General, +published in the American Journal of Philately, +says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The blue stamp "Eagle" was used for prepaying +City letters delivered by carriers. It was issued about +Nov. 17th, 1851, and was withdrawn Jan. 27th, 1852. It +was very little used except in Philadelphia, Pa., and Cincinnati, +Ohio."</p></div> + +<p>As a matter of fact however, the published reports +of the Postmaster General, shows that there +were issued:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamps Issued Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">4,777,552</td><td align="left">from</td> +<td align="left">Nov.</td><td align="right">1851,</td><td align="left">up</td> +<td align="left">to</td><td align="left">June,</td><td align="right">1852.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">4,370,383</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">June</td><td align="right">1852,</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1853.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">7,103,416</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1853,</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1854.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>These stamps were all engraved and printed by +Messrs. Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar and Co., of +Philadelphia, under a contract with the Department.</p> + +<p>The collector naturally desires to know what supposed +peculiarities of the public demand led to the +selection of these values, and not others. As already +shown, the carriers were paid out of the receipts +from the sale of the two carrier stamps.</p> + +<p>The one cent was required for newspapers and +other printed matter, either singly or in twos, +threes, fours, fives, sixes, etc., and Mr. Sterling has +preserved specimens thus used, adhering, either in +strips by the sides or ends, or in blocks.</p> + +<p>The three cent stamp paid the ordinary letter +rate, and two or more would be required on double, +triple, etc., letters. Mr. Sterling has also preserved +strips and blocks of these found so used.</p> + +<p>The single postage to California was six cents. +This was also the double letter rate, and it seems +singular that a stamp of this value was not issued. +Its place was supplied by two three cent stamps, +the double rate to California by four three cent +stamps, etc. That it was also supplied occasionally +by half of the twelve cent stamp, cut diagonally +from corner to corner, specimens so used on the +original envelopes in the possession of the same +gentleman abundantly prove. The twelve cent +must, therefore, have had no function except to replace +a quadruple ordinary rate, or a double California +rate. For foreign letters, the postage was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +10 or 20 cents, when not provided for by treaty. +Most of the treaties fixed the same rates, and +stamps of those values would seem to have been +required. The fact that prepayment was optional, +may have influenced the demand for these values.</p> + +<p>Soon after the issue of the foregoing series, the +postal rates were again discussed in congress, and +the law amended as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>XXXIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 173, Section 31, +approved March 30th, 1885, entitled: "An Act further to +amend the Act entitled: 'An Act to reduce, etc., approved +March 3d, 1851.'"</p> + +<p>Be it enacted, etc. That in lieu of the rates of postage +now established by law, there shall be charged the +following rates to wit: For every single letter in manuscript, +or paper of any kind in which information shall +be asked, or, communicated in writing, or by marks or +signs, conveyed in the mail, for any distance between +places in the United States not exceeding 3,000 miles, +three cents; and for any distance exceeding 3,000 miles, +ten cents. And for a double letter, there shall be +charged double the rates above specified; and for a treble +letter, treble these rates, and for a quadruple letter, +quadruple these rates; and every letter or paper not exceeding +half an ounce in weight shall be deemed a single +letter; and every additional weight of half an ounce, +or every additional weight of less than half an ounce, +shall be charged with an additional single postage; and +upon all letters passing through or in the mail of the +United States, except such as are to or from a foreign +country, the postages as above specified, shall be prepaid, +except upon letters and papers addressed to officers +of the government on official business, which shall be so +marked on the envelope. And from and after the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +day of January, 1856, the Postmaster General may require +postmasters to place postage stamps upon all prepaid +letters, upon which such stamps may not have been +placed by the writers.</p> + +<p>And all drop letters, or letters placed in the post office, +not for transmission through the mail, but for delivery +only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of +one cent each, and all letters which shall hereafter be +advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any +post office, shall be charged with one cent each in addition +to the regular postage, both to be accounted for as +other postages now are.</p> + +<p>Section 2. And be it further enacted, that it shall +be unlawful for any postmaster or other person, to sell any +postage stamp or stamped envelope for any larger sum +than that indicated upon the face of such postage stamp, +or for a larger sum than that charged therefor by the +Post Office Department.</p> + +<p>[Here follows the penalty for so doing.]</p> + +<p>Section 3. And be it further enacted: That for the +greater security of valuable letters posted for transmission +in the mails of the United States, the Postmaster +General be, and hereby is authorized to establish a uniform +plan for the registration of such letters on application +of parties posting the same, and to require the prepayment +of the postage, as well as a registration fee of +five cents, on every such letter or packet, to be accounted +for by postmasters receiving the same, in such +manner as the Postmaster General may direct: Provided, +however, that such registration shall not be compulsory: +and shall not render the Post Office Department, +or its revenues liable for the loss of such letter or package, +or the contents thereof.</p></div> + +<p>By this Act there was established for the first +time compulsory prepayment, at a uniform rate of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +3 and 10 cents, according as the distance was less +or greater than 3,000 miles, upon letters in the +United States, and the Act of the XXXIV Congress, +Session III, Chapter 1, approved January +2d, 1857, entitled: "An Act to provide for the +compulsory Prepayment of Postage on all transient +printed matter," which provided, that such postage +"shall be prepaid by stamps or otherwise, as the +Postmaster General may direct," completes the +legislation upon the subject, so far as it is of interest +here, up to the year 1861.</p> + +<p>Upon the approval of this Act, the following circular, +dated at Washington, March 12th, 1855, +was issued to postmasters:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="header">NEW POSTAGE ACT.</p> + +<p class="center txt90">INSTRUCTIONS TO POSTMASTERS.</p> + +<p>The particular attention of Postmasters and others is +invited to the annexed Act, passed at the last session of +Congress. It will be observed:</p> + +<p>1st. That from and after April 1st, 1855, the single +rate of postage on a letter conveyed in the mail, for any +distance in the United States, not exceeding three +thousand miles, is three cents, and for any distance exceeding +three thousand miles, ten cents.</p> + +<p>2nd. That from and after April 1st, 1855, prepayment +by stamps, stamped envelopes or in money is compulsory.</p> + +<p>3rd. That from and after January 1st, 1856, all letters, +between places in the United States, must be prepaid +either by postage stamps or stamped envelopes.</p> + +<p>4th. That the laws relating to the Franking Privilege +are not altered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> + +<p>5th. That the existing rates and regulations in regard +to letters to or from Canada, and all foreign countries, +remain unchanged.</p> + +<p>Unpaid letters mailed before April 1st, 1855, will be +forwarded and delivered upon payment of the postage, +by the person addressed. Postage stamps and stamped +envelopes, of the denomination of ten cents, will be prepared +and issued speedily, and the Department will use +every exertion to supply all post offices with one and +and three cent stamps also, as fast as they are required.</p> + +<p>Absolute prepayment being required on all letters to +places within the United States, from and after April +1st, 1855, great care should be used as well in prepaying +the proper amount on letters above the weight of half +an ounce, as on single letters.</p> + +<p>Postmasters will post up conspicuously in their respective +offices a notice, calling attention to the provisions +of the Act requiring prepayment.</p> + +<p>The provisions in regard to the registration of valuable +letters will be carried into effect, and special instructions +issued on the subject, as soon as the necessary +blanks can be prepared and distributed.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad8">(Signed)</span> <span class="rpad2">JAMES CAMPBELL,</span><br /> +Postmaster General.</p> + +<p><i>Post Office Department, March 12, 1855.</i></p> + +<p>N. B.—Copy of the Act of March 3d, 1855, on the back.</p></div> + +<p>Another circular dated at Washington, Nov. 20th, +1855, also signed by the Postmaster General, after +reciting certain regulations which are addressed to +and concern only the postmasters themselves, contains +the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Section 7. The denominations of postage stamps +authorized by the Department to be issued, are <i>one</i>, +<i>three</i>, <i>five</i>, <i>ten</i> and <i>twelve</i> cents."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>The one, three and twelve cents of the issue of +1851, remaining in use without apparent change, +and the same contract with Messrs. Toppan, Carpenter, +Cassilar & Co., of Philadelphia, remaining +in force, the following were added to the series:</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of May 5th, 1855.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> Portrait of Washington, after Stewart, +faced three-quarters to the left, on an oval +disk with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless +line between two fine colored lines, the colorless +line crossed in parts by small horizontal lines, on a +hatched back-ground, bordered by outlined foliations, +which form small ovals in the upper corners +containing a colorless "X," with "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" +in colored capitals between them. Thirteen colorless +stars on the ground above the oval. "<i>Ten +Cents</i>" in colorless capitals in a waved line below.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 18 by 24 mm., in color, on +white paper.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents, green.</p> + +<p>This stamp was issued to provide for the single +rate to California.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of January 5th, 1856.</span></p> + +<p><i>Five Cents.</i> Portrait of Jefferson, the third President +of the United States, faced three quarters to +the right, on an oval disk, 12½ by 15½ mm., with +hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line between +two fine colored lines, in a broad frame with +solid ground, ornamented by colorless lines forming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +a geometric lathe pattern. This frame is rounded +at the corners, with a small projection of about 2 +mm. between at the top, bottom and sides, and is +surrounded at a little distance by a fine colored line +following the same outline. On the back ground, +without labels, above "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," below +"<i>Five Cents</i>," in colorless Roman capitals.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white +paper.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, in shades of yellow brown, red brown, and dark brown.</p> + +<p>This stamp was issued to prepay the registration +fee, but is often found in unsevered pairs upon +California letters, and sometimes in triplets including +the registration fee and a single postage to California.</p> + +<p>On the 24th of April, 1856, a stamp of the value +of twenty-four cents was approved.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents.</span> Portrait of Washington, +after Stewart, faced three quarters to the right, on +an oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by a +colorless line, surrounded by a solid band of color, +inscribed in colorless Roman capitals, above "<i>U. S. +Postage</i>," below "<i>Twenty-four Cents</i>," separated by +a sort of buckle at the sides. A broad solid colored +frame, ornamented by colorless lathe work is surrounded, +at a little distance, by a fine colored line, +and the corners are rounded, with a single swell +between them above and below, and three between +them at the sides.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate impression, 18½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper.</p> + +<p class="center">24 cents, lilac.</p> + +<p>Although made and approved, this stamp is said +to have been withheld from issue in this imperforate +condition. They were finished and gummed, +and some of them seem to have gotten into circulation, +as occasional specimens are to be found in +collections, and one entire sheet, at least, is known +to have existed.</p> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></p> + +<p>Every collector ought at least to be aware of the +nature and character of the varieties that exist in +these stamps. Although many of them are very +minute, and can be distinguished only by the use +of a good magnifying glass, others, once noticed, +can readily be selected by the unassisted eye. Few +will care, probably, to place more than the most +marked varieties in their collections, still fewer will +have the patience to explore the necessary piles of +common "stock," in order to find these marked +varieties, for the most marked are the most uncommon, +or to distinguish the more minute varieties +from each other.</p> + +<p>The plates of all values printed 200 stamps each +upon the sheet. Before the stamps were distributed, +each sheet was cut vertically into half sheets, +the place where they were to be cut being marked +on the plate by a vertical colored line, and each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +half containing ten rows of ten stamps each. Upon +each side of the plate, at a little distance from +the outer row of stamps, the tops of the letters being +towards the stamps, and running along the +sides of the 5th and 6th stamp from the top or bottom +of the sheet, and part of the 4th and 7th stamp, +is the maker's imprint, "Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar +& Co., BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS, Phila., New +York, Boston and Cincinnati," with "No—P." in a +second line. This imprint was afterwards changed +by leaving out the third name.</p> + +<p>The one cent eagle is an exception, as the imprint +here appears at the top and bottom of the sheet, +running along the space covered by four stamps, +and the sheet is said to have contained only 100 +stamps.</p> + +<p>Upon some of the sheets, of the other values, from +the first plate, there is also a vertical line from the +top to bottom of the plate, probably upon each outer +margin. Upon other sheets, this does not appear. +Specimens of these are now difficult to obtain, +as the wide borders at the sides, the top +and bottom of the sheets, were usually cut off when +the stamps were used.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">One Cent Unperforated.</span></p> + +<p>The stamps are about ½ mm. apart between the +nearest points of the tops and bottoms, and 1 mm. +between the nearest points of the sides.</p> + +<p>It should be noticed that the top and bottom labels +have a fine line parallel to the solid body of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +the inscribed labels, both at the top and bottom.</p> + +<p>The imprint is about 1½ mm. from the outer row +of stamps. The central vertical line is about 1¾ mm. +from each central row. The side vertical lines +are about 3¾ mm. from the outside rows. These +dimensions vary slightly. There is little appreciable +difference in the stamps in a sheet, except in +the thickness of the lines bordering or shading the +ornaments. In some specimens, these lines are all +fine in all parts of the stamp, in others, they are +much heavier, and in others fine in parts and heavy +in other parts, in many gradations. The color used +seems to have been always the same, varying only in +intensity, as more or less ink was left on the paper in +printing. Dark, or pale specimens, with intermediate +shades may therefore be found. The paper is +always white, but more or less tinted with the color +of the stamp from imperfect wiping of the plates.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Three Cents Unperforated.</span></p> + +<p>The number of plates used in printing this value +unperforated, has not been possible to determine. +The distance between the stamps varies considerably +in different plates. In some, they are only 7/10 mm. +apart between the tops and bottoms, in others +a little over 1 mm. In some they are only 9/10 mm. +apart between the side lines, in other fully 1-2/10 mm. +Specimens with broad, white margins (A) show the +paper to have extended, sometimes 15 mm. beyond +the stamps. The vertical lines are (B) 6 mm.,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +or (C) 2½, 3 and 3¾ mm. from the center rows. +The makers imprint (D) is about 1½ mm. from the +outer rows, but varies slightly in different sheets.</p> + +<p>The process of making these plates is said to have +been; first to mark out on a soft plate of steel the +points at which the right vertical line of each vertical +row of stamps was to come, by a dot at the top +and bottom of the plate. These dots were sometimes +too large and too heavily put in, and may be +found in some specimens (E) at or near, the upper +or lower right hand corner of the stamp. The lines +however were not always accurately drawn so that +the dot appears (F) on the top or bottom line, at a +distance to the left of the corner, or (G) above the +line, or (H) below the line, or (I) entirely outside +of the stamp to the right. These lines having been +drawn, the next step in the process was to put in +the body of the design, which had been engraved +on a soft steel punch or die, and then hardened, +by placing the die successively in the position to +be occupied by each stamp on the plate, and +"rocking" it back and forth under pressure. As +this process was not as perfect as that now employed, +the die was not always placed in exactly the +proper position, not infrequently being too near +or too far from the vertical side lines, or the die +was not rocked far enough, and the edges were left +imperfect.</p> + +<p>In the design, it was evidently intended that the +outside lines should be equally distant from the top +and bottom labels, and the side edges of the block,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +and that the corners should be exactly mitered. +The top and bottom lines are practically always at +the same distance from the labels, and one engraver +maintains that they were engraved on the die. But +specimens are plentiful in which (a) the top and +bottom line projects beyond the side line, or (b) +does not touch it, or rarely (c) is double or split, +or again the side line (d) projects beyond the top +or bottom line, or (e) does not touch it. Again, +instead of the side line being (f) at the proper +distance from the corner blocks, it is not infrequently +(g) too far from one or more of them, or +(h) too near one or more of them, or (i) touches +one or more of them. Again, the side line is found +(j) connecting with the next stamp above or below, +and occasionally there is a second line (J) near this +between two stamps.</p> + +<p>In the die itself it will be noticed that the lower +left block is almost always a little further to the left +than the top one, in fact, that the distance from the +right of the right block to the left of the left block +is about ¼ of a mm. greater at the bottom than at +the top of the stamp. The lower right rosette is a +little too far also to the right, ordinarily at least. +The blocks vary in size in the same and different +stamps, as well as the diamonds in them, which are +not of uniform shape or size. The labels above +and below are crowded upon the rosettes. The +sides of the groundwork should terminate in a +straight line, formed by the bases of the little colored +triangles, which touch each other. But this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +line is often broken in appearance as parts of it are +too finely cut, or the die was not rocked far enough. +In some cases this seems to have been remedied by +re-engraving this line, and there is a heavy line, +independent of the base lines of the triangles extending, +(K) from rosette to rosette, (L) from the +lower rosette to the upper triangle, (M) from the +lower rosette to the middle of the upper triangle, +(N) from the lower rosette to the top of the upper +triangle, (O) from the lower rosette to the upper +block, (P) a light line extending from the lower +rosette to the upper block, (Q) a heavy line extending +from the middle of the lower block to the upper +triangle, (R) or from the middle of the lower triangle +to the upper rosette. Frequently there is a +light line (S) from the side of the triangle in the +corner to the adjacent block. The triangles are ordinarily +shaded by horizontal parallel lines, and are +formed by a single fine line on the top and vertical +sides, while the curved side is double. But the +following variations occur: (T) the triangle has a +heavy side line, (U) a double side line, (V) a triple +side line, (W) is white or nearly so, the horizontal +line having disappeared.</p> + +<p>Again it will be found that there are added lines +along the whole or part of either side line, making +these double, or even triple. Thus whether there +is a distinct line, as described, between the rosettes, +etc., or not, if the next line be called the frame line, +there may be found varieties with an extra line outside +the frame line, but (k) very near it, (l) farther<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +from it, (m) very heavy, the frame line being thin, +(n) the frame line split into two parts from the middle +up, (o) frame line split into two parts from +chin up, (p) two extra side lines all the way, (q) +extra line from the level of the chin to the upper +rosette, (r) extra line from the level of the lips to +upper rosette, (s) from the level of the lips to the +centre of the rosette, (t) from the level of the nose +to the top of the triangle, (u) from the level of the +breast to the top of the triangle, (v) opposite the +bottom rosette. If there be added to these letters the +numerals 1 to express the left side, 2 the right when +the variations occur along the whole side, and 1 for +the top, 3 for the bottom on the left side, 2 for the +top, and 4 for the bottom on the right side, when +the variations occur only at the top or bottom, the +following table will facilitate investigation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">On the<br />LEFT<br />at the<br />Top Bottom</td> +<td align="center">Specimens Showing</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">On the<br />RIGHT<br />at the<br />Top Bottom</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">A<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">broad margin over 6 mm. and no line</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">A<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">B<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">broad margin ver. line 6 mm. from stamp</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">B<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">C<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">broad margin ver. line 2½ to 3½ "</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">C<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">D<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">broad margin ver. line printer's imprint</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">D<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td> +<td align="left">dot on or near the corner</td> +<td align="center">E<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">E<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td> +<td align="left">dot on the end line, away from corner</td> +<td align="center">F<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">F<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td> +<td align="left">dot above end line</td> +<td align="center">G<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">G<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td> +<td align="left">dot below end line</td> +<td align="center">H<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">H<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td> +<td align="left">dot outside the corner</td> +<td align="center">I<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">I<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">a<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">a<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">end line projecting beyond the corner</td> +<td align="center">a<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">a<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">b<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">b<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">end line not touching the corner</td> +<td align="center">b<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">b<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">c<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">end line split or double</td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="center">c<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">d<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">d<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line projecting beyond the corner</td> +<td align="center">d<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">d<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">e<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">e<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line not touching the corner</td> +<td align="center">e<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">e<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">f<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">f<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line ordinary distance from block</td> +<td align="center">f<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">f<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">g<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">g<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line too far from block</td> +<td align="center">g<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">g<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">h<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">h<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line too close to block</td> +<td align="center">h<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">h<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">i<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">i<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line touching the block</td> +<td align="center">i<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">i<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">j<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">j<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">side line connecting with the next stamp</td> +<td align="center">j<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">j<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">...</td><td align="center">...</td> +<td align="left">side line and another with the next stamp</td> +<td align="center">J<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">K<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from rosette to rosette</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">K<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">L<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from low. roset. to up'r triangle</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">L<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">M<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from lo. r. to mid. of up'r triangle</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">M<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">N<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from lo. r. to top of up'r triangle</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">N<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">O<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from lo. r. to up'r block</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">O<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">P<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">light line from lo. r. to up'r block</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">P<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">Q<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from mid. low. block to triangle</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">Q<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">R<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line from mid. low. tri. to up. roset.</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">R<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">S<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">S<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">fine line from triangle to adjoining block</td> +<td align="center">S<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">S<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">T<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">T<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">triangle with heavy side line</td> +<td align="center">T<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">T<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">U<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">U<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">triangle with extra side line</td> +<td align="center">U<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">U<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">V<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">V<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">triangle with 2 extra side line</td> +<td align="center">V<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">V<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">W<sup>1</sup></td><td align="center">W<sup>3</sup></td> +<td align="left">triangle with white or nearly so</td> +<td align="center">W<sup>2</sup></td><td align="center">W<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">k<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line, outside frame line near it</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">k<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">l<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line, outside frame line far off</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">l<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">m<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">heavy line, outside thin frame line</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">m<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">n<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">frame line, split into 2 parts half way</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">n<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">o<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">frame line, split into 2 parts ¾ way</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">p<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">two extra lines, continuous</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">q<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line frame, lev. of chin to up'r roset.</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">r<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line frame, lev. of lips to up'r roset.</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">s<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line frame, lev. of lips center roset.</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">t<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line frame, lev. of nose, top of trian.</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">u<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line frame, lev. of breast, top of trian.</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">v<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left">extra line opposite the bottom rosette</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">...</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>All the variations mentioned in this table have been +found. It is scarcely possible that each of them exists +separately, i. e.; on specimens that are in other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +respects normal. Many of them have been found +so, but most of them only in combination. The following +may be mentioned:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A, B, C, D. Specimens showing broad margins with +no outer line, with outer line 6 mm. from stamp, with +outer line about 3 mm. from the stamp, or with printer's +imprint, have been found, both from the left and right +sides of the sheet, with all the other parts normal. These +would be,</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="Specimens Chart"> +<tr><td align="left">A<sup>1</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td> +<td align="left">A<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td> +<td align="left">B<sup>1</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td> +<td align="left">B<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">C<sup>1</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td> +<td align="left">C<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td> +<td align="left">D<sup>1</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>,</td> +<td align="left">D<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>With the vertical line about 3 mm. from the stamp, +three corners only normal, the side line too near the lower +right block, a dot on the upper right corner, the right line +connected with the stamp below, and a fine line from +each of the upper triangles to the block above, which +would be C<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3</sup> h<sup>4</sup> E<sup>2</sup> j<sup>4</sup> S<sup>2 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>And also with the vertical line about 3 mm. from +the stamp, all the corners normal, a heavy line terminating +the ground between the rosettes on the right, +both the triangles on the right connected with the +blocks next them, and an extra vertical line in the upper +right triangle, which would be C<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup> K<sup>2</sup> S<sup>2 4</sup> U<sup>2</sup>, +which will serve to show the character of the combinations +in which these varieties may be found.</p> + +<p>Varieties showing the dot, E to I, generally present +other varieties also. The following combinations may be +noted:</p> + +<p>With the bottom line double, or rather split, three +of the triangles have fine connecting lines, c<sup>3</sup> c<sup>4</sup> S<sup>2 3 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the right side prolonged, and continuous with +the side line of the stamp above or below, j<sup>2</sup> or j<sup>4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the right side line prolonged upwards, and continuous +with the lower, but not with the upper stamp +and a second line 1 mm. to left from stamp to stamp, J<sup>2</sup>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>With the extra line outside the frame line on right +and near it, all the other parts being normal, the line of +the ground work not appearing as a separate line, k<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With an extra line outside the frame line on right and +near it, a heavy line from rosette to rosette on the right, +giving the appearance of three parallel lines on that +side, a similar line from rosette to rosette on the left, +and a fine line from the upper right triangle to block, +k<sup>2</sup> K<sup>2 1</sup> S<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the same arrangement, but the heavy line on the +right of ground extends to the top of the upper triangle, +there is a fine line to the block, k<sup>2</sup> K<sup>1</sup> N<sup>2</sup> S<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With an extra line outside the frame line on the right +but further from it. The left line touches the rosette, +and is very near the upper left block. The upper triangles +both have the extra vertical line, and the right triangles +both have the fine line connecting them with the adjacent +block, l<sup>2</sup> h<sup>1</sup> U<sup>1 2</sup> S<sup>2 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the right frame line split into two parts in its +lower half. The upper right triangle has the extra vertical +line, and the fine line to upper block, n<sup>2</sup> U<sup>2</sup> S<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra line outside the left frame line, and a +distinct line between the left rosettes, the right line near +the corner blocks, k<sup>1</sup> K<sup>1</sup> h<sup>2 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the same peculiarities, but frame line touches +the lower left corner, k<sup>1</sup> K<sup>1</sup> h<sup>2</sup> i<sup>4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With two extra lines outside the left frame line, and a +heavy line between the left rosettes, so that the stamp +appears to have four lines on that side. The right frame +line runs from block to block, touching both triangles +and rosettes. There is a dot in the lower right corner, +and another to the left of it, p<sup>1</sup> S<sup>1</sup> i<sup>2 4</sup> E<sup>4</sup> F<sup>4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra line on the left very light, and a heavier +one outside, and the ground does not appear to end in a +line, m<sup>1</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra line on the left the usual thickness, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +the frame line heavier. The right frame line touches +all the parts on that side, l<sup>1</sup> i<sup>2 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the frame line on the left split into two parts +from the level of the chin up, the inner touches the rosette, +the triangle and almost touches the block. The right +frame line is split into two parts in the lower half. Both +the right triangles have the finer line, and the upper the +extra vertical line, q<sup>1</sup> i<sup>2</sup> n<sup>2</sup> U<sup>2 4</sup> S<sup>4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra outside line from level of lips to +the upper rosette. All four triangles are connected with +the blocks, the upper right and lower left have the extra +vertical line, r<sup>1</sup> U<sup>1 2 3 4</sup> S<sup>3 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With extra outside line from level of the lips to the +level of the center of the rosette. The frame line is too +near the top on the left, the upper right triangle is connected +with the block, and has the extra vertical line, +the lower right triangle is also connected with the block, +s<sup>1</sup> h<sup>1</sup> S<sup>2 4</sup> U<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra left line from the level of the nose to +the top of the rosette, the upper right triangle connected +with the upper block, and with extra vertical line, t<sup>1</sup> +S<sup>2</sup> U<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra line on the left from the level of the +breast to the top of the rosette, the frame line is too near +the upper left corner, and an extra vertical line in all the +triangles, u<sup>1</sup> i<sup>1</sup> U<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the extra line on the left opposite the bottom rosette +only. The two upper triangles are connected with +the blocks, and an extra line in the upper right one, +v<sup>1</sup> S<sup>1 2</sup> U<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the left frame line heavy, and too near to the +bottom block, a split runs off to left half way down. Both +sides appear to have a heavy line from rosette to rosette, +but the left one is irregular, all the triangles are connected +with the adjoining blocks, and all except the +lower right one have the extra vertical line, h<sup>3</sup> n<sup>1</sup> S<sup>1 2 3 4</sup> +U<sup>1 2 3</sup> K<sup>1 2</sup>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the above descriptions, no mention has been +made of those parts that are in their proper ordinary +position.</p> + +<p>These varieties are the leading ones, and are +probably more than enough to show the combinations. +Less conspicuous ones are numberless. +Owing to the scarcity of adhering specimens, +and the uncertainty as to how many plates +were actually employed, no attempt has been made +to reconstruct any plate. It is perhaps necessary +to repeat that the collection of any, except +perhaps the more marked varieties, is not advocated.</p> + +<p>The color of these stamps varies wonderfully, +every shade from pale to dark, with yellowish vermilion, +pink, red, and carmine may be found. Some +are undoubtedly changelings from accidental causes, +particularly those that run from brown and black +brown, to an almost jet black, which were at one +time much sought after.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Unperforated Five Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The stamps are about 1½ mm. apart each way +on the sheet. All have the projection at the top +and bottom. Double and triple adhering specimens +may be found, but are rare. The imprint is +on the sides, 1¾ mm. from the stamps. No specimens +have been found with vertical lines.</p> + +<p>The color is generally dark, either a chestnut +brown, or with a stronger reddish cast.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Unperforated Ten Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The stamps are 2½ mm. apart each way on the +sheet. The imprint is at about 1¾ mm. from the +side rows. The few specimens with the vertical +lines examined, show it at 3 mm. from the stamps. +The color is a yellow-green, of which dark and +light impressions may readily be found. A block of +four used, adhering 2 and 2, is possessed by Mr. +Sterling.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Unperforated Twelve Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The stamps are 1 mm. apart each way on the +sheet. The vertical line 2½ mm. from the stamps. +No specimens with the imprint have come under the +notice of the author. The color is very uniform, +slightly greyish-black. Adhering specimens are +rare. A pair adhering by the sides, used, and a +block of four unused, are in Mr. Sterlings' collection, +and the curious specimens divided diagonally, +on the original letters, in the same collection, have +already been mentioned.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Unperforated Twenty-Four Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The imprint is at the side, 1¾ mm. from the +stamp. The stamps are 2 mm. apart. The rarity of +specimens has prevented further examination. The +color of the specimens seen is lilac, with the reddish +cast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">One Cent "Carrier," (Franklin.)</span></p> + +<p>This stamp was never issued perforated. The +imprint is 4 mm. from the side rows, and the stamps +are about 1 mm. apart.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">One Cent "Carrier," (Eagle.)</span></p> + +<p>This stamp was never issued perforated, and any +specimens so catalogued will be found to be the reprints. +The printer's imprint is at the bottom or +top of the four centre rows in the sheet. As the +Department is accustomed to call the half sheets issued +"sheets," it is often difficult to know which is +meant. It has been stated that there are only 100 +stamps on the plate. The imprint is 4 mm. from +the stamps, and the places where the stamps are to +be cut apart are indicated by single lines ruled horizontally +and vertically.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XIX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1857.</span></h3> + + +<p>Without any change in the law, and, so far as is +known, without any announcement of the improvement, +on the 24th of February, 1857, the three cent +value of the type of 1851 was issued perforated, +and the other values of the series speedily followed +with the perforation, and so remained without addition +until the middle of 1860.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1857.</span></p> + +<p>Same values, types and colors as the prior issue, +perforated with 15 holes in the space of two millimetres.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated +15.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">shades</td><td align="left">of</td> +<td align="left">indigo blue.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">red.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">0</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">green.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">black.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The report of the Postmaster General, dated December +1st, 1860, states that:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Larger denominations of postage stamps have been +adopted and introduced, especially intended for the purpose +of affording requisite facilities to prepay the postage +on letters to foreign countries, and of removing all +excuse heretofore existing for paying such postages in +money. The new denominations are twenty-four cents, +thirty cents and ninety cents. The two latter have been +introduced since July 1st, last," i. e. since the commencement +of the new fiscal year.</p></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of June 15th, 1860.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents.</span> The stamp described on +page 95 as prepared imperforated in 1856, but not +regularly issued in that condition, was now issued +perforated.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 18½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 15.</p> + +<p class="center">24 cents, lilac.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of August 12th, 1860.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thirty Cents.</span> Head of Benjamin Franklin, in +profile to the left, similar to that on, the Carrier's +Stamp of September, 1851, on an oval disk with +hatched back-ground bounded by a colorless line +ornamented by a single fine colored line. A colored +back-ground fills out the rectangle and is ornamented +by a shield of the United States in each of the four +corners, the bottom of the shields pointed towards +the center, and the ground just behind them ornamented +by colorless rays, with a foliated ornament +on each side of them. Between the ornaments +in colorless capitals, on the solid ground, above, in +two lines, "<i>U. S.</i>" and "<i>Postage</i>," below "30," on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +the left side "<i>Thirty</i>," and on the right side "<i>Cents</i>."</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 24 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 15.</p> + +<p class="center">30 cents, orange.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of August 13th, 1860.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ninety Cents.</span> Bust of Washington, in General's +uniform, after Trumbal, faced three quarters to the +left, on closely hatched ground, appearing nearly +solid, square below, arched above, bordered by a +colorless line. Solid arched label above, inscribed +in colorless capitals, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>"; below, solid +straight label, inscribed in the same letters "<i>Ninety +Cents</i>." The ends of the upper label are curved inwards, +those of the lower label outwards, and the +colorless line borders the ends and remaining side +of each. Outside a double colored line borders all, +forming foliated ornaments, etc. There is an added +colored line at the top and bottom, and fine +lines shading the ornaments.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 18½ by 24 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 15.</p> + +<p class="center">90 cents, deep indigo blue.</p> + +<p>The twenty-four cents was required to prepay the +single rate of postage on letters to England, and +the thirty cents to prepay the single rate on letters +to Germany. The ninety cents does not seem to +have been required for any single rate. The contract +with the Bank Note Engravers, Toppan, Carpenter +and Co., expired on the 10th of June, 1861, +and all the stamps made by them were withdrawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +from circulation, and ceased to be available for +postage, between August 1st, 1861, and January +1st 1862, as will appear from the circulars quoted, +relating to the issue of 1861. They have been reprinted, +differently perforated, and sold to collectors +by the department. (See chapter on reprints.)</p> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></p> + +<p>The one, three, five, ten and twelve cent values +were first made by perforating sheets from the original +plates, and later, certain changes were made +that require to be noticed.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">One Cent, Perforated.</span></p> + +<p>The first perforated sheets being from the same +plates as the unperforated, the same observations +apply to them. It is to be noticed that these had +the fine colored line outside the labels <i>at the top +and bottom</i>. Owing to the nearness of the stamps +on the sheets the perforation generally cut into the +stamps, either at the top or bottom, and cut these +lines, but the remains will be found on the points +left between the holes. Careful search will secure +specimens in which both these lines are intact, though +they are somewhat rare. The vertical lines, printer's +imprint, etc., are of course in the same positions, +and the same varieties of finer or coarser lines +may be found. The color varies in the same degree. +The paper is apparently the same, with the +same tinting, from the imperfectly wiped plates.</p> + +<p>In later specimens, however, the attempt was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +made to keep the perforations from impinging on +the printed portion. This was done by removing +the larger portion of the fine colored lines outside +the labels, and with them, portions of the upper +and lower ornaments. In many cases, they appear +to have been wiped off, and the ends are smudged. +In others, they are clear and distinct. A great +many varieties result, as a greater or less portion of +the lines or ornaments were removed. Some of them +are curious enough, in stamps that have always been +supposed to present no varieties. The fact being +pointed out, it is hardly worth while to attempt to +distinguish them.</p> + +<p>The vertical lines and printer's imprints are in +the same positions. The stamps are still so near +together that evenly perforated specimens, i. e.; +specimens in which the perforation does not cut +some portion of the stamp, are not easily found.</p> + +<p><i>Two marked varieties</i> may be noticed. In one, the +outer fine line <i>is removed above the top label</i>, while +that under the bottom is left intact. In the other, +this outer line is removed <i>below the bottom label</i>, +while it remains intact above the top label. Both +these variations are exceedingly uncommon and +appear to belong to the bottom and top rows of the +sheet respectively, though this has not been verified. +The same observations may be repeated as +to variations in the thickness of lines, the color of +the paper and the impression.</p> + +<p><i>Oddities.</i> Specimen showing two rows of perforations +at the top and bottom. Specimen without +the outer lines to labels, unperforated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Three Cents Perforated.</span></p> + +<p>The first perforated sheets of the three cents +were from the same plate as the last unperforated +sheets, and consequently have the rectangular outside +frame lines, not only at the sides, but at the +top and bottom as well. As the stamps measure +25 mm. vertically and are only 1 mm. apart, and +the horizontal rows of perforation are about 25½ +mm. from center to center of the holes vertically, +the perforations generally cut into the stamp and +partially obliterate these lines. As the stamps are +only 1 mm. apart at the sides, and are 19½ mm. +wide, and the vertical rows of perforations are 20½ +mm. from center to center of the holes horizontally +and the holes are nearly 1 mm. in diameter, the +side perforations also usually cut into some part +of the stamp. It is therefore quite difficult to find +good specimens of this variety, and to distinguish +some of the minor varieties, as the corners are +generally imperfect. Specimens were found showing +the sheet cut along the colored vertical line, +and (X) perforated between this line and the +stamp, from either half of the sheet. New plates +were however, soon constructed. In one of these, +No. 24, the side lines are drawn on the plate from +the top to the bottom, and are about 19½ mm. +apart. The fine outer lines at the top and bottom +are entirely omitted. The maker's imprint, "Toppan, +Carpenter & Co., Bank Note Engravers, +Phila., New York, Boston and Cincinnati," 1¼ mm. +from the outer rows, is 68 mm. long. "No. 24 P,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +is 4 mm. from the outer rows. The vertical center +line is 1¾ mm. from the stamp. The sheet measures +418 mm. from side to side, and 252½ mm. +from top to bottom of the printed part. The paper +is 447 by 283 mm. The vertical rows of stamps +are 1½ mm. apart, and the vertical rows of perforations +nearly 21 mm. apart horizontally from center +to center of the holes. The last two rows +at the sides are a little further apart. The horizontal +rows of holes are 25½ mm. apart vertically. +Most of the differences in the stamps on this +sheet arise from the fact that the central portion +is not always placed in the same position in regard +to the vertical lines. A few of the stamps show +dots in or near the corners.</p> + +<p>In some the lines are too near some of the corners, +in some too far off, and in others they touch +and even cut into the blocks. Some few show +double or partly double lines.</p> + +<p>The whole sheet from plate 24, above mentioned, +does not contain all the varieties round, nor are +they arranged just in the same order that they appear +in portions of other sheets examined.</p> + +<p>All the varieties possible, considering merely the +position of the corners and side lines, would be 246. +So that each stamp on a sheet might be different +in this respect without showing them all.</p> + +<p>In sheet 24 however, only 32 exist. There are +therefore, a number of each variety, as follows, by +the table previously given:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="left">hhhh</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td class="p117sp">hiif</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td class="p117sp">ifih</td><td align="right">2</td> +<td class="p117sp">fihh</td><td align="right">5</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hhhf</td><td align="right">2</td> +<td class="p117sp">hifh</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td class="p117sp">ifif</td><td align="right">13</td> +<td class="p117sp">fiih</td><td align="right">8</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hhih</td><td align="right">16</td> +<td class="p117sp">hfif</td><td align="right">3</td> +<td class="p117sp">fhhh</td><td align="right">2</td> +<td class="p117sp">fiii</td><td align="right">2</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hhif</td><td align="right">20</td> +<td class="p117sp">ihih</td><td align="right">14</td> +<td class="p117sp">fhhi</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td class="p117sp">fiif</td><td align="right">9</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hihh</td><td align="right">2</td> +<td class="p117sp">ihif</td><td align="right">32</td> +<td class="p117sp">fhhf</td><td align="right">2</td> +<td class="p117sp">fihh</td><td align="right">2</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hihi</td><td align="right">2</td> +<td class="p117sp">iiih</td><td align="right">7</td> +<td class="p117sp">fhih</td><td align="right">3</td> +<td class="p117sp">fihi</td><td align="right">3</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hiih</td><td align="right">20</td> +<td class="p117sp">iiii</td><td align="right">12</td> +<td class="p117sp">fhif</td><td align="right">5</td> +<td class="p117sp">ffhf</td><td align="right">1</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">hiii</td><td align="right">5</td> +<td class="p117sp">iiif</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td class="p117sp">fhff</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td class="p117sp">ffif</td><td align="right">2</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The 11th stamp in the first horizontal row, the +11th and 12th in the second row, the 13th in the 4th +row, and the 17th to 20th in the 10th row show an +extra line to the left of the left bottom rosette, V<sup>1</sup>.</p> + +<p>In the 18th vertical row the left line actually +cuts through the left block in four specimens which +are marked as if it merely touched in the foregoing +list.</p> + +<p>The 14th and 15th stamps in the top row show +the dot.</p> + +<p>The 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th stamps +in the upper row show the right vertical line not +only too far, g<sup>2</sup> g<sup>4</sup>, as marked, but very far from +the corner block.</p> + +<p>The 9th stamp in the upper row has the double +left line.</p> + +<p>The center stamps of this sheet are all of the +varieties marked hiih in the list, on the right half +of the sheet, and hhih or hhif, on the left half.</p> + +<p>None of the more prominent varieties are to be +found on this sheet unless the 9th stamp in the +upper row may be considered as such. Loose +specimens from other plates show the vertical line +only 7/8 mm. from the stamps. Some of these are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +otherwise like those mentioned before, and hfhg, +gfff and ffhf from the left side, and hfhh, fhfg, +fgfg and ifig have also been noted. The above are +all cut at or near the vertical line. Some of the same +varieties exist perforated along this line, and higg +and fihh exist also so perforated. In loose specimens +have also been found, igig, ihih, ifif, hhhf, +hhhi, hhfh, hhff, hhif, hfhh, hfif, hfig, hgig, hgif, hifi, +hiih, gfgh, gfgf, gfff, ghgh, gigi, ffff, fffh, ffhg, +fgfg, fghf, fghg, fgig, fhfh, figh, varieties not on +sheet from plate 24.</p> + +<p>Passing now from these varieties dependent upon +the nearness of the lines and corner blocks the +following more interesting variations may be found:</p> + +<p>With the upper left corners too far from the +blocks, the others being ordinary; there is an extra +line outside the frame line and close to it, at +the right, g<sup>1</sup> f<sup>2 3 4</sup> k<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the upper left corner too far from the block, +the lower left corner too near to the block, an extra +line outside the frame line and close to it, +g<sup>1</sup> f<sup>2</sup> h<sup>3</sup> f<sup>4</sup> k<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the upper left corner too far from the block, +the others ordinary, the frame line light, the extra +line heavier. Numerous specimens showing the +frame line broken, those with it perfect are much +rarer, g<sup>1</sup> f<sup>2 3 4</sup> m<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the upper right corner very near the block, +all the others ordinary but the right frame line runs +only half way down, and into the ground work. +The extra line outside is the real side line, beginning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +too far from the upper right corner, and running +down to the right position at the bottom (Y). Both +the triangles on the right have the fine line connecting +them with the adjacent blocks, and also the +extra vertical line, f<sup>1</sup> i<sup>2</sup> t<sup>3 4</sup> Y<sup>2</sup> S<sup>2 4</sup> U<sup>2 4</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the side line on the right starting at the usual +distance from the block, and running off to the right, +and ending half way down, at nearly twice the distance +from the body of the stamps at which it started. +A second line starts at the proper distance +from the stamp, and inside the other at about the +level of the lower point of the upper triangle, +and runs off to the right, down to the level of the +lower rosette. A third line starts at the proper +distance from the stamp, inside this at about the +middle of the stamp, and runs down straight, (Z) +g<sup>1</sup> f<sup>2</sup> i<sup>3</sup> f<sup>4</sup> S<sup>1 2 3</sup> Z<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the right line split about ½ way down, into +two or three parts, i<sup>1</sup> f<sup>2 3</sup> g<sup>4</sup> n<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With an extra line on both sides, f<sup>1 2</sup> g<sup>3</sup> f<sup>4</sup> k<sup>1</sup> k<sup>2</sup>.</p> + +<p>With an extra line outside the left frame line, but +far from it (almost the same distance as the frame +line is from the blocks), f<sup>1</sup> f<sup>2</sup> h<sup>3</sup> g<sup>4</sup> l<sup>1</sup>.</p> + +<p>With the frame line thin, often broken, and the +extra line heavy and further off. The outer line is +really the one drawn on the plate, and the inner +line probably put in afterwards. A number of differing +specimens. Also one in which there is no +side line on the left except a very thin line from the +level of the chin down, and another from the middle +of the lower triangle down, apparently an impression<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +from a worn plate, the left margin is wide, +the perforation cutting into the next stamp, m<sup>1</sup> in +varieties.</p> + +<p>With the left frame line split into two parts from +the level of the chin up, n<sup>1</sup>.</p> + +<p>These variations, and a few others easily recognized, +not found in the imperforate stamps add +to the table:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Variants Chart"> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">LEFT.<br />Top Bottom</td> +<td align="center" colspan="6"> </td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">RIGHT.<br />Top Bottom</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">X<sup>1</sup></td> +<td align="left" colspan="6">perforated along center line</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">X<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">...</td> +<td align="left" colspan="6">extra line inside half way</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">Y<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">...</td> +<td align="left" colspan="6">side line starts thrice</td> +<td align="center" colspan="2">Z<sup>2</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> </td> +<td align="left">extra line</td><td align="left">opposite</td> +<td align="left">lower</td><td align="left">½</td> +<td align="left">of stamp</td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="center">w<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">¼</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="center">x<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left" colspan="5">cen. of roset. to cen. of stamp</td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="center">y<sup>4</sup></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left" colspan="5">lower block to upper<span class="lpad2">"</span></td> +<td align="center"> </td><td align="center">z<sup>4</sup></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The color of all these stamps varies like the unperforated +greatly, and the same remarks concerning +it might be here repeated.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Perforated Five Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The stamps are 2½ mm. apart between the sides +and 1½ between the tops and bottoms; the imprint +etc., as before. In these sheets the perforations +generally cut into the stamp. They were printed +in many varying shades of several colors; dark +brown, dark black-brown, yellow brown, red brown, +and almost rose.</p> + +<p>The second plate was slightly altered. The little +projection or salie at the top and bottom was +partially or wholly removed, forming the following +variations:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Variations Chart"> +<tr><td align="left">5 cents</td><td align="left">perforated,</td> +<td align="right"> </td><td align="left">projection</td> +<td align="left">at top</td><td align="left">and</td><td align="left">bottom.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="right">½</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"> </td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">no</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">or</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The color is very variable, numerous shades of +dark black-brown, dark chestnut-brown, brown, +and yellow-brown may be found.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Perforated Ten Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The stamps were apparently, a little further +apart in some sheets than in others, and the color +presents only shades of the yellow-green. A +specimen is shown perforated in two rows at the +sides.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Perforated Twelve Cents.</span></p> + +<p>There seems to have been no change in this +value. An oddity is shown, showing two extra +lines at the right.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four, Thirty and Ninety Cents.</span></p> + +<p>The plates for these values having been prepared +with a view to perforating, the stamps are +arranged about 1¾ mm. apart between the sides, +and 1¼ mm. apart between the tops and bottoms. +There is very little difference to be noted in the +color beyond a dark and lighter shade of the orange +of the thirty cents, and of the dark blue of the ninety +cents. There are however, two shades of the lilac +of the twenty-four cents, a red and a blue cast.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1861.</span></h3> + + +<p>The reason for the introduction of this issue is +not to be found in any change in the law. The report +of the Postmaster General, dated on December +2d, 1861, states that:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The contract for the manufacture of postage stamps +having expired on the 10th of June, 1861, a new one +was entered into with the National Bank Note Company +of New York, upon terms very advantageous to the Department, +from which there will result an annual saving +of more than thirty per cent, in the cost of the stamps. +In order to prevent the fraudulent use of the large +quantity of stamps remaining unaccounted for, in the +hands of postmasters in the disloyal States, it was +deemed advisable to change the design and the color of +those manufactured under the new contract, and also +to modify the design of the stamp upon the stamped +envelope, and to substitute as soon as possible the new +for the old issues. It was the design of the Department +that the distribution of the new stamps and envelopes +should commence on the first of August, but, from unavoidable +delays, that of the latter did not take place until +the 15th of that month. * * * Those of the old issue +have been exchanged and superseded. The old stamps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +on hand, and such as were received by exchange, at the +larger offices, have been to a great extent counted and +destroyed, and those at the smaller offices returned to +the Department."</p></div> + +<p>The Act of the 27th Congress, Statute II, Chapter +37, Section 14, approved March 3d, 1861, had +so qualified the Act of 1851:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As to require the ten cent rate of postage to be prepaid +on letters in the mail, from any point in the United +States east of the Rocky Mountains to any State or Territory +on the Pacific, and from any State or Territory +on the Pacific to any point in the United States east of +the Rocky Mountains. And all drop letters shall be +prepaid by postage stamps."</p></div> + +<p>Other sections also introduced minor changes in +the rates on printed matter, which it is not important +to notice.</p> + +<p>The denomination of the stamps of the new issue +therefore remained at first the same.</p> + +<p>The circular letter from the Department to the +several postmasters, informing them of the change +is as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Finance Office</i> ... 1861.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Postmaster</span>,</p> + +<p>Sir: You will receive herewith a supply of postage +stamps which you will observe are of a new style, +differing both in design and color, from those hitherto +used, and having the letters U. S. in the lower corners +of each stamp, and its respective denomination indicated +by figures as well as letters. You will immediately +give public notice through the newspapers and otherwise,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +that you are prepared to exchange stamps of the +new style for an equivalent amount of the old issue, +during a period of six days from the date of the notice, +and that the latter will not thereafter be received in +payment of postage on letters sent from your office.</p> + +<p>You will satisfy yourself by personal inspection that +stamps offered in exchange have not been used through +the mails or otherwise; and if in any case you have +good grounds for suspecting that stamps presented to +you for exchange, were sent from any of the disloyal +states, you will not receive them without due investigation.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the expiration of the above period of +six days, you will return to the Third Assistant Postmaster +General all stamps of the old style in your possession, +including such as you may obtain by exchange, +placing them in a secure package, which must be carefully +registered in the manner prescribed by Chapter 39, +of the Regulations of this Department.</p> + +<p>Be careful also to write legibly the name of your office +as well as that of your county and state. A strict compliance +with the foregoing instructions is absolutely +necessary, that you may not fail to obtain credit for the +amount of stamps returned.</p> + +<p>Instead of sending stamps to the Department you can +if convenient, exchange them for new ones at some city +post office, where large supplies are to be found. It being +impossible to supply all offices with new stamps at +once, you will deliver letters received from Kentucky, +Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and Pennsylvania, +prepayed by stamps of the old issue, until September +10th, those from other loyal states east of the +Rocky Mountains until the first of October, and those from +the states of California and Oregon and from the Territories +of New Mexico, Utah, and Washington, until the +first of November, 1861.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="rpad8">Your Obedient Servant,</span><br /> +<span class="rpad4">A. N. ZEVELY,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p></div> + +<p>A second issue of this circular merely extended +the dates September 10th, October 1st and November +1st, 1861 to November 1st, December 1st, 1861, +and January 1st, 1862, respectively.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of August 14th, 1861.</span></p> + +<p>The portraits upon the 8 types or values of this +issue seem to be copied from the same pictures as +were those on the corresponding denominations of +the preceeding issue. The same values are represented, +that is:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent</span>. Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, in +profile to the right, on an oval disk with engine +turned ground of interlaced colored lines on a +solid colored ground, framed round with interlaced +colorless lines of engine turned work on solid colored +ground, bordered by a colorless line with exterior +fine colored line. "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in colorless +ordinary capitals in a curved line following +the oval above, "<i>One Cent</i>" in the same letters +and reversed curve below. Corners of quarter +circles and two foliated ornaments. "1" and "1" +in the upper and "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" in the lower corners, +in ornamental colorless numerals and letters, +on a vertically lined ground.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">1 Cent, pale and dark blue.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three Cents.</span> Head of Washington, in profile to +left, upon engine turned ground with sinuous +frame of interlaced engine turned colorless lines +upon a solid colored ground, bordered by a colorless +line, with exterior fine colored line following +the curves of the ground. Above, "<i>U. S.</i>" in a +straight line with "<i>Postage</i>" below it in an arched +line, and large numeral "3" on each side. Below +the head "<i>Three</i>," in reversed curve with "<i>Cents</i>" +in double curve below and "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" at the sides +all in colorless capitals and numerals on the engine +turned frame and ground, the corner numerals +and letters ornamented. Corners and sides filled +out with foliated ornaments.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">3 cents, shades of rose.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Five Cents.</span> Head of Jefferson, faced three +quarters to the left on an oval disk with rectangular +hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +with fine colored exterior line. Broad frame of +engine turned colorless lines on a solid ground, with +rounded corners, and curved outwards at top, bottom +and sides, bordered by a colorless line and a +fine colored line. Large "5" in upper corners, +and "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in a double curve above the +oval, "<i>Five Cents</i>" in a curved line following the +oval below, "<i>U.</i>" in lower left, and "<i>S.</i>" in lower +right corner, all in colorless letters upon the engine +turned work of frame. The corners are filled out +with foliated ornaments.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, upon +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, ochre, shades of brown.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> Head of Washington, faced three +quarters to left, on a rectangularly hatched ground, +bordered by four bands, forming a sort of oval. +The bands are bordered all around by a colorless +and exterior fine colored line. The upper band is +inscribed "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," on the solid ground, +and the ends of the bands are rounded; the lower +band is inscribed "<i>Ten Cents</i>" on the solid ground, +and the ends of the band are curved inwards; the +side bands are of irregular shape, with the ends +rounded and bear four stars each, on a horizontally +lined ground. The rest of the stamp is composed +of colorless foliated ornaments, between colored +lines upon the solid ground, forming irregular +ovals in the corners, with a band between the upper +ones, bearing five stars, "10" and "10" in the +upper, "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" in the lower corners, on +horizontally lined ground, letters, numerals and +stars all colorless in colored outlines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 24½ mm, in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents, green, yellow-green.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twelve Cents.</span> Head of Washington, similar +to the ten cents, on an oval disk, with rectangularly +hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line and +exterior fine colored line. Broad frame of engine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +turned colorless lines on a solid ground, with +rounded corners and waved edges, bordered by a +colorless line, and a fine colored line. The corners +are filled out with loops on colored ground. +"12" and "12" set diagonally in the upper corners, +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" following the curve of the +oval above, "<i>Twelve Cents</i>" in double curve line +below, and "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" in the lower corners. +The letters and numerals are colorless, with colored +outlines on the engine turned work of frame.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 24½ mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">12 cents, black.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents.</span> Small portrait of Washington, +faced three quarters to the right, on a rectangularly +hatched ground, surrounded by a fancy +lozenge-shaped frame of engine turned colorless +lines on solid colored ground, bordered by a colorless +line and exterior fine colored line. The upper +corners are filled out with foliated ornaments, containing +the numerals "24" and "24," set diagonally +with 3 colorless stars between. The lower +corners each contain a large colored star between +foliated ornaments. "<i>U.</i>" on the left and "<i>S.</i>" +on the right star; "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" above and +"<i>Twenty-four Cents</i>" below the head, near and following +the outer curve of frame. The letters, numerals +and ornaments are all colorless, but with colored +outlines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 24 mm., in color, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">24 cents, lilac.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thirty Cents.</span> Head of Benjamin Franklin, in +profile to left, on a circular disk with diagonally +hatched ground, 16½ mm. in diameter, bordered +by a colorless line and exterior fine colored +line. A colorless line between two fine colored +lines, at about 2 mm. from the circle, with foliated +ends, forms a label above and below, the upper inscribed +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>," the lower "<i>Thirty Cents</i>," +on lined ground, in colorless letters outlined with +color. Foliated ornaments without color, but colored +outlines form irregular spaces in the corners, +with "30" and "30" in the upper, "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" +in the lower ones, in colorless letters outlined and +heavily shaded in color on a lined ground.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 24 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">30 cents, orange.</p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Ninety Cents.</span> Head of Washington, in General's +costume, after Trumbal's portrait, faced three +quarters to the left, on an oval disk, 13½ by 17½ +mm., with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered +by a colorless line and exterior colored line, surrounded +by a band forming a point above and below, +and bordered outside by a second colorless line and +an exterior colored line, and crossed by fine colored +lines. "90" and "90" on this band above, "<i>Ninety +Cents</i>" below in colorless letters with colored outlines.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +Waved band with similar borders crossing the +former above, and inscribed "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in the +same letters. The lower corners are filled with foliated +ornaments upon which are "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" +in similar letters.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19 by 24 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">90 cents, indigo blue.</p> + +<p>It will be noticed that the original contract under +which these stamps were first manufactured by +the National Bank Note Co., expired in 1865. On +its expiration a new contract was made with the +same company for a term of four years longer.</p> + +<p>To preserve the history of the postal legislation +of the United States which effects the use of stamps, +the provisions of the Act of the XXXVII Congress, +Session III, Chapter 71, approved March 3d, 1863, +must be noted here, although they did not result +in any change in the stamps in use, except the addition +of two new values:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Postal Code Sections"> +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">Sec. 3.</span></td> +<td align="left">No mail matter shall be delivered until postage + is paid.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">Sec. 13.</span></td> +<td align="left">The Postmaster General is authorized to establish + branch offices for the sale of stamps, etc.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">Sec. 17.</span></td> +<td align="left">Postage must be prepaid at the time of mailing + on domestic letters, transient printed matter + and all other things not herein provided for.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">Sec. 18.</span></td> +<td align="left">Daily, weekly, etc., publications must be prepaid + quarterly in advance by the receiver.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">Sec. 23.</span></td> +<td align="left">Drop letters will be charged 2 cents, to be prepaid + by postage stamps, but no carrier's fee.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">Sec. 32.</span></td> +<td align="left">The registration fee to be fixed by the Postmaster + General, but not to exceed in any case 20 + cents.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>In accordance with these last provisions however, +there were issued two additional values.</p> + +<p>The report of the Postmaster General for the +year 1863, states that a two cent stamp had been +prepared and issued, principally to prepay the postage +on drop letters, and the report for 1878, fixes +the date of issue at of the 1st of July, 1863.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of July 1st, 1863.</span></p> + +<p class="center">(As additional to the series of 1861.)</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents.</span> Very large head of Andrew Jackson, +on an oval disk with rectangularly hatched +ground, bordered by a fine colorless line with an +exterior colored line; on a band above, similarly +bordered, and with parallel lined ground, "<i>U. S. +Postage</i>" in colorless capitals outlined and shaded; +on short bands, similarly constructed, below on the +left "<i>Two</i>," on the right "<i>Cents</i>." Foliated ornaments +in the four corners, forming small solid circles, +bearing the numeral "2" in the upper, and +colorless ovals bearing "<i>U.</i>" on the left, and "<i>S.</i>" +on the right, in irregular shaped colored letters.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">2 cents, black.</p> + +<p>The Postmaster General having fixed the registration +fee at 15 cents, a stamp of that denomination +was issued.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of April 1st, 1866.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fifteen Cents.</span> Bust of Abraham Lincoln, on +an oval disk 13½ by 18 mm. with rectangularly +hatched ground, bordered by a broad colorless line, +between two fine colored lines, and ornamented by +short horizontal colored lines. On the sides, Roman +fasces, without the ax, on each side. Above +on a scroll, bordered by a colorless line between +two fine colored lines, curved up and back to form +small ovals, and ending at the top in foliations and +inscribed on the band "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in colorless +capitals, in the ovals "15" in colorless numerals; +below, a curved band following the outline of the +oval, similarly bordered, and inscribed in similar +letters "<i>Fifteen Cents</i>"; foliated ornaments forming +colored ovals in the corners, with "<i>U.</i>" in the left, +"<i>S.</i>" in the right, in colorless capitals.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">15 cents, black.</p> + +<p>Issued originally for registered letters, this +stamp also served the next year, principally to prepay +the postage on letters to Belgium, Prussia, Holland, +Switzerland and the German Postal Union.</p> + +<p>The entire series of 1861-63-66 was reprinted in +1874.</p> + +<p>It may also be noticed, that the act of the XXXIX +Congress, Session I, Chapter 281, approved July 27, +1866, authorized the use in all post offices of weights +of the denomination of grams, 15 grams to equal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +one half ounce, and the postal laws to be applied +accordingly.</p> + +<p>Also the Act of the XL Congress, Session I, Chapter +246, Section 10 and 11, approved July 29th, +1868, provided penalties for re-using stamps that +had once paid postage, and authorized the sale of +stamps at a discount of five per cent to persons to sell +again as agents.</p> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></p> + +<p>The plates of this issue having been prepared +with a view of perforating, the stamps are placed +sufficiently far apart to allow a perforation, without +ordinarily cutting into the stamps. Occasionally +eccentricities may be found, which are the result of +accident. The sheets, as in the previous issue, consist +of 200 stamps, the central point is indicated by +three lines at the top and at the bottom, and the +sheets are cut apart on this line and distributed in +half sheets of 100, or ten stamps in ten rows. The +printer's imprint is generally to be found at the center +of the top and bottom of each half sheet, at about +4 mm. from the printed stamps, and consists of a +small colored label with a dotted edge, inscribed +"National Bank Note Co." preceded by "New +York," and followed by "City" in colored capitals. +The plate number also appears near this.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">One Cent</span> varies in color from a pale blue +to a dark blue, generally of the shade known as ultramarine. +The paper is ordinarily white with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +yellowish cast, but there are specimens which appear +surfaced with the same ink as the stamp, +which is probably an accident from imperfect wiping +of the plates, and others the paper of which has a +pale pink cast, both on the front and back.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Two Cents</span> varies from grey to black, with +occasional specimens partially tinted with the ink, +probably from the same cause as in the one cent.</p> + +<p><i>Variety.</i> Doubly perforated at the sides.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Three Cents</span> varies from a very faint rose to +a deep rose, with occasional specimens tinted as in +the other values, probably from the same cause.</p> + +<p> +<i>Variety.</i> Doubly perforated at sides.<br /> +<span class="lpad4">"</span><span class="qspace3">"</span><span class="lpad1">top and bottom.</span></p> + +<p>There are also a few specimens known of a scarlet +tint. They resemble the ordinary stamps of this +value in all other particulars, and it does not appear +to be settled whether they were ever used or +not. Proofs, both perforated and unperforated, exist +in this shade, and the better opinion would seem +to be that all of this shade are proofs. It is claimed, +however, that a sheet, or part of a sheet unused, +was picked up at the New York Post Office by a +collector.</p> + +<p>Strips of ten stamps adhering, forming a vertical +row from the sheet, and showing a double perforation +along the sides are also exhibited.</p> + +<p>Unperforated specimens have been catalogued.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Five Cents</span> was originally issued in a pale +yellow brown or ochre, but was changed in September +to a darker brown, with a reddish cast, there is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +also a brown with a yellowish cast, another with a +blackish cast and a chestnut brown. It would appear +that the latter is the true color composed of +red, yellow and black, and that the others result +from some improper mixing of these colors, by +which one or the other predominates.</p> + +<p><i>Variety.</i> Doubly perforated at the sides.</p> + +<p>A "yellowish brown," meaning the brown with +a yellowish cast, has been chronicled unperforated.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Ten Cents</span> is light and dark green. The +lighter shade is generally called a yellow-green, but +the two shades differ only in intensity.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Twelve and Fifteen Cents</span> also vary from +grey to deep black.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents</span> is violet, and pale or +dark lilac.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Thirty Cents</span> is of two shades of orange, and +an orange-brown.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Ninety Cents</span> is faint deep blue and indigo +blue.</p> + +<p>The number of the several values of these stamps +issued, without the <i>grille</i> is approximated as follows: +it being not quite certain whether a few with +the grille were not issued prior to the dates to which +the enumeration is made.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamps Issued Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td class="wider">cent</td> +<td align="right">91,256,650</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">254,265,050</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">1,847,559,100</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 5</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">8,258,460</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">28,872,780</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">7,639,525</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">2,139,300</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">10,238,650</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">3,208,980</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">337,770</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> +<h2>XXI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1867-9.</span></h3> + + +<p>The Act of the XXXIX Congress, Session I, +Chapter 114, Section 7, approved June 12th, 1866, +entitled an Act to amend the Postal Laws, had +provided among other things.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Sec. 7. And be it further enacted: that whenever it +shall become expedient in the opinion of the Postmaster +General to substitute a different kind of postage stamps +for those now in use, he shall be, and is hereby authorized +to modify the existing contracts for the manufacture +of postage stamps, so as to allow the contractors a +sum sufficient to cover the increased expenses, if any, of +manufacturing stamps so substituted."</p></div> + +<p>The Report for the Postmaster General for the +year ending June 30th, 1867, states that experiments +had been made in printing postage stamps +on an embossed paper, which appeared to offer a +fair guarantee against fraud; that the tissues of the +paper were broken by the process, so that the ink +of the cancelling stamps penetrated the stamps in +such a manner as to render cleaning impossible; +that the adhesiveness of the stamps was also increased,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +to say nothing of other advantages, which +recommend the invention. Some of these curious +experiments will be noticed in the chapter on Essays. +The plan adopted was, however, to emboss +the stamp, after it was printed, with a series of +small square points, arranged in the form of a rectangle, +much in the same way that checks are sometimes +treated to prevent alteration. This breaks +the tissues of the paper. The French collectors +call this a <i>grille</i>, or grating, which it resembles. +There were several varieties used on this issue, and +they were applied to the stamps then current, without +other change in the design, paper, color or gum.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1867 to 1869.</span></p> + +<p>The first variety was a grille covering the entire +stamp, adopted May 8th, 1867, and applied only +to the</p> + +<p class="center">3 cents, rose, perforated 12, grilled all over.</p> + +<p>If this is examined with a glass on the face of +the stamp, there appear to be rows of slightly raised +squares, separated by depressed straight lines, with +a still more raised cross, formed by diagonal lines +running from corner to corner of the square. If +the back is examined, the straight lines appear +raised, the crosses depressed. In all specimens +examined, the embossing is very flat.</p> + +<p>The second variety does not cover the entire +stamp, but shows a rectangle, measuring 13 by 16 +mm., composed of 16 rows of 20 small squares +each. It was adopted August 8th, 1867, and was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +applied only to the</p> + +<p class="center">3 cents, rose, perforated 12, large grille.</p> + +<p>Copies with this grille may be found in which one +side row or the other shows only half squares instead +of whole ones, also with some of the top or bottom +rows missing, wholly or partly.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Var.</i></td><td align="left">12½</td> +<td align="left">by</td><td align="left">16mm.,</td> +<td align="left">15½</td><td align="left">by</td> +<td align="left">20</td><td align="left">rows,</td> +<td align="left">3c.,</td><td align="left">perf. 12.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">12¼</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">15 "</td> +<td align="left">15</td><td align="left">by</td> +<td align="left">18½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">3c</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The appearance of this grille, examined on the +face, is just the reverse of the preceding, as the +straight lines are raised and the crosses depressed.</p> + +<p>The third variety was a still smaller rectangle, +about 11 by 14 mm., composed of 14 rows of 17 +small squares or parts of squares. The date is +January 8th, 1868. Numerous variations may be +found. It was applied only to the</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">blue,</td><td align="left">perforated</td> +<td align="left">12,</td><td align="left">medium grille.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">black</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">rose</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">green</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">black</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">black</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="adjoining" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variation Chart"> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Var.</i></td><td align="left">11½ by 14½ mm.,</td> +<td align="left">15 by 18</td><td align="left">rows,</td> +<td align="right">3c,</td><td align="left">rose,</td> +<td align="left">perf. 12.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">11 by 14 mm.,</td> +<td align="left">14 by 17½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 17</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">1c</td><td align="left">blue</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="left">rose</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">10c</td><td align="left">green</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">12c</td><td align="left">black</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">2c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="left">rose</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">11 by 13 mm.,</td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">14 by 16</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left">10½ by 14 mm.,</td> +<td align="left">14 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">13 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">3c</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="left">13 by 16½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">10c</td><td align="left">green</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Oddity.</i> With 2 grilles touching on the same +stamp. 3 cents, rose, perforated 12.</p> + +<p><i>Note.</i> It is not uncommon to find parts of two +grilles on the same stamp at a distance from each +other, part of a grille being at the top and part at +the bottom, or part of a grille on each side. The +oddity noted presents two grilles touching by the +top and bottom, one a little farther to the left than +the other, making a strip of squares from the top +to the bottom of the stamp.</p> + +<p>This medium grille if examined on the face is +quite different from the foregoing large grille. It +appears to be composed of raised lines between +the squares and depressed crosses in them. A +glass transforms these lines into rows of diamonds. +On the reverse it appears as if composed of depressed +lines, between the squares, and raised +crosses in them.</p> + +<p><i>Note.</i> The other values so far as known, have not +been found with this grille. Up to May, 1868, only +the values from 1 to 12 cents had been noted by +the stamp papers as having been found with any +grille. The 24 and 30 cents are chronicled with a +grille in the November, 1868, but the 90 cents was +not so noticed until much later, February, 1869<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>, +(see American Journal of Philately).</p> + +<p>The fourth and most common grille is a square +of 9 by 14 mm., composed of 12 rows of 16½ +squares each. The date of its adoption is not +known. It was applied to the whole series.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamp Descriptions"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">1</td> +<td align="left">cent,</td><td align="left">blue,</td> +<td align="left">perforated</td><td align="left">12,</td> +<td align="left">small grille.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">2</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">black</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">3</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">rose</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">5</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">brown</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">10</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">green</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">12</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">black</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">15</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">black</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Nov. 1868,</td><td align="right">24</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">lilac</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="center">"</td><td align="right">30</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">orange</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Feb. 1869,</td><td align="right">90</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">blue</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="adjoining" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="left"><i>Varieties.</i></td><td align="left">9 by 14 mm.,</td> +<td align="left">12 by 16½</td><td align="left">rows,</td> +<td align="right">1c</td><td align="left">.,</td><td align="left">perf. 12.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">3c</td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">12 by 17</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">30c</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></p> + +<p>The colors are generally stronger than in those +without the grille. The majority of the specimens +of these stamps appear to have the surface of the +paper tinted slightly with the color of the stamps, +possibly from some imperfection in cleaning the +plates. A few values have been noted on pure +white paper.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">blue,</td><td align="left">small grille,</td> +<td align="left">perforated</td><td align="left">12.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">black</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">green</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>The 3 cents, rose, small grille, unperforated, has +been noted, and</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="left">cents,</td> +<td align="left">black,</td><td align="left">grille,</td> +<td align="left">variety</td><td align="left">4</td> +<td align="right" rowspan="3"><img src="images/bracketleft.jpg" width="15" height="60" alt="bracket left" title="bracket left" /></td> +<td align="left">unperforated</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">rose</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">4</td> +<td align="center">at the</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">brown</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">4</td> +<td align="center">sides.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The re-impressions of these designs did not have +the grille.</p> + +<p>The five cents was in use up to September, 1870.</p> + +<p>Some specimens examined seem to indicate that +all these varieties of grille are occasionally to be +found reversed, i. e. they present the appearance on +the face that is usually to be seen on the back, and +vice versa.</p> + +<p>Of these stamps with the grille, there were, issued +approximately the following numbers:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td class="wider">cent</td> +<td align="right">9,638,600</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">46,440,000</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">231,773,300</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 5</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">1,006,400</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">3,076,070</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">2,087,575</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">868,080</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">167,453</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">214,000</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">26,870</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>During the currency of these stamps, a new contract +was entered into with the same company. A +special despatch to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, +dated Oct. 3rd, 1868 states:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>"Postmaster General Randall to-day accepted the +proposal of the National Bank Note Company, of New +York, for furnishing stamps for four years at 25½ +cents per 1000. This includes everything required for +preparing the stamps for immediate use, gumming, perforation +printing and preparing receipts. The contractors +are also required to furnish new designs, at least +four of which must be printed in combination colors."</p></div> + +<p>The number of the several values of these stamps +issued, with the <i>grille</i> is approximated as above, +it being not quite certain whether a few without +the grille were not in stock at the dates from which +the enumeration is made.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1869.</span></h3> + + +<p>The New York Evening Post of October 6th, +1868, also contains a notice of</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header">"<span class="smcap">The New Contract For Postage Stamps.</span></p> + +<p>In June last, Postmaster General Randall, advertised +for proposals for furnishing the Government with postage +stamps for a term of years. The Committee of experts +appointed for the purpose, decided in favor of the +National Bank Note Company, and on Saturday last, the +Postmaster General awarded the contract to that Company +for a term of four years. We have been shown +proofs of the new stamps, and they reflect credit upon +the artistic taste of the Company."</p></div> + +<p>Some of these proofs are then described.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One of the characteristics of the stamps manufactured +by this Company is that the ink used prevents persons +washing, and using the stamps a second time. The +fiber in the centre of the stamp is broken completely, +and they adhere better, while the ink of cancellation +sinks into the paper. The engraving on these stamps +are remarkable copies of historical pictures, and bear the +test of microscopical examination."</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> + +<p>These are probably the only words of approbation +to be found in the daily press among the host +of comments upon these stamps, which by the terms +of the contract were to be ready on the first of February, +1869. Messrs. Butler & Carpenter, of Philadelphia, +had claimed to be entitled to the award on +the ground that they had submitted a better bid than +the National Bank Note Co., which resulted in delay +and the appointment of the commission above mentioned.</p> + +<p>However, in March, 1869, the greater part if not +all the values were printed and ready for issue, +but were distributed to the public only as the stock +of the old issue was exhausted. About the end of +April they began to appear, and even in September +only the 1, 2, 3 and 6 cents were to be obtained in +the larger post offices. Already the public demanded +that they should be replaced, and this was +done in April, 1870. As late as March, 1870, the +90 cents of the previous issue was on sale in some +of the offices.</p> + +<p>This unfortunate issue was generally received +with approval by the Philatelic press. It is certainly +well engraved, and forms an interesting and +handsome series for the most part, and is an adornment +to the collectors' album. But it is hardly so +well suited to the practical requirements of a postage +stamp. It was announced that the series was +intended in some sort, to portray the history of the +Post Office in the United States, beginning with +Franklin, the Continental postmaster, and the post<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +rider of the early days, followed by the locomotive +of a later day, and the Ocean Steamer carrying the +mails which had become so important a branch of +the postal service, the most important scenes in the +early history of the country, its triumphant arms, +and Washington its first and Lincoln its last President. +But hardly had it been issued before its +doom was sealed.</p> + +<p>In August the New York Tribune says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The greater part of the stamps sold at the Post +Office in this city are worthless, and have not sufficient +gum to make them stick to letters. One can be amused, or +become indignant, in watching people who buy stamps, +demanding a little mucilage from the clerk, in order to +fasten the stamp on their envelopes. It appears that +the invention of embossing which is continued in this +emission, while it spoils the stamps, does not increase +their adhesive properties as was pretended."</p></div> + +<p>Other papers pronounced the stamp too small. +The comic papers exhibited caricatures in which +the people were looking for their stamps in their +pocket books with powerful microscopes.</p> + +<p>The Evening Telegram says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The new United States postage stamps have a very +un-American look."</p></div> + +<p>The Evening Mail says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Our old postage stamps were really neat and pleasing +in appearance. They were National and American, as +they ought to have been. The head of Washington was +venerable, and our three cent stamps were as perfect as +they well could be. So also the one cent stamp with the +head of Franklin was equally appropriate. There was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +a fitness of congruity in putting the head of the old, +thrifty economist, on the one cent stamp. Our youth +were reminded of the wise saws and sayings of "Poor +Richard" and it taught them that if they learned to save +the cents, the dollars were more likely to take care of +themselves. But now think of the miserable, confused +looking thing, with its wretched printing, that the Post +Office has given us for the present three cent stamp. +It is neither historical, national, beautiful, nor anything +but a paltry evidence of the fact, that some engraver has +got paid or will get paid for a job that ought never to have +been done. Can our authorities not let well enough +alone?</p> + +<p>Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, all have +railroad engines such as ours. What is there in a big +chimney on a railroad carriage to indicate the nationality +of our postal system. Aye, but there are words, +"United States Postage" on the stamp. Just so. We +remember to have seen a boy's drawing on a sheet of +paper, the words "this is a church" underneath, and +certainly the artistic performance needed the index, but +not more so than the new stamp requires a similar proclamation +to tell the world what it means. And then +again look at the printing of the word "Postage." Can +our engravers do nothing better than that? We hope +that the contractors have been paid for their work. If +so, then let the post office folks give us back again our +old head of Washington, and save us from looking at +the contemptible thing that we are now getting in its +stead."</p></div> + +<p>Another paper says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The present miserable experiments in blue, with a +meaningless legend, are to be recalled and something +new in red is to be substituted. The old heads of Washington, +Jefferson, Jackson, Franklin and Lincoln are to +be restored. It is about time that some definite form<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +and design of postage stamp should be adopted, so that +people may know to a certainty what mucilaged square +of paper will carry a letter to its designation, and what +not."</p></div> + +<p>The New York Herald says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The old style of three cent postage stamps had thereon +a face of Washington, out of compliment to a good +man. It now has a railway scene to represent how Congressmen +make money. The two cent stamp represents +a man on horseback. This represents Booth's death +ride into Maryland. The one cent stamp should represent +a cow with the favorite son of the Covington postmaster +fast to her tail. This out of compliment to Grant."</p></div> + +<p>An Eastern paper says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Government introduced the present nondescript +things called postage stamps, for the purpose of frightening +counterfeiters."</p></div> + +<p>And later the Herald says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Another attempt is to be made to give us decent postage +stamps. We suppose it will fail, as so many have +hitherto. Our postal authorities try too much. If they +will only take the Italian or French stamp, and put +Washington's head in place of Victor Emanuel's, or +Napoleon's, they cannot fail; but they will try some improvements +and spoil all."</p></div> + +<p>The post office department announced the issue +in the following circular:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department.</span></p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Finance Office, March 1st, 1869.</i></p> + +<p>Sir:</p> + +<p>At an early day, in the regular course of business, +the Department will issue to Postmasters stamps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +of new designs. [See description annexed.] In the +proposed issue the six cent stamp is substituted for the +five cents. You are required to exhaust all of the present +style on hand, before supplying the public with the +new; and in no case will you be allowed to make exchanges +for individuals, or to return stamps to the Department +to be exchanged. The stamps now in use are +not to be disregarded, but must be recognized in all +cases equally with the new ones.</p> + +<p>Special attention is called to the fact that sheets of all +denominations below 15 cents contain 150 stamps. The +15 cents and all higher denominations, contain 100 stamps +on each sheet. This must be borne in mind to prevent +mistakes in counting, as in the present issue each denomination +has but 100 stamps to the sheet. Special requests +for the new style of stamps will be disregarded until +the stock of the present issue in possession of the Department +is exhausted. Due notice will be given of the +date of issue of any new design of stamped envelopes, +therefor all inquiries respecting them will be disregarded.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad8">[Signed.]</span> <span class="rpad4">A. N. ZEVELY,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p></div> + +<p>The description upon the other side requires to +be supplemented for collectors, but is incorporated +in those following.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of March 19th, 1869.</span></p> + +<p>Composed of ten values each of a different type.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> Head of Franklin, in profile, looking +to the left, on a circular disk horizontally +lined, surrounded by a broad circle ornamented +with colorless pearls, bordered by a band of rayed +lines between fine white lines, with exterior fine colored +line, and divided into three labels by ornaments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +at the sides and bottom. "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" at +the top; large numeral "1" in a small oval (sic) +with a border of colorless loops between the words +"<i>One Cent</i>" at the bottom. Color, Roman ochre. +Corners plain without color.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, circular, 20 by 20 mm., in color, +on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and without +grille.</p> + +<p class="center">1 cent, Roman ochre.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents.</span> Post horse and rider facing to the +left, trees, fence, etc., in background, surrounded +by ornamental scroll work, "<i>United States</i>" in +small colored capitals on the ground above, a curtain +inscribed "<i>Postage</i>" in colorless capitals at the +top. "<i>Two Cents</i>" at the bottom on a ribbon with +large numeral "2" between the words, both in +outline shaded. Color, light bronze.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12, grilled and without grille.</p> + +<p class="center">2 cents, yellow-brown, light and dark chestnut-brown.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three Cents.</span> Locomotive heading to the right, +surrounded by ornamental scroll work, "<i>United +States</i>" in colored block capitals on a curved band, +"<i>Postage</i>" in colorless capitals in a tablet beneath, +at top. "<i>Three Cents</i>" in outline shaded block +capitals, in two scrolls at the bottom, with numeral +"3" in a shield (sic) between the words. Color, +Imperial ultramarine blue.</p> + +<p>There is no shield as stated in the official description.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12, grilled and without grille.</p> + +<p class="center">3 cents blue.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Six Cents.</span> Head of Washington, three quarters +face looking to the right, on a ground of vertical and +horizontal lines, bordered by a solid broad colored +line, ornamented by 68 pearls. Spandrels checkered +and bordered by colorless lines. Frame square, +composed of vertically lined squares in the upper +corners, with narrower horizontally lined label between, +with a broad colored border, ornamented by +pearls and exterior colorless and colored line above. +The colored labels are narrower than the upper +squares at the sides, and are bordered by colorless +pearls and an interior white line, an exterior +colorless and fine colored line. Horizontally lined +label across the entire bottom, widened at the ends +to correspond with the upper squares, with exterior +colorless and colored line. "<i>U. S.</i>" in upper left +and right corners of frame respectively. The word +"<i>Postage</i>" in upper bar of frame, "<i>Six Cents</i>" in +lower, the numeral "6" between the words, and +"<i>United States</i>" on each side. Color, ultramarine.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 20 mm., square, in color, on +white paper, perforated 12, grilled and possibly +without grille.</p> + +<p class="center">6 cents blue.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> Shield of the United States on +which is resting an eagle with outspread wings, +looking to the left. "<i>United States</i>" in small colored<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +capitals with "<i>Postage</i>" in large outline capitals, +shaded in a second line beneath, in the upper +section of the shield, numeral "10" in lower. The +words "<i>Ten Cents</i>" in scroll at the bottom in outline +shaded capitals. The whole design surrounded +by thirteen stars arranged in a semicircle, (sic) +color, orange. The background is rayed behind +the eagle and the semicircle of stars are upon this +only, the background behind the shield is of +clouds, there is no frame.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19 by 18 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also +without grille.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents orange.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twelve Cents.</span> Ocean Steam ship, headed to +left in horizontal oval, surrounded by ornamented +scroll work. In a double tablet with arched top on +horizontally lined ground, and colored capitals in a +curved line, "<i>United States</i>" and "<i>Postage</i>" in outline +capitals on a solid ground. On three scrolls in +outline capitals and numerals shaded, "<i>Twelve +Cents</i>" at the bottom, with numeral "12" between the +words. Color, malori green.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white +paper, slightly surfaced green, perforated 12 and +grilled, possibly also without grille.</p> + +<p class="center">12 cents, green.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fifteen Cents</span>. Microscopic reproduction of +the large picture, in the Capitol at Washington, of +the "Landing of Columbus," in an oblong rectangle +20 by 10 mm., with rounded upper corners, surrounded +at a little distance by a single colored line. +Ornamental and scroll work at top and bottom on +a ground ruled horizontally inside and vertically outside +of the scrolls, the whole surrounded by a colorless +and fine colored line. On a colorless tablet, in +Gothic capitals, "<i>U. S.</i>"; in a curved line of outline +capitals on the ground, "<i>Postage</i>" at top. <i>Fifteen +Cents</i> at bottom, with numerals "15" underneath in +outline colorless capitals, on the ground. Colors: +picture, Prussian blue, scroll and ornamental work +pale Indian red.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. +The paper is more or less surfaced with blue.</p> + +<p class="center">15 cents blue and brown.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>. There are two varieties of this stamp, depending +on the type, and an error, the latter was +however never circulated. The line of the frame, +above the picture, is curved up on the left hand, beginning +under the O, and on the right hand beginning +under the G, in what is called the O. G. curve, +till the two meet in a point. In the ordinary variety +there are two fine lines within the space left +for the picture, which along the whole top, including +the curved corners and this central double +curve, are united in a heavy line and at about ½ a +millimeter from the center line on each side, curve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +down, as well as up, to a point, forming a diamond. +On the sides and bottom within this line, there is a +shading of fine diagonal lines. When the picture +is exactly in position, which is rare, the colored +line surrounding it falls between these fine lines, +and on the heavy curved line, just touching the lower +part of the diamond.</p> + +<p>In the rarer variety, the two fine lines, the broad top +line, and the bottom of the diamond are all omitted, +the entire space is either empty or shows one, two or +three horizontal lines across the top of the space, +and three or four across the bottom, with a row of +short horizontal lines at the sides. When the picture +is in proper place there is an almost blank space +at the top, and apparently a white line surrounding +the picture. When it is misplaced the colored +lines described can be seen and there appear to +have been several varieties, as there were more or +less of them.</p> + +<p><i>The error</i> is not as is sometimes supposed an error +of printing, but in the plate. Two plates, one +for each color, had to be used. Originally, there +were 150 stamps as in the smaller values, (See +circular of March 1st, 1869 above cited) but upon +the plate for printing the picture, it is said one picture +was reversed, and the error once discovered, +the plate was cut down to print only 100 stamps as +stated in the circular. It is probable that no copies +with the error were ever circulated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents.</span> Microscopic reproduction +of the large picture at the Capitol, of the "Signing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +of the Declaration of Independence" forming +an oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with all four corners +cut off diagonally, surrounded by a fine colored +line at a little distance. Ornamental scroll work +at top and bottom on a lined ground. A line of +pearls on a colored line, between a colorless and +colored line, forms the frame for the picture. In +block capitals "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" surrounded by ovals at +upper left and right corners respectively, the word +"<i>Postage</i>" between the two, in a curved line of outline +capitals, shaded on the background. "<i>Twenty-four +Cents</i>" in scrolls at bottom, with numeral "24" +beneath in outline letters shaded. Colors: the picture, +purple lake, scroll and ornamental work, light +malori green. Just beneath the picture in small +colored numerals, "1776."</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled.</p> + +<p class="center">24 cents, purple and green.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note.</span> There is the same error of this stamp "reversed +picture" stated to be from the same cause, a +defect in the plate as for the 15 cents, and the same +remarks apply.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thirty Cents.</span> Eagle facing to left, with outspread +wings, resting on shield with flags grouped on +either side. The words "<i>United States Postage</i>" +in upper section of shield. The numeral "30" in +lower. The words "<i>Thirty Cents</i>" across the bottom, +with three stars arranged in a semi-circle at top of +the design. Colors: Eagle and Shield, carmine, +flags blue. Except for the change of numerals and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +words of value, the omission of the scroll, and +the substitution of the two flags on each side for +the clouds, the design, though not the drawing of +this stamp is identical with the ten cents. "Thirty +cents" is however in block letters, the T Y C E +in outline, the rest shaded.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on +white paper, slightly tinted with pink, perforated +12, grilled and not grilled.</p> + +<p class="center">30 cents, carmine and blue.</p> + +<p><i>Error.</i> There is also an error of this stamp in +which the flags are reversed. It is also stated to +be an error on the plate, but may be only an error +in printing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ninety Cents.</span> Portrait of Lincoln in an oval, +looking to the right, surrounded by ornamental +scroll work, numerals "90" at each of the upper +corners, set diagonally in outline, and shaded on +vertically lined ground. On a label with rayed +ground, edged by a colorless and colored line, in +outline capitals shaded, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" at top of +oval. "<i>Ninety</i>" and "<i>Cents</i>" on scrolls at the lower left +and right corners of oval respectively, set diagonally +and in colored capitals. In outline Gothic capitals +"<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" at the lower left and right corners +of the stamp respectively. Colors: portrait +black, surrounding ornamental and scroll work, +carmine. It may be well to add that the portrait is +three quarters face, on a square hatched ground, +and a single colored line in same color surrounds +the oval at a little distance. The space left in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +frame for the picture is bordered by fine short +horizontal lines, which show when the picture is +not properly placed.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm. square, in two +colors, on white paper, slightly surfaced pink, perforated +12, grilled and not grilled.</p> + +<p class="center">90 cents, black and carmine.</p> + +<p>The grille in this series is a square 9½ by 9½ mm. +composed of 11½ rows of 12 smaller squares each, +apparently separated by raised lines crossing each +other at right angles, each little square divided by +depressed diagonals also, as if produced by forcing +a series of pyramids set close together, but not +touching, into the face of the stamp. Seen from +the reverse, the dividing lines are depressed and +the squares stand up like pyramids, with ragged +edges showing the broken fibre of the paper.</p> + +<p>The numbers of the several values of this issue is +approximated as follows:</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamp Issue Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td class="wider">cent,</td> +<td align="right">24,988,100</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">114,058,000</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">530,346,800</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">6,363,700</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">5,770,130</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">4,088,875</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">2,360,740</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">414,325</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">513,180</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">77,650</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> +<h2>XXIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">The Issue of 1870.</span></h3> + + +<p>In the report of the Postmaster General for the +year ending the 30th of June, 1870, under date of +Nov. 15th, 1870, he says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The adhesive postage stamps adopted by my predecessor +in 1869, having failed to give satisfaction to the +public, on account of their small size, their unshapely +form, the inappropriations of their designs, the difficulty +of cancelling them effectually, and the inferior quality +of gum used in their manufacture, I found it necessary +in April last, to issue new stamps of larger size, superior +quality of gum and new designs. As the contract +then in force contained a provision that the stamps +should be changed, and new designs and plates furnished +at the pleasure of the Postmaster General, without additional +cost to the department, I decided to substitute +an entire new series, one-third larger in size, and to adopt +for designs the heads, in profile, of distinguished deceased +Americans. This style was deemed the most eligible, +because it not only afforded the best opportunity +for the exercise of the highest grade of artistic skill in +composition and execution, but also appeared to be the +most difficult to counterfeit. The designs were selected +from marble busts of acknowledged excellence, as follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +One cent, Franklin, after Rubricht; two cents, +Jackson, after Powers; three cents, Washington, after +Houdon; six cents, Lincoln, after Volk; ten cents, Jefferson, +after Powers' statue; twelve cents, Clay, after +Hart; fifteen cents, Webster, after Clevenger; twenty-four +cents, Scott, after Coffee; thirty cents, Hamilton, +after Cerrachi; ninety cents, Commodore O. H. Perry, +profile bust, after Walcott's statue. The stamps were +completed and issues of them began in April last. The +superior gum with which they are coated is not the least +of the advantages derived from the change.</p> + +<p>Upon the conclusion of the postal treaty with the +North German Confederation, fixing the single letter +rate by direct steamers at seven cents, to take effect the +1st of July last, a stamp of that denomination was adopted, +and the profile bust of the late Edwin M. Stanton +selected for the design. This has been completed in a +satisfactory manner, but owing to the temporary discontinuance +of the direct mail steamship service to North +Germany, it has not yet been issued to postmasters.</p></div> + +<p>It may not be uninteresting to remark that the +following stamps were adapted among other uses, +to the payment of the rates under postal treaties as +follows;</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Postal Treaty Stamps"> +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">6 cents,</span></td> +<td align="left">England, Dec. 3d, 1869; Sandwich Islands, May 5th, 1870; + British Columbia, July 15th, 1870; Germany, March 31st, 1871.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">7 cents,</span></td> +<td align="left">Germany, April 7th, 1870; Denmark, Dec. 1st 1871.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">10 cent,</span></td> +<td align="left">Italy, Feb. 8th, 1870; Belgium, March 1st, 1870; + Switzerland, April 13, 1870; Salvador, Oct. 5th, 1870.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">12 cents,</span></td> +<td align="left">British Honduras, August 11th. 1869; New Zealand, Oct. 5th, 1870.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl"><span class="nowrap">15 cents,</span></td> +<td align="left">Brazil, May 9th, 1870.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>The series being ready for issue, was announced +to the various Postmasters in the following:</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header">CIRCULAR TO POSTMASTERS.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General,</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>April 9th, 1870</i>.</p> + +<p class="header">New Series of Postage Stamps.</p> + +<p>At an early date in the regular course of business, the +Department will issue to Postmasters, postage stamps +of a new design. [See description annexed.]</p> + +<p>You are required to exhaust all of the present style on +hand before supplying the public with the new; and in +no case will you be allowed to make exchanges for individuals +or to return stamps to the Department to be +exchanged.</p> + +<p>The stamps now in use are not to be disregarded, but +must be recognized in all cases equally with the new +ones. The stamps known as the series of 1861, of which +a few are supposed to be yet outstanding, are also to be +recognized. Those issued prior to the commencement +of the war of the Rebellion were long since declared to +be valueless.</p> + +<p>Special attention is called to the fact that each sheet, of +all denominations of the new series, contains but 100 +stamps. This must be borne in mind to prevent mistakes +in counting, as in the present issue some of the denominations +have 150 stamps to the sheet.</p> + +<p>Special requests for the new style of stamps will be +disregarded until the stock of the present issue, in possession +of the Department, is exhausted. [ * * * * relating +to envelopes to be issued to conform * * * * ]</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad8">[Signed]</span> <span class="rpad4">Wm. H. Terrell,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> + +<p>[The "description annexed" is on the other side +and is merely a list of values, the bust from which +the portrait was copied, the color, etc., exactly following +that in the extract from the Postmaster General's +report above.] The exact date of issue is +fixed by the Postmaster General's report, as May, +1870.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of May, 1870.</span></p> + +<p>Composed of ten values as follows:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> Bust of Benj. Franklin, in profile to +the left, after Rubricht, on an oval disk, lined horizontally +and obliquely, bordered by a broad colorless +line and exterior colored fine line. Outside of +this a series of colorless curved lines, bordered by +fine colored lines, and foliated at the corners on a +ground of parallel vertical colored lines, completes +the rectangle. There is no enclosing colored line +at top or bottom. Short horizontal colored lines +form the shadows of the oval and ornaments. The +upper corners are formed by a line curved round +from the oval and terminating in a large ball, +a second line curving round from this and continued +along the top, ending in two foliations +with a small leaf-shaped dash beyond. There +is a large ball at the intersection of these lines in +the corner of the stamp. A slightly curved line +continues down from the corner, forming the sides. +The lower corner being formed by a curved line +starting in a dot, curving upward and round, and +terminating inside the side lines in a large foliation +with three balls above it. The bottom is formed of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +a waved line. These are all distinct and plain colorless +lines between fine colored lines, and about +the width of the line surrounding the oval.</p> + +<p>The ornaments in the corners have shadows beneath, +and on the inner edges, and the side lines +have shadows on the outer edges, formed of short +horizontal lines. The oval has heavy shadows similarly +formed. The vertical lines of the background +are fine, and of even width throughout. Above the +oval, a thin colorless line, bordered by a fine colored +line, within and without, parallel with the oval, but +curved round at the ends to meet it, forms a label +inscribed in outline capitals, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," +shaded without on a rectangularly hatched ground. +Below the oval a large outline pearled numeral "1" +shaded without, divides the lower border line, and +a similar line parallel to the border line, but terminated +at each end by a ball, forms a label inscribed +in outline capitals "<i>One Cent</i>" shaded outside +on a rectangularly hatched ground. Above this +label are three small white pearls on each side of the +numeral.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">1 cent, imperial ultramarine.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents.</span> Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile +to the left, after Powers, on an oval disk lined horizontally +and doubly obliquely, bordered by a broad +white line and fine exterior colored line, the whole +super-imposed on a shield, with ground of vertical +colored lines, and bordered by a very fine colored<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +exterior line. The shield is curved in at the top, +corners diagonal, sides curved in and then out, bottom +rounded and rests on a background of horizontal +colored lines. There are no exterior lines on +the sides. Below the oval, a large outline numeral +"2" divides a colorless ribbon bordered by fine +colored lines, and inscribed "<i>Two Cents</i>" in outline +colored capitals shaded outside, on a background +of short vertical colored lines. Above the oval, a +band bordered by a colorless line edged by fine colored +lines, extends nearly to the outer edge of the +stamp, and is inscribed, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in outline +colorless capitals, shaded outside on a rectangularly +hatched ground. The shadows of the shield are +made by short vertical lines, those of the oval by +short horizontal lines. The shield is ornamented +by fine laurel leaves on each side, just above the +lower label.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">2 cents, velvet brown.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three Cents.</span> Bust of Geo. Washington, after +Houdon, in profile to left, on oval disk with horizontally +lined ground, and occasional diagonal latticed +hatchings, bordered by a broad colorless line +with exterior fine colored line, resting on a shield +with vertically lined ground, on a background of horizontal +lines, with a border line on the right side but +none on the left. Above the oval, a band bordered +by a colorless line, with a ball on each end +and three little foliations above on each side, all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +edged by a fine colored line inscribed "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," +in outline capitals, shaded outside on a horizontally +lined ground. Below the oval a large numeral +"3," shaded outside, divides a ribbon bordered +by a colored line, and inscribed in similar +capitals, "<i>Three Cents</i>" on a ground of short vertical +lines. The shadows of the oval are made by +short colored horizontal lines, and those of the shield +by vertical lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">3 cents, malori green.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Six Cents.</span> Bust of Abraham Lincoln, in profile +to the left, after Volk, on an oval disk lined horizontally +and doubly lined obliquely, bordered by a +colorless line. On a depressed panel, lined horizontally, +the sides projected, darker than the frame +of fine vertical lines which surrounds it, completes the +rectangle. There is no terminal line at the sides. +Above the oval a yoke-shaped label, bordered by a +colorless line, edged by fine colored lines, inscribed +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in outline colorless capitals, +shaded outside on a ground of horizontal lines. +Below the oval is a ribbon bordered by fine colored +lines, inscribed in the same letters, "<i>Six Cents</i>" divided +by a large outline numeral "6," on a ground +of short colored vertical lines. A distinct line borders +the depressed panel all the way around, being heaviest +on the left side. The shadows of the oval and depressed +panel are made by vertical colored lines, and +those of the upper and lower labels are made by horizontal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +colored lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">6 cents, cochineal red.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> Bust of Thomas Jefferson, in profile +to left, after Powers, on an oval disk, lined horizontally, +and obliquely from right to left, bordered by a +colorless line with exterior colored line, on a shield +bordered by a fine colored line, vertically lined, on a +rectangular background, which is lined horizontally. +Above the oval a label formed by a colorless line edged +by a colored exterior line, curved round from the +oval line at the ends, and then parallel with it, having +a small ball ornament at each end, is inscribed +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in outline capitals, shaded outside, +on a ground of vertical lines, except at the ends, +where the lines are horizontal. Below the oval, on +a ribbon bordered by colored lines, in the same letters +"<i>Ten Cents</i>," on a ground of short vertical +lines, the words separated by large outline numerals +"10." Shadows of the oval in short horizontal lines +crossed by lines parallel to the oval. Shadows of +the lower ribbon in vertical lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents, chocolate.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twelve Cents.</span> Bust of Henry Clay, after Hart, +in profile to the left, on an oval disk, closely lined +horizontally, and bordered by a colorless line between +two fine colored lines, surrounded by labels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +bordered without by a second colorless line, between +fine colored lines, but curved inwards, crossed and +the sides united in a vertical line at the sides of the +stamp, the whole arranged in a double tablet formed +by vertical lines, terminated by an outside colored +line at top and bottom. The outer edges representing +a chamfer are horizontally lined. A little distance +from the edge, a series of diagonal lines between +two parallel lines, represent a beveled edge, +making the parts within appear higher. The upper +label is inscribed "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," in outline +capitals, doubly shaded outside, on a ground of +horizontal lines. The lower label is inscribed, +"<i>Twelve Cents</i>," in outline block capitals, doubly +shaded on a ground of horizontal lines. Large +outline numerals "12," doubly shaded, divide the +lower band and separate the words.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">12 cents, neutral tint.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fifteen Cents.</span> Bust of Daniel Webster, in profile +to the left, after Clevenger, on an oval disk, +very closely lined horizontally and obliquely, bordered +by a colorless line, on a vertically lined background, +with no terminal line at the top or bottom. +There is a triangular depression represented in each +of the four corners by horizontally lined ground +and shade lines, and mitered at the angles. Above +the oval and following its outline, is a label indicated +by a colorless line between fine colored lines,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +square at the ends with a ball beyond, inscribed on +a horizontally lined ground in colorless capitals, +outlined by colored lines and shaded without, "<i>U. +S. Postage</i>." Below the oval is a similarly formed +label with pointed ends, inscribed in the same letters +on horizontally lined ground, "<i>Fifteen Cents</i>," divided +by large pearled numerals "15."</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">15 cents, orange.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents.</span> Bust of Winfield Scott, in +profile to the left, after Coffee, on an oval disk +closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a colorless +line with exterior colored line, on a rectangular +background of horizontal lines. Above and following +the line of the oval are thirteen five pointed stars, +two at each end plain, and one letter of the inscription +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in colored block capitals in +each of the others. Above these and parallel to the +oval is a colorless line between colored lines, divided +and curving into two balls below, but curving into +a single ball above and shaded by another colored +line. Above these in each corner on a solid +ground of color, bordered by a similar arrangement +of lines, etc., in colorless block numerals +"24." Below the oval is a label inscribed +"<i>Twenty Four</i>," with another beneath it inscribed +"<i>Cents</i>," both indicated by a colorless line between +colored lines, with a horizontally lined background. +The letters are colorless block capitals. In the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +lower left corner are flags and cannon, and in the +right three muskets stacked.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">24 cents, pure purple.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thirty Cents.</span> Bust of Alexander Hamilton, in +profile to the left, after Cerrachi, on an oval disk +horizontally and obliquely lined, bordered by a colorless +line with outer colored line, on a shield shaped +panel vertically lined, the edges beveled and obliquely +lined, resting on a background of horizontal +lines. The upper corners of the panel project +beyond the rest at top and sides, the sides project +beyond the curved bottom, the shadows of the oval +on the shield are indicated by short horizontal +lines; those of the shield by vertical lines. Across +the curved top of the shield is a colorless line bordered +by outside colored lines. Across the top of +the shield in a double curve of outline capitals, +shaded outside, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>." Below the oval, +a small shield, outlined by a colorless line between +colored lines, bears the outlined numerals "30," +shaded outside on ground of horizontal lines, dividing +a ribbon outlined by colored lines, inscribed +"<i>Thirty Cents</i>," in colored spurred capitals, on a +ground of vertical lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">30 cents, black.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ninety Cents.</span> Bust of Com. O. H. Perry, in +profile to left, after Wolcutt, on an oval disk bordered +by a colorless line with exterior colored line. +The upper half of this line is covered by a cable, +rove at each end to a ring, that supports the lower +label. Above the oval a label with hatched ground, +bordered by a colorless line, with exterior colored +line following the oval, the ends curved outward +and inward in a sort of foliation, is inscribed +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in outline capitals, shaded outside. +A five pointed star in each corner. Below the oval, +the lower label, square at the ends, with hatched +ground, bordered by a colorless line and outer colored +line, is inscribed "<i>Ninety Cents</i>," in outline +block capitals, shaded outside. There is a heavy +shadow beneath the label, an anchor in each lower +corner. The whole is on a vertically lined panel +chamfered at the top, bottom and sides.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">90 cents, carmine.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of July 1870.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Seven Cents.</span> Bust of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, +in profile to left, on an oval disk, closely lined +horizontally, bordered by a colorless line. Above and +below, a label bordered by a colorless line following +the outline of the oval, but curved round and terminated +inside by a ball at each end. The whole +on a panel, vertically lined, with rounded corners, +and large ball on a rectangular background of horizontal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +lines. The labels are inscribed in outline +capitals, shaded outside on a hatched ground, the +upper, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," the lower, "<i>Seven Cents</i>," +divided by a large outline numeral "7," doubly +shaded outside.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">7 cents, vermilion.</p> + +<p>All these values were first issued with a grille, of +which there are several sizes, but on many, if not +most, even of unused specimens it is so indistinct +that it is impossible to distinguish the outlines, +measure the size, or count the squares. Some very +perfect unused specimens have been examined however, +and on the face it appears to be composed of horizontal +rows of depressed diamonds, divided by alternate +rows of smaller raised diamonds, with deep-depressed +lines along the sides of the latter. On +the reverse, the appearance is of rows of squares +divided by depressed lines, with little raised crosses +in each square. By these specimens it has also +been determined, that there were at least two distinct +sizes of grille.</p> + +<p>The first measures 10½ by 12½ mm., composed of +13 by 15½ rows of squares. Perfect specimens of +the 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 cent so grilled, have been +found, and satisfactory specimens of the 6, 12, 15, +24, 30 and 90 cents.</p> + +<p>The other variety measures 8½ by 10½ mm., and +is composed of 10 by 13 rows of squares. Perfect +specimens of the 1, 2, 3 and 7 cents so grilled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +have been found, but no satisfactory specimens of +any other value.</p> + +<p>Specimens with only a few distinct squares, are +comparatively common.</p> + +<p>The difficulty of arriving at accurate measurement, +is increased when the specimens examined +have been used, but apparently the larger of the +above grilles was gradually cut down row by row to +the smaller, as specimens of the 1, 2 and 3 cents, +the most used values, are found undoubtedly grilled.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">½</td> +<td align="left">by</td><td align="left">12½</td><td align="left">mm.,</td> +<td align="left">or</td><td align="left">13</td><td align="left">by</td> +<td align="left">17</td><td align="left">rows.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">13</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">15</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 9</td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">11½</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">15</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 9</td><td align="left"> </td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">11</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">11</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">14</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 8</td><td align="left">½</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">11</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">13</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>These all now bear a deep yellow or brown gum. +The colors are very uniform.</p> + +<p>As stated by the passage quoted above, there are +100 stamps, or ten rows of ten stamps in the so +called sheet, or properly half sheet, there being 200 +on the plate. The imprint was either "Engraved +and printed by the," in one line, "National Bank +Note Co., New York," in a second line in colorless +capitals, on a solid ground, with pearled edges and +outer fine colored line, or the second line above +without pearls on colored ground, bordered by a +double colored line. The author cannot state +whether all the values bore both imprints, having +only seen the 1, 2 and 3 cents with the first, and +the 30 and 90 with the second, the latter without +the grille. These imprints are placed 2 mm. from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +the stamps, above and below the 5th and 6th rows +on each half sheet, the plate number being between +the 8th and 9th rows. The line on which the sheets +are divided is indicated by three lines forming a +sort of arrow head, at the top and bottom of the +sheet. The center rows of stamps are 2½ mm. +apart, and there are no perforations between them. +The vertical rows of perforation are 22½ mm. apart +horizontally. The horizontal rows 27½ mm. apart +vertically, but the upper and lower rows are sometimes +28½ and sometimes 29½ mm. apart. If a +sheet is selected, where the vertical rows are so far +from the center line as to cut into the stamps, and +the horizontal rows too high or too low, and a stamp +from the top or bottom of the row next to the center +cut line is selected, and the perforations carefully +cut off, specimens can be made that have a much +larger margin than the ordinary perforated stamps, +and might easily pass as unperforated. This may +not account for all the unperforated specimens, +some of which may be the result of accident, but +all the values of this series and the following may +be so made unperforated, and have been so catalogued.</p> + +<p>The number of these stamps issued with grille, +is estimated as follows:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamps Issued Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td class="wider">cent,</td> +<td align="right">95,127,100.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">208,375,550.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">962,467,790.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">21,600,900.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 7</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">2,070,800.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td class="wider">cents</td> +<td align="right">8,509,280.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">2,857,975.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">4,299,220.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">637,450.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">711,430.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span> +</td><td align="right">165,180.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue without Grille</span> (1873?)</p> + +<p>The use of the grille was finally abandoned altogether. +The first notice of this change appeared +in the stamp papers of February, 1873. They were +made by the same company, and are in all respects +the same, except the embossing.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">imperial ultramarine,</td><td align="left">perforated</td> +<td align="left">12.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents,</td> +<td align="left">velvet brown</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">milori green</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">cochineal</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 7</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">vermilion</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">chocolate</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">purple</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">orange</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">pure purple</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">black</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">carmine</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The colors do not vary materially from those of +the grilled series, but there are two quite distinct +shades of the twelve cents, a blackish purple and +a brownish tint.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1873.</span></p> + +<p>In accordance with the provisions of the general +law, before the expiration of the contract with the +National Bank Note Company, the Postmaster General +advertised in the daily papers, in December, +1872, that he would receive bids for furnishing the +Department with postage stamps from the 1st of +May, 1873, to the 1st of May, 1877. This contract, as +well as the subsequent one which terminated the 1st +of July, 1881, was awarded to the Continental Bank +Note Company, of New York. The dies and plates, +by the terms of the contract with the National +Bank Note Company, were the property of the Government, +and were turned over to the new contractors, +who continued to print the stamps from the +same plates, until they were worn out, and theoretically +in the same colors. As new plates were required +from time to time, they were made from the +original dies, but bore the imprint of the new contractor, +which resembles the first one described as +used by the National Company, but reads "Printed +by the" in the first line, "Continental Bank Note +Co., New York," in the second line. This imprint +probably, was not put upon one of the values above +15 cents. In fact the 30 and 90 cents sent out +just before, and for some years after the expiration +of the second contract awarded to this Company, +bore the second named imprint of the National +Bank Note Company.</p> + +<p>Specimens are found which show the heavier border +lines and shadows of the different parts of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +design, the fine lines of the background, of the tablets, +and sometimes of the shields, being invisible to +the eye, though more or less of them can generally +be traced with a glass. These collectors have designated +as "plain frames," as they appear to be +without color. They are, really, defective impressions +either from worn plates, when the plates made +by the National Bank Note Company, were giving +out in 1873, or from the poor results of the process +of printing adopted, as is claimed by the Postmaster +General.</p> + +<p>But similar varieties have certainly appeared, +and for like causes, at other times. Collectors of +curiosities will find:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent</td> +<td align="left">plain</td><td align="left">frame,</td> +<td align="left">perforated</td><td align="left">12.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The stamps from the plates with the imprint of +this Company, now bear on the back a white gum, +and not the brownish, used by the National Bank +Note Company, which will help to distinguish impressions +made by them from the old plates. The +colors, however, are not identical, and will further +serve to distinguish them. There may be exceptions, +but ordinarily the <span class="smcap">One Cent</span> is a pure indigo, +without the red or ultramarine cast, of those printed +previously, whether lighter or deeper impressions +are chosen.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Two Cents</span> has also lost its reddish tone,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +and is a dull brown, with a tendency to blackish-brown, +whether lighter or deeper in shade.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Three Cents</span> is of a duller and generally a +pale shade.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Six Cents</span> is much lighter and is a washy +pink.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Seven Cents</span> is a more yellowish vermilion.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Ten Cents</span> approaches very nearly to the +original shade of the two cents, but is a little more +of a blackish brown, very unlike the delicate original +shade. The oval and face lines are dark and +heavy.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Fifteen Cents</span> is a much paler orange.</p> + +<p>The higher values, <span class="smcap">Twenty-Four</span>, <span class="smcap">Thirty</span> and <span class="smcap">Ninety +Cents</span>, have a thinner tone than the deep rich color +of the former Company's work.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the following changes were +announced in a circular to postmasters:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,<br /> +Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes & Postal Cards.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, D. C., June 21st, 1875.</i></p> + +<p>The Department is prepared to commence the issue +of postage stamps of the denomination of five (5) cents +to meet the new letter rate of postage, under the treaty +of Berne, to the following countries, viz:</p> + +<p>[Here follow the names of all countries that had +then joined the Postal Union, to which five cents +was the rate.]</p> + +<p>The new five cent stamp is designed from a bust of +Gen. Zackary Taylor in full face, and printed in dark<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +blue color. The changes in foreign postages will render +unnecessary the further use of the 7, 12 and 24 cent +stamps and stamped envelopes, and they will accordingly +be discontinued.</p> + +<p>In order to avoid the liability to mistake caused by +the near similarity in color between the two cent and +ten cent stamp, the former will in future be printed in +vermilion, the color of the discontinued seven cent +stamp.</p> + +<p>[Here follows directions to use up the stock of +the discontinued stamps and envelopes, whenever +they can be utilized.]</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad8">[Signed.]</span> <span class="rpad4">E. W. BARBER,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of July 1st, 1875.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents</span>. Same design, and from the same die +and plate as the previous brown impression, the color +only changed.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">2 cents, vermilion.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of October 5th, 1875.</span></p> + +<p>One of the New York daily papers in April, 1882, +speaking of the new five cent stamp (Garfield) +about to be issued, says: The history of the current +five cent stamp with Taylor's portrait is as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The rates for international postage had been decided +upon as 5 cents, the United States series of postage +stamps had not such a value. Mr. Jewell, the Postmaster +General at the time, suggested to President Grant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +the propriety of having his portrait on the new stamp +of the required value. Gen. Grant did not agree with +his Cabinet officer. Finally, he suggested that if Mr. +Jewell would insist upon consulting his wishes, he (Gen. +Grant) would be well pleased if the portrait of old Zack +Taylor, with whom he served in the Mexican war, could +be used on the new stamp. Instead of instructing the +then contractors to prepare a portrait of Gen. Taylor, +which would be in harmony with the other stamps of +the series, Mr. Jewell found in the Bureau of Engraving +and Printing, a portrait of Taylor, which had been used +on the old tobacco strip series. This portrait was transmogrified +into the five cent stamp. It was badly engraved +and of wretched color.</p></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of October 5th, 1875.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Five Cents.</span> Bust of General Zachary Taylor, +full face, on an oval disk lined horizontally and +obliquely, the horizontal lines growing closer and +closer towards the top, surrounded by a colorless +line with outer colored line, and resting on a shield, +vertically lined, and bordered by an exterior colored +line, all on a background of colored horizontal +lines, the shadows of short horizontal lines. Above +the oval is a label, bordered by a colorless line between +fine colored lines, and curved round and divided +at the ends, the outer part terminating in a +ball, horizontally lined and inscribed "<i>U. S. Postage</i>," +in outline capitals shaded without. Below the +oval is a ribbon, bordered by a colored line, and +inscribed "<i>Five Cents</i>," the words divided by a +large numeral "5", all in outline capitals, shaded without +on a ground of short vertical lines.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, dark blue.</p> + +<p>The stamp is identical with the two and ten cent +values, with the value changed, and the portrait of +Taylor from the six ounce tobacco stamp of the "series +of 1871," placed in the medallion.</p> + +<p>Both the two cent vermilion and the five cent +blue, bear the imprint "Printed by the Continental +Bank Note Company," which also prepared +the tobacco stamp in question.</p> + +<p>These two stamps have been chronicled as having +been issued grilled. The error crept into the +French edition of this work likewise, but they were +at least never so issued for circulation.</p> + +<p>All the values as issued by this company have +likewise been chronicled as unperforated. If they +are not accounted for as indicated under the remarks +made on page 172, they are the result of +accident.</p> + +<p>In many cases indistinct dots can be seen where +the perforating machine failed to do its work. Such +specimens are curious but do not require more than +mention.</p> + +<p>Before the second contract with the Continental +Bank Note Co. expired, it was consolidated with +the American Bank Note Co. under, the name of +the American Bank Note Company, and new plates +began to appear with the imprint of this company, +in large colored block capitals, shaded by a colored +line parallel to the letters and an outside row of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +lighter horizontal lines.</p> + +<p>The one, two, three, five and ten are found with +this imprint, without material change. The seven, +twelve and twenty-four cent having long been retired +are not to be looked for with this imprint, and +the fifteen, thirty and ninety cents at this time were +still printed from the plates, with the imprint of the +Continental Bank Note Co.</p> + +<p>The gum has the white shade and the colors are +the same as used by that company.</p> + +<p>The <i>one cent</i> of the dull indigo blue.</p> + +<p>The <i>two cents</i> has a misty look.</p> + +<p>The <i>three cents</i> inclines to a blue-green.</p> + +<p>The <i>five cents</i> has heavier lines and is a darker +blue.</p> + +<p>The <i>ten cents</i> returns to the light appearance of +the original of 1870 but is of the yellow-brown +shade.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of April 10th, 1882.</span></p> + +<p>With the letting of the contract for another term +in June, 1881, the American Bank Note Company +again secured the contract.</p> + +<p>Soon after the death of President Garfield, it was +proposed that his portrait should be placed on +the five cent stamp used for foreign postage, +and the stamp printed in mourning, as was said to +have been done with the fifteen cent stamp, then used +for foreign postage, after the death of President +Lincoln. The stamp with the head of Taylor, +it was said had been hurriedly gotten up, and +did not correspond with the rest of the series. By<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +direction of Postmaster General James, the American +Bank Note Co. therefore prepared the new +stamp, after a photograph of President Garfield. +Mrs. Garfield was consulted, and proofs in various +colors were, it is said, submitted to her. Instead +of black, she finally selected a vandyke brown. +The first proofs were in black, and at the request of +Mrs. Garfield it is stated, the Postmaster General +sent one of them, mounted on card and placed in a +frame of silver, surrounded by a second frame of +gold, on a background of purple velvet, and protected +by a glass in an ebony frame, to Her Majesty, +the Queen of England.</p> + +<p>From the correspondence columns of the daily +papers, we learn that the Department received the +first invoice of these stamps at Washington, the 7th +of February, 1882, and that it was expected to begin +the issue the 1st of March, following. Mr. +Durbin obtained some copies which he used on St. +Valentines day. But the stamps were not distributed +from the offices until the 10th of April, 1882 +and were then sold only as the supply of the old +ones was exhausted. This is the date officially +given by the report of Postmaster General for the +year, and the same date is also given by the New +York papers. The description given by the Postmaster +General it is not necessary to repeat.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of April 10th, 1882.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Five Cents.</span> Portrait in profile to the left, of +President Garfield, in an oval disk 16 by 20 mm.,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +lined horizontally and obliquely, and bordered by +a line of colorless pearls on a broad colored band, +resting on a shield lined horizontally, and bordered +by a colored line, very heavy on the right side and +at the bottom, and an exterior fine colorless line at +the bottom and sides, all on a back ground of horizontal +lines bordered at the sides by a terminal line +of color. The shield is square at the top, of the +width of the stamp, with perpendicular sides not +quite so far apart, the corners being slanted back, +and is pointed at the bottom which is formed of +two diagonal lines. A large solid six pointed star, +bordered by a colorless line and exterior colored +line covers the lower point of the shield and a part +of the pearled border, and bears a large colorless +numeral "5." On each side of this a ribbon indicated +by a colored line, inscribed on left "<i>Five</i>," +on right "<i>Cents</i>," in outline capitals, on a ground +of short vertical lines. On the background of the +stamp, beneath all, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in colored +block letters, shaded on the left and top by colorless +lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, dark chocolate.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of November, 1882.</span></p> + +<p>Without any notice to the postmasters or the +public, new plates were made by the American +Bank Note Company, and slight changes were +made in the engraving. These began to appear in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +November, 1882, and may be found in the one +three, six and ten cent values.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> The vertical lines of the background +are thickened in the upper half and so nearly touch, +that the ground now appears solid and in fact from +the running of the ink, sometimes really is solid. +The curved ornamental lines in the upper corners +and the balls are now shaded with one or more interior +colored lines, instead of being plain. The +exterior shading of horizontal lines is omitted here, +at the ends of the upper labels, and also outside +of the side lines, and is very faint under the lower +ornaments and label.</p> + +<p>(<i>a</i>) The first impressions of this altered plate +are in an ashey blue and, the upper ornaments are +rendered indistinct by the interior lines. There is +a whitish space, like a reflection beneath the bust.</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>) Later impressions in 1886, show the upper +ornaments more distinctly white, and shaded outside +again by lines parallel to their curves. A +heavy shadow now appears under the bust, the +ground being almost solid where it falls. The color +by daylight is again slightly of the ultramarine cast, +but differing only slightly from the ashey hue by +gaslight.</p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>) Later impressions in 1887, show the return +to the heavy upper ornaments, but their exterior +shading remains as in (b). The ground work of +the oval is uniform and there is no light or dark +shadow under the bust. The ultramarine is of a +more pronounced cast by daylight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents.</span> There seems to have been no change +beyond that already mentioned, as the design was +soon changed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three Cents.</span> The altered die beside the other +appears quite different, but a close examination is +necessary to determine the differences at first. +Once detected, they are very apparent. The lines +of ground of the oval are heavier. The cross lines +can still be seen with the glass, and the part behind +the head is now crossed by vertical lines also. The +shadows of the upper ornaments are now solid, and +the horizontal lines cannot be detected. The shadows +of the oval are also solid, and about half as +broad as in the other die. The horizontal lines can +be seen by the glass, but are very light. This is the +most conspicuous difference. The vertical shadow +lines under the lower label are omitted. The shield +in the old die has a ground of horizontal lines on +the right side, with an outside vertical border line, +and two fine vertical lines on the horizontal lines +form the shadow of the shield. The altered die +has the three vertical lines, but the horizontal lines +are omitted to the point where the bottom line begins. +The color is a blue-green, not yellow-green +as before.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Six Cents.</span> The ground work of the oval, is +practically solid or mottled, that of the panel nearly +so. The border line cannot be distinguished from +the ground, while in the original issue, not only is +the border line distinct, but in the "sallie" the fine +vertical shadow lines can be counted inside, and on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +the right side three, very close together, and four +lines besides these between the panel and the edge, +counting the outside line. In the new, none of +these shadows exist, and there are only <i>three</i> lines +between the panel and the edge, including the outside +line. In the old, on the right side, there are +fourteen lines in the frame above and below the +projection. In the new there are thirteen above, +and eleven below. The color is a brick red, neither +the cochineal or pink previously used.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> The frame lines have all been +strengthened as well as those of the background, +so that the entire stamp is more uniform in engraving +and color, but has entirely lost its light look. +The edges no longer fade away, but stand out sharp +from the paper. It is apparent to the eye that the +space between the oval and the shield, is reduced +one-third its width. There are only four vertical +lines between the line of the shield and the line of +the oval at their nearest point on the left, or six +lines in all; in the originals, there were five lines, +or seven in all. Beneath the ribbon containing the +value in the old stamps, the horizontal lines of the +background are scarcely visible, the vertical shade +lines being conspicuous. In the new the horizontal +lines are strong and clear.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td class="col1topl">(<i>a</i>)</td> +<td align="left">The earliest impressions are in muddy yellow brown, +quite uniform all over the stamp.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl">(<i>b</i>)</td> +<td align="left">Later impressions, in 1886, are in a clearer shade +of yellow-brown, and the light on the face has been increased, much +improving the effect.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl">(<i>c</i>)</td> +<td align="left">An odd purple-brown shade appeared in 1886.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="col1topl">(<i>d</i>)</td> +<td align="left">A dark black-brown shade is now, 1887, in use.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">The Issue of October, 1883.</span></p> + +<p>The Act of the 47th Congress, Session II, Chapter +92, approved March 3d, 1883, provided that:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Upon all matter of the 1st class [as defined by chapter +180 of the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, +1879, entitled: An Act, etc.] postage shall be charged +on and after the first day of October, A. D. 1883, at the +rate of two cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof, +and all acts so far as they fix a different rate of postage +than herein provided upon said first class matter, are to +that extent hereby repealed."</p></div> + +<p>The report of the Third Assistant Postmaster +General under date of November 8th, 1883, says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Soon after the passage of the Act of March 3d, 1883, +preparations were begun to carry the new law into effect. +The change left the 3 cent denomination of postage +stamps of little utility, it no longer representing the single +rate of postage on any class of matter, and it was +determined to discontinue its issue. As the public +would have undoubtedly regarded with disfavor, the +dropping of Washington from portraits, forming the distinguishing +feature in the series of postage stamps, it +was decided to replace the old 2 cent stamp by a new +one bearing the profile of the first president, thus restoring +it to its old place on the stamp in most general use. +It was also decided to issue a new stamp of the value of +four cents, a denomination not previously in use, and +designed to cover two rates of letter postage. The portrait +of Jackson, formerly on the 2 cent stamp, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +transferred to this new (four cent) stamp. The following +is a brief description of the new stamp:</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Two Cent Stamp.</span></p> + +<p>An oblong shield, slightly shouldered on the upper +square, the lower lines terminating in a point. Within +this shield is an oval containing a profile bust of George +Washington engraved in line, surrounded by a ribbon +ending with small scrolls bearing the legend "United +States Postage," in white letters. From each end of +the scrolls a chain of pearls completes the outlines of +the oval. A prominent white-faced figure "2" laps over +the lower centre point of the oval and shield, dividing +the words "Two Cents." The whole is enclosed in a +dark upright square to give relief to the device. The +stamp is printed in dark red.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Four Cent Stamp.</span></p> + +<p>Over an oval containing a bust of Andrew Jackson in +profile, is a ribbon with the legend "United States Postage," +in white letters. A string of pearls forms round +the lower half of the oval and unites the two ends of +the ribbon. At the lower part of the oval, on either +side, appears the figure "4," and under that the words +"Four Cents," with a star on each side, all engraved in +white faced letters. The whole device is inclosed in +an upright oblong tablet. The stamp is printed in +green.</p> + +<p>It is worthy of notice that these are the first postage +stamps ever bearing the words "United States Postage" +in full, the name of the country being abbreviated to +"U. S." on all other stamps * * * Postmasters +were notified by circular of the coming change of postage, +and intrusted to make their requisitions for 3 cent +stamps and envelopes sufficient only for carefully estimated +needs to the 1st October. * * * The issue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +of the new 2 cent and 4 cent stamped envelopes was +commenced on the 1st September, and of the 2 and 4 +cent adhesive stamps on the 15th September; and they +were so generally distributed by the 1st October that the +change of postage was attended with but little inconvenience +for want of the necessary stamps."</p></div> + +<p>The circular issued to postmasters read as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, D. C., July 18th, 1883.</i></p> + +<p>On and after the first day of October, 1883, the rate of +postage on domestic mail matter of the first class, will +be reduced from three cents per half ounce, or fraction +thereof, as provided by Act of Congress, approved March +3d, 1883.</p> + +<p>The department has adopted a new design for the two +cent stamp.</p> + +<p>The head of Washington, in profile from Houdon's +bust, placed on a plain tablet. Above the oval, surrounding +the head, are the words "United States Postage," +and underneath the tablet are the words "Two +Cents." The stamp will be printed in metallic red. +The engraved stamp on the 2 cent envelope will also +bear the head of Washington.</p> + +<p>A four cent denomination of postage stamps and +stamped envelopes, to cover double postage under the +new rate, will also be issued.</p> + +<p>The design embraces the head of Jackson, similar to +that on the present 2 cent stamp and envelope. No +change will be made in the postage due stamps.</p> + +<p>The same 3 cent stamps and stamped envelopes of +the present design, will continue to be valid after the 1st +of October, and must be accepted in payment of postage +whenever offered in appropriate amounts.</p> + +<p>The drop letter rate of postage will remain the same +as now.</p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="rpad4">A. D. HAZEN,</span><br /> +<i>Third Assistant Postmaster General</i>.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of September 15th, 1883.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents.</span> Bust of General Washington, in +profile to the left, after Houdon, on an oval disk, +lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, bordered +by a colorless line, surrounded by a solid colored +band, ornamented in the lower two-thirds with a +row of white pearls, the upper third broadened +into a label, edged outside by a colorless line, with +outside colored line, the ends curved round into a +hook, the whole resting on a shield shaped tablet, +corresponding to that of the last three cents, horizontally +lined and edged by a colored line, very +heavy on the right and bottom, with an outside +colorless line, the whole on a rectangular background +of horizontal lines, very close together below, and +farther apart above. There are no shadows except +a few vertical lines beneath the projecting part of +the top parts of the shield.</p> + +<p>The label above the oval is inscribed "<i>United +States Postage</i>," in full colorless capitals, on the +solid ground. A large colorless numeral outlined +in color and doubly shaded outside, obscures the +point of the shield and the pearled and colorless +border of the oval, dividing the words "<i>Two Cents</i>" +in full colorless capitals on the background, so +shaded as to be on a solid colored ground.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">2 cents, metallic red.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Four Cents.</span> Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +to left, after Powers, in an oval disk, horizontally +lined, very closely at the top, and doubly +diagonally bordered by a colorless line, twice as +wide as that in the last two cents, surrounded by a +solid colored band, ornamented with pearls below, +and broadened above into a label, bordered above +and at the ends by a colorless line, and inscribed +"<i>United States Postage</i>," just as in the two cents, +the whole resting on a rectangular tablet, with horizontally +lined ground, crossed by vertical lines below +the oval, and bordered by a vertical colorless +line on the right and above the oval on the left, +with mitered or bevelled edge, represented by five +colored lines parallel with the top, bottom and +sides, the right, upper third of the left, and bottom +bevel crossed by short colored lines at right angles. +On the ground below the oval, which is nearly solid +color, in colorless capitals, "<i>Four Cents</i>," between +colored five pointed stars. Large colorless numeral +"4" on each side, above the stars and end letters +of the value.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, slightly surfaced with green, perforated +12.</p> + +<p class="center">4 cents, blue green.</p> + +<p>The arrangement of the plates, printer's imprint, +plate number, etc., is the same as before, for both +of the new stamps.</p> + +<p>The report of 1883 also proposed that the 3 and +6 cent stamps should be called in, redeemed and +destroyed. Nothing seems to have been done +about it however, until Frank Hatton, Postmaster<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +General, issued an order, dated December 1st, 1884, +that the three and six cents of all issues with the +exceptions following, should be exchanged by postmasters +for other values.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Especial care must be taken not to redeem postage +stamps issued prior to 1861, as such stamps were +long since declared obsolete and valueless for postage. +No six cent stamps were issued prior to 1861. The three +cent issued before that time bears the head of Washington, +and is printed in red. In a straight line at the top +are the words "U. S. Postage," and at the bottom, the +words "Three Cents." The figure 3 does not appear on +the stamps, as it does upon all subsequent issues of that +denomination. Stamps answering to this description, +must in all cases be refused."</p></div> + +<p>On the 14th of January, 1885, Postmaster General +Frank Hatton, by order No. 75, appointed a +committee of three to proceed among other things +to the stamp manufactory at New York, and effectually +cancel all the plates, except one working plate +of each denomination, of the issues of 1847, of 1851, +including the two carrier stamps, of 1861, of 1865 +newspaper and periodicals, of 1869, of the 3, 5, Taylor, +7, 12 and 24 cents of 1870, 3 and 9 cent newspaper +and periodical of 1874, and of all the Department +stamps.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"One plate of each kind and denomination of postage +stamp reserved as above, and the dies and rolls from +which they have been produced, together with all the +cancelled plates, to be inventoried, waxed and carefully +boxed and sealed, and placed in the vault of the stamp +manufactory, in the custody and under the control of +the agent."</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>The committee were also to cancel any worn out +and unserviceable plates of the current series, and +to count and destroy the official stamps remaining +in the vaults of the American Bank Note Company, +of all denominations and Departments, numbering +17,024,588, of the 3 and 9 cent newspaper and periodical +stamps of 1874, numbering 324,990, and of +the 7, 12, and 24 cent stamps of the 1870 issue, +numbering 1,414,300, a grand total of 18,763,878 +stamps. On the 24th of February, the committee +reported that they had carried out the order.</p> + +<p>A. D. Hazen, Third Assistant Postmaster General, +who recommended this holocaust, says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have excepted from this recommendation the 3 cent +stamps of the current series, of which there are 135,800 +in the vault, for the reason that though their general +issue has been discontinued, occasional calls are made +for them by some of the larger offices."</p></div> + +<p>The reports show further that from January 1st, +to June 30, 1886, 1,094,200 three cent stamps were +actually issued. During the same period, 201,600 +six cent stamps were also issued, while 645,950 +thirty cent stamps, and only 29,620 ninety cent +stamps were issued. As a matter of fact therefore +these values, though retired from general issue, +are more in demand than the two higher values +retained, nearly 2 to 1, as between the 3 and 30 +cents, 50 to 1 as between the 3 and 90 cents, or 9 +to 1 as between the 6 and 90 cents, and that too +when the general public is unaware that these +values can be obtained at all.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Contract for 1885-89.</span></p> + +<p>The contract for the manufacture of adhesive +stamps between the Department and the American +Bank Note Company, expiring on the 30th of June, +1885, sealed proposals were invited by public advertisement +of March 30th, 1885, for a new contract +for four years from July 1st, 1885. The important +features of the new contract to be noticed +here, are <i>first</i>, that a definite standard of paper to +be used for printing the stamps, made by an improved +formula, was for the first time required, all +other contracts having provided that the paper +should be equal to a sample only; and <i>second</i>, that +all ordinary postage stamps should be printed +wholly by machinery run by steam power. "The +two previous contracts, 1877 to 1881, and 1881 to +1885, expressly stipulated that the printing should +be done on hand roller presses, the use of steam +presses under the contract immediately preceeding +the same, 1873 to 1877, which was silent as to the +mode of printing, having resulted in extremely unsatisfactory +work."</p> + +<p>The act of the 48th Congress, Session II, Chapter +342, approved March 30th, 1885, provides:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That upon all matter of the first class, as defined by +chapter 180 of the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, +1879, entitled: An Act, etc., and by that act declared +subject to postage at the rate of three cents for each +half ounce or fraction thereof, and reduced by act of +March 3d, 1883, to two cents for each ounce or fraction +thereof, postage shall be charged, on and after the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +day of July, 1885, at the rate of two cents for each ounce +or fraction thereof; and drop letters shall be mailed at +the rate of two cents per ounce or fraction thereof, including +delivery at letter carrier offices, and one cent +for each ounce or fraction thereof where free delivery by +carriers is not established."</p></div> + +<p>It was claimed that the improvements in machinery +had produced steam presses that could produce +better word than the hand presses, at less cost. +Bids were taken for stamps printed entirely by +hand, partly by hand and partly by steam, entirely +by steam; the last two with or without an option +reserved to the Postmaster General, to require the +work to be done by hand roller presses. The +Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the +Franklin Bank Note Co., and the American Bank +Note Co., were the only bidders. The latter again +secured the contract to print the ordinary stamps, +by steam power entirely, and the newspaper, postage +due and special delivery stamps by hand roller +presses. For the latter of these they are paid $18 +per 1000, for the postage due $8.49 per 1000, and +for the steam printed stamps $6.99 per thousand. +For these latter the Government paid $9.19 under +the previous contract up to 1885, $9.98 up to 1881, +and $14.99 up to 1877.</p> + +<p>The following is the number of stamps of the +issue of 1870 as it is called without the grille.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamp Issue Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="left">cent,</td><td align="left">old</td> +<td align="left">plate,</td><td align="left">blue,</td><td align="right">1,748,378,900</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">altered</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">"</td><td align="right">1,872,063,600</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="left">cents,</td><td align="left">old</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">brown</td><td align="right">176,830,300</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">vermilion</td><td align="right">661,829,150</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">new</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"><span class="rpad2">red-brown</span></td><td align="right">4,370,788,300</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">old</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">4,986,505,600</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">altered</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">629,537,100</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Jackson</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td><td align="right">80,390,500</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Garfield</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td><td align="right">14,454,640</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">6</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">old</td> +<td align="left">plate</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">76,726,850</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">6</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">altered</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">8,013,300</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">7</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left" colspan="3"> </td> +<td align="right">3,349,100</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">old</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">79,126,690</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">altered</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left"> </td><td align="right">81,307,910</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="3"> </td><td align="right">3,272,125</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="3"> </td><td align="right">16,136,380</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="3"> </td><td align="right">716,975</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="3"> </td><td align="right">6,134,410</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="3"> </td><td align="right">436,150</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The paper provided for in this contract is the +soft porous paper, which according to Mr. Sterling +was introduced in 1883. It is not stiff and hard +like the previous paper, and seems to have been +adopted about the time of the change in the dies, +the fall 1882. All the values employed since are +to be found on it. It may be noted that the fifteen +and thirty cents on this paper are with the imprint +of the American Company. The fifteen is again a +deep orange and the thirty a full black.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1883, Etc.</span></p> + +<p>Same colors, values and designs, soft porous paper, +perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">ultramarine blue.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">red-brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="left">cents,</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">green.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 4</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">dark</td><td align="left">green.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 5</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">cochineal.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">orange.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">black.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2">carmine.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of June 15th, 1887.</span></p> + +<p>The following circular explains itself:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department</span>,<br /> +Office of the Postmaster General.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, D. C., May 23d, 1887.</i></p> + +<p>On or about the 15th of June, 1887, the Department +will begin the issue of a new design of the ordinary one +cent postage stamp, of which the following is a description: +The center of the stamp consists of a profile bust of +Benjamin Franklin (after-the original by Caracci), looking +to the left, in an oval disk, with shaded background, +the lower portion of the oval being bordered with pearls +and the upper portion with a curved frame, containing +in small white letters, the words, "United States Postage." +The whole is engraved in line upon a shield shaped +tablet, with a truncated pyramidal base, bearing on it the +words "one" and "cent," on either side of the figure "1." +The color of the stamp is ultramarine blue, and its general +appearance is somewhat similar to that of the stamp +now in use.</p> + +<p>Before ordering supplies of the new stamps, postmasters +will be expected to exhaust their stock of the old, +which will continue to be valid. Under no circumstances +are the old stamps to be sent to the Department +for redemption or exchange.</p> + +<p class="sig"><span class="rpad4">WILLIAM T. VILAS,</span><br /> +Postmaster General.</p> + +<p><span class="lpad2">H. R. HARRIS,</span><br /> +Third Assist. P. M. General.</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of June 15th, 1887.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Cent.</span> Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile +to the left, after Carraci, on an oval disk lined +horizontally and doubly diagonally, the upper third +bordered by a label, the lower two thirds by a +broad solid colored line, ornamented with colorless +pearls increasing in size from top to bottom, with a +colorless line outside this, shaded by another heavy +colored line. The label is of solid color, between +two colorless lines, the upper one curved round the +ends, forming a hook and edged outside by a fine +colored line, and is inscribed in white capitals similar +to the two cents last described, "United States +Postage." The whole is on a horizontally lined +shield shaped tablet, the top similar to that of the +two cents, but with a small point in the centre of +the top and the diagonals shorter. The bottom is +curved at the corners, then curved back up and +round, and spreads out into the lower part of a +"truncated pyramid." It is edged with a heavy +colored line on the right and bottom, with a heavy +colored line on the left and top. On the truncated +base is a large pearled outlined colorless numeral +"1," dividing the border of the oval and the words +"One Cent," in outline colorless capitals. The +rectangle is filled out with horizontal lines at the +sides of the shield and vertical line at the top.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">1 cent, ultramarine blue.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXIV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Postage Due Stamps.</span></h3> + + +<p>From the adoption of compulsory prepayment +up to 1879, various regulations had been made +from time to time regarding insufficiently paid letters, +in order to relieve the Dead Letter Office as +far as possible, and yet enforce the prepayment +of all mail matter. Nevertheless mistakes continued +to be made and the practice of forwarding all +letters upon which one full rate was paid, and collecting +the balance of the receiver had finally been +adopted, the amount to be collected being written +or stamped upon the letter. From this practice +abuses arose, and by the Act of the XLV Congress, +Section III, Chapter 180, Section 26, approved +March 3d, 1879, it was enacted:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That all mail matter of the first class upon which one +full rate of postage has been prepaid shall be forwarded +to its destination charged with the unpaid rate, to be +collected on delivery, but postmasters before delivering +the same, or any article of mail matter upon which prepayment +in full has not been made, shall affix, or cause +to be affixed, and cancelled as ordinary stamps are cancelled,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +one or more stamps equivalent in value to the +amount of postage due on such article of mail matter, +which stamps shall be of such special design as the +Postmaster General shall prescribe, and which shall in +no case be sold by any postmaster or received by him in +prepayment of postage," etc.</p> + +<p>Sec. 27. "That any postmaster or other person engaged +in the postal service who shall collect and fail to +account for the postage due upon any article of mail +matter which he may deliver without having previously +affixed and cancelled such stamp as herein before provided +shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on +conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of fifty +dollars."</p></div> + +<p>Shortly after the passage of this Act the following +circular was addressed to all postmasters:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"> +Form No. 3288.<br /> +SPECIAL STAMP FOR POSTAGE DUE.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,<br /> +Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes and Postal Cards.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, D. C., May 5th 1879.</i></p> + +<p>By Sections 26 and 27 of the Act of Congress, making +appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department +for the year ending June 30th, 1880, and for other +purposes "approved March 3d, 1879, it is made the duty +of postmasters to affix to all mail matter that has arrived +at destination without full payment of postage, +and before delivery of the same, an amount of stamps +equal to the postage due, the stamps to be of such special +design as the Postmaster General may direct."</p> + +<p>To avoid any confusion in the accounts of Postmasters +with the Auditor, and on account of the length of the +time necessary to prepare for the change contemplated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +by the above sections in the mode of collecting and accounting +for short paid postage, it has been decided to +have the same go into practical operation on the 1st of +July next.</p> + +<p>The Department however, will begin issuing sometime +during the present month, in anticipation of the wants +of postmasters, special stamps for the collection of +postage due of the denomination of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, +and of the following general description:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>A large figure, representing the denomination is placed +in the center of the stamp, and is surrounded by an oval +of very delicate lathe work. On the upper border of +this oval, the words "Postage Due" are printed in white +letters; in the lower border is the denomination, in letters +of the same kind; on either side of the oval are the +letters "U. S." in a small white shield. Around the oval +is a form of complex character, described upon an oblong +tablet. The general design is the same for all the +stamps, the only difference being in the figures and lettering +for the several denominations. The color is the +same, a reddish brown.</p></div> + +<p>These stamps are intended, exclusively for the collection +of postage due on matter arriving at destination +through the mails, and are to be used in combination, +wherever required to cover unusual amounts of postage. +They are to be cancelled in the customary way after +being attached to mail matter, are never to be sold or received +by Postmasters for prepayment of postage. +Postmasters must distinctly understand, that these +stamps are not to be used until July 1st, 1879.</p> + +<p>A supply of these will be sent at first to all post +offices in advance of requisitions from postmasters, and +charged to their account; but afterwards they must be +ordered on blank forms (No. 3285) to be furnished by +the First Assistant Postmaster General. With the first +supply of stamps, however, blank requisitions for future<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +use will be enclosed.</p> + +<p>The stamps will be accounted for to the auditor the +same as other stamps, and will enter into the monthly +reports of stamps, etc., received, sold and on hand, +required by the regulations, to be made by postmasters +at Presidential offices, to the Third Assistant Postmaster +General.</p> + +<p>On the next page of this circular will be found the +sections of the new postal law and regulations relating +to the above described stamps, which are published in +advance for the information and guidance of postmasters. +The distinguishing numbers of the sections +cannot now be given, but the instructions are here +printed in the same order in which they will appear in +the forthcoming volume of the new postal regulations.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad4">A. D. HAZEN,</span><br /> +<i>Third Assistant Postmaster General</i>.</p></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of May 9th</span>, 1879.</p> + +<p class="center">For use from and after July 1st, 1879.</p> + +<p>Large colorless numeral, 10 mm. high, representing +the value, ornamented and shaded, on an oval +disk, 17 by 13½ mm., with colored ground ornamented +by colorless geometric lathe work, bordered +by a solid colored band between two heavy colorless +lines and an exterior fine colored line, interrupted +by small white shields on the sides bearing "<i>U.</i>" +on the left, "<i>S.</i>" on the right, in fancy colored +capitals. The band is inscribed in white capitals, +above, "<i>Postage Due</i>," below with the value in full +letters, the whole on a tablet with vertically lined +ground, with an irregular outline colorless line bordered +by an extensive fine colored line, and a double<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +rectangular frame, the interior formed by parallel, +diagonal curved lines, and the exterior by +vertical short lines at top and bottom, horizontal +ones at sides, indicating a bevel.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">reddish brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="left">cents,</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The report of the Postmaster General dated December, +1879, states:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Under a provision in the act of Congress, approved +March 3d 1879, authorizing a change in the mode of collecting +postage due, on matter arriving at destination +through the mails, the Department began issuing +on the 9th of May, special stamps, called postage due +stamps, of the denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, and +subsequently of the additional denominations of 10, 30, +and 50 cents. Before the first of July, every office in the +country was provided with a supply of these stamps, +and the new system of collecting short paid postage is +now fairly in operation."</p></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of August</span>, 1879.</p> + +<p>Stamps of the same design, but there being +two figures, the numerals are smaller.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated +12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="left">cents,</td> +<td align="left">reddish brown.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">50</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<p>The number of these stamps issued from May, +1879, to June 30th, 1885, was:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Stamp Issue Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td><td align="left">25,328,525</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td class="wider">cents,</td> +<td align="right">30,534,425</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">31,146,230</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 5</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">5,029,435</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">6,105,175</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">169,078</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">50</td><td class="wider"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="right">93,490</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations</span>.</p> + +<p>There are two quite distinct shades of the red-brown +in which these stamps are printed, the earlier +issues being of a brown that shows hardly a +trace of red, while those printed under the 1885 +contract are of the shade of the current two cent +postage stamp.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXV.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Special Delivery Stamp.</span></h3> + + +<p>The history of the introduction and usage of +these stamps is contained in the following extracts +from two circulars, both dated at Post Office Department, +Office of the Postmaster General, Washington, +D. C., August 11th, 1885, and signed by +William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The first +directed to postmasters reads as follows:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>:—On the first of October, 1885, you are directed +to establish at your office, a system for special delivery +of letters, in accordance with sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of +the Act making appropriation for the postal service for +the current fiscal year (XLVIII Congress, Session II, +Chapter 342, approved March 3d, 1885,) which are as +follows:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 3. That a special stamp of the face valuation +of 10 cents may be provided and issued, whenever +deemed advisable or expedient, in such form and bearing +such device as may meet the approval of the Postmaster +General, which when attached to a letter, in +addition to the lawful postage thereon, the delivery of +which is to be at a free delivery office, or at any city, +town or village containing a population of 4,000 or over,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +according to the Federal census, shall be regarded as +entitling such letter to immediate delivery within the +carrier limit of any free delivery office which may be +designated by the Postmaster General as a special delivery +office, or within one mile of the post office at any +other office coming within, the provisions of this section +which may in like manner be designated as a special +delivery office.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 4 provides for immediate delivery between +the hours of 7 <span class="smcap">a. m.</span> and midnight.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 5 provides for the employment of special +messengers and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 6 the mode of paying them. The rest of +this circular gives the details of the service which it is +not necessary to repeat here.</p></div> + +<p>The second circular after reciting the provisions +of Section 3, of the Act of March 3d, 1885, and +that it has been decided to introduce the system +on the first day of October, at all the post offices +permitted by the law; contains a description of +the stamp prepared to carry out the law, which +with some additions is as follows:</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Special Delivery Stamp.</span></p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of October 1st, 1885.</span></p> + +<p>A line engraving on steel, oblong in form; dimensions +13/16 by 1-7/16 inches, color dark blue. Design: +on the left in an arched panel, 10½ by 15½ +mm., a mail messenger boy on a run, faced to the +right on a hatched back-ground, and surrounded +above by the words "<i>United States</i>," in curved +line of colorless capitals. On the right an oblong<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +tablet, ornamented with a wreath of oak on the left, +and laurel on the right, surrounding the words, +"<i>Secures—Immediate—Delivery—At a special—Delivery—Office</i>," +in six lines of white capitals on a +solid ground. The ground of the tablet above is +composed of light vertical lines with colorless border. +Across the top of the tablet, but above it, is +the legend, "<i>Special—Postal delivery</i>," and at the +bottom the words, "<i>Ten Cents</i>," separated by a +shield bearing the numeral "10." The entire +ground of the stamp is composed of fine vertical +lines except the edges, which are so contrived as +to appear bevelled.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 21 by 27 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents, dark blue.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"They are to be sold by Postmasters to any required +amount, and to any person who may apply for them, but +they can be used only for the purpose of securing the +immediate delivery of letters."</p></div> + +<p>About a year ago, after the system was inaugurated +at carrier offices there was a further change +in the law, and the system was further extended as +is shown by the following extracts from three circulars, +all dated August 10th, 1886, from the office +of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., +signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The +first is addressed to Postmasters at carrier offices, +the second to all other postmasters, and the third +to the public. The following from the first circular:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"By the Act of August 4th, 1886, Congress has authorized +the extention of the special delivery system to all post offices +and to all mailable matter. The Act is as follows, +namely:</p> + +<p>'That every article of mailable matter upon which the +special stamp, provided for by Section 3 of the act entitled: +an Act, etc., shall be duly affixed, shall be entitled +to immediate delivery according to said act, within the +carrier limit of any free delivery office, and within one +mile of any other post office which the Postmaster General +shall at any time designate as a special delivery +office.'"</p></div> + +<p>From the second circular only this is of interest:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No change will be made in the general style of the +special delivery stamp now in use. The following is its +description: (same as in the original circular). The +words 'Secures immediate delivery at a special delivery +office,' will however, be changed to read: 'Secures +immediate delivery at any post office.' But as stamps +with the former words are now in the hands of the postmasters +and the public, their use will continue until the +present supply shall be exhausted."</p></div> + +<p>From the third circular only this is to be noticed:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The attention of the public is invited to the fact that +under a recent Act of Congress the special delivery system +heretofore in effect in cities and towns having a +population of 4,000 and upwards, has been extended to +all post offices in the United States, to take effect on and +after October 1st, 1886. The privileges of this system +have also been extended to all classes of mail matter."</p></div> + +<p>The remainder of these circulars are devoted to +directions to postmasters at the two classes of offices, +and to the public.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>These stamps are printed in sheets of 100, and +distributed in half sheets of 50, the center of the +sheets being marked as usual by an arrow head. +There are consequently 10 stamps in a row, and +10 rows in the whole sheet. The makers imprint +appears four times on the sheet, above and below +the center row of each half sheet, and the plate number +is also four times repeated on the sheet.</p> + +<p>3,699,560 special delivery stamps were issued up +to June 30th, 1886.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXVI.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Newspaper and Periodical Stamps.</span></h3> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1865.</span></p> + + +<p>The newspaper stamps issued by the United +States Post Office Department do not correspond +in their usage very nearly to the stamps denominated +newspaper stamps in other countries. +The series under review had a very limited +and peculiar use. While the dissemination +of learning and information had always been fostered +in every way by the Acts of Congress, and +the distribution of newspapers and periodicals had +always been undertaken by the post office at rates +that did not pay for the expense of the service, in +the intention of encouraging these publications, the +Department always found a great rival in the express +companies, which, having conformed their rules to +the exigencies of business, were enabled to deliver +newspapers and periodicals from the trains to the +agents and dealers always hours, sometimes days before +those sent by the mails reached their destination,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +as these were sent to the post office and there +assorted, some to be delivered locally and others +to be made up again into the new mail for further +transportation, while those sent by the express +companies being transferred at the depot, often finished +their journey before the mails could be made +up and started.</p> + +<p>This service assisted the express companies in +those violations of the postal laws which each year +the Postmaster General called to the attention of +Congress, and Congress endeavored to reach by +new laws. The government got the expensive +service, the express companies the paying business +partly because of their more liberal rates, but particularly +because of their more expeditious service.</p> + +<p>The attempt was therefore made to so frame the +law that the post office might successfully compete +for the carriage of newspapers. The Act of the +XXXVII Congress, III Session, Chapter 71, Section +38, approved the 3rd of March, 1863, reads:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"And be it further enacted that the Postmaster General +may, from time to time, provide by order the rates +and terms upon which route agents may receive and deliver, +at the mail car or steamer, packages of newspapers +and periodicals, delivered to them for that purpose by +the publishers or any news agent in charge thereof, and +not received from or designed for delivery at any post +office."</p></div> + +<p>Under this act for some time payment was made in +money, but the report of the Postmaster General +dated November 15th, 1865, states:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"New stamps have been adopted of the denominations +of 5, 10, and 25 cents for prepaying postage on packages +of newspapers forwarded by publishers or news dealers +under the authority of law, whereby a revenue will be +secured, hitherto lost to the Department."</p></div> + +<p>In the report of the Postmaster General for 1878, +the date of this issue is stated to have been April +1st, 1865. In the accounts of the number of +stamps issued in each quarter it appears, however, +that the first issue was in the quarter between June +30th and September 30th, 1865.</p> + +<p>The stamps were of very large dimensions, and +the figures conspicuous. A package adorned with +the requisite number was mailed on the train and +it could easily be seen that it was duly stamped. +The stamps were ordinarily if not always, cancelled +by smearing them with ink, with a brush, and not +with hand stamps, and the packages were thrown +out of the cars to the agents waiting at each station +to receive them, and were often torn open by the +agent at the depot and distributed to his customers +there. Thus the delay that sending them to the +post office for distribution would have caused, was +avoided.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of April 1st, 1865.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Five Cents.</span> Large bust of Washington in profile, +faced to the right, indicated by colorless +curved lines, on a round medallion of straight horizontal +lines, 28 mm. in diameter, surrounded by +a circular band of curved interlaced colorless lines, +all on a colored ground, a smaller circular disk, 11<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +mm. in diameter, interrupting this band on each +side displays a large "V," in color on a horizontally +lined ground. Above on a solid ground of color, +but ornamented by interlaced colorless lines in colorless +letters, "<i>U. S.</i>" and "<i>Postage</i>," in a second +curved line; below the head on a solid curved label +covering a portion of the circular band in large colorless +capitals, "<i>Five Cents</i>"; below this again, the +ground is ornamented by several colorless lines +upon which appear in colored capitals, "<i>Newspapers</i>," +a colored label with "<i>and</i>"; in colorless capitals +"<i>Periodicals</i>"; below this again, in two lines +of colorless capitals on the colored ground, "<i>Sec. +18, Act of Congress approved—March 3d, 1863</i>." +In each upper corner is a large colorless numeral +"5." About all is a frame of 3 colorless lines, ornamented +at the corners. The words "<i>National +Bank Note Company, New York</i>," in small colorless +capitals appear between the lower colorless +lines. The colored ground extends between the +stamps which were perforated.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, dark blue.</p> + +<p>Note. 20,140 of this value were issued.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ten Cents.</span> Similar design, but with the profile +of Franklin in an oval, the side letters "X," the +label "<i>Ten Cents</i>," the upper numerals "10," set +at an angle.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">10 cents, green.</p> + +<p>Note. 215,600 of this value were issued.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Five Cents.</span> Similar design, but with the +profile of Lincoln, faced to the left, in a rectangle +with corners cut off, "25" in figures instead of +numerals at the side, on the label "<i>Twenty Five +Cents</i>," the upper numerals "25" set at an angle.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">25 cents, vermilion.</p> + +<p>Note. 31,488 of this value were issued.</p> + +<p>In 1868-9 there were issued 35,420 more of the +five cent value, but these were improved by having +the broad colored border removed till only a fine +colored line remained outside the colorless frame.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 51½ by 95 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">5 cents, dark blue, white border.</p> + +<p>The Postmaster General's Report for 1869 states +that the use of these stamps ceased about the 1st +of February, 1869. They were used principally at +Chicago, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis. Reprints were +made of all of them except the 5 cents with white +border, with the other early issues in 1874.</p> + +<p>There was a very wide margin of some 65 mm. +at the top and bottom of the sheet, the manufacturers +imprint appearing at the top and bottom in +colored letters on a small white label let into the +colored ground. It is not known how many stamps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +formed a sheet.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Newspaper and Periodical Stamps</span>.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1874.</span></p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the very liberal provisions of +all the laws regarding postage on printed matter, +and particularly those of this Act of March 3rd, +1863, we find the Postmaster General in his report +of November 15th, 1869, complaining that the Department +was largely defrauded of its revenues by +abuses rendered possible by the provisions of that +Act, and suggesting that:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"For this mischief there is but one adequate remedy, +and that is to require prepayment on all printed matter. +A due regard to the convenience of the publishers of +newspapers would require that postage on newspapers +should be charged according to the weight of packages, +and that such packages should when suspected, be liable +to be opened and searched, and penalties provided if +they were found to contain improper matter."</p></div> + +<p>Nothing seems to have resulted from his recommendations, +however. The inconveniences of the +system led to calling the attention of Congress +to the matter again in the Report of the Postmaster +General, in 1873. He says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In my report for 1869, I had the honor to suggest a +plan for the prepayment of postage on newspapers and +other matter of the second class by weight of packages +rather than by the present system, which requires the +manipulation of each particular paper, and allows the +payment of postage at either the mailing office, or the +office of delivery. A careful revision of the subject confirms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +me in the opinion, that the postage on all such matter +should be collected in advance at the mailing office. +* * * No stamps are used for the payment of such postage; +and the Department is compelled to accept in full +satisfaction whatever sums of money postmasters choose +to charge against themselves. So execrably bad is this +system, that postal officers of high standing have estimated +that not more than one-third of the postage properly +chargeable on newspapers is accounted for and paid +over. Furthermore, disputes are continually arising, as +to whether the sheets they transmit, come within the +meaning of the term newspapers. * * * I respectfully submit +the following plan for the prepayment of postage on +newspapers of the second class, and urge its adoption. +Let all publishers, their business managers or agents, be +required at the beginning of every quarter, to state under +oath the number of papers of a certain name, they +will send by mail during the quarter, and pay the postage +thereon in advance. On the other hand, postmasters +to make return of all newspapers, with particulars, +mailed to regular subscribers. No stamps would +be required. Every paper answering to the description +would be forwarded. No manipulation of each paper +would be required, and the saving to publishers in time +and labor, would, it is thought, be greater than the +amount paid for postage, while the saving to the Department, +would justify a reduction of 40 per cent in the +rates, on this class of matter. Periodicals to come +under the same law."</p></div> + +<p>The result of the deliberations upon this suggestion, +was the passage by Congress of the following +law:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>XLIII Congress, Statute 1, Chapter 456, approved June +23rd, 1874, "Section 5. That on and after the first day of +January, 1875, all newspapers and periodical publications<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +mailed from a known office of publication or news +agency and addressed to regular subscribers or news +agents shall be charged the following rates:</p> + +<p>On newspapers and periodical publications issued +weekly and more frequently than once a week, two +cents for each pound or fraction thereof, and on those +issued less frequently than once a week three cents for +each pound or fraction thereof, provided that nothing +in this Act shall be held to change or amend Section +99 of the Act entitled: An Act to revise, consolidate and +amend the statutes relating to the Post Office Department, +approved June 8th, 1872.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 6. That on and after the first day of January, +1875, upon the receipt of such newspapers and periodical +publications at the office of mailing, they shall be +weighed in bulk, and postage paid thereon by a special +adhesive stamp; to be devised and furnished by the +Postmaster General, which shall be affixed to such matter +or to the sack containing the same; or upon a memorandum +of such mailing, or otherwise as the Postmaster +General may from time to time provide by regulation, +etc., etc."</p></div> + +<p>The report of the Postmaster General also states +Nov. 14th 1874, that being confined to these three +modes of collecting this postage,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It was deemed best to recommend the adoption of the +system of prepayment by postage stamps 'affixed to a +memorandum of mailing' or in other words, to a stub in +a book retained by the postmaster at the mailing office; +a receipt, showing the weight of matter and the amount +paid, being given by the postmaster to the person +mailing the same; the stamps affixed to the stub, to be +cancelled by a cutting punch, thus preventing their +reuse. * * * The Postmaster General having approved +the recommendations, a series of stamps have been devised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +of twenty four denominations, by means of which +any sum which is a multiple of either the two or three +cent rate, from two cents to seventy-two dollars, can be +made by the use of not more than five stamps."</p></div> + +<p>In the report dated November 15th, 1875, we +find the following observations and descriptions of +this issue which will further explain the mode of +using them, which seems to be little understood, +except by publishers and post office officials.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On the first day of January 1875, the new law, requiring +prepayment of postage by stamps, on all newspapers +and periodicals sent from a known office of publication, +to regular subscribers through the mails, went +into operation. The system inaugurated to carry the +law into effect, was approved in October, 1874 and has +been found by experience to be admirably adapted to the +purposes for which it was devised. No complaints of abuses +on the part of publishers or postmasters, have been +received at this office during the nine months, that have +elapsed since the law went into effect. Indeed, it has +worked so well in all its details, and has given such general +satisfaction, that the idea of returning to the old system, +or materially modifying the new one, ought not to +be entertained.</p> + +<p>Previous to the time when this law began to operate, +no stamps were required for the payment of postage on +newspapers sent to regular subscribers, as the postage +was collected in money quarterly, at the office of delivery. +Last year there were 35,000 post offices at which newspaper +postage was collected, while under the present +true system of the absolute prepayment of all postage, +the whole amount is collected at about 3,400 offices, the +latter representing the number of places in the United +States at which newspapers and periodicals are mailed.</p> + +<p>The papers for subscribers living outside of the county<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +in which they are published, are made up in bulk at +the publication office, carried to the post office and there +weighed. The postage is computed on the whole issue, +the proper amount in stamps handed to the postmaster, +who gives the publisher a receipt as evidence of payment, +and on the stubs of the receipt book he affixes and cancels +the stamps which correspond in value, with the +sum mentioned in the receipt. Thus one transaction is +all that is required in paying the postage upon a single +issue of any regular publication. The stubs with their +cancelled stamps, are kept in the post office as vouchers +for the postage paid. In no case are the stamps affixed +to the papers or packages that pass through the mails.</p> + +<p>These stamps are twenty-four in number and were prepared +by the Continental Bank Note Company, of New +York, from designs selected in October, 1874." Elsewhere +it is stated that the distribution to postmasters +began December 11th, 1874. "The denominations +are as follows, viz: 2 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 6 cents, +8 cents, 9 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 36 +cents, 48 cents, 60 cents, 72 cents, 84 cents, 96 cents, $1.92 +cents, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. These +denominations were found to be necessary, in order that +payment might be made on any given quantity from one +pound to one ton, at both the two and three cent rate, +with the use of not to exceed five stamps in any transaction.</p> + +<p>No description of these stamps having been given in +any official form. I may be pardoned for presenting herewith +a detailed description of them, in order that it may +be printed, and be permanently preserved in the records +of the department."</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Two Cents to Ten Cents</span>, inclusive, emblematical +figure of America, looking to the right and modeled +after Crawford's statue surmounting the dome +of the capitol. The left hand rests on a shield,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +and holds a wreath; the right rests on a sword. +The head is adorned with a head dress consisting +of a coronet of stars, surmounted by an eagle's +head and plumes. The background is horizontally +lined and in parts diagonally also. The vignette +stands in an arched frame, composed of vertical +lines; and on either side of this frame, and at the +top are slabs containing the inscriptions (the upper +in colored letters on horizontally lined ground, the +others in colorless block capitals, the sides upon +vertically lined ground), "<i>Newspapers</i>" and "<i>Periodicals</i>" +(at the sides), "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" (at top). +At the bottom are shaded outline block letters, representing +the value, which is also indicated by +large outlined figures shaded on the face, in the +upper corners, on foliated scrolls. The lower corners +are ornamented with shields. The color of +these stamps is black.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twelve Cents to Ninety-Six Cents</span>, inclusive. +Vignette of Astraea or Justice, in niche, bordered +by a colorless line curved at the top, holding in her +right hand the balance, and resting with her left on +a shield bearing the United States coat of arms. +The figure is full robed, mailed and girdled as to the +upper part and helmeted. Surmounting the helmet +is an eagle with out-stretched wings on a background +horizontally and diagonally lined. Figures representing +values in shaded numerals on shields, in +the upper corners; values also in sunken letters below, +on solid labels bordered by a colorless and colored +line, richly ornamented. Inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +"<i>Periodicals</i>," on side and at top in shaded +outlined capitals on vertically lined ground. Color, +pink.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">One Dollar and Ninety-Two Cents.</span> Vignette +of Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture, in curved niche, +bordered by a colorless line and a vertically lined +frame. She holds in her left hand an ear of corn, +her right holding a wreath, rests against the hip. +The figure faced to the front and is clad in full +flowing robes. "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" at the top, other +inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>," in italic +capitals shaded on the face and outside, on obelisks +at either side, resting on the lower slab, which +is in solid color, containing value, "<i>One dollar +and ninety-two cents</i>," in two lines of white capitals. +Value also in figures, "$1-92/100" in upper corners. Color, +deep brown.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Three Dollars.</span> Goddess of Victory in curved +niche, full-robed, girdled with sword to the left, +and mantle thrown over shoulders. The right hand +is stretched forward, holding a wreath; the left rests +on a shield. Outline figures of value, "$3" on octagons +in upper corners, value below in letters on +either side of a large outline figure "3" on a shield. +Inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>," in colorless +capitals, in solid labels on either side, and +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" on lined ground above. The +niche and labels are all edged with colorless lines. +The background is vertically lined. Color, vermilion.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Six Dollars.</span> Clio, the Muse of History in curved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +niche, bordered by colorless line, on horizontally +lined ground, full robed the toga thrown over the +left shoulder. In her right hand she holds a stylus, +in the left a tablet. Outline colorless figures of +value, "$6" in upper corners, surrounded by curved +ornaments. Inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>," +in white shaded letters on the sides, and +above "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in dark letters, value, "<i>Six +Dollars</i>" in outline colorless letters in label, on vertically +lined ground. Color, light blue.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nine Dollars.</span> Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, +full robed, in curved niche, bordered by a +colorless line with horizontally and diagonally lined +ground. The left hand is placed across her breast, +holding a portion of her toga; the right is grasping +a spear. Figures of value "$9" in upper corners, +in foliated ornaments. Inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>," +"<i>Periodicals</i>," on sides in outline colorless and +shaded italics, and above in small colored letters, +on the lined ground, "<i>U. S. Postage</i>." Value, "<i>Nine +Dollars</i>," also in letters shaded on the face, below +on scroll. Beneath is a large "9" in curved foliated +ornaments. Color, orange.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twelve Dollars.</span> Vesta, Goddess of the Fireside, +full robed in curved niche, with horizontally +lined ground, and bordered by a colorless line. The +left hand lifts her drapery; the right holds a burning +lamp. Figures of value, "$12" in upper corners +on tablets. Value, "<i>Twelve Dollars</i>" also in colorless +letters on beaded frame beneath. Inscriptions, +"<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>," on solid (sic), italic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +letters on sides, and "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in small white +letters above. Frame of vertical lines. Color, rich +green.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Dollars.</span> Goddess of Peace in curved +niche, bordered by a colorless line, and on horizontally +lined ground, a half naked figure leaning +against a broken column. She holds in her right hand +an olive branch, while her left grasps three arrows. +The value, "<i>Twenty-four Dollars</i>" is in colorless +letters beneath, on a solid tablet; also in figures +"$24" in ornamented curves in upper corners. Inscriptions, +"<i>U. S. Postage</i>" in white shaded letters +above, and "<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>" on the +sides between which latter and each upper corner +is a six-pointed star. The back ground is vertically +lined. The ornaments bordered by a colorless +line. Color, purplish shade.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thirty-Six Dollars.</span> Figure representing Commerce, +in full garments, in curved niche, bordered +by a colorless line with hatched background. She +holds in her left hand the <i>caduceus</i>, the winged rod +of Mercury, in her right a miniature ship. Figures +of value, "$36" in the upper corners and "<i>Thirty-six +Dollars</i>" in ornamented capitals below, in two lines. +Inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>," also +in ornamented capitals on sides and "<i>U. S. Postage</i>" +in colorless capitals above. The frame is +vertically lined. Color, dull red.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Forty-Eight Dollars.</span> Hebe, the Goddess of +Youth, partly draped in curved niche with colorless +border and horizontally lined ground. The right<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +hand holds a cup, which she is offering to the eagle +around whose neck is thrown her left arm. Shaded +figures of value, "$48" on shields in the upper corners, +the word "<i>Postage</i>" between in colorless capitals +on solid label. The value, "<i>Forty-eight Dollars</i>" +also in colorless letters below on solid ground, in +curved ornaments. The letters "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" in +colorless circles between the corners and side inscriptions, +"<i>Newspapers</i>," "<i>Periodicals</i>," the latter +being in colorless letters on solid curved labels. +Frame vertically lined. Color, light brown.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sixty Dollars.</span> Vignette of an Indian Maiden, +standing in a rectangular frame. She is robed +from her waist downward. Her right arm is extended, +while her left hangs by her side. The +background is a landscape. Trees and vines to the +left, and wigwams to the right in the distance, bordered +by a colorless line between fine colored lines. +Figures of value, "$60" on shields in the upper +corners. Value, "<i>Sixty Dollars</i>" also in white letters +on solid tablets below. Inscriptions, "<i>Newspapers</i>," +"<i>Periodicals</i>," in white on solid labels on +the sides. "<i>U. S.</i>" in colorless capitals on the +ground, and "<i>Postage</i>" on a band in colored letters +above. Ground vertically lined. Color, rich purple.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,<br /> +Division of Postage Stamps, Stamped Env. & Post Cards.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington D. C., April 25, 1879.</i></p> + +<p>The attention of Postmasters is hereby called to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +fact, that on and after the first of May proximo, under +the act of March 3d, 1879, matter of the second class, +commonly known as newspaper and periodical matter, +will be entitled to pass through the mail, at a uniform +rate of 2 cents per pound. Care will be taken not to collect +payment on such matter, at more than that rate. +The same general regulations concerning the collection +of newspaper postage, as have been heretofore promulgated +will remain in force, and the same books and blanks +together with the newspaper and periodical stamps, +that are now outstanding will continue to be used. In +future, however, the issue of the three and nine cents +denominations of newspaper and periodical stamps, will +be discontinued. * * * *</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad4">A. D. HAZEN,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p></div> + +<p>Act of the XLV Congress, Session III, Chapter +180, approved March 3rd, 1879, Sections 10 and +14 merely change the classification to a uniform +one at the rate of two cents per pound.</p> + +<p>The Act of the XLVIII Congress, Session II, +Chapter 342, approved March 3rd, 1885, provides +as stated in Order No. 109 of the Postmaster General, +dated April 24th, 1885, "That all publications +of the second class, * * * shall on and after July +1st, 1885, be entitled to transmission through the +mails at one cent a pound or fraction thereof. * * * +To provide for wants that may arise from this +change in the rate of second class postage, the Department +has decided to issue a newspaper and periodical +stamp of the denomination of one cent, the +design and color of which will be the same as those +of the present series of newspaper and periodical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +stamps of the denomination of from 2 to 10 cents. +Stamps of this new denomination will be ready for +issue by the 1st of June, after which all postmasters +needing them will make requisition for suitable +supplies."</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Newspaper and Periodical Stamps</span>.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Series of 1875-1885.</span></p> + +<p>Plate impression, 24 by 35½ mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="2">June 1st, 1885,</td><td align="right">1</td> +<td align="left">cent,</td><td align="left">black.</td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left" colspan="2">Jan. 1st, 1875,</td><td align="right">3</td> +<td align="left">cents,</td><td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left">to April 25th, 1879.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">9</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="center"><span class="qspace1">"</span> +<span class="qspace1">"</span><span class="qspace1">"</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">2</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">4</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">8</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left">carmine,</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">36</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">48</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">60</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">72</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">84</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right" colspan="3">96</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left"><span class="qspace1">"</span></td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="left">dollar</td><td align="right">92</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="left">deep brown</td> +<td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="left">dollars</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">vermilion</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">light blue</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">9</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">orange</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">rich green</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">purplish slate</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">36</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">dull red</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">48</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">light brown</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">60</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="left" colspan="2"> </td> +<td align="left">rich purple</td><td align="left"> </td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> + +<p>These stamps were not reprinted in 1874, but +samples ungummed and surcharged "specimen" +were sold to collectors.</p> + + +<p class="header txt120"><span class="smcap">Observations.</span></p> + +<p>A slight change in the regulations now prohibits +postmasters from selling these stamps even to publishers, +but the money is received and the requisite +amount in stamps placed upon the stubs and cancelled. +The amount sold and the amount used in +an office should now correspond. The stubs are +sent periodically to Washington with the accounts, +compared and destroyed. Used specimens and +even unused specimens are likely to grow rare in +collections.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXVII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Official Stamps.</span></h3> + + +<p>A thorough understanding of the use of these +stamps will best be obtained by a brief review of +the system it for a time supplanted, which was +briefly designated as the "Franking Privilege." +As early as the 1st Session of the Second Congress +the necessity and propriety of providing for the +carriage of official correspondence and the correspondence +of Government officers and Members of +Congress upon public business was recognized, +and Chapter 7, Section 19, approved February 1st, +1792, of the Acts of that Sessions provided:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That the following letters and packets and no others +shall be received and conveyed by post, free of postage +under such restrictions as are hereinafter provided, that +is to say: all letters and packages to or from the President +or Vice-President of the United States, and all letters +and packages not exceeding 2 ounces in weight, to or +from any member of the Senate or House of Representatives, +the Secretary of the Senate, or Clerk of the House +of Representatives, during their actual attendance in any +session of Congress, and twenty days after such session, +all letters to and from the Secretary of the Treasury and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +his assistant; Comptroller, Register and Auditor of the +Treasury, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Secretary of +War, the Committee for settling accounts between the +United States and individual States, the Postmaster General +and his assistant. Provided that no person shall +frank or enclose any letter or packet other than his own, +but any public letter or packet from the department of +the Treasury may be franked by the Secretary of the +Treasury, or the assistant Secretary, or by the Comptroller, +Register, Auditor or Treasurer, and that each person before +named shall deliver to the post office, every letter or +packet enclosed to him, which may be directed to any +other person, noting the place from whence it comes by +post, and the usual postage shall be charged thereon."</p></div> + +<p>By various acts of Congress this privilege +was gradually extended to various persons in +the employ of the Government until, in 1869, the +Postmaster General stated in his report that fully +31,933 persons were authorized by the laws to enjoy +this privilege.</p> + +<p>As early as 1836, Congress appropriated the sum +of $700,000 to pay the post office department for +this carriage of official correspondence. The +abuses became enormous. Signatures with hand +stamps were even recognized. All sorts of favors +were extended by persons having the privilege, to +their friends. In 1869 the annual expense to the +department of this free matter was estimated at +$5,000,000. To remedy this abuse, which had the +effect of preventing a proper reduction of postal +rates to the general public, as the expenses of the +Department, including the expense of carrying official +matter so-called, greatly exceeded its annual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +revenue, there was but one remedy—the passage +of an act abolishing the franking privilege and providing +by appropriation for carrying the necessary +government dispatches. The Act of the XLII +Congress, Session III, Chapter 82, approved the +27th of January, 1873, accordingly provided</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That the franking privilege be hereby abolished +from and after the first day of July, Anno Domini +1873, and that henceforth all official correspondence of +whatever nature, and other mailable matter sent from +or addressed to any officer of the government or person +now authorized to frank such matter, shall be +chargeable with the same rates of postage as may be +lawfully imposed upon like matter sent by, or addressed +to other persons. Provided that no compensation or +allowance shall be now or hereafter made to Senators +or Members and Delegates of the House of Representatives +on account of postage."</p></div> + +<p>The Act of the XLII Congress, Session III, +Chapter 228, approved March 3, 1873, after appropriating +so much as should be necessary of a certain +sum for the purchase of postage stamps for +each department, continues.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That the Postmaster General shall cause to be prepared +a special stamp or stamped envelope to be used +only for official mail matter for each of the executive +departments, and said stamp and stamped envelope +shall be supplied by proper officer of said departments +to all persons under its direction requiring the same for +official use, and all appropriations for postage heretofore +made shall no longer be available for said purpose, and +all said stamps and stamped envelopes shall be sold or +furnished to said several departments or clerks only at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +the price for which stamps and stamped envelopes of +like value are sold at the several post offices."</p></div> + +<p>In the report of the Postmaster General for the +year ending June 30, 1873, it is stated that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The several Acts for the repeal of the franking privilege +became operative on the first of July last. The +results of the first quarter of the current year are highly +satisfactory and more fully verified the predictions of +the friends of the repeal. * * * Section 4 of the Act of +March 3rd, 1873, making it the duty of the Postmaster +General to provide official stamps and stamped envelopes +for the several Executive Departments, has been +strictly complied with. The stamps and envelopes furnished +have been executed in the highest style of art and +will compare favorably with those of any other country. +From July 1st to September 30th of the current year the +following varieties, numbers and values were issued:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="8" summary="Departmental Stamp Chart"> +<tr><td align="center"> To whom issued.</td><td align="right">D'minat'n.</td> +<td align="center">Number.</td><td align="center">Value.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Executive Dep't</td><td align="right">5</td> +<td align="right">5,150</td><td align="right">200.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The State Dep't</td><td align="right">14</td> +<td align="right">60,495</td><td align="right">20,749.70</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Treasury Dep't</td><td align="right">11</td> +<td align="right">7,842,500</td><td align="right">407,000.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The War Dep't</td><td align="right">11</td> +<td align="right">446,500</td><td align="right">17,689.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Navy Dep't</td><td align="right">11</td> +<td align="right">247,230</td><td align="right">12,239.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Post Office Dep't</td><td align="right">10</td> +<td align="right">10,054,660</td><td align="right">354,535.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Interior Dep't</td><td align="right">10</td> +<td align="right">1,058,475</td><td align="right">59,171.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Dep't of Justice</td><td align="right">10</td> +<td align="right">65,400</td><td align="right">3,900.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">The Dep't of Agriculture,</td><td class="bb" align="right">9</td> +<td class="bb" align="right">275,000</td><td class="bb" align="right">20,730.00</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">Making a total of</td> +<td align="right">91</td><td align="right">20,055,410</td> +<td align="right">896,213.70</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The stamps for the Departments other than the Post +Office do not differ materially from those for sale to the +public except that each Department has its own distinctive +color and legend. The colors are: For the Executive, +carmine; State Department, green; Treasury,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +velvet-brown; War, cochineal red; Navy, blue; Post +Office, black; Interior, vermilion; Department of Justice, +purple; and Department of Agriculture, straw +color.</p> + +<p>In the stamps for the Post Office Department the +medallion head gives place to a numeral representing +the value with the words "Post Office Department" +above and the denomination expressed in words below. +All the official stamps correspond in denomination with +those issued for the public, except in the case of the +State Department, for which four of higher value were +made for dispatch bags. These four are of the denominations +of $2, $5, $10, and $20, respectively, are of +large size and printed in two colors, and bear a profile +bust of the late Secretary Seward."</p></div> + +<p>Elsewhere the Postmaster General states that the +stamps were ready the 24th of May, for use the 1st +of July, 1873. The following circular was accordingly +issued to postmasters:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"> +<span class="smcap">Official Postage Stamps and Stamped Envelopes.</span><br /> +[Circular to postmasters.]</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,<br /> +Division of Postage Stamps, Stamped Env. & Post Cards.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, D. C., May 15th, 1873.</i></p> + +<p>"The Franking Privilege having been abolished, to +take effect on the first day of July, 1873, the Postmaster +General is required by law to provide postage stamps +or stamped envelopes of special design for each of the +several Executive Departments of the Government for +the prepayment of postage on official matter passing +through the mails.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Description.</span></p> + +<p>In place of the heads on the regular stamps, the official +stamps adopted for the Post Office Department have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +conspicuous figures (numerals) to represent the denomination, +with the word "<i>Official</i>" above, and the word +"<i>Stamp</i>" below.</p> + +<p>These printed in black, and resting on an oval shaped +background, render the stamps especially distinctive, +and leave no good excuse for confounding them with +the other stamps. To further distinguish them, the +name of the Department is printed across the top in lieu +of the words "U. S. Postage." There is also a slight +difference in the ornamentation of the border.</p> + +<p>In design, the official stamps for the other Departments +do not differ materially from those issued for sale +to the public, the profile busts are retained but each +stamp has at the top the name of the particular Department +for which it is provided. Other changes appearing +in the border need not be specified.</p> + +<p>The stamps for each Department have their own distinctive +color, as follows: For the Executive, carmine; +State Department, green; Treasury Department, velvet-brown; +War Department, cochineal red; Navy Department, +blue; Interior Department, vermilion; Department +of Justice, purple; Department of Agriculture, +straw; and for the Post Office Department, black.</p> + +<p>The official stamps will correspond in denomination +with the regular stamps except that for the State Department +there will be four additional denominations, +viz: two, five, ten and twenty dollars respectively. +These additional stamps are designed from a profile +bust of the late Hon. William H. Seward, and are of +double size and printed in two colors.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Official Stamps for Postmasters.</span></p> + +<p>Postmasters at all offices will be furnished with the +official stamps of this Department in suitable denominations +and amounts as far as they can be supplied. The +Department will exercise its own discretion in filling +requisitions, and will send only in such denominations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +and amounts, as the needs of an office may seem to require. +The less important offices, say those at which +the money order system has not been established, will +need only three cent stamps, but comparatively few offices +will require stamps above the denomination of six +cents. The higher denominations will be supplied to a +few of the larger offices only. Postmasters will combine +stamps of the most convenient denominations at hand +to meet emergencies for which they may have no single +stamp exactly filling the rate required."</p> + +<p class="center asterisks">* * * * *</p> + + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad4">EDWARD W. BARBER,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.</p></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of</span> July 1st, 1873.</p> + +<p>The several denominations for all the departments +have certain characteristics that are common to all +stamps of that value, which may as well be stated +once for all, to avoid repetition.</p> + +<p>With the exception of those of the post office +department, the head is the same as that on the ordinary +stamp of the same value then current.</p> + +<p>The value is expressed in numerals and words +beneath the oval in the same numerals, letters and +scrolls as on the ordinary stamps of the same value, +except that in those for the Post Office Department +the numerals in the 1, 12 and 30 cents and the letters +in all are a trifle smaller.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">One Cent</span> has the head of Franklin in an oval +as described, the large "1" dividing "<i>One Cent</i>" +on a band bordered by heavy white lines as +described, but the ornament across the ends is +omitted except in that for the Executive and Agriculture,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +and is lessened in that for the Interior.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Two Cents</span> has the head of Jackson as +described, the large numeral "2" dividing "<i>Two +Cents</i>" upon a scroll with white border as described, +the ends of the scroll are, however, differently arranged +to accommodate parts of the design.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Three Cents</span> has the head of Washington as +described, the large "3" dividing the words +"<i>Three Cents</i>" upon a scroll as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Six Cents</span> has the head of Lincoln, the large +"6" dividing the words "<i>Six Cents</i>" upon a scroll +with colorless borders as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Seven Cents</span> has the head of Stanton, the +large "7" dividing the words "<i>Seven Cents</i>" upon +a label following the oval and bordered by the white +line between two colored lines and ending in a +curve and ball as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Ten Cents</span> has the head of Jefferson, the +large "10" dividing the words "<i>Ten Cents</i>" upon +a colorless bordered scroll as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Twelve Cents</span> has the head of Clay, the +large numerals "2" dividing the words "<i>Twelve +Cents</i>" in block letters following the oval bounded +by the white line between two colored lines and +curved back as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Fifteen Cents</span> has the head of Webster, the +large numerals "15" dividing the words "<i>Fifteen +Cents</i>" upon a label bordered as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Twenty-Four Cents</span> has the head of Scott, +no numerals below, the words "<i>Twenty-four</i>" and +"<i>Cents</i>" upon two labels and in block letters as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +described. In that for the Department of Agriculture +the upper label is changed into a scroll with +large ends curved backwards, then forwards and +then downwards.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Thirty Cents</span> has the head of Hamilton, +the large numerals "30" on the shield dividing the +words "<i>Thirty Cents</i>" in colored letters on the +scroll as described.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Ninety Cents</span> has the head of Perry, the +large numerals "90" dividing the words "<i>Ninety +Cents</i>" in block letters on a label bordered as described, +but the ends have a small curve inward +in those for the Post Office Department, are square +in those for the Interior and Navy Departments, +are curved inwards in that for the War Department, +are terminated by curves forming a point in +that for the Department of Justice, and are square +with a projecting small half circle in those for the +Treasury and State Departments.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Executive.</span></p> + +<p>The oval containing the bust, the scroll or label +and numeral are all placed upon a back-ground of +vertical parallel lines so disposed as to produce the +stripes of the shield or flag. Above and following +the oval a solid colored label inscribed in colorless +capitals, "<i>Executive</i>," and bounded by a white +and exterior colored line terminating in a foliated +ornament against the oval; foliated ornaments in +the corners forming small white circles enclosing +"<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" on rectangularly hatched disks.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm. in color, on white<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent</td> +<td align="left">carmine,</td><td align="right">6,800</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">9,100</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">23,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">5,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">5,150</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Department of State.</span></p> + +<p>The oval containing the bust, the scroll or label +and numeral are all placed upon a ground of parallel +vertical lines. At the top these are crossed +by horizontal lines at about 1 mm. from the edge +over a space of equal width, so as to form a darker +band and thus form a double frame half way down +where the darker frame terminates on each side in a +round ball, except in the 12 cents, which has the +dark frame all the way round. In the values with +scrolls "<i>U.</i>" on the left, "<i>S.</i>" on the right above the +ends of the scrolls in large white letters shaded +outside. In the values with labels the same letters +in the corners below the ends of the labels, also +colorless, except in the 15 cents, in which they are +crossed by parallel horizontal lines. Above the +ovals "<i>Dep't of State</i>," in similar capitals, large at +the sides and gradually decreasing towards the +center. Above these a fine curved colorless line +between colored lines, the lower heavily shaded; +beneath the letters a white ornament terminating on +each side in a fleur de lis, and shaded by colored +lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Variety Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent green,</td> +<td align="right">31,800</td><td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents green,</td> +<td align="right">41,800</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">109,200</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">82,100</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 7</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">37,800</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">64,900</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">20,800</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">22,800</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">13,800</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">20,100</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">6,043</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>To these are added the four higher values of larger +size. These have a large profile head of Wm. +H. Seward, facing to the left, on a hatched ground +forming an oval disk, with a ground of fine parallel +lines all printed in black. The lines are +arranged to form a panelled triangle in the upper +corners, the lines being horizontal and light in the +borders and thickened to form the darker panels +which contain a foliated ornament. On a broad +colorless, curved label, with rounded ends, "<i>Department +of</i>" in outline Roman capitals shaded at +top by curved parallel colored lines, a series of +curved parallel colored lines filling the lower part +of the label. Beneath this, in outlined pearled +capitals, following the label and shaded outside, +"<i>State</i>." At the sides bunches of rods tied above +and below with crossed bands with "<i>U. S. A.</i>" in +colorless letters below each. Across the bottom a +hatched label with colorless borders inscribed in +colorless letters shaded outside with the value.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate impression 25 by 39 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="left">Two</td><td align="left">dollars,</td> +<td align="left">black</td><td align="left">and</td><td align="left">green,</td> +<td align="right">3,508</td><td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Five</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">363</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Ten</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">363</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left">Twenty</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="right">363</td><td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Treasury Department</span>.</p> + +<p>The oval containing the portraits, the scrolls or +labels and large numerals are placed on a background +of vertical parallel lines arranged to form a +drapery with fringes, cords and tassels, and a +panel similar to the State Department stamps. At +the top a label indicated by a colorless line curved +up at the ends and terminating above in foliated +ornaments, is inscribed "<i>Treasury</i>" in the same +letters as the other official stamps with "<i>U. S.</i>" +beneath the left end and "<i>Dept.</i>" beneath the +right end.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent</td> +<td align="left">velvet-brown,</td> +<td align="right">2,900,000</td><td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">2,484,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">11,250,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">4,105,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 7</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">220,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1,291,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">783,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">663,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">100,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">456,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">312,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> + +<p>The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in +depth, some specimens having a spotted appearance +as if the ink did not work well.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">War Department</span>.</p> + +<p>The oval containing the bust, the scrolls or labels +and numerals are placed on a back ground of +parallel vertical lines above and below, horizontal +on the sides. In the upper corners "<i>U.</i>" on the +left, "<i>S.</i>" on the right. A curved solid label bordered +by a cord, cuts off the upper corners and +is inscribed on the left "<i>War</i>" on right "<i>Dept.</i>" +in the usual capitals. The lines of the sides +are arranged to show the stripes of the flag. A +shield on each side above the scrolls or beneath +the labels.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent</td> +<td align="left">cochineal red,</td><td align="right">3,301,230</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1,867,160</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">5,393,137</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">3,584,813</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 7</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">55,728</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">342,152</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">792,070</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">284,960</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">201,025</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">336,641</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">48,172</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in +intensity, some being much lighter and some +darker than ordinary.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span></p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Navy Department</span>.</p> + +<p>The ovals containing the busts, the labels or +scrolls and large numerals are placed on a ground +of vertical parallel lines. A large, six-pointed star +in each upper corner, and a smaller one on each +side. A cable runs round the sides and top. The +words "<i>Navy</i>" on the left and "<i>Dept.</i>" on the +right in the usual capitals across the upper corners +and a losenge with "<i>U.</i>" on the left and "<i>S.</i>" on +the right shaded in the lower corners and placed +diagonally above the scrolls or below the labels.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">ultramarine-blue,</td><td align="right">106,800</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">201,300</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">580,700</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">234,800</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 7</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">16,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">55,210</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">61,300</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">37,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">26,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">29,600</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">11,270</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department.</span></p> + +<p>The oval as before stated contains a large numeral +of value instead of the head with the word +"<i>Official</i>" above and "<i>Stamp</i>" below, on a plain +colorless ground. Same labels or scrolls and +numerals rather smaller below as in the stamps of +other departments, with small circular disks bearing +"<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" on the left and right above the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +scrolls or under the labels. In the 1, 6, 10, 30 +and 90 cents these small disks are shaded by +vertical lines, in the other values by diagonal lines, +and the letters are filled with horizontal lines. +Around the top of the oval a solid colored label +bordered by colorless lines and inscribed "<i>Post +Office Department</i>." There is a small circle with +four horizontal lines, and shaded outside in each +upper corner, all on a ground of parallel vertical +lines.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent</td> +<td align="left">black,</td><td align="right">1,114,250</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">894,600</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">6,479,700</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">3,306,800</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">182,450</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">298,780</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">109,285</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">87,625</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">133,255</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">65,200</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>Two complete series of these stamps may be +found, the one on white paper, the other having +the surface tinted with the ink of the stamp, also +intermediate or partly tinted specimens, showing +that the tinting probably results from imperfect +wiping of the plates.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Department of the Interior.</span></p> + +<p>The ovals containing the heads, the scrolls, labels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +and large numerals are placed on a ground of +vertically ruled lines, crossed in parts to form +heavy shadows and showing stripes at the sides, +small shields above the ends of the scrolls and +below the ends of the labels, bearing the "<i>U.</i>" and +"<i>S.</i>" lined and shaded. A large, six-pointed star +in the upper corners. A broad, colorless band +doubly curved and following in part the outline of +the oval above, inscribed in lined and shaded +Roman capitals, "<i>Dept. of the Interior</i>."</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent</td> +<td align="left">vermilion,</td><td align="right">394,800</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1,414,400</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">5,255,300</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">1,722,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">284,550</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">359,850</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">257,100</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">134,125</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">138,300</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">64,377</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Department of Justice.</span></p> + +<p>The ovals containing the heads, bands, scrolls +and large numerals are placed on a ground of vertically +ruled lines. Six pointed stars with the +letters "<i>U.</i>" and "<i>S.</i>" above the ends of the scrolls +or under the ends of the labels. Diagonally in +small capitals in the upper left corner, "<i>Dept.</i>" in +the right "<i>of</i>" and in larger capitals following the +line of the oval, "<i>Justice</i>" all in outline Roman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +capitals heavily shaded, on the ground without +bands. The oval, stars, scrolls, etc., are also +heavily shaded.</p> + +<p>Plate impression 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">purple,</td><td align="right">25,000</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="left">cents,</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">26,900</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">182,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">84,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">20,500</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">26,800</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">12,800</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">12,800</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">8,600</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">90</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">3,200</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p>The color varies very slightly in intensity.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Department of Agriculture.</span></p> + +<p>The ovals containing the heads, bands scrolls and +large numerals are placed upon a ground of vertically +ruled lines, showing stripes at the sides. A +solid label curved with the oval above bounded by a +colorless line and rounded at the ends, is inscribed +"<i>Agriculture</i>" in outlined capitals. In small similar +capitals in the upper left corner, "<i>Dept. of</i>" in +two lines. In the upper right corner in monogram, +"<i>U. S.</i>"</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on +white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Impression Chart"> +<tr><td align="right"> 1</td><td align="left">cent,</td> +<td align="left">straw,</td><td align="right">95,415</td> +<td align="left">issued.</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 2</td><td align="left">cents</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">230,150</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 3</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">435,050</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"> 6</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">120,000</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">95,265</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">51,265</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">15</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">54,050</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">60,265</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right">30</td><td align="center">"</td> +<td align="center">"</td><td align="right">82,265</td> +<td align="center">"</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> + +<p>By the appropriation acts each year from the +Act of the 22 June, 1874, a certain amount was +annually appropriated to each Department for the +purchase from the Post Office Department of such +of these official stamps as were necessary for the +use of the Department and its subordinate officers. +By the 9th Section of the Act of the XLIVth +Congress, Session I, Chapter 287, approved the 15th +of August, 1876, it was enacted.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That the Secretaries respectively of the Departments +of State, Treasury, War, Navy and Interior and the Attorney +General are authorized to make requisition upon +the Postmaster General for the necessary amount of +postage stamps for the use of their Departments not +exceeding the amount stated in the estimates submitted +to Congress, and upon presentation of proper vouchers +therefore at the Treasury, the amount thereof shall be +credited to the appropriation for the Post Office Department +for the same fiscal year."</p></div> + +<p>This was the beginning of an entire change in +the method of crediting the Post Office Department +for work done in carrying official correspondence.</p> + +<p>By the Act of XLIVth Congress, Session II, Chapter +103, approved March 30, 1877, the law was modified +in the following terms:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>"Sec. 5. That it shall be lawful to transmit through +the mail, free of postage any letters, packages or other +matter relating exclusively to the business of the Government +of the United States: Provided that every such +letter or package to entitle it to pass free shall bear over +the words "Official Business" an endorsement, showing +also the name of the Department, and if from a bureau +or office, the names of the Department and bureau or office, +as the case may be, whence transmitted. And if +any person shall make use of any such official envelope +to avoid the payment of postage on his private letter, +package or other matter in the mail, the person so offending +shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and +subject to a fine of three hundred dollars, to be prosecuted +in any court of competent jurisdiction.</p> + +<p>Sec. 6. That for the purpose of carrying this act into +effect it shall be the duty of each of the Executive Departments +of the United States to provide for itself and +its subordinate officers the necessary envelopes, and in +addition to the endorsement designating the Department +in which they are to be used, the penalty for the unlawful +use shall be stated thereon.</p> + +<p>Sec. 7. That Senators, Representatives and Delegates +in Congress, the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of +the House of Representatives may send and receive +through the mail all public documents printed by order +of Congress, and the name of each Senator, Representative, +Delegate, Secretary of the Senate, and Clerk of the +House, shall be written thereon with the proper designation +of the office he holds, and the provisions of this +section shall apply to each of the persons mentioned +therein until the first day of December following the +expiration of their terms of office."</p></div> + +<p>By this act the use of official stamps upon mail +matter <i>from</i> the Departments, bureaus and offices +was practically abolished, but official stamps continued +to be used by postmasters and other subordinate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +officers in their mail matter <i>to</i> the Departments +or each other on official business.</p> + +<p>By the 29th Section of the Act of the XLVth +Congress, Chapter 180, approved March 3d, 1879, +it was enacted that,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The provisions of the 5th and 6th Sections of the +Act entitled, An Act Establishing Post Routes and for +other purposes, approved March 3d, 1877, for the transmission +of official mail matter, be and they are hereby +extended to all officers of the United States Government, +and made applicable to all official mail matter transmitted +between any of the officers of the United States, or +between any such officer and either of the Executive +Departments or officers of the Government, the envelopes +of such matter in all cases to bear appropriate endorsements +containing the proper designation of the office +from which the same is transmitted, with a statement +of the penalty for their misuse. And the provisions +of said 5th and 6th Sections are hereby likewise extended +and made applicable to all official mail matter sent +from the Smithsonian Institution. Provided, that this +Act shall not extend or apply to pension agents, or other +officers who receive a fixed allowance for their services, +including expenses for postage."</p></div> + +<p>In his report for the fiscal year ending June +30, 1878, D. M. Key, Postmaster General, had +already stated that,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The amount of matter sent through the mails free +is very large, adding greatly to our expenditures and +giving us no revenue. The Franking Privilege has been +restored to the members and chief officers of Congress, +so as to allow them to send free almost anything which +they were ever allowed to transmit through the mails +free, except letters. Tons upon tons of books, documents,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +seeds, shrubs and the like are placed in our mails +free of cost, on this score. The official letters of the +Executive Departments of the general Government, +their documents, etc., go free through the mails."</p></div> + +<p>The operation of the act of 1879, however, greatly +increased the amount of free matter, and decreased +the use of official stamps. The Post Office +Department discontinued their use entirely. In a +circular dated, Washington, D. C., April 22nd, +1879, and signed by A. D. Hazen, third assistant +Postmaster General, it is stated that:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Department will begin the issue on May 1st +next, of envelopes for official business which will secure +the free transmission through the mails of all official +matter and which are intended to supercede the Post +Office envelopes now in use, as well as official postage +stamps and official stamped envelopes. Accordingly +the issue of official stamps and official stamped envelopes +will be discontinued on and after the date named. +* * * The stock of post office envelopes now in the +hands of postmasters will continue until exhausted to +be used as heretofore by the attachment of official +postage stamps. So also official stamped envelopes now +in the hands of postmasters at Presidential offices will +be used as heretofore until exhausted."</p></div> + +<p>This circular, of course, applies only to stamps, +etc., of the Post Office Department. The other +Departments continued to use them for certain +purposes, though none were issued to the Executive +Department. The report of the Postmaster +General for the year ending June 30th, 1885, says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The use of official stamps and stamped envelopes was +wholly discontinued by this Department and substantially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +so by the other Departments on the 30th of June, +1879, under the Act authorizing the use of official penalty +envelopes."</p></div> + +<p>By the Act of the XLVIIIth Congress, Session +I, Chapter 234, Section 3, approved July 5, 1884, +the provisions of the Act of 1879, were substantially +re-enacted with the addition that any +Department or officer authorized to use the penalty +envelopes, might enclose them to any person +from whom an answer was requested, and might +register any letter required by law, or the regulations +to be registered free, and might receive any +letter partly paid free, and added that:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Section 3915 of the Revised Statutes of the United +States so far as the same relates to stamps and stamped +envelopes for official purposes is hereby repealed."</p></div> + +<p>To this the report of the Postmaster General for +1885, adds:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The use of official postage stamps and stamped envelopes +having ceased on the 30th of June, 1884, and the +same having been declared invalid for postages by the +Act of July 5th, 1884, the stock remaining in the hands +of the stamp and envelope contractors was destroyed in +February last, under the supervision of the committee +appointed by the Postmaster General."</p></div> + +<p>From the report of this committee it appears that +they destroyed in all, 17,024,588 official stamps, +and 1,739,290 of ordinary and newspaper stamps +that had ceased to be of use. Also that about 2½ +per cent of all the stamps manufactured annually, +are destroyed, a single imperfect specimen on the +"sheet" of 100 causing the rejection of at least +fifty or half the sheet.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Official Seals.</span></h3> + + +<p>The Post Office Department of the United States, +besides the stamps for the collection of postage, +has employed from time to time for special usages +certain seals which, as they are adhesive and in the +form of postage stamps and officially used, are +here described, although they are of no postal +value and not properly stamps, but are all employed +to indicate that the packages which bear +them are properly secured and have not been tampered +with in transit.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Registered Package Seal.</span></p> + +<p>This is a large rectangular seal 71½ by 39 mm., +in the form of an adhesive stamp duly gummed +and perforated. After the letters or parcels of +registered letters were duly placed in the large +registered package envelopes employed for the +purpose, one of these seals was firmly secured over +the tongue of the envelope and duly stamped with +the date of mailing. It is simply an additional +guarantee to the receiving office that the package<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +has not been opened since it was sealed at the +sending office. A circular announcing its issue +and directing its use was issued from the office of +the Third Assistant Postmaster General at Washington, +dated February 14, 1872. A second circular +from the same office dated 1875, without stating +the month or day, announces the adoption of a +differently constructed envelope and the abandonment +of the use of the registered seal.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of February 14, 1872.</span></p> + +<p>Large, oblong, rectangular seals, having in the +middle a circular disk with ground of fine concentric +circles, so broken as to present the appearance +of white rays, bounded by two heavier, but still +fine colored lines, separated by a colorless line, and +and a broad colorless band with exterior colored +line, inscribed in plain block, colored capitals, +above "<i>Stamp Here</i>," below, "<i>Date</i>" and "<i>Place of +Mailing</i>" separated by a small maltese cross on +each side. On each side of this is a ground of +horizontal lines bordered by a heavy colored line +with ornamental triangles of solid color, with +colorless geometric lines forming the corners. +Outside all a single colored line. On the ground +in three lines of colored capitals, on each side are +the inscriptions: on the left, reading from the bottom +to the top, "<i>Post Office</i>," "<i>Department</i>"; on the +right, reading from the top to the bottom, "<i>United +States</i>," "<i>of America</i>"; in the upper corner triangles +"<i>U. S.</i>" in monogram; in the lower, "<i>P. O. D.</i>" +in white capitals. Across the middle of the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +stamp in large block capitals 8½ mm. high and +shaded by horizontal lines is the word "<i>Registered</i>."</p> + +<p>Plate impression, 71½ by 39 mm., printed in +color, on white paper, perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">No value, green.</p> + +<p>A second seal employed for a time by the United +States Postage Stamp Agency upon the packages +of stamps sent out to postmasters, was equally an +additional guarantee against opening or tampering +with the package.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of (end) 1875.</span></p> + +<p>A large rectangle bearing in the center the monogram, +"<i>U. S.</i>" in large colorless capitals in an +oval of geometric colored lines, surrounded by a +ground of interlaced colorless geometric lines on +color. A frame of fifteen colored parallel lines +crossing in the angles. A clover leaf of geometric +work, also in the corners. On the frame above in +large colorless capitals, "<i>U. S. Postage Stamp +Agency</i>," all in brown. A black surcharge of eight +lines reads: "<i>Postmasters Receiving this Package—Will +Please—Note Its Condition—If showing signs +of having been tam—pered with, report the same and +return—this package to 3d Asst. P. M. General, at—Washington, +D. C. This Package—Should be +opened at the end. E. W. Barber, 3d Asst. P. M. +G.</i>" Lithographed in color on white paper, but +not perforated, 102 by 52 mm.</p> + +<p class="center">No value, brown and black.</p> + +<p>This was afterwards changed by merely changing +the signature to "<i>A. D. Hazen, 3d Asst. P. M. G.</i>"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +and the surcharge to vermilion.</p> + +<p>Lithographed in color on white paper and not +perforated.</p> + +<p class="center">No value, brown and vermilion.</p> + +<p>[The latter are still in use. Dec., '86].</p> + +<p>A third seal was employed by the Dead Letter +Office at Washington, and afterwards by other +offices, to reseal letters opened at that office or +broken in the mails. It was placed upon the flap +of the envelope of letters opened at the Dead +Letter Office, in order to ascertain the name of the +sender, or on letters opened by the wrong persons +through mistake, or upon the torn places of other +packages.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of (beginning of) 1877.</span></p> + +<p>A large rectangle with small head of Liberty, +full face in an oval 11 by 8 mm. in the center. +Above in curved line of colored block letters, +"<i>Post Office Department</i>," below in double curve +of Old English colored letters, "<i>United States of +America</i>." On each side of the oval a solid label +bearing in large colorless letters on left, "<i>Officially</i>," +on right "<i>Sealed</i>." In the corners "<i>U. S.</i>" +in monogram. The frame is a broad band 3 mm. +wide, vertically lined forming a rectangle with +rounded corners, double lined outside and inside +and shaded. The ground is covered with the +words "<i>Post Obitum</i>" repeated in whole or part +180 times, in horizontal lines. On the frame below +"National Bank Note Company New York" +in small colored letters.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>Plate impression, in color, on white paper, 43¼ +by 27 mm., perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">No value, brown.</p> + + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Issue of 1879.</span></p> + +<p>The foregoing stamp was replaced in 1879, by +another of the same design, but the words "<i>Post +Obitum</i>" in the ground are replaced by a pattern +of interlaced circles. The same name on the +frame.</p> + +<p>Plate impression, in color, on white paper, 43¼ +by 27 mm., perforated 12.</p> + +<p class="center">No value, brown.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span></p> + +<h2>XXIX.</h2> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Reprints.</span></h3> + + +<p>There seems to have been no special law authorizing +the Postmaster General to issue reprints of +the stamps of the United States, or as the authorities +choose to call them, "Specimen Postage +Stamps." On the other hand his general authority +under the law is sufficient to make any re-issue for +postal purposes of any of the issues of the Department +legal, for none of them except the official +stamps have ever been made invalid for postal purposes +by any authority but his own, and this +authority he undoubtedly has also. It has always +seemed expedient to the Department to issue +certain specimens of the stamps and envelopes in +circulation, or to be circulated, from time to time, +in the proper, as well as in trial colors. It has +been said that it being considered expedient to +exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition a complete +series of all the various issues authorized from +time to time, by the Department, as a part of its +history, and unused specimens not being easily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +obtained, the old dies and plates were taken from +their places of storage in order to print the necessary +specimens, and that the Department having +been solicited to furnish collectors with specimens +of its old issues, took this opportunity to provide +itself to satisfy these demands. It was, however, +a mistaken kindness and unused originals were +not unattainable. So that for exhibition purposes +even reprinting was not necessary. Besides as the +reprints or specimens of all except the current +series, are in some respects or other unlike the +originals, they were really only so many tolerably +accurate pictures of what had been.</p> + +<p>When the Department was ready to furnish +collectors with these doubtful boons the following +official circular was issued:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Specimen Postage Stamps</span>.</p> + +<p class="header"><span class="smcap">Post Office Department,</span><br /> +Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General,<br /> +Div. of Postage Stamps, St'ped Envelopes & Postal Cards.</p> + +<p class="poddate"><i>Washington, D. C., March 27, 1875.</i></p> + +<p>The Department is prepared to furnish upon application, +at face value, specimens of adhesive postage +stamps issued under its auspices as follows:</p> + +<p class="center">Ordinary Stamps for Use of the Public.</p> + +<p class="hang">1. Issue of 1847. Denominations, 5 and 10 cents. Value +of set, 15 cents.</p> + +<p class="hang">2. Issue of 1851. Denominations, 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 24, 30 +and 90 cents; also two separate designs of 1 cent +carrier stamps. Value of set, $1.77.</p> + +<p class="hang">3. Issue of 1861. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 24, +30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.92.</p> + +<p class="hang">4. Issue of 1869. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, 24,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93.</p> + +<p class="hang">5. Issue of 1870 (current series). Denominations, 1, 2, +3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, +$2.</p> + +<p class="header">Official Stamps.</p> + +<p class="hang">1. Executive. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 cents. +Value of set, 22 cents.</p> + +<p class="hang">2. Department of State. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, +10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents, and $2, $5, $10 and +$20. Value of Set, $39.</p> + +<p class="hang">3. Treasury Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, +10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2.</p> + +<p class="hang">4. War Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, +15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2.</p> + +<p class="hang">5. Navy Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, +12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2.</p> + +<p class="hang">6. Post Office Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, +10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93.</p> + +<p class="hang">7. Department of the Interior. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, +6, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93.</p> + +<p class="hang">8. Department of Justice. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, +10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93.</p> + +<p class="hang">9. Department of Agriculture. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, +6, 10, 12, 15, 24 and 30 cents. Value of set, $1.03.</p> + +<p class="header">Newspaper and Periodical Stamps.</p> + +<p class="hang">1. Issue of 1865. Denominations, 5, 10 and 25 cents. +Value of set, 40 cents.</p> + +<p class="hang">2. Issue of 1874. Denominations, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, +24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 cents, $1.92, $3, $6, $9, $12, +$24, $36, $48 and $60. Value of set, $204.66.</p> + +<p>The 1847 and 1851 stamps are obsolete, and no longer +receivable for postage. The subsequent issues of ordinary +stamps are still valid. The newspaper and periodical +stamps of 1865 are also uncurrent; those of the issue +of 1874 can be used only by publishers and news agents +for matter mailed in bulk under the Act of June<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +23rd, 1874. The official stamps cannot be used except +for the official business of the particular Department +for which it is provided.</p> + +<p>All the specimens furnished will be ungummed, and +the official stamps will have printed across the face +the word "Specimen" in small type. It will be useless +to apply for gummed stamps or for official stamps +with the word "Specimen" omitted.</p> + +<p>The stamps will be sold by sets, and application must +not be made for less than one full set of any issue except +the State Department official stamps and newspaper +and periodical stamps of the issue of 1874. The regular +set of the former will embrace all the denominations +from 1 cent to 90 cents inclusive, valued at $2; and +any or all of the other denominations ($2, $5, $10 and +$20) will be added or sold separately from the regular +set as desired.</p> + +<p>The newspaper and periodical stamps will be sold in +quantities of not less than two dollars worth in each +case, of any denomination or denominations that may +be ordered.</p> + +<p>Under no circumstances will stamps be sold for less +than their face value.</p> + +<p>Payment must invariably be made in advance in current +funds of the United States. Mutilated currency, internal +revenue and postage stamps, bank checks and +drafts, will not be accepted, but will in all cases be returned +to the sender.</p> + +<p>To insure greater certainty in the transmission, it is +strongly urged that remittances be made either by +money order or registered letter. Applicants will also +include a sufficient amount for return postage and registry +fee, it being desirable to send stamps by registered +letter. Losses in the mails or by any mode of transmission +must be at the risk of the purchaser.</p> + +<p><img src="images/pointer.jpg" height="20" alt="pointer" title="pointer" /> Applications must be addressed to "The Third<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, D. C."</p> + +<p>Specimens of stamped envelopes will not be furnished +in any case.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="rpad4">E. W. BARBER,</span><br /> +Third Assistant Postmaster General.<br /></p></div> + +<p>Here is truly a pretty kettle of fish. The proceedings +do not seem to have been reported by the +Department, and there seems to have been no +account rendered of this peculiar transaction of the +Stamp Office. Doubtless the amounts received for +these specimens and the number of them sold are +blended in the accounts of the number of stamps +sold and no loss accrued to the service. The +public are not, however, informed of the extent of +the transactions, and judging from the difficulty of +finding these specimens in collections, the business +was not large.</p> + +<p>There was no law preventing any one from purchasing +either the newspaper or periodical stamps +from the Post office, and at the time there was probably +no regulation of the Department which prevented +postmasters from selling them to all desirous +of purchasing. Certainly some were sold to +dealers and collectors. Hence the privilege of +purchasing the current newspaper and periodical +stamps <i>without gum</i> for the same price that actual +and complete copies could be obtained, particularly +in view of the fact that the purchaser, unless a +publisher or agent, could not use them when so +purchased, even if he were willing to gum them +himself, was probably not largely taken advantage +of. The specimens when found can hardly be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +called reprints and cannot be distinguished from +the ordinary stamps that have by some accident lost +their gum. There is reason to believe that some +of them have been adorned with this appendage by +private parties, so that the presence of gum is no +guarantee of genuineness. As, however, they are +only partly finished stamps of the regular issue, no +great harm is done if a specimen is treasured in a +collection.</p> + +<p>With the newspaper stamps of the 1865 issue the +facts are different. While they are from the same +plates apparently, they can generally be detected +by the color. As the five cents with white border +does not appear in the list of reprints or "specimens" +the series was not, after all, complete, and +the possessor of this stamp may feel confident of +possessing an original. The companion five cents +with colored border is exactly of the same color, +varying only in different specimens of either +variety in depths of color. The blue of the +reprints is of a different shade, more intense and +perhaps the difference can best be expressed by +saying there is a <i>bloom</i> about it that there is not +about the originals. When the two are placed +side by side the homely expression that the "new +is worn off" of the originals will serve to express +the difference, though in point of fact they never +had the brightness of the reprints. The same +remarks apply to the old and new ten cent values. +The color of the 25 cents, is, however, very badly +imitated, the originals have a yellowish-red cast,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +the reprint is a dull common red. A very good +idea of it might be had by comparing what are +called salmon brick and pressed brick together. +Unfortunately some unscrupulous parties have +"experimented" with the reprints and thus rendered +some specimens rather harder to distinguish, +but so far as the observation of the writer goes, +comparison with originals will always satisfactorily +expose the difference.</p> + +<p>The extreme anxiety of the Department that the +revenue of the service should not suffer by the use +of a private party of an official stamp for which he +had paid the department full value, led as the +advertisement states to the placing of the word +"specimen" in small type across the face, and +thereby saved the collector any trouble in identifying +"specimens" from originals, though as the +stamps were current the omission of the gum only +reduced them to partly finished stamps, and not +to the category of reprints or counterfeits.</p> + +<p>Of the "ordinary stamps for the use of the +public," the 5th or 1870 issue was then current, +and why ungummed stamps which the circular +says were never the less available for postage, +should have been sold when the Department had a +large supply of finished originals at command, is a +mystery to all but official minds.</p> + +<p>The 4th or 1869 series presents greater difficulties +to the collector who desires to have only +genuine originals. Made by the same company +that produced the originals, and only a short time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +afterwards, the processes of printing, ink and +paper making had not materially changed, but the +reprints show signs of more careful workmanship. +Notwithstanding the circular some of them at least +were sent out by the department gummed. But +strange to say as noticed by Mr. Coster (A. J. P. +1875 page 6) the gum of the originals "varied from +decidedly brownish to almost white" and "on the +1861-69 issues of the reprints (as also on the +eagles) simple gum arabic seems to have been +used, the color being perfectly white. Furthermore, +if the stamps are bent at all, the gum cracks, +which is in no case true of the originals." Mr. +Coster further says, "the originals all had the +grille and the reprints have not." Unfortunately, +Mr. Coster was not aware that the four higher +values at least, with the brownish gum and without +the grille, and undoubtedly original, existed in +collections before the reprints were made, and +have since been officially stated to have been so +issued, and other values also in that condition are +known, which have every appearance of being +originals. Unfortunately also, it is not very difficult +to remove the gum, imitate the grille or not +and regum the stamp with brownish gum. Such +experiments have been made with fair success by +members of that fraternity who exist by the trade +in bogus antiquities and counterfeit evidences of +value, who sometimes do these little things merely +to experience the delight they feel in deceiving the +so-called experts, especially when as in this case a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +known reprint is almost unsalable, but if it can be +made to pass as an original its value is increased +several hundred fold and its salable qualities many +times more. Fortunately there are not a large +number of the reprints to encounter and grilled +specimens are in all probability original. The 3d +or 1861 issue was also made by the same company +that did the reprinting. The originals were issued +first without the grille and afterwards with it, both +had the brownish gum. The reprints have the +same perforation and, notwithstanding the circular, +were issued both without the gum and with the +white stiff gum noticed above. Originals without +the grille are rarely on tinted or surfaced paper, +though sometimes smurched in parts from careless +wiping of the plates. Originals with the grille are +generally on lightly tinted or surfaced paper and +the colors are usually stronger than the earlier +ones. The reprints were without the grille, but +the colors are rather those of the grilled originals, +the paper is however whiter, the printing more +carefully worked, and there is the new look about +them noticed when speaking of the reprints of the +newspaper series of 1865. Sheets of the one cent +reprinted show the printer's imprint on the sides +and of the pattern of that on the 1869 issue. All +the originals of this value probably had the imprint +of the other pattern, and at the top or bottom. +The reprints are therefore, probably from new +plates.</p> + +<p>A few reprints with a forged grille have come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +under the observation of the writer, but as the +grille was the small grille imitated from that on the +1869 issue it was easily detected.</p> + +<p>The 2nd or 1851 issue, as it is called in the +circular, actually consisted of two series, the +imperforate and perforate. Imperforate reprints +were not furnished. The originals were perforated +15 to the mm. or 17 to the 7/8 of an inch. The reprints +were perforated 12 to the mm. or 13 to the +7/8 of an inch. This is the perforation of the 1870 +series and of most of the U. S. stamps.</p> + +<p>This is an absolute test then for perforated +specimens. Attempts are, however, made to palm +off trimmed reprints as imperforate specimens. +The originals are on a yellowish paper and with +brown gum. The reprints on a very white paper +originally but easily manipulated to yellowish. +The reprint of the one cent is from a new plate, +the stamps have the outside fine labels of the +original imperforate series, but are set farther +apart on the plate so that even the larger perforation +used does not cut into the stamp. The blue +is too bright. The reprinted three cents has the +outer top and bottom lines of the original imperforate +stamp. The stamps do not seem to have +been set quite far enough apart on the plate, as +most specimens are somewhat marred by the large +perforation. The color is however a vermilion +and not the brick-red, pink or carmine of the +originals. The reprinted five cents is from plate +No. 2 without the top and bottom projection, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +the stamps being too near together are marred by +the large perforation. The color is a decided +yellow brown, unlike any of the shades of the +original. It would probably be impossible to +remove the perforation so as to make this stamp +pass for an imperforate specimen and then it +would lack the projection of the original.</p> + +<p>The ten and twelve cents are harder to distinguish, +the green is too green, the black too black. +The twenty-four, thirty and ninety cents were not +issued imperforate (except the very rare instances +of the 24 cents) and are not likely to deceive any +one, their colors, however, are the more brilliant +new colors and not the old dull colors of the +originals.</p> + +<p>The reprinted "Eagle" Carrier's stamp was first +sent out perforated 12, the original was, of course, +imperforate, and the stamps upon the sheet were +separated by colored lines. The perforations of +the reprints made sad havoc with these. Later +the reprints were sent out imperforate. Such +originals as the present writer has seen are on a +yellowish tinted paper arising probably from the +gum or age, the reprints are on a paper blued on +the printed side by the ink of the stamp and with +a blue cast at the back.</p> + +<p>The reprinted "Franklin" Carrier's stamp is on +too deep a pink paper and the dark blue ink is not +deep and dull enough.</p> + +<p>Finally the only safe test of any of these stamps +is comparison with undoubted originals, in every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +case of doubt.</p> + +<p>The first or 1847 reprints are not from the +original plates nor even from the original dies, but +from newly engraved dies, and hence are absolutely +worthless as representing the originals. They are +not reprints, but official imitations. In speaking +of this issue it was stated that the Department had +ordered all remainders to be burnt and the plates +and dies destroyed. Supposing this to have been +done reprinting was impossible. To take the place +of the originals, new dies were made.</p> + +<p>The imitations are both wider and shorter than +the originals. The foliated ornaments are too conspicuous +in both. The small letters, R. W. H. +and E. in the margins, though clear in the originals +are too small, and particularly in the five cents +almost illegible, being too light, and apparently +the engraver did not know whether to make an R +or an H, an M or a W, an H or an N, an E or an +F. These are the general and common differences.</p> + +<p>The Five Cents. The hair on the right of the +head (left of the stamp) is in heavy dark masses +in the original, but is too light, open and airy in +the imitation. The mouth prolonged in the original +beyond the dot on the right, ends with it in the imitation, +in which there is a second dot to the right of +the first. The eyes are clear and distinct in the +original, with perhaps too much white in the right +one, they are weak undecided eyes in the imitation. +The shirt front in the original is terminated by a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +diagonal line which reaches the oval above the top +of the F of "Five" in the original, but is more +nearly horizontal in the imitation, reaching the +oval nearly on a line with the top of the 5.</p> + +<p>The Ten Cents. In the hair on the right of the +stamp there is a small, white circle with a dark +center in the imitation which does not appear in +the original. The lips are larger and the mouth +longer in the original than the imitation, but in the +latter the lower lip is indicated throughout by vertical +lines, in the original there are three vertical +lines, the rest indicated by points. In the original +the white cravat is separated from the inner colored +line marking the oval by a fine white line with a +colored line above it; in the imitation the line of +the oval terminates the cravat. The lines of the +face are all too stiff and ridged and the execution +does not compare in delicacy and boldness of touch +with the original.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Index.</span></h2> + + + +<ul><li>Agriculture Department; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> + +<li>Alexandria; <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Baltimore; <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> + +<li>Baltimore, Horseman; <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> + +<li>Brattleboro; <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Carrier Stamps; <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> + +<li>Compulsory prepayment; <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Eight Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Eighty-four Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Executive Department; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Fifteen Cents, 1866; <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, 1867, medium grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, 1867, small grille; <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> + +<li>Fifteen Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Fifty Cents, Postage Due; <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1847; <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1856; <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1857; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1867; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1875; <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1881; <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1882; <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, Newspapers, 1865; <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Five Cents, Postage Due; <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Five Dollars, State Department; <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>Four Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Four Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Forty-eight Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Forty-eight Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_222">222</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></li> + +<li class="alpha">Grille of 1867; <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li>Grille of 1869; <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> + +<li>Grille of 1870; <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Interior Dep't; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + +<li>Introduction; <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1847; <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1851; <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1855; <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1856; <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1857; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1860; <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1861; <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1863; <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1865; <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1866; <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1867; <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1869; <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1870; <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1873; <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1874; <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1875; <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1879; <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1882; <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1883; <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1885; <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> + +<li>Issue of 1887; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Justice Dep't; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Millbury; <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Navy Dep't; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li> + +<li>Newspaper and Periodical, 1865; <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + +<li>Newspaper and Periodical, 1865, 5 cts.; <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> + +<li>Newspaper and Periodical, 1865, 10 cts.; <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> + +<li>Newspaper and Periodical, 1865, 25 cts.; <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> + +<li>Newspaper and Periodical, 1874; <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> + +<li>New Haven; <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> + +<li>New York; <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li>New York "U. S. Mail"; <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li>Nine Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Nine Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1860; <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1867; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></li> + +<li>Ninety Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> + +<li>Ninety-six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Official Stamps; <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li>Official Seals; <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li>Officially Sealed; <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li>One Cent Carrier, Eagle; <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> + +<li>One Cent Carrier, Franklin; <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1851; <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1857; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1861; <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1867, medium grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1867, small grille; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1869; <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1870; <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1873; <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1881; <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1882; <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1883; <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1886; <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1887; <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> + +<li>One Cent 1887; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>One Cent Newspaper, 1885; <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> + +<li>One Cent Official; <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li> + +<li>One Cent Postage Due; <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>One Dollar and Ninety-two Cents, Newspaper, 1874; <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Philadelphia; <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> + +<li>Pittsfield; <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> + +<li>Postage Due; <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + +<li>Postage Due, 1, 2, 3, 5; <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Postage Due, 10, 30, 50; <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Postmarks; <a href="#Page_14">14 to 18</a></li> + +<li>Post Obitum; <a href="#Page_252">252</a></li> + +<li>Post Office Department; <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> + +<li>Postmasters Stamps; <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> + +<li>Providence; <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Registered Seals; <a href="#Page_249">249</a></li> + +<li>Registered Seals for stamp packages; <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + +<li>Reprints; <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">St. Louis; <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + +<li>St. Louis, 2 Cents; <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> + +<li>St. Louis, 5 Cents; <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>St. Louis, 10 Cents; <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> + +<li>St. Louis, 20 Cents; <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Seven Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Seven Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Seven Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></li> + +<li>Seventy-two Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, 1882; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, 1886; <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Six Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Sixty Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Sixty Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> + +<li>Six Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> + +<li>Specimen Postage Stamps; <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> + +<li>Special Delivery; <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li>State Department; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Ten Cents, 1847; <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1855; <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1857; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1867, medium grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1867, small grille; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1881; <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1882; <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1886; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, 1887; <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, Postage Due; <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Ten Cents, Special Delivery; <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> + +<li>Ten Dollars, State; <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1860; <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1867; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li> + +<li>Thirty Cents, Postage Due; <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Thirty-six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Thirty-six Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1851; <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1857; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1867 grilled all over; <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1867 large grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1867 medium grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1867 small grille; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1867 imperforate; <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1881; <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1882; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, 1886-7; <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Three Cents, Postage due; <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Three Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> + +<li>Treasury Dept; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1851; <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1857; <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1867 medium grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1867 small grille; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Twelve Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> + +<li>Twenty Dollars, State; <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1856; <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1860; <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1861; <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1867; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Twenty-four Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1863; <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1867, medium grille; <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1867, small grille; <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1867, imperforate; <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1869; <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1870; <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1873; <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1875; <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1881; <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1882; <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, 1883; <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, Official; <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, Newspaper; <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Two Cents, Postage Due; <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Two Dollars, State; <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">Uniform Postage; <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> + +<li>Unpaid Letter Stamps; <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Unperforated Specimens, 1867; <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> + +<li>Unperforated Specimens, 1870; <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> + +<li>U. S. Mail; <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li>U. S. City Dispatch Post; <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> + +<li class="alpha">War Department; <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a></li> + +<li>Washington; <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li>Worcester; <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +</ul> + + + +<div class="main"> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span class="txt80">THE</span><br /> + +<span class="smcap txt120">Philatelic Catalogue</span></h2> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="smcap">Of Postage Stamps, Stamped Envelopes<br /> +and Postal Cards.</span></p> + +<hr class="decor" /> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">By Major Edw. B. Evans, R. A.</span></p> +<hr class="decor" /> + + +<p>This work is fully illustrated with engravings, also +gives full description of all stamps, particulars as to +printing, perforation, paper, watermarks, colors, as well +as market price. Also valuable notes by the author on +subjects pertaining to the stamps.</p> + +<p>The following is the plan of the work:</p> + +<ul><li>Part 1. Adhesives.</li> +<li>Part 2. Stamped Envelopes.</li> +<li>Part 3. Postal Cards.</li></ul> + +<p>Each part is divided into sections.</p> + +<ul> +<li>Section 1. America.</li> +<li>Section 2. Great Britain and Colonies.</li> +<li>Section 3. Europe.</li> +<li>Section 4. Asia, Africa and Australasia.</li> +</ul> + + +<p>Each section is divided into groups, the groups of +Part 1, Section 1 are now ready and are as follows:</p> + +<ul> +<li>Group 1. United States (including Confederate issues).</li> +<li>Group 2. Mexico and Central America.</li> +<li>Group 3. U. S. of Columbia and states.</li> +<li>Group 4. Other South American countries.</li> +</ul> + + +<p>The price of each group is 10c; a new one will be +published every month.</p> + +<p>The work is limited to 500 copies and when completed +will be the greatest philatelic work ever published.</p> + +<p>Subscriptions received $1.00 per 10 parts, until the +number 500 is reached subscribers will receive the first +numbers.</p> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="txt120"><i>C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher,</i></span><br /> +<i>Room 71, Turner Building.</i><span class="qspace3"> </span><i>ST. LOUIS, MO.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span class="txt80">THE</span><br /> +<span class="smcap txt120">Improved Stamp Album.</span></h2> + +<p class="center txt90">With a rational plan for the arrangement of a collection +of stamps. Copyrighted.</p> + + +<p>This is a blank album manufactured expressly for the +purpose.</p> + +<p>Good paper is used; size of pages 8½ by 11 inches; a +neat border surrounds each page and an ornamental +band at top for the reception of the name of the country. +Neatly printed names are provided on adhesive +paper.</p> + +<p>Guards or stubs are bound between the pages, so that +when filled it will not bulge, it is equally well adapted +for postal cards, stamps or envelopes.</p> + +<p>One thousand lithographed stamp mounts are furnished +with each album. The stamp mounts are on a +new plan, a neat black border surrounds the stamp, and +the mounts are provided in different sizes for the various +stamps.</p> + + +<p class="hang">No. 1. Album 168 pp., bound in cloth, good paper, with + names and 1000 mounts; $2.00</p> + +<p class="hang">No. 2. Album 328 pp., same as above but border printed + on only one side of the page; $3.00</p> + +<p class="hang">No. 3. Album 500 pp., same style as the No. 3, better + paper, printed on one side of page; $5.00</p> + +<p class="hang">No. 4. Album 500 pp., handsomely bound in leather, + superior paper, printed on one side of page; $7.50</p> + +<p class="hang">No. 5. Portfolio, with 200 sheets fine card-board, printed + on one side with names and mounts; $5.00</p> + + +<p>The album has given satisfaction wherever it has been +sold.</p> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="txt120">C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher,</span><br /> +<i>Room 71, Turner B'l'g</i>, — <i>ST. LOUIS, MO.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span class="txt80">THE</span><br /> +<span class="smcap txt120">Philatelic Journal of America.</span></h2> + + +<p>A large monthly magazine published in interest of +stamp collecting.</p> + +<p>Contributed to, by the leading philatelic writers of +the day, including, Major Edw. B. Evans, R. A., James +M. Chute, John K. Tiffany, Edw. B. Hanes, Lieut. J. +M. T. Partello, Joseph J. Casey, E. B. Sterling, Wm. E. +Stone, and many others.</p> + +<p>The latest information regarding newly issued stamps +and discoveries may always be found.</p> + +<p>Reports of the proceedings of the leading American +philatelic societies.</p> + +<p>Answers to questions, and open letters on current +topics, are important departments.</p> + +<p>The Philatelic Catalogue, by Major Edw. B. Evans, is +being published in monthly installments.</p> + +<p class="center txt120">SUBSCRIPTION.</p> +<hr class="decor" /> + +<p>Sent post free, 50 cents per annum, to United States, +Canada and Mexico; 75 cents per annum to all countries +in the Universal Postal Union.</p> + +<p>$1. per annum to Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Transvaal +and Australian Colonies.</p> + +<p>Payment must be made in advance. Subscription can +commence at any time. Back numbers of current volume, +10 cents each.</p> + +<p class="center txt120">UNBOUND COPIES, VOLS.<br /> +I AND II.</p> + +<p>Volume I. March, 1885—February, 1886. 12 numbers, +250p., $3.</p> + +<p>Volume II. March, 1886—February, 1887. 12 numbers, +350p., $1.</p> + +<p class="center"> +<i>C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher</i>,<br /> +Room 71, Turner Building, — ST. LOUIS, MO.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<h2><span class="smcap txt90">C. H. Mekeel,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap txt120">Philatelic Publisher</span><br /> + +<span class="txt80">—AND—</span><br /> + +<span class="txt90">POSTAGE STAMP DEALER,</span></h2> + + +<p>Solicits business relations with all philatelists. Rarities +are always on hand for the advanced collector. Rare +stamps bought for cash or taken in exchange.</p> + +<p>New issues and novelties always on hand. A fine +stock of desirable stamps at very reasonable prices. +Selections of stamps on approval sent to responsible +parties. Agents wanted for the sale of stamps on liberal +commission.</p> + +<p>Foreign correspondence and exchange solicited.</p> + +<p>A large wholesale stock for sale by 10, 100 or 1000 at +lowest prices. Mexican, South and Central American +stamps is a specialty in wholesale trade. Hundreds of +thousands of these stamps imported yearly.</p> + +<p>Cash paid for U. S. Department stamps, Newspaper +and Periodical stamps, Old U. S. Envelopes, Confederate +and U. S. Locals.</p> + +<p>Large or old collections wanted for cash. Send for +U. S. Exchange list.</p> + +<p>Inquiries should contain stamp for reply.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="txt150">C. H. MEKEEL,</span><br /> +<i>Room 71, Turner Building</i>, — <i>ST. LOUIS, MO.</i></p> +</div> + +<div class="tr"> + +<h4><a name="Transcribers_Notes" id="Transcribers_Notes"></a>Transcriber's Notes:</h4> + +<p>3. Obvious punctuation errors have been corrected without comment.</p> + +<p>4. Inconsistent quote marks in cited materials have been retained. + Mismatched quotes have been repaired.</p> + +<p>5. Inconsistent abbreviations, punctuation, character spacing, etc., + have been made uniform, as have all Post Office Department dispatch + headers.</p> + +<p>6. Inconsistent variations of millimeter fractions, <i>i. e.</i> 1/2 (with + forward slash) and 1-2 (stacked 1 over 2), etc. have been made + consistent.</p> + +<p>7. In the data table on page 103 and in the "INDEX", all ditto marks + have been replaced with full words.</p> + +<p>8. Right justified page numbers in the "INDEX" have been replaced by + a left justified semi-colon ";" immediately followed by the + referenced page numbers.</p> + +<p>9. SPELLING CORRECTIONS: (#) shows number of times word was correctly + spelled in the text.</p> + +<ul><li class="tnotes"> p. 47, "apperance" to "appearance" (14) (has a blurred appearance)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 47, "diffent" to "different" (30) (a different design)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 48, "Brattleborro" to "Brattleboro" (8) (of Brattleboro, Vermont)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 50, "seperately" to "separately" (7) (stamp separately engraved)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 52, "accomodation" to "accommodation" (7) (as an accommodation;)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 53, "impresions" to "impressions" (102) (re-impressions in red)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 55, "orignally" to "originally" (11) (originally ruled into spaces)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 64, "permiting" to "permitting" (4) (permitting to be used)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 78, "Terell" to "Terrell" (2) (Mr. Terrell, Third Assistant Postmaster General)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 80, "Goverment" to "Government" (34) (dies by the Government)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 88, "Pastmaster" to "Postmaster" (200) (the Postmaster General)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 91, "postmater" to "postmaster" (200) (unlawful for any postmaster)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 92, "Priviledge" to "Privilege" (13) (the Franking Privilege)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 93, "lettters" to "letters" (200) (amount on letters)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 94, "Casellar" to "Cassilar" (2) (Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar & Co.)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 104, "prolongued" to "prolonged" (3) (right side prolonged) (this correction is noted on the publishers "Errata" page)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 107, "vermillion" to "vermilion" (15) (with yellowish vermilion)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 110, "millemetres" to "millimetres" (2) (space of two millimetres)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 110, "impresion" to "impression" (102) (Plate impression,)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 119, "runing" to "running" (5) (and running off to the right)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 120, "Botom" to "Bottom" (110) (LEFT. Top, Bottom)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 123, "newpapers" to "newspapers" (88+) (through the newspapers)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 124, "Immediatly" to "Immediately" (3) (Immediately after the expiration)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 127, "ocre" to "ochre" (5) (5 cents, ochre, shades of brown.)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 129, "impresion" to "impression" (102) (Plate impression,)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 132, "borderded" to "bordered" (105) (bordered by a broad)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 140, "compossed" to "composed" (19) (composed of depressed lines)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 159, "ninty" to "ninety" (27) (ninety cents, Commodore)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 160, "posesion" to "possession" (11) (present issue, in possession)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 170, "vermillion" to "vermilion" (15) (7 cents, vermilion.)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 179, "ZEVERLY" to "ZEVELY" (2) ((Signed.) A. N. ZEVELY)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 180, "hurridly" to "hurriedly" (0) (hurriedly gotten up)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 185, "conspicious" to "conspicuous" (6) (shade lines being conspicuous)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 194, "improvments" to "improvements" (5) (improvements in machinery)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 197, "soild" to "solid" (60) (broad solid colored line)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 200, "whereever" to "wherever" (1) (wherever required)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 201, "beween" to "between" (117) (colored band between)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 207, "cirular" to "circular" (55) (From the third circular)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 209, "newpaper" to "newspaper" (88+) (newspaper stamps in other countries)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 209, "newpapers" to "newspapers" (88+) (distribution of newspapers and periodicals)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 213, "principly" to "principally" (3) (principally at Chicago) </li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 219, "horizontically" to "horizontally" (49) (horizontally and diagonally)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 220, "Ninty" to "Ninety" (27) (One Dollar and Ninety-Two)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 224, "classs" to "class" (11) (publications of the second class)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 227, "reveiw" to "review" (2) (by a brief review)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 228, "Treasuay" to "Treasury" (16) (the Treasury may be)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 229, "Ano" to "Anno" (0) (Anno Domini 1873)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 232, "addional" to "additional" (19) (four additional denominations)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 232, "excercise" to "exercise" (2) (exercise its own discretion)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 232, "chocineal" to "cochineal" (7) (War Department, cochineal red;)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 245, "judisdiction" to "jurisdiction" (0) (court of competent jurisdiction)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 245, "theron" to "thereon" (9) (shall be stated thereon)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 246, "transmision" to "transmission" (9) (for the transmission of)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 246, "throught" to "through" (23) (through the mails free)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 247, "attatchment" to "attachment" (6) (attachment of official postage)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 259, "genuiness" to "genuineness" (0) (no guarantee of genuineness)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 271, "Newpapers" to "Newspapers" (88+) (Three Dollars, Newspapers)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 275, "Britian" to "Britain" (0) (Great Britain and Colonies)</li></ul> + + +<p>10. PRINTER AND TYPOGRAPHY CORRECTIONS: Words with missing and + misprinted letters, inconsistent hyphenation, punctuation and spacing + have been corrected without comment. Additional corrections;</p> + +<ul><li class="tnotes">p. 23, removed duplicate word "the" (the distances were so great)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 56, removed duplicate word "the" (the lower half of a circle)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 59, removed duplicate "of" (I, of R. I., and S of Cents)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 67-68, added Footnote anchor [A] (following advertising editorial[A]:)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 75, removed duplicate word "be" (shall be subject to)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 76, removed duplicate word "been" (to have been distributed)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 82, removed duplicate word "be" (shall be deemed)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 98, removed duplicate word "the" ((A) show the paper)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 104, corrected duplicate instance of D<sup>2</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>, to D<sup>1</sup> f<sup>1 2 3 4</sup>, to match established pattern of data.</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 139, 3rd through 6th line from bottom, changed fraction from 16-2/2 to 16-1/2.</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 151, removed duplicate "the" (upper squares at the sides)</li> +<li class="tnotes">p. 177, changed "E. M. BARBER" to "E. W. BARBER" to match all other instances.</li></ul> + + +<p>11. WORD VARIATIONS:</p> + +<ul><li class="tnotes">"back ground" (6), "back-ground" (5), "background" (32)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"Caracci" (1), "Carraci" (1) "Cerrachi" (2) (misspellings appear in official documents referring to Giuseppe Ceracchi, aka Giuseppe Cirachi, the Italian sculptor.)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"despatch" (3) and "dispatch" (9)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"enclose(ed)" (7) and "inclose" (1) (in quoted Postmaster report)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"extention" (1) (as shown in quoted postal circular) alt. sp. of extension.</li> +<li class="tnotes">"grayish" (1) and "greyish" (2)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"lozenge" (1) and "losenge" (1) (middle english)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"millimeter" (1) and "millimetre(s)" (1)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"preceding" (2) and "preceeding" (2)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"prepaid" (15) and "prepayed" (1) (in quoted Postmaster letter)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"Rawdon" (1) and "Rawden" (1) (part of a company name)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"salie" (1) and "sallie" (1)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"semi-circle" (1) and "semicircle" (2)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"supersede(ed)" (1) and "supercede" (1) (in quoted Postmaster report)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"Wyman" (1) and "Wymer" (1)</li> +<li class="tnotes">"Zachary" (1) (in text) and "Zackary" (1) (General Taylor, in quoted Postmaster letter)</li> +</ul> + +<p>12. On the Publisher's Announcement pages beginning on page 275, stacked page numbers +repesent blank leading pages. In the original work the Headers were printed in various +decorative fonts not replicated in this e-text.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the +United States of America, by John Kerr Tiffany + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF POSTAGE STAMPS OF U.S.A. *** + +***** This file should be named 35566-h.htm or 35566-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/6/35566/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Christine Aldridge and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/35566-h/images/bracketleft.jpg b/35566-h/images/bracketleft.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..66e33c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h/images/bracketleft.jpg diff --git a/35566-h/images/bracketright.jpg b/35566-h/images/bracketright.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6d287aa --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h/images/bracketright.jpg diff --git a/35566-h/images/frontispieceportrait.jpg b/35566-h/images/frontispieceportrait.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..067c475 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h/images/frontispieceportrait.jpg diff --git a/35566-h/images/i61.jpg b/35566-h/images/i61.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..33163a4 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h/images/i61.jpg diff --git a/35566-h/images/pointer.jpg b/35566-h/images/pointer.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c937f10 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566-h/images/pointer.jpg diff --git a/35566.txt b/35566.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a3c366 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8634 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the United +States of America, by John Kerr Tiffany + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America + +Author: John Kerr Tiffany + +Release Date: March 13, 2011 [EBook #35566] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF POSTAGE STAMPS OF U.S.A. *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Christine Aldridge and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +1. Passages in italics are surrounded by _underscores_. + Passages in Decorative Fonts are surrounded by =equals=. + Superscripted numbers are preceded by a ^carat. Multiple + superscripted numbers are surrounded by curly brackets {1 2}. + +2. Corrections from the "Errata" page have been incorporated into this + e-text. + +3. Horizontal tables exceeding the width of this e-text have been + reformatted to fit vertically. + +4. Additional Transcriber's Notes are located at the end of this e-text. + + + + +[Illustration: PORTRAIT OF J. K. TIFFANY.] + + + + +HISTORY OF THE + +=POSTAGE STAMPS= + +OF THE + +UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + +BY JOHN K. TIFFANY, + +Author of THE PHILATELICAL LIBRARY, +President of the American Philatelic Association and of the St. Louis +Philatelic Society. Honorary Member of the Philatelic Society of London. +Corresponding Member of the Societe Francaise de Timbrologie, the +Societies of Dresden, Wurtemburg, Etc. + + +1887: +C. H. MEKEEL, PHILATELIC PUBLISHER, +ST. LOUIS, MO. + + +Copyrighted by J. K. Tiffany. 1886. +All Rights Reserved. + + + + +=CONTENTS.= + + + PORTRAIT OF J. K. TIFFANY (Frontispiece). + PREFACE 9 + INTRODUCTION 13 + Chapter I, U. S. City Dispatch Post 19 + " II, Uniform Postage 23 + " III, Postmaster's Stamps 26 + " IV, Stamp of the N. Y. Postmaster 29 + " V, Stamps of the St. Louis " 36 + " VI, Stamp of the Brattleboro " 48 + " VII, Stamp of the New Haven " 51 + " VIII, Stamps of the Providence " 54 + " IX, Stamp of the Alexandria " 60 + " X, Stamps of the Baltimore " 62 + " XI, Stamp of the Millbury " 65 + " XII, Stamped Env. of Wash'n " 67 + " XIII, Stamps of the Phila'lphia " 69 + " XIV, Stamp of the Worcester " 70 + " XV, Stamp of the Pittsfield " 71 + " XVI, Observations 72 + " XVII, The Issue of 1847 74 + " XVIII, The Issue of 1851 81 + " XIX, The Issue of 1857 110 + " XX, The Issue of 1861 122 + " XXI, The Issue of 1867-9 137 + " XXII, The Issue of 1869 144 + " XXIII, The Issue of 1870 158 + " XXIV, Postage Due Stamps 198 + " XXV, Special Delivery Stamp 204 + " XXVI, Newspaper and Periodical St'ps 209 + " XXVII, Official Stamps 227 + " XXVIII, Official Seals 249 + " XXIX, Reprints 254 + INDEX 267 + PUBLISHERS' ANNOUNCEMENTS 275 + + + + +=ERRATA.= + + +Page 96, 3d line from top, for _25_c lilac read _24_ cents. + +Page 102 in lines 5, 6, 7 and 8 from bottom in last column for F^2 G^2 +H^2 I^2 read F^4 G^4 H^4 I^4. + +Page 103 in lines 16 to 20 in second column for S^2 T^2 U^2 V^2 W^2 read +S^3 T^3 U^3 V^3 W^3. + +Page 104 5th line from bottom, omit _u_ in "prolongued." + +Page 143, 9th line from top for "_follows_" read "_above_." + +Page 144, last line supply "_test of_" in the blank. + +Page 196, 4th line from top for (") read "_cochineal_." + +Page 196, 6th line from top, for "_12 cents_" read "_15 cents_." + + + + +PREFACE. + + +In seeking for information concerning the postage stamps of the United +States, we shall turn in vain to sources which have furnished, in other +countries, such accurate details in regard to the stamps issued by their +postal authorities, for the stamps authorized by the United States Post +Office Department are not manufactured by the government, and there is +no "stamp office" to authenticate each plate, and register the number of +sheets made from it, and no edict, proclamation or law informs the +public of the values authorized for use, or of the designs, or other +peculiarities of the stamps to be employed. The Postmaster General is +authorized, in general terms of the law, to provide such stamps as he +may, from time to time, judge most convenient and expedient for the +collection of the postal rates fixed by other laws, and is required to +have them manufactured by those who, under general provisions of other +laws regulating all government work, offer to do it at the lowest +price. + +The proposals for such work and the contracts made with the parties +successful in the competition, reserve the right to the Postmaster +General to change the values, designs, etc., from time to time as he may +judge expedient, and specify nothing as to these particulars, while they +are very specific as to the quality of the work, and the precautions to +be observed in the manufacture, to prevent pecuniary loss to the +Department. A government official inspects the work in order that it may +conform in quality to the contract, and the records are kept of the +number of stamps of each value made and turned over to the Department, +without further specifications. In a word, no record is preserved of how +many stamps of any particular design, paper, water-mark, perforation or +other peculiarity, are made, or of the date of the adoption of any of +these things. Third Assistant Postmaster General Ireland, during his +term of office, once wrote "It has always surprised me that the +Department has never kept any official history of its stamps." Many of +these details might be gathered no doubt from the very voluminous +correspondence between the Department and the several contractors, if it +were accessible, but upon investigation it appears that many interesting +changes have been made upon mere verbal instructions. + +We shall have therefore to rely upon quite different sources for our +information. Fortunately the enterprise of collectors has probably +discovered all the varieties of the stamps themselves, and only a +careful study of them is necessary to their complete description. The +materials upon which the present work is based were gathered together +mostly as accident threw them into the hands of the author, from time to +time, without any attempt at systematic research or arrangement, until +at the request of J. B. Moens, of Brussells, they were arranged to form +a volume of his "Bibliotheque Des Timbrophiles." The annual reports of +the Postmaster General have furnished some points of interest directly +and many inferentially; the circulars notifying postmasters of the more +important changes, a nearly complete file of which has been consulted, +have been a great guide; while frequently very interesting details have +been extracted from the files of contemporaneous daily papers; and the +published results of the researches of such indefatigable investigators +as Messrs. Bagg, Brown and Scott, in the Philatelical Press, and the +articles of Cosmopolitan and Scott have been freely drawn upon. Many +large collections have been kindly submitted for inspection, in +particular those of Messrs Van Derlip, Sterling and Casey, and thus we +are able to describe every stamp and essay from actual specimens, except +in a few instances specially noted. While there may be possible +omissions, the reader may feel assured of the existence of everything +described. + +Frequent demands for the translation of the French work have led to the +present publication. But as that work was prepared to conform to the +general plan of the works compiled for the series of M. Moens' +Bibliotheque, it contained many things, concerning the history and +customs of the post office of the United States, which the American +collector is supposed to know, and omitted some details concerning the +part played by various collectors and dealers in finding out the +particulars of the history of certain stamps and like matters, which it +was thought might be interesting to our home collectors, but which the +impersonal character of the French Series made it advisable to omit in +the original compilation. + +The entire work has been therefore largely recast in the hope of making +it more acceptable to American collectors, and in several instances +comments have been made upon stamps that were not mentioned in the +French edition, in order to correct certain erroneous views entertained +concerning them in this country, which it was supposed was sufficiently +accomplished by their omission in the other series. + +_St. Louis, August, 1886._ + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In 1676 John Heyward, by the authority of General Court of the Colony of +Massachusetts, established his postal system with its office in Boston. +In 1683 the government of Penn established a postal system for the +Colony of Pennsylvania. In 1700 Col. J. Hamilton organized "his postal +establishment for British America" including all the English colonies, +but soon after disposed of his right to the English crown. In 1710 the +English Parliament established by law the first governmental postal +system with the general office at New York, which continued until in +1776 the Continental Congress adopted and set in action the postal +system proposed by Franklin, who was appointed the first Postmaster +General. The first law of the Federal Congress continued this system in +operation as sufficient for the public wants, but the postal service was +not finally settled until the act of 1792. + +This law (1792) liked a tariff which with unimportant changes remained +in force until the adoption of the system of Uniform Postage in the +United States. Single, double and triple letters were charged 8, 16 and +24 cents respectively when sent to other countries, and four cents plus +the internal postage when arriving from foreign countries. The internal +postage between offices in the United States was 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 20, +22 and 25 cents for distances of 30, 60, 100, 150, 200, 250, 350, or 400 +miles respectively for single letters, and double, triple, etc., this +for double, triple, etc., letters. A single letter was defined by the +law to be a single sheet or piece of paper, a double letter, two sheets +or pieces of paper, etc., etc. + +The following acts of Congress may be consulted with advantage by those +curious with regard to the Post Office before the introduction of +stamps. + + I Congress. I Session. Chap. 16, Sept., 1789 + I " II " " 36, Aug., 1790 + I " III " " 23, March, 1791 + II " I " " 27, Feb., 1792 + III " I " " 23, 8 May, 1794 + V " III " " 41, 2 March, 1799 + XI " II " " 37, 30 April, 1810 + XIII " III " " 16, 23 Dec., 1814 + XIV " I " " 7, 1 Feb., 1815 + XIV " I " " 43, 9 April, 1816 + XIX " II " " 61, 3 March, 1825 + XX " I " " 61, 3 March, 1827 + XXVII " II " " 43, 2 March, 1845 + +The earliest letters which we have seen, consist of single sheets of +paper folded and addressed upon the sheet. An envelope would have +subjected them to double postage. They are penmarked with the name of +the mailing office, the date occasionally, the amount of the postage +paid or due, generally in simple figures, sometimes with the word +"cents" in full or abbreviated, added. Gradually, hand stamps were +introduced. At first the name of the mailing office in a simple frame, +generally circular, the month and day being still written in with a pen, +and the amount of postage written as before. A further improvement +appears later on in the introduction of the month and day as part of the +hand stamp. The word "paid" or "due," the amount of postage in figures +or with "cents," either written or hand stamped, always added. And +finally all the marks are included in one hand stamp. + +There was evidently no uniformity of practice, except the general +requirement that the name of the mailing office, the month and day, and +the amount of postage should in some form be marked on the letter. +Improvements seem generally to have originated in the larger offices, +but smaller offices sometimes took the lead in enterprise. An +improvement once adopted does not seem always to have been adhered to; +letters mailed at the same office on the same day and differently marked +may be frequently found in old files. The hand stamps seem to have been +obtained by the several offices for themselves, as there is no +uniformity of style. + +Some of these hand stamps are curious enough to warrant a brief +description, and it would be difficult to lay down a rule which would +distinguish some of them from the stamps we admit to our albums. + +A letter mailed at Philadelphia in 1825, bears an octagonal hand stamp +with a double lined frame and the words "Phila. 20 Jan." in three +lines, a second similar but smaller hand stamp with the word "Paid," and +the figures "26" written with a pen, all in red ink. These seem to have +been regularly employed for several years. Other letters from the same +city mailed in 1845-6-7 and 8, bear a circular hand stamp, the name of +the City and State surrounding the edge, the month and day in the +center, a single line surrounding all, the amount of postage in large +numerals and the words "DUE" or "PAID" in a small oval are separately +hand stamped. Letters from Baltimore of the same dates bear a similar +circular hand stamp with name and date, the amount of postage in large +numerals in an oval, and sometimes the word "PAID" in large letters +without frame. Jacksonville, Ill., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Little Rock, +Ark., employed similar hand stamps at the same time. + +Louisville, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Boston and New York letters of the +same years have the same hand stamp with a numeral or numerals +indicative of the amount of postage added at the bottom within the +frame. When prepaid the word "PAID" was hand stamped below the other. + +Some New York, Boston and Philadelphia letters of the same dates bear +the same hand stamp with "5 cts," "10 cts," etc., in the lower margin +within the frame, the word "PAID" being separately hand stamped when the +letter was prepaid. Many western letters bear also the word "Steam 5" +hand stamped upon them. These hand stamps remained in use up to 1851 +when the rates were changed and appear even upon letters bearing the +adhesive stamps of the first issue. + +In 1851 when the rates were changed to 3 cents ordinary postage, and 1 +cent for drop letters, many of the same stamps appear with the figures +changed to 1 or 3, or to 1 ct., 3 cts., and 6 cts., Boston and +Petersburgh, Va., for example. A New York hand stamp of this period has +New York above, month and day in the middle and "PAID" and "3 cts" in +two more lines. + +A Philadelphia hand stamp has name above, month and day in one line, and +"3 cts" in another, in the center, and "PAID" in lower margin. + +Another, the ordinary dated postmark and a second circular stamp, nearly +as large, with the word "PAID" in large letters crossed by the numeral +"3" nearly an inch long. + +A Springfield letter has the ordinary dated postmark and a second hand +stamp nearly as large with a large numeral "3" above and "PAID" below. + +Cincinnati, Buffalo, Quincy, Ill., and others have the ordinary hand +stamp with the name above, month and day in the center and "3 PAID" +below. + +Another letter has a round hand stamp fully an inch in diameter with the +word "PAID" across the center crossed by a large outline "3." + +Another letter was hand stamped with a large "6" in an octagon double +frame and "PAID" separately hand stamped across it. + +The Cincinnati hand stamp also appears with "1 PAID" in the margin. + +New Orleans has the ordinary hand stamp and "PAID," "1" in two lines of +very large letters beneath. + +St. Louis, has the ordinary hand stamp, and another with "1 ct" in large +octagonal frame added. + +Many letters where the word "paid" appears in the dated stamp are also +separately hand stamped "PAID." Some of these letters bear also the 3 +and 1 ct. adhesives of the period. Those that indicate postage to be +paid differ from postage due stamps in no respect except that they are +not adhesive. Those that indicate postage prepaid correspond to many +other hand stamps in every thing except that they were applied after, +instead of before payment; but in some countries we have examples of +adhesive stamps applied in the same way. They are not beautiful but are +interesting relics of the old system. A number of similar stamps with +the words "Post Office" following the name of the town and "5 paid" have +passed through the hands of the compiler, but having been cut from the +letters the date could not be authenticated. These would appear to be +very similar in character to the adhesives issued by the postmasters of +some offices about the same time, and to many similar stamps used in the +early days of the Southern Confederacy. + + + + +I. + +UNITED STATES CITY DISPATCH POST. + + +Hardly had the discussion of Postal reform begun in England than the +subject was taken up in the United States. The daily press was full of +it. Pamphlets were distributed broadcast. In nearly every city, private +companies undertook to distribute mail matter at less than the +government rates. Some even carried letters from city to city. In +Congress, members related the expedients resorted to for sending letters +at a reduced rate. In New York, a certain A. M. Greig had established a +local delivery and employed an adhesive stamp, charging but two cents +when the government exacted three. Such competition greatly harassed the +department. The act of 1836 had authorized the Postmaster General to +establish a carrier system in such cities as he might think advisable. +Apparently with the view of disposing of Greig's post, Greig was made a +government officer. The following letter authorizing the postmaster at +New York to make the appointment was first published by the American +Journal of Philately. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + _Contract Office, August 1st, 1842_. + + Sir-- + + By an order made on Saturday, but journalized to-day, the + Postmaster General has established a letter carrier arrangement + for the City of New York to be called the "United States City + Despatch Post" for the conveyance of letters from one part of + the city to another subject to a charge on each letter of three + cents, under the 20th section of the Act of 1836, and authorizes + you to employ Alex. M. Greig, nominated by you as letter + carrier, other carriers are to be appointed from time to time as + may be required, and you are requested to nominate for that + purpose. And you are also authorized to obtain the necessary + fixtures, pouches, boxes, labels, stamps, etc, at not exceeding + $1,200.00 for the whole and to appoint a clerk to superintend + said establishment at not exceeding $1,000 per annum. You will + be pleased to report the date of commencement of this arrangement. + + Very respectfully, + Your obedient servant, + S. R. HOBBIE, + _First Ass't P. M. General_. + + JOHN LORIMER GRAHAM, + _Postmaster, New York_. + +In another number of the same paper we have the text of the following +notice concerning the same post. + + UNITED STATES CITY DISPATCH POST. + + Hours of delivery every day (Sundays excepted) at the principal + office, upper P. O. Park and lower P. O. Merchants Exchange. + + Letters deposited before 8, 12, 3 and at the stations before 7, + 11 and 2 will be sent out for delivery at 9, 1 and 4. + + Letters to be sent free must have a free stamp attached to them, + which can be purchased at the upper and lower Post Offices and + at all the stations. The charge will be 36 cents per dozen, 2 + dols. 50 cents per hundred. All letters intended to be sent + forward to the General Post Office for the inland mails must + have a free stamp attached to them. Letters not having a free + stamp will be charged 3 cents on delivery. + + JOHN LORIMER GRAHAM, P. M. + _New York, June, 1843._ + +The stamp issued and used by this post was known in an early day and is +catalogued in Kline's Manual 1862, but its true history was unknown +until the publication of the above document. It is a stamp probably +alone of its kind. Any one familiar with the law of 1836 will see that +the Postmaster General widely exceeded the authority conferred on him as +it would be construed to day in making the "arrangement" under the power +to provide a carrier system. The labels and stamps mentioned in the +letter quoted were probably however, not intended to include the postage +stamp actually issued, as these terms are used in various documents, +reports, etc., of the period to designate quite different articles, the +"stamps" being invariably the hand stamps such as we have already +described. But whatever may have been intended by the letter, the law +did not confer any authority upon the Postmaster General to issue or +authorize the issue of the stamp and undertake to insist on its use. It +certainly has no more character than the hand stamps already described, +but is none the less interesting or worthy of preservation on this +account. It was probably employed because the public had seen and +appreciated the utility of the adhesive stamp, by its employment by the +local or private posts, in advance of the official adoption of the +system. + + +NEW YORK. + +ISSUE OF AUGUST, 1842. + +Portrait of President Washington turned 3/4 to the right on plain oval, +enclosed by plain oval band bounded within and without by two colored +lines and inscribed: _United States City Despatch Post_ *_Three Cents_*, +the lower legend separated from the upper by a star on each side; +rectangular frame of two colored lines, corners filled with rayed +ornaments between frame and oval. + +Plate impression 18 by 22 mm., in black on colored paper. + + 3 cents, black on violet. + 3 " " " brown. + 3 " " " green. + 3 " " " blue glazed. + + + + +II. + +UNIFORM POSTAGE. + + +The "arrangement" put in operation in New York does not seem to have +been a great success for it was not extended to other cities, and local +posts continued to flourish and do the work at less than the government +rates. The demand for better service and lower rates, for "reform" as it +was called grew louder and louder, until the Postmaster General in his +report dated November 25th, 1844, recommended to Congress a reduced +uniform rate according to distance and weight. Stamps were recommended +but only for use on foreign letters. + +The bill which was introduced in Congress in pursuance of this +recommendation provided, it is said, both for obligatory prepayment and +the use of postage stamps. But there was great hesitation in adopting +the English system in the United States; the conditions were considered +to be so different; the distances were so great that a greater rate was +necessary; the country was so new that the risk from counterfeiting was +much greater; the custom was not to prepay letters, and custom is +stronger than law. Such and like objections were raised and the law +passed without adopting prepayment by stamp, but the great principle of +the reform, uniform rate by distance and weight was adopted. The only +portion of the law that is of interest here is the following section of +the Statutes of the United States, XXVIII Congress, II Session, XLIII +Chapter, approved March 30, 1845. + + "From and after the first day of July next, members of Congress + and Delegates from Territories may receive letters not exceeding + two ounces in weight, free of postage during the recess of + Congress anything to the contrary in this act notwithstanding; + and the same franking privilege which is granted by this act to + the members of the two Houses of Congress, is hereby extended to + the Vice President of the United States; and in lieu of the + rates of postage now established by law, there shall be charged + the following rates, viz: For every single letter in manuscript + or paper of any kind by or upon which information shall be asked + for or communicated in writing or by marks or signs, conveyed in + the mail, for any distance under three hundred miles, five + cents: and for any distance over three hundred miles, ten cents: + and for a double letter there shall be charged double these + rates: and for a treble letter treble these rates: and for a + quadruple letter quadruple these rates: and every letter or + parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be deemed a + single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or + additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged + with an additional single postage. + + And all drop letters, or letters placed in any post office, not + for transmission through the mail, but for delivery only, shall + be charged with postage at the rate of two cents each." + +The newspaper rate was one cent within one hundred miles and one and a +half cents for a greater distance, for all newspapers not exceeding a +certain size, and two cents for each sheet over that size, and two cents +for all hand bills and circulars per sheet, and two and a half cents for +all magazines and pamphlets. + + + + +III. + +POSTMASTER'S STAMPS. + + +Notwithstanding the failure of Congress to adopt postage stamps, and to +authorize the Postmaster General to issue them, and to provide an +appropriation for their manufacture, public attention had been drawn to +the advantages of the system, and the convenience, to the business +community particularly, of mailing and receiving letters at hours when +the post office or business houses were closed. The question as to +whether the Postmaster General might not issue postage stamps on his own +authority was raised and officially decided in the negative, although +the Postmaster General himself favored their use. The postmasters in +several places however undertook to meet the public demand by having +stamps prepared on their own responsibility, paying the expense of +manufacture themselves and selling them to the public at a sufficient +advance on the postal rates, to cover the cost of engraving and +printing. In some cases the matter was brought to the attention of the +Postmaster General and he saw no objection to the arrangement; in +others the whole affair seems to have passed without any attention being +paid to it by the Department. In fact it was a mere contract between the +postmaster and the purchaser of his stamps, that when a letter bearing +one of his stamps was mailed at his office, it should be treated as if +the money were handed in with it. No postmaster recognized the stamp of +any post office but his own. A letter adorned with a New York stamp +mailed at the St. Louis office would have been treated as unpaid. A New +York stamp was recognized only at the New York office, and a St. Louis +stamp only at the St. Louis office. When a letter bearing a stamp was +mailed _at the office that issued the stamp_, and accepted as prepaid, +the contract between the postmaster and the purchaser of the stamp was +fulfilled, the postmaster had to account to the government for the +amount of the postage as if he had received it with the letter. The +Department had nothing to do with the fact that the stamp had been +actually paid for at another time or with its existence at all. +Examination at several of these offices show that there was no stamp +account kept in the records of the office. Such letters were treated +exactly as letters were, on which the postage was either paid in money +or charged in the open accounts which the postmaster chose to keep with +the commercial houses. It was marked "Paid." The stamp had no +significance at any other office, except as the mark or stamp indicating +the amount charged, always put on letters at that date, but the word +"paid" was recognized by every office. The letter was entered as a paid +letter on the way bill, and was treated as prepaid, not because of the +stamp, but because the forwarding office treated it as prepaid. + +It has been thought necessary to define the exact character of these +stamps with some exactness, and at the risk of some re-iteration, +because their true character seems to be little understood. They had no +official sanction whatever, because no official had any authority to +sanction them. It was a mere arrangement between the individual +postmaster and the public for their mutual accommodation. + +Such stamps were issued at New York, St. Louis, Brattleboro, New Haven, +Providence, Alexandria, Baltimore, Millbury and probably other places. +Although not governmental or official stamps, they are none the less +interesting or valuable mementoes. They show how determined the public +were to have the postage stamp, and their history shows how the Public +Will compelled the government to adopt the postage stamp in spite of the +supposed difficulties in the way. + + + + +IV. + +STAMP OF THE NEW YORK POSTMASTER. + + +The stamp issued by the postmaster of New York was chronicled in the +earliest American Catalogue, (Kline, 1862,) but its true character was +not established until the resuscitation and republication in the +communications of the author of this work to the Philatelist and Le +Timbre Poste, in 1873-4, of the following articles from contemporaneous +newspapers. + +The Express of New York in its issue of July 1st, 1845, contains an +editorial mentioning, that the Act of March 3rd, 1845, went into force +on the day of publication, and a report of the meeting of the Cheap +Postage Association. In its issue of July 7th, 1845, the same paper +published as part of its Washington correspondence, the following: + + _Washington, July 2nd._ + + It was suggested in New York to Mr. Morris, your postmaster, + that he might accommodate the public very much by selling + stamped envelopes, as the law does not authorize the sale of + stamps on the English plan. When he was here he laid the subject + before the Postmaster General, who has to-day decided that he + may do this. The envelopes are to be marked with the amount of + postage thereon, say 5 or 10 or more cents as the case may be, + and the initials of the postmaster are to be superadded, and + then the envelopes can be sold. The object is to facilitate the + payment of prepaid letters. Postmasters can interchange + envelopes whenever they can agree to do so among themselves. + +In the issue of the next day (Express, July 8th) appeared the following +editorial: + + FREE STAMPED ENVELOPES. When the Bill for Cheap Postage was + before Congress, it contained a clause authorizing the sale of + stamps on the English system. The provision was however stricken + out, leaving the public only the old method of prepaying letters + during the business hours of the Post Office. A suggestion was + made to our new Postmaster, Mr. Morris, that the public + convenience would be very much promoted if he would sell + envelopes which would pass free through his office. By this + measure letters could be sent at any hour of the night to the + post office and the postage paid, where the writer desires it, + by enclosing it in a free envelope. The postmaster proposed to + sell stamps at five cents each, but this not having been + sanctioned by Congress, we should think would not be the best + way, and as the public convenience demands something of the + kind, we are glad to learn that he has prepared envelopes of the + kind referred to, some of which we have seen. They are marked + "Five Cents," and under these words is the name "R. H. Morris." + For letters over one ounce they are marked according to the Post + Office Rates in the same way. These envelopes will be sold by + the Postmaster at six and a quarter cents each, or sixteen for a + dollar of the common kind and common size. This will be as + cheap or cheaper than they can be bought in small quantities at + the stationers. A thin envelope will contain two letters and be + subject only to a single postage. Envelopes of various sizes + will also be furnished and of fine quality when desired by the + purchaser. The plan we hear, has also been adopted by the + postmaster at Washington, D. C., and has met the approval of the + Postmaster General. We think it will add to the revenue of the + Department very considerably. + +From the preceding extract we should infer that envelopes marked in some +way "Five Cents," "R. H. Morris, P. M." had been issued and used at New +York, and possibly something of the kind at Washington. The latter would +be signed C. K. Gardner, P. M., but up to the present day none have been +found. They must have been prepared at New York at least, since the +editor of the Express claims to have seen them. They were probably made +by some of the New York hand stamps noted as current at this time, +leaving out the date and signed by the postmaster. + +Such an arrangement was clumsy and liable to abuse and could have had +but a short duration in so large an office as New York, and in the +Express of the 14th of July, 1845, appears another editorial as follows: + + Post Office Stamps. We would call the attention of merchants and + indeed all who pay postage, to the advertisement of the + postmaster, who offers to sell stamps of the value of five cents + each for the prepayment of letters. This is the cost of the + postage under 300 miles. The stamps should be generally adopted + as they will give additional facilities to business men, and + save them time in making change. The postmaster will receive + nothing for this trouble and his stamps beyond the profit of + lost stamps. The disposition of the postmaster to make the new + system popular merits the thanks of our citizens. + +In another column of the same paper appears the advertisement of the +postmaster referred to in the editorial. + + POST OFFICE, + _New York, July 14th. 1845_. + + The public is respectfully informed that the undersigned has + caused to be prepared stamps for the prepayment of postage, made + for five cents each, which will be sold in parcels of five and + upwards. To prevent counterfeits they will be sold only at this + office and the branch office. The public may therefore be + assured that any stamps which may be offered for sale at any + place other than the two post offices are spurious and will not + be considered as prepayment. + + (Signed.) Robert H. Morris, P. M. + + [Evening papers please copy.] + +Unfortunately these articles contain no description of the stamp issued, +and it will occur to those familiar with the process of engraving stamps +at that date, that the production of a stamp as elaborate as the stamp +known, in so short a time as elapsed between the date of the first and +last of these articles, was either a remarkable piece of work, or had +been commenced some time before. Possibly the stamps first issued were +not those known to collectors and have never been discovered. + +Be this as it may, the plate contained more than a single stamp. From +double copies that have passed through our hands, we have proof that it +consisted of at least eight different varieties, arranged in two +horizontal rows of four stamps each, differing in minute details and at +different distances apart. There may have been more, but this remains to +be verified. The stamp which appears to have occupied the upper left +hand corner of the sheet shows in each letter the outlines of the same +letters, engraved in black and a little lower down than the white ones, +as if the intention had originally been to have the value appear in +black on a white label. It is said that the plate is now in the +possession of the consolidated Bank Note Companies (American) of New +York. At any rate PROOFS were struck from it long after the stamp was +out of use, in various colors. + + +NEW YORK POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF JULY 14, 1845. + +Portrait of President Washington, faced 3/4 to left in an oval, 191/2 mm. +wide by 211/2 mm. high, with a back ground of colored lines, crossed at +right angles and bordered by a colorless line. Solid colored label +bordered by a colorless line above and below the oval, inscribed in +colorless ordinary capitals, above "_Post Office_," below "_Five +Cents_." Foliated ornaments in the four corners, the upper enclosing +small colorless labels inscribed in small colored capitals "_New_," at +the left "_York_," at the right, the whole surrounded by a colored line +forming a rectangle. + +Engraved on copper at New York by Messrs. Rawden, Wright and Hatch. + +Plate impression 201/2 by 28 mm., on slightly bluish paper. + + 5 cents black. + +In most of the catalogues this stamp has been described also, as on +white paper. Such specimens are shown, but they are produced by some +chemical action of the gum used to fasten them to letters, or of the +composition of the paper or other accidental causes. Specimens may be +also found of a buff color as if steeped in coffee, another changeling +produced by the action of strong gum. + +Each stamp is signed A. C. M. in red ink. They are generally cancelled +with a pen and blue ink, or by the word "Paid" hand stamped in red ink, +or by the dating stamp. + +There is another type of stamp said to have been issued by the +postmaster of New York in 1849. The design is two concentric circles, +the inner 131/2, the outer 171/2 mm. in diameter. In the center, "_One +Cent_" in two lines of ordinary colored capitals, about 2 mm. high. +Between the circles, above, "_U. S. Mail_;" below, "_Prepaid_" in +similar letters 21/2 mm. high. They were printed in black on small squares +of rose colored paper, and afterwards on paper varying from bright +yellow to pale drab and generally glazed. + +This stamp was chronicled in Kline's Manual, first edition, 1862, as a +"Carrier Stamp," and has since been alternately considered a +governmental, or a local stamp. Upon what ground it is so confidently +asserted to have been issued by the New York postmaster, and its date +assigned to 1849, seems never to have been stated. It is certain however +that if it were issued prior to 1851, it did not prepay any authorized +government postage, and if issued after 1847, such an issue was +forbidden by law unless authorized by the Postmaster General. It is +hardly to be supposed that the postmaster of New York City would have +openly violated the law. The inscription, "U. S. Mail," does not prove +anything but probably means "prepaid to the U. S. Mail," and the stamp +is probably the issue of some of the local delivery companies. + + + + +V. + +STAMPS OF THE ST. LOUIS POSTMASTER. + + +Of all the stamps of this character, those issued by the St. Louis +Postmaster have been most discussed in the Philatelical Press. The ten +cents was first noticed in an article in the Stamp Collector's Magazine +in November, 1863, and the five cents was mentioned in Kline's Manual, +3rd edition, 1865. Mr. L. W. Durbin first mentioned the second die of +the 10 cents, Mr. Pemberton the second die of the 5 cents, and Mr. Scott +is entitled to the credit of discovering the third die of each. + +It is unnecessary to repeat the numerous discussions, pro and con, +concerning the authenticity of these stamps, since the present author +discovered, and republished in Le Timbre Poste, in May, 1873, the +following articles from contemporaneous daily papers, which leave no +further room for doubt concerning the two values, 5 and 10 cents. + + _Missouri Republican._ July 17th. 1845. + + "Free stamped envelopes. For the convenience of those who may + wish to prepay their packages at any hour of the night, Robert + H. Morris, the postmaster of New York, as we learn from the + Express, has prepared a variety of stamped envelopes. They are + marked five cents, ten cents, &c., and under these words is the + name R. H. Morris. The five cent envelopes will be sold by the + postmaster at 61/4 cents each, or 16 for a dollar of the common + kind and common size, and the others in proportion. This will be + as cheap as they can be bought in small quantities at the + stationers. A thin envelope will contain two letters and be + subject only to a single postage. Envelopes of various sizes + will also be furnished and of fine quality when desired by the + purchaser. The plan has also been adopted by the postmaster at + Washington and has met the approval of the Postmaster General. + We think it not only a convenience to the public but that it + will add to the revenue of the Department very considerably. The + above arrangement would be a great convenience to many persons. + Why should not the postmaster here adopt the same plan. We + believe the public generally would buy them." + +This article, although a mere repetition of the article of the Express, +and like that mentioning envelopes of New York and Washington which no +one has ever seen, contains at the end a reference which was evidently +the inspiration of the St. Louis postmaster to issue his stamps, for we +read in the Missouri Republican of November 5th, 1845, the following: + + "LETTER STAMPS. Mr. Wimer, the postmaster, has prepared a set of + letter stamps, or rather marks to put upon letters, indicating + that the postage has been paid. In this he has copied after the + plan adopted by the postmaster of New York and other cities. + These stamps are engraved to represent the Missouri Coat of + Arms, and are five and ten cents. They are so prepared that they + may be stuck upon a letter like a wafer and will prove a great + convenience to merchants and all those having many letters to + send post paid, as it saves all trouble of paying at the post + office. They will be sold as they are sold in the East, viz: + Sixteen five cent stamps and eight ten cent stamps for a dollar. + We would recommend merchants and others to give them a trial." + +And a few days later in the same paper of November 13th, 1845, we again +read: + + "Post Office Stamps. Mr. Wimer, the postmaster, requests us to + say that he will furnish nine ten cent stamps and eighteen five + cent stamps for one dollar, the difference being required to pay + for the printing of the stamps." + +The above articles contain nearly the whole history of the stamps of St. +Louis. We learn the name of the postmaster who had them made, (the name, +however is incorrectly spelled) their use and price, the date and object +of their issue. A thorough search of all the files preserved, of the +daily papers published in St. Louis from January, 1845, to December, +1848, resulted in no further discoveries concerning them. + + +ST. LOUIS POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 5th, 1845. + +Arms of the State of Missouri. A round shield parted per pale; on the +dexter side, gules (red or vertically lined ground), the grizzly bear +of Missouri, passant guardant, proper; on a chief engrailed azure +(horizontally lined), a crescent argent; on the sinister side, argent, +the arms of the United States, (the stamp is dotted or gold) the whole +with a band inscribed "United we stand, divided we fall" (The buckle +below on the left, in the 5 cents, should be omitted). Supporters on +each side, a grizzly bear of Missouri, proper; rampant guardant, +standing on a scroll inscribed "Salus Populi Suprema lex esto." Above, +the value is expressed in large outline numerals, ornamented and shaded. +In the corners "_Saint_" and "_Louis_" with numerous flourishes. Below +the arms "_Post Office_" in large ordinary capitals. The whole in a +rectangular frame of a thin and thick colored line. + +Engraved on copper by J. M. Kershaw, at St. Louis. The plate consisted +of six stamps, three of each value, and was delivered to Mr. Wymer, and +is said to have been lost with other of his effects during the war. The +engraver thinks he printed about 500 sheets, at three different times, +upon such paper as he happened to have at hand, and that as the plate +deteriorated easily, he probably retouched it slightly each time in +parts, before printing. He denies positively the possibility of the +figures upon the twenty cent value being his work. These are all the +facts he can now vouch for, and states that many of the statements from +time to time attributed to him "were the ideas of his interviewers, who +tried to refresh his recollection and may have mixed him up." + +Plate Impression in black upon three qualities of bluish paper, 3 +varieties of each value. + + 5 cents, black 171/2 by 221/2 mm. + 10 cents, black 181/2 by 221/2 mm. + +These stamps are printed on a rather thick greenish blue paper, on a +thinner grey-blue paper, and on a very thin greyish paper, which agrees +with the recollection of the engraver that he printed three different +lots of them. A pair is also known on a coffee colored paper. They were +taken from buff envelopes, and are undoubtedly discolored by the action +of the paper or gum. Those on white paper have been made so by chemical +action. + +The varieties may be thus distinguished: + +FIVE CENTS. The dashes in the corners form a sort of triangular +ornament, or branch. The letters are block capitals, shaded by a fine +line. There are no lines or dashes under "_Post Office_." + +_First Variety._ (_a_) The buckle on the garter has the point and tongue +turned up to the left. + +(_b_) There are six dashes above "_Saint_," and eight above "_Louis_," +of which the top and bottom ones on each side are long strokes. + +(_c_) One long and two short lines and a speck under "_Saint_," and one +long and three short lines under "_Louis_." + +(_d_) A long diamond in top of numeral, and a mis-shapened diamond in +the bow of the numeral, with four dots above and nine below it, and a +dot in the ball of the numeral. + +(_e_) The bear in the shield is on a vertically lined ground. + +_Second Variety._ (_a_) The buckle has the tongue and point turned down +to the right. + +(_b_) There are eleven dashes above "_Saint_," and ten above "_Louis_," +one of which cuts the frame on the right. + +(_c_) One long and two short lines, a dot, and a horizontal stroke below +"_Saint_," one very long, and three short lines under "_Louis_," two +above and two below the level of the bear's ear. + +(_d_) A triangle in the top of the numeral, and a diamond in the bow of +the numeral, with four dots above and nine below the latter. No dot in +the ball of the numeral. The right end of the scroll is double, and +touches the frame. + +(_e_) The bear is on a vertically lined ground. + +_Third Variety._ (_a_) The buckle has the point turned down to the +right. + +(_b_) There are twelve lines above "_Saint_," and seventeen above +"_Louis_." + +(_c_) There are one long and three short lines under "_Saint_," and one +long and two short lines and a dot under "_Louis_," the latter on a line +between the ear and eye of the bear. + +(_d_) A diamond in the top of the 5, and an upright diamond in the back, +with eleven dots below and four dots above it. + +(_e_) The bear is on a ground lined horizontally above and vertically +below. + +Mr. Pemberton thinks, from a fine clear copy he had seen, that for some +reason the numeral of this variety had been originally engraved as a 1. +He says there is a thin line to the right of the down stroke of the 5, +three small dots in a curve to the right of the diamond in the top of +the 5, and two small dots, one over the other to the left of the +diamond. + +_Fourth Variety._[A] Mr. Pemberton describes a fourth type of the Five +cents which he claims is a restoration of the second variety, from which +one variety of the 20 cents was made by alteration. + +(_a_) The buckle has the point turned down to the right. + +(_b_) There are eleven dashes above "_Saint_," and ten above "_Louis_." + +(_c_) There are four lines under "_Saint_," and three long and two short +lines under "_Louis_," the last on a level with the bear's ear. + +(_d_) A diamond in the top, and a long diamond in the back of 5, with +four dots over and four dots under the latter. Coarser shading around +the figure, and a curved vertical line at the back of the bow, being +part of the 0 of 20 badly erased. + +(_e_) Bear on a vertically lined ground. The two lines of the frame +above Louis bulged. + + [A] NOTE.--Without examining the specimen from which Mr. + Pemberton described, it is impossible to say that it may not be + one of the retouches which Mr. Kershaw thinks he made. + +TEN CENTS. The words "_Saint_," and "_Louis_" are in small, colored, +ordinary capitals, unshaded. There is a long flourish curved upwards +over each word. It seems to have been intended to have a point with a +short dash on each side of it, above each of these, with a second long +flourish curved upwards and then brought down round the end of the word, +and continued as a flourish under them, but the details are different in +the several types. The numerals are ornamented by a diamond in the +middle of each down stroke, with three dots, above and below each +diamond, except in type one, which has only two dots below the diamond +in the 1. + +The following varieties will be noticed: + +_First Variety._ The point and right dash, between the corner flourishes +on both sides, usually missing, and the upper flourish does not come +distinctly round the right hand word. + + 3 lines beneath "Post Office." + 5 " " "Saint." + 4 " " "Louis." + +_Second Variety._ The point and right dash, between the flourishes in +the right hand corner, gone, and the upper flourish, does not come round +the right hand word distinctly. + + 3 lines beneath "Post Office," with a smaller stroke over each. + 4 lines beneath "Saint." + 4 " " "Louis." + +_Third Variety._ The point between the dashes, between the flourishes on +the left, missing. + + 3 lines beneath "Post Office," with a smaller stroke over each, + and dots between them. + 3 lines and 2 dots beneath "Saint." + 4 " 1 " " "Louis." + +Mr. Pemberton at one time chronicled a fourth variety of this value +also, but could not afterward identify it. Indeed the impressions show +great variation from the intended design in the corner flourishes, which +seem to have been engraved too fine in parts. + +TWENTY CENTS. While the author and many others do not believe the twenty +cent value to be genuine, in deference to such authorities as Messrs. +Scott and Pemberton, who accept the few specimens known, they are here +described. In the American Journal of Philately, of January, 1870, Mr. +Scott, after describing the three varieties each of the 5 and 10 cents +for the first time, mentions the 20 cent value as a new discovery. +Comparing the three specimens, he says: Two are exactly alike, and have +evidently been altered from variety three, above described, while the +third is different, having evidently been altered from variety two. At a +later date he mentions a fourth specimen. Five specimens are all that +have ever been chronicled, we believe. + +Mr. Pemberton describes the first three more at length, in a paper in +the Stamp Collector's Magazine, for January, 1871. He says he had before +him 13 stamps of the 5 cent value, and 12 of the 10 cents, but he does +not state how many he had of the 20 cents, but that 10 of the 25 +specimens were lent him from America. The American Journal, for +January, 1871, however, says he had the three known specimens of the 20 +cents. The theory of his article is that the twenty cents was made by +erasing the numerals, and of course incidentally other surrounding parts +of the varieties two and three, of the five cent value on the plate, and +engraving the numerals 20, printing that value and afterwards erasing +the 20 and replacing the five. It is also the theory of the article that +this was done with all three varieties of the 3 cents, although the +author had seen only two varieties of the 20 cents, and only one +specimen of the 5 cents, which he could torture into a re-engraving. He +alters the arrangement of varieties of Mr. Scott, to which we prefer to +adhere, and thus describes them: + +_Variety One_, from variety three of the five cents. + +One long and one short line under "_Saint_." Half of each of the +original top strokes and the third stroke under "_Louis_" being erased, +but the dot left. The inner line of the frame erased from the T to L, +and a smaller portion of the outer frame above erased also. + +_Variety Two_, from variety two of the five cents. Four strokes under +"_Saint_," but bolder and closer than the original, the vertical stroke +over the left bear's paw nearly erased. + +Four strokes under "_Louis_," but deeper and more regular, the third +stroke downwards on a level with the bear's ear. L of "Louis" has been +re-engraved. Bear's paw on the garter erased. + +The inner line of frame half erased between "_Saint_," and "_Louis_." + +It remains to be added that the numerals are, in both these varieties, +very badly drawn, single lined and solid, instead of open and +ornamented, and are shaded by miserably drawn irregular horizontal fine +lines of uneven length, totally different from the figures in the other +two values. + +It is both impracticable and useless to attempt to repeat here all the +arguments for and against the authenticity of these specimens. It is +claimed that they were found in the same file of letters with the +greater part of the specimens of the other values known. That the rate +they indicate was a regular rate upon heavy letters from St. Louis to +New York, and that many letters so marked that do not bear stamps, were +found in the same and other files; that there are no traces of erasure +of the 5 by scratching, and the paper is no thinner under the numerals +than elsewhere. This seems to be the substance of what can be said in +their favor. + +On the other hand they are not alluded to in the notices published in +the Republican, above quoted, or elsewhere; the engraver is positive +that he did not alter the values; says that he retained the plate until +after Mr. Wyman had ceased to be postmaster, which was at least two +years after the stamps were prohibited by law, and that the workmanship +of the numerals could not possibly be his, and would be a disgrace to +any engraver; the figures are apparently made by an unskilled hand with +an ordinary pen and ink; competent authorities in such matters state +that it is possible to remove printing ink from paper; three of the +known specimens have been photographed, two of one variety and one of +another; in all the numerals differ, those of the two varieties +mentioned by Mr. Scott as corresponding, vary as much as the two from +different varieties of the five cents. While it is true that a portion +of the inner line of the frame is gone between Saint and Louis, and that +the strokes are bolder beneath these words on one variety, it is not +apparent that they are nearer together, or of different shape as Mr. +Pemberton thought, or that the L of "Louis" has been re-engraved. The +absent lines need no comment. Lastly, the work has a blurred appearance, +as if the ink had slightly run into the paper around these famous 20 +numerals, and in all the photographs they are of a different color from +the remaining parts of the same stamps, and the other stamps +photographed with them, particularly noticeable in light photographs, +while the blurred appearance is more apparent in the dark photographs. +If these facts do not convince those who believe in the authenticity of +these 20 cent varieties, that they, with Messrs. Scott and Pemberton, +have been the victims of a clever fraud, the question will probably +never be settled for them, as no new facts are likely at this date to be +discovered. + +The two cent value, once chronicled, is of a different design, and an +admitted invention. + + + + +VI. + +STAMP OF THE BRATTLEBORO POSTMASTER. + + +The stamp issued by the Postmaster, of Brattleboro, Vermont, is +catalogued as a local as early as Kline's Manual, 2nd edition, 1863. The +first magazine to describe it was Taylor's Record, February, 1865, which +states that it was issued in 1848, by F. N. Palmer, to supply a +temporary lack of the current five cents and gives a fair description of +it. The American Journal of Philately, in January, 1869, in an article +by Dr. Petrie, gave the first correct account of it. The article gives a +letter purporting to have been written by Dr. Palmer, who says it was a +strictly private enterprise, neither ordered or repudiated by the +Department, and did not appear in his account with the head office at +Washington. "My object," he says, "in issuing it was to accommodate the +people, and save myself labor in making and collecting quarterly bills, +almost everything at that time being either charged or forwarded without +prepayment. I was disappointed in the effect, having still to charge +the stamps and collect my bills. As to the number issued, I should say +five or six hundred as an experiment. They were engraved by Mr. Thomas +Chubbuck, then of Brattleboro, now of Springfield." + +Mr. Palmer thinks the stamp was issued during his first year as +postmaster, (1845). + +The March number of the same journal, for the same year, mentions a +specimen on a letter of 1846, postmarked with a pen, November 10th, but +the stamp cancelled with the word "PAID," hand stamped in red. In the +Stamp Collector's Magazine, November, 1870, Mr. L. H. Bagg, +recapitulating the foregoing, states incidentally, that one reason for +this accommodating spirit on the part of the postmaster, was that his +salary depended on the cash receipts of his office, and hence his +anxiety to have as many letters prepaid as possible, a fact which +assists us in understanding why a stamp should have been issued at such +a small place as Brattleboro then was. The postmarked letter shows that +the use of the stamp did not do away with the necessity of marking the +letter "PAID," and that it was this mark and not the stamp that was +recognized by other postmasters. In his interview with Mr. Bagg, the +engraver, Mr. Chubbuck, was quite confident that Mr. Palmer burned all +the unsold stamps in his possession upon the appearance of the first +regular United States Stamps, that the bill for engraving them was not +collected until June, 1848, and that the charges were $7.50 for +engraving the plate, and $1.50 for printing 500 stamps. Mr. Bagg also +obtained from Mr. Chubbuck a part of a sheet, eight stamps, which was +afterwards purchased by Mr. Scott, who got together all the copies he +could, and thus reconstructed the sheet, which was shown to have +contained ten varieties, in two horizontal rows of 5 stamps each, each +stamp separately engraved, the words "Eng. by Thos. Chubbuck, Bratt'o," +appearing in small script under the middle stamp of the lower row, and +not extending over the length of that stamp. + + +BRATTLEBORO POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1845 OR 1846. + +"F. N. P.", the initials of the postmaster, Frederick N. Palmer, in +fac-simile, with flourish beneath, on a vertically lined ground, in an +oblong with cut corners, bordered by a heavy colored, a colorless and a +finer colored line in a band lined diagonally, (from right above, to +left below) and bordered by another fine colored, a colorless and +heavier colored line, forming an oblong rectangle, and inscribed above +"_Brattleboro, Vt._," in colored black letters, "_P._ and _O._" on left +and right, in ordinary colored capitals, and "_5 Cents_" in outline +capitals below. + +Plate impression 21 by 19 mm., in color, on brownish paper. + + 5 cents, black. + + + + +VII. + +STAMP OF THE NEW HAVEN POSTMASTER. + + +This stamp was discovered in an old collection by Mr. Wm. P. Brown, and +described by him in his Curiosity Cabinet in May, 1871. The New Haven +Palladium of May 11, 1871, has the following account of the discovery, +which, though it contains some errors as to the former postal rates, and +some ignorance as to the history of the stamps of the United States, is +worthy of insertion here. + + "A CURIOSITY." + + "An old envelope post office stamp, issued at New Haven, of the + denomination of 5 cents, marked 'PAID,' and subscribed by 'E. A. + Mitchell, P. M.,' has lately turned up. It must have been issued + over 20 years ago and is probably one of the oldest United + States stamps in existence. Mr. Mitchell was postmaster of this + city from 1844 to 1850. When he took office the rates were 6, + 10, 121/2, and 25 cents for single letters, according to distance, + no prepayment being required. The rates were afterwards reduced + to 10 and 5 cents according to distance, and subsequently to + five cents, uniform for all distances, the weight not exceeding + one quarter ounce, and prepayment required. At this period + envelopes began to come in use, and as prepayment of postage + could only be made at the office during business hours, Mr. + Mitchell took the responsibility of issuing envelopes, stamped + as above, with his signature on each, and selling them at the + cost of envelopes and postage as an accommodation; some of the + post offices refused to recognize them, and reported the fact to + the Department. As however the stamps could only be used at the + New Haven office, and were sent as prepaid matter, properly + entered on the New Haven Post Bill, there could be no loss to + the government, and the Department taking a liberal view of the + subject, authorized their continuance. There is no doubt that + the adoption of stamps by our government was much hastened by + the issue of these prepaid envelopes, and it can truly be said + that they were the first stamps issued by the United States. Mr. + Mitchell is still in possession of the original plate." + +From a letter of Mr. Mitchell's, printed in the American Journal of +Philately in May, 1871, it further appears that Mr. Mitchell permitted +parties to bring their own envelopes to be stamped. The die was a simple +hand stamp engraved by F. G. Gorham, and the ink employed was that in +ordinary use for hand stamps in the office, red or blue. He was +postmaster from September, 1844, to 1852, and thinks the stamp was +issued first in 1845. Only one original stamp has so far been found. + + +NEW HAVEN POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1845. + +Large rectangular stamp, with corners cut by quarter circles. Frame of a +very heavy outside line with an interior fine line. "_Post Office_" in +heavy block letters inclined to left, in a straight line across the top, +"_New Haven, Ct._," in a curved line of Roman capitals, in a second +line. Large numeral "5" with "PAID" in large block capitals beneath, +signature (E. A. Mitchell) written, and "P. M." in ordinary capitals +forming the fifth line. + +Impression 26 by 31 mm., from brass hand stamp, in color on white or +colored envelopes. + + 5 cents, red. + +The only known original is cut square. In 1871, Mr. Mitchell made a few +re-impressions in red and blue ink, which he signed and distributed to +collectors. The die was then deposited in the archives of the New Haven +Colonial Historical Society. + + Reprints. 5 cents, blue impression, red signature. + 5 " red " blue " + 5 " " " black " + 5 " " " no " + +All on large white paper. + + + + +VIII. + +STAMPS OF THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER. + + +These stamps, of which the 5 cent value was catalogued as early as 1863, +and the 10 cent in June, 1865, were issued by Mr. H. B. Sayles, +postmaster at Providence, and engraved by a Mr. Kidden, of that city in +1846. None of the daily papers of the locality, which we have been +permitted to consult, seem to have noticed the issue. The plate has +however been preserved among the archives of the State of Rhode Island. + + +PROVIDENCE POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1846. + +"_Post Office_," in a curved line, "_Prov. R. I._" in a straight line, +and "_Five Cents_" in a curved line, all in outline colorless block +capitals on a ground of fine horizontal lines, bordered by a fine +colored, a broad colorless and second fine colored line, forming a +horizontal oval, the space outside filled in with similar horizontal +lined ground to form a rectangle, bordered by a fine colored line, the +bottom and right side double thickness, and ornamented with a white +foliated ornament in each of the four corners, separated by a white ball +on the sides, and by from two to five balls above, but none at the +bottom, where there is instead a prolongation of the foliation. + +Plate impression (copper), 20 by 28 mm., on yellowish white paper. + + 5 cents, black, + 10 cents, black. + +These stamps were issued gummed. + +The paper of the sheet measures 851/2 by 88 mm. On the plate there are +three stamps in each horizontal and four in each vertical row, or twelve +stamps. The upper right hand corner stamp alone bears the value "_Ten +Cents_." If for the sake of convenience the first stamp on the left of +the upper row is designated as type one, the next two, etc.; the first +stamp on the left of the second row as type four; the first of the third +row as seven; and the first of the fourth row as ten, the following may +be noticed among the many points of difference. The plate was originally +ruled into spaces for the stamps by very fine lines, which seem to have +been carried straight through over the spaces intended to separate the +stamps, and not always to have been perfectly obliterated afterwards. On +the right of the plate there is also a vertical line parallel to the +right side of all the stamps in the right hand row, at the distance +separating two stamps (nearly 2 mm.) as if the intention had been to add +another stamp to each horizontal row. + +_Type 1._ At the upper left corner, the horizontal frame line thickened +projects to the left and the vertical line projects upward. 5 balls +between the foliations the middle one is an oblong rectangle, the end +ones touch the ornaments. The side balls are on a line with the tops of +the letters of "Prov., R. I." There is a period after Cents. + +_Type 2._ At the upper left corner, the horizontal frame line thickened +projects to the left. At the lower left corner both the horizontal and +vertical lines thickened project. Both the horizontal top and bottom +lines continue on the right to Type 3. 5 balls, the middle one is a +square, the next on the right is the lower half of a circle, the next on +left flat at top and bottom. These three are all small. The end ball on +the right larger than the others. Both it and the end ball on the left +are flat on top. "F" in "Five" very close to the border. Side balls +above the line of the top of the letters of "Prov., R. I." A period +after Cents. + +_Type 3._ Ten cents. The horizontal top line of frame projects each way. +The vertical line at the right plain above but thickened and partially +obliterated below the lower right corner. The lower horizontal line +projects to the left to Type 2. 5 balls, the middle one large and +square, the extreme right one nearly round, the remaining three +irregular and nearly equal in size. "E" of "Office" touches the oval. +Side balls below the line of the top of the letters of "Prov., R. I.," +and lower point of left foliation cuts into the left ball. No period +after Cents. + +_Type 4._ The top horizontal line projects to the left. The bottom +horizontal line projects both to the left and right. 5 balls. The middle +one is a small oblong rectangle. Those next to it very small. Left side +ball on a level with the top line of letters of "Prov., R. I.," but the +right ball smaller and lower down. No period after Cents. + +_Type 5._ The top horizontal line projects to the left, and part of it +is thickened. It also projects to the right. The bottom horizontal line +projects to the left. 5 balls. The middle one in an oblong rectangle. +The "s" of Cents, resembles an 8. Side balls are above the line of the +top of "Prov., R. I." No period after Cents. + +_Type 6._ The top horizontal line projects to left. The bottom +horizontal line also. The vertical left line projects to type 9. 5 +balls. The middle one is a square. Shading of "E" of "Office" touches +the oval. The side balls are below the tops of "Prov., R. I." No period +after Cents. + +_Type 7._ The top horizontal line projects both to left and right. The +right vertical line projects above the corner. 4 balls only. The middle +one is gone. They are all small. A period after Cents. + +_Type 8._ The top horizontal and left vertical lines both project at the +upper left corner. 5 balls. The middle ball is a square. The top of the +"E" of "Office" touches the oval. The "s" in Cents is very small, and is +followed by a period. + +_Type 9._ The top horizontal line projects both ways, and the left +vertical line projects above the upper left corner. Both vertical lines +are continued down to type 12. 2 balls only, the middle ones are left +out. "V" in "Prov." is too large and the "F" of "Five" touches the oval. +No period after Cents. + +_Type 10._ The top horizontal and right vertical lines both project +beyond the upper right corner. 5 balls. The middle one square. The lower +leaf of the upper left foliation has no notch. Point after Cents. + +_Type 11._ The top horizontal line projects to the left and both +verticals project upwards. 5 balls. The middle one is square. The end +balls project above top line. No period after Cents. + +_Type 12._ Both vertical lines project up to Type 9. 5 dots. Middle one +is an oblong rectangle. The next on the right projects above the frame. +The one at right end is nearly round, but both those at the left are +rectangular. Ball at right side large and flat. No period after Cents. + +It has been stated that the engraver of the original plate re-engraved +these stamps for the benefit of collectors many years ago. However this +may be, there are a number of very dangerous counterfeits in existence, +as well as some that are easily detected. + +In the following table the lines which touch the letters or other parts +are counted as well as those between them. By these differences and +peculiarities the position of a given specimen on the plate can readily +be determined. + +The following peculiarities are noticed in Le Timbre Poste, page 5, 1871. + + Row A, Width of the oval + " B, Height of the oval + + Horizontal lines between the; + Row C, Upper frame and oval + " D, O of Office, and oval above + " E, V of Prov., and oval above + " F, V of Prov., and C of Cents + " G, C of Cents, and oval below + " H, P of Prov., & E or T of 5, 10 + " I, I of R. I., and S of Cents + " J, P of Post, and P of Prov. + " K, E of Office, and I of R. I. + + ------------------------------------------------------------- + |Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type| + | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + A |241/4 | 24 | 24 | 233/4| 233/4| 24 | 24 | 24 | 241/4| 24 | 24 | 241/4| + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + B |181/2 | 181/4| 181/4| 181/2| 181/4| 181/4| 181/4| 181/2| 181/4| 181/2|181/4 | 181/4| + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + C | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + D |12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + E |15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + F |13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + G | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + H | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + I | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + J | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | + | | | | | | | | | | | | | + K | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | + ------------------------------------------------------------- + + + + +IX. + +STAMP OF THE ALEXANDRIA POSTMASTER. + + +This stamp was discovered by the present author, and was first +chronicled in an article by him in Le Timbre Poste, of February, 1873. A +second specimen is chronicled in Durbin's Philatelic Monthly, of August, +1879. They are both postmarked with the ordinary dated hand stamp of +Alexandria, D. C., the word "PAID," and large numeral "5." The first +postmark is dated July 10th, that of the second is illegible, but the +letter was dated Sept. 9th, 1846. + + +ALEXANDRIA POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1846. + +Large round stamp, 30 mm. in diameter, with border of 40 six-rayed +stars. Within "_Alexandria_," above, and "_Post Office_," below, in +heavy block capitals, a six-rayed star separating the words, on each +side. In the centre "PAID," in smaller capitals, with the numeral "5" +beneath. + +Impression from wood block, 30 mm. in diameter, on yellow paper. + + 5 cents, black. + +This stamp appears to have been originally stamped upon the buff +envelopes common at the time, and to have been cut out and fastened to +the letter. No further information concerning it has yet been +discovered. The files at Washington, of the Alexandria Gazette, the only +Alexandria paper of that period, are defective from May 22nd, to +October, 1845, and in part for 1847. Daniel Brien was Postmaster at +Alexandria during 1845-47. + + + + +X. + +STAMPS OF THE BALTIMORE POSTMASTER. + + +This stamp was first chronicled in the Philatelical Journal in 1874. The +copy there described was the only one known, until very recently, a +second copy was described in the New York World, and subsequently that +and another were mentioned in the Alexandria Gazette, of August 3rd, +1886, as having been in possession of Mr. Thomas Semmes, of Alexandria. +These are described as postmarked respectively, January 15th, and 31st., +1847, with the other marks usual upon letters of the period. From 1845 +to 1849, Mr. James Madison Buchannan was the postmaster at Baltimore, +and is said to have issued this stamp in the fall of 1846. Further +details are wanting. The stamp is a simple looking slip of paper +containing the signature of the postmaster in fac-simile, in one line, +and the value, "_5 Cents_," in a second line, bordered by a frame of +single colored lines, crossed at the four angles. + +Impression, 55 by 15 mm., in color upon thin bluish paper. + + 5 cents, black. + +[Illustration: James M. Buchannan (handwritten signature) PAID 5 (with 5 +inside circle)] + +Besides these adhesive stamps, Mr. Buchannan also issued a species of +franked envelope. Two copies of this were found by Mr. Robt. H. Smith, +in examining his old letters. They are the ordinary buff wove envelopes +of the period, size 80 by 137 mm., of the old simple form with straight +edged flaps. In the right upper hand corner the signature "James M. +Buchannan," hand stamped, 501/2 mm. long, the "B," 41/2 mm. high. Beneath +this in a second line the word "PAID," in capitals, 4 mm. high, and 16 +mm. long is also hand stamped. Below this again, a large numeral "5," +111/2 mm. high, in an oval 201/2 mm. long by 71/2 high, is also hand stamped. + +The specimen described is hand stamped with the ordinary round hand +stamp of Baltimore, Md., and dated Nov. 24th, no year stated and is +directed to the present owner and finder. + +Impression hand stamped in blue ink on buff envelopes. + + 5 cents, blue. + +Besides these it has been claimed that the stamp known as the +"horseman," was also issued in 1860 or 1861, by the Postmaster of +Baltimore. It may be described as a rough design of a horseman, +galloping to the right, holding a streamer, inscribed: "_One Cent_." On +ribbons above, "_Government City Dispatch_." Rough frame of vertical +lines with rough ornaments in the corners, bordered by a single colored +line. + +Impression, 23 by 17 mm., apparently lithographed in color on white +paper. + + 1 Cent, red. + 1 " black. + Variety, 1 Sent " + +It will appear further on, that at this date, 1860, and long prior +thereto, the law prohibited postmasters from recognizing or permitting +to be used any stamps not received from the Postmaster General. In a +letter published in the American Journal of Philately, July 20th, 1869, +W. H. H. Corell, 3rd Assistant Postmaster General, says: "The records of +the Department do not contain any reference to the other stamp, Post +Rider." It is supposed to have been issued by one of the numerous "City +Dispatch" companies located in New York. These facts and the very rough +workmanship, so unlike any of the authorized Government issues, would +seem sufficient to settle the absolutely unofficial character of this +stamp. + + + + +XI. + +STAMP OF THE MILLBURY POSTMASTER. + + +In the collection of letters received by Col. Isaac Davis, of Worcester, +Mass., now in the library of the American Antiquarian Society, were +found, in 1884, two letters written and posted at Millbury, in August +and December, 1846, postmarked with the ordinary dating stamp of +Millbury, of the dates August 21st, and December 16th, respectively, and +stamped with an adhesive stamp, cancelled with the word "PAID," in large +capitals, partly on the letter and partly on the stamp. The earliest +also bears a large "V," in an octagon frame, and the other a large +numeral "5," in a circle. Col. Asa H. Waters, was postmaster of Millbury +in 1846, having received his commission, dated January 2nd, 1836, from +President Jackson, "Old Hickory," and retained the office until +November, 1848, when he resigned and obtained the office for Henry +Waterman, who had been his assistant. A third copy of the adhesive stamp +is in the possession of Col. Waters, postmarked exactly as the first +described specimen, but the date is July 18th. Both Col. Waters and Mr. +Waterman state that the idea of the stamp was suggested by the reception +of letters bearing the New York stamp, and that the stamp was printed in +Boston, from a block cut in 1846. Neither gentleman has any data by +which to fix more exactly the date of its issue. + + +MILLBURY POST OFFICE. + +ISSUE OF 1846. + +Head of Washington, 3/4 face to the right, on a colorless circular disk, +161/2 mm. in diameter, shaded to left of the head, and part way in front +by 4 diagonal lines, and bordered by a circular band, 2 mm. wide, edged +outside and inside by a colored line. The band is inscribed above, +"_Post Office_," below, "_Paid 5 Cents_," in colored block capitals, +except "5 Cents," which is in script. There are three five-pointed stars +irregularly formed on each side in the band. The outer circle is a +little flat between T and O. The vertical diameter is 1/2 mm. longer than +the horizontal. + +Impression from wood block 22 by 221/2 mm. in diameter, in black on smooth +unsurfaced white paper. + + 5 cents, black. + + + + +XII. + +STAMPED ENVELOPES OF THE WASHINGTON POSTMASTER. + + +The Daily Union, published at Washington, Wednesday, July 23rd, 1845, +and the National Intelligencer, of Friday, July 25th, 1845, contain the +following advertising editorial[A]: + + "INTERESTING TO CITIZENS AND SOJOURNERS IN WASHINGTON. Upon + inquiring at the city post office, we learn that Col. Gardiner + has had franked (or rather prepaid) envelopes prepared, which do + away with the necessity of personal application at the delivery + window when one wishes to pay postage on sending off a letter. + They are for sale at the post office, at the following rates; + which barely pay the cost, after deducting the sum chargeable on + each for postage, viz: + + 18 envelopes to enclose letters charged at 5 cents for $1.00 + 9 " " " " 50 + 1 " " " " 61/4 + 9 " " " 10 cents 1.00 + 4 " " " 10 " } 50 + 1 " " " 5 " } + + This plan, it will be recollected has been adopted in the + northern cities to the great advantage of the public, and its + introduction here will save our fellow citizens many a long and + hitherto, indispensable trudge, in this metropolis of + magnificent distances." + +The latter paper, however quotes the price of the 5 cent envelopes at 6 +cents, instead of 61/4. These are evidently the envelopes mentioned in the +article of the Express, of July 8th, quoted in the chapter on the stamps +of the New York postmaster. Up to the present time none of them have +been reported to have been found. + + [A] The newspaper articles concerning these envelopes were found + by Mr. C. F. Rothfuchs who, at the suggestion of the author, + kindly searched the files of the Washington papers. + + + + +XIII. + +STAMPS OF THE PHILADELPHIA POSTMASTER. + + +From 1845 to 1849, Dr. Geo. F. Lehman was postmaster of Philadelphia. It +is asserted that he adopted for use in the post office at Philadelphia, +a number of peculiar devices of his own, which appear to have been a +substitute for postage stamps. They are described as bands with the +names of the persons who mailed the letters upon them, which were +fastened around the letters, and upon receipt at the post office, were +removed by the clerks and kept as vouchers, the amount of postage due +being charged to the account of the sender, and collected with the +quarterly bill. There are also said to have been in use several other +designs in the form of stamps, printed and sold by the post office, +which when fastened upon the letter indicated that the office had +received postage, and such letters were then forwarded and marked as +paid. + +Although several varieties of these are said to have been in use, none +of them have yet been found. + + + + +XIV. + +STAMPS OF THE WORCESTER POSTMASTER. + + +In the National Aegis, published at Worcester, Mass., September 2nd, +1846, may be found the following item: + + "POST OFFICE STAMPS. The postmaster has issued postage stamps of + the denomination of five cents and ten cents. They are very + convenient, and will save the trouble of making change at the + post office, and will enable people to send prepaid letters at + times when the office is closed. To cover the expense of + engraving and printing, these stamps are sold at five per cent + advance upon the regular rates of postage." + +Maturin L. Fisher was postmaster at Worcester, from 1839 to 1849, and +Andrew A. Williams was his chief clerk in 1846. The above item was +recently found by the present author in searching old files of +newspapers, for information about the various postmaster's stamps. No +other Worcester paper seems to have noticed the matter, and no further +information has so far rewarded the limited inquiry and search possible +since the discovery. Both of the gentlemen in the office at the time are +now deceased. + + + + +XV. + +STAMPS OF THE PITTSFIELD POSTMASTER. + + +A short notice published in one of the Springfield, Mass., papers, in +the summer of 1874, asserts that in overhauling the vaults of the +Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Pittsfield, a number of +stamps were found that were issued by the Pittsfield postmaster, in +1846-7. Phineas Allen was postmaster of Pittsfield at the time. No +further information concerning these stamps, has rewarded inquiry. + + + + +XVI. + +OBSERVATIONS. + + +It is by no means improbable that other similar devices were in use in +other towns and cities at this period, by which prepayment of postage +was secured. The salaries of many of the smaller offices depended on the +amount of postage collected, and the importance of all offices was +estimated by the revenue collected. It was natural, therefore, as the +public demand for such accommodation grew, that the postmaster should +adopt a device tending to their own benefit. There are in the possession +of the present author a number of hand stamps, apparently cut from +letters and envelopes, inscribed such and such a "Post Office," "5 Cents +Paid," which would seem to be stamps of this kind, but in the absence of +further information, are not here chronicled. The wide spread use of +such stamps would appear from the following caution, published in the +Courier, of New York, July 18th, 1845. + + "The postmaster of this city has given notice that he has + prepared stamps for the use of merchants, and requests them to + provide themselves with these stamps to facilitate the business + of the post office, and for their own convenience. It will be + observed that the postmaster warns the public that any stamps + offered for sale at any place other than the post office of this + city are spurious. That the use of proper stamps by merchants + will be a great convenience is admitted; but these stamps, thus + offered, should be considered in no other light than the + personal obligations of the postmaster, unauthorized as far as + the public know, by any proper authority, and if issued by the + postmaster of one city, may also be issued by the postmaster of + any town or city in the United States; and if this practice + becomes general, the amount in these stamps held by the public + will be very considerable, and will evidently lead to great + abuses and probably losses. + + In case of the death or removal of a postmaster, we know of no + legal obligation of his successor to consider these stamps of + any value whatever. + + Post office stamps to be of general utility, should be issued by + the General Post Office at Washington, sanctioned by law, and + with suitable penalties in case of forgery: they would be of + great advantage to the Post Office Department, and would much + facilitate business in various ways, but if issued by any or all + postmasters, will in some cases be used "to raise the wind," and + may raise it pretty effectually in cases of death or default, as + the amount held by the public in any of the large cities would + be a very considerable sum." + + (Signed) CAVEAT. + +This article was reprinted by numerous journals, among them the Express, +of New York, July 18th, 1845. + + + + +XVII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1847. + + +Notwithstanding these manifest dangers, noticed by the Courier and +Express, the public continued to demand and use, and the postmasters to +issue, as we have seen, these unauthorized stamps, without action on the +part of Congress, or interference by the Department, until the beginning +of 1847 when, apparently in response to the necessities of the case the +following law was passed: + + STATUTES OF THE UNITED STATES, XXIX Congress, Session II, + Chapter LXIII, Section 1, approved March 3rd, 1847. An Act to + establish certain Post Roads and for other purposes. + + "And be it further enacted, that to facilitate the + transportation of letters by mail, the Postmaster General be + authorized to prepare postage stamps, which, when attached to + any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the prepayment of the + postage chargeable on such letter, which said stamps the + Postmaster General may deliver to any deputy postmaster who may + apply for the same, the deputy postmaster paying or becoming + accountable for the amount of the stamps so received by him, and + if any of said stamps shall not be used, but be returned to the + General Post Office, the amount so returned shall be credited to + such deputy postmaster, and such deputy postmaster may sell or + dispose of any stamps so received by him to any person who may + wish to use the same, but it shall not be lawful for any deputy + postmaster, to prepare, use, or dispose of any postage stamps + not authorized by and received from the Postmaster General. And + any person who shall falsely and fraudulently make, alter or + forge any postage stamp with intent to defraud the Post Office + Department, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction + shall be subject to the same punishment as provided in the 21 + Section of the Act approved March 3rd, 1825, entitled an Act," + etc. + +This is the first authorization of postage stamps in the United States, +and it will be well to observe that the use of any stamps other than +_those authorized and received from_ the Postmaster General is strictly +prohibited. The use of the stamps of the postmasters herein before +treated of, must therefore have ceased from and after the 1st of July, +1847, when the law went into effect, or as soon thereafter as supplies +were received from the Department. This effectually determines the +character of such locals, as the so-called "Horseman," and "U. S. Mail +Prepaid," before referred to. + +According to the law and custom in the United States, a contract for the +engraving and printing of stamps, under the authority of this Act, was +made by the Postmaster General with Messrs. Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and +Edson, for four years. During this time they furnished 4,400,000, five +cent stamps, and 1,050,000, ten cent stamps, of which 3,712,000 five +cent, and 891,000 ten cent stamps are officially reported to have been +distributed by the Department to deputy postmasters for sale. A portion +of these, valued at $12,038.55, were however afterwards returned to the +Department and exchanged for those of the subsequent issue, and credited +to the deputies who returned them. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1847. + +The issue consisted of two values only, five and ten cents. + +FIVE CENTS. Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, Continental Postmaster +General, facing three quarters to the left, on an oval disk with hatched +ground, 141/2 by 171/4 mm., bounded by a broad colorless line with a fine +colored line outside, in a rectangular frame, also bordered by a broad +colorless line with a fine colored line outside. The ground work of this +frame is composed of fine horizontal colored lines, and is ornamented by +foliations, and inscribed in outlined colorless capitals, "_U._" and +"_S._," in the upper corners, with "_Post Office_," between, following +the form of the oval, large numeral "5," and "5," in the lower corners, +with "_Five Cents_" between, following the form of the oval. + +Between the lines of the outer border, exactly in the centre, are the +initials of the engravers, "R. W. H. & E.," in small colored capitals. + +Plate impression, 181/2 by 231/2 mm., in color, on faintly bluish paper. + + 5 cents, bronze. + +TEN CENTS. Portrait of George Washington, first President, facing three +quarters to the right, on an oval disk, with hatched background, +bordered by a broad colorless line, with a fine colored line outside, in +a rectangular frame, bordered in the same manner. The ground of the +frame and inscriptions are similar to the five cents, but changed for +the value to a large "X," in each lower corner, with "_Ten Cents_," +between. Same small initials in the lower border. + +Plate impression, 181/2 by 231/2 mm., in color, on faintly bluish paper. + + 10 cents, black. + +In the Hartford Times of August 5th, 1885, appeared a long article, +entitled: "The First Postage Stamps," from which the following relating +to the actual date of this issue may be here repeated. + + "Thirty eight years ago to-day the first postage stamps were + used in the United States. * * * On the 25th of March, 1840, + John M. Niles, of Hartford, became Postmaster General and + signalized his administration by many reforms. * * * It was + necessary to cap all by a genuine innovation, and he performed + this by suggesting the postage stamp. The suggestion was + received with ridicule, and Mr. Niles soon after retired. * * * + When Cave Johnson assumed the post office, on the 5th of March, + 1845, he found it an Herculian task to reinstate the reform + measures of Mr. Niles. * * * Among the measures of Mr. Niles + that he adopted was the postage stamp idea. * * * Johnson + garnished his conversation with fathering the suggestion + originated six years before. * * * The matter took form as a + bill. * * * Approved March 3rd, 1847. The date of the issue was + appointed as July 1st, but there was a delay in the contractors' + work and the time ran over a month. + + On the 5th of August, soon after the opening of the Postmaster + General's office for the day, an old gentleman called to see Mr. + Johnson on business. The gentleman was the Hon. Henry Shaw, a + New Yorker, * * * and the father of the well known Henry Shaw, + Jr., (Josh Billings). * * * Mr. Johnson came into his office + accompanied by the printer of the new stamps, a few minutes + after Mr. Shaw had arrived, on that August morning. Sheets of + the stamps were laid before the Postmaster General, who, after + receipting for them, handed them to his visitor to inspect. Mr. + Shaw returned them after a hasty glance, and then drawing out + his wallet, he counted fifteen cents, with which he purchased + two of the stamps--the first two ever issued. The five cent + stamp he kept as a curiosity, and the ten cent stamp he + presented to Governor Briggs, as an appropriate gift." + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +In nearly all the early catalogues and in some recent foreign ones, +these stamps are catalogued upon _white_ paper. Mr. Terrell, Third +Assistant Postmaster General, in a letter published on page 111, +American Stamp Mercury, 1870, states positively that this issue was +never printed except upon faintly tinted bluish paper. It may be +observed, generally, that the paper of all stamps of the early issues of +all countries which were affixed to the blue or bluish paper in general +use at the time, has a tendency to vary from the original color, +sometimes becoming blue or bluish, when originally white, darker or +lighter blue or even whitish if originally blue. This has been variously +explained, as the action of some ingredient in the paper of the letter, +or of the stamp, in the gum or the ink. + +It must be further observed that the color of the impression of the five +cents varies greatly from the original pale red brown, called bronze. +Many shades of faint red brown, red brown, faint dark brown, deep dark +brown, black brown, bluish black, and almost pure black, may be found. +Whether these result, as seems to be the case, from a natural change in +the course of time, from something in the ink, paper or surroundings of +the stamp itself, or whether it results from the use of different +colored ink originally, may perhaps be impossible now to determine. + +The ten cent, however, varies very little in the color of the +impression. Beyond a lighter, or grayish shade, a black with a bluish +cast, and the ordinary black impression, little is to be noticed. + +The stamps are separated in the sheet by about 2 mm., each way. Double +copies of the five cents, adhering either by the side, or by the top and +bottom, are often found on old letters, and occasionally, three or four +adhering specimens are encountered. The ten cents is almost invariably +found in single specimens, though a few pairs, and even three used +together are known. + +According to a statement in the American Journal of Philately, of April, +1871, this issue was withdrawn from circulation between June 11th and +September 30th, 1851. The instructions of the Department to the deputy +postmasters, concerning the distribution of the next issue, published in +June, 1851, order that these five and ten cent stamps must not be +recognized as prepaying letters after the 30th of June, 1851, and +request the public to return them to the deputy postmasters, in exchange +for others of the new issue. The report of the Postmaster General for +the year expiring June 30th, 1851, and published in the fall of that +year, further states: "Directions for the destruction of the dies and +plates, employed in the manufacture of the stamps formerly used, have +been given, and for counting and burning such stamps as have not been +issued to postmasters or have been returned." + +These facts probably explain the extreme rarity of unused stamps of this +issue, and the re-engraving of the dies by the Government, when it was +considered advisable to make an exhibit of all its issues of adhesive +stamps at the Centennial Exhibition. + +The existence therefore, of a specimen of four unused five cent stamps, +adhering by the sides, and another of four unused ten cent stamps, +adhering also by the sides, in the private collection of Mr. Sterling, +is worthy of notice. The latter specimen, at any rate, is probably +unique, and though called whitish paper by him, has nevertheless, the +bluish tint, and certainly is not _white_ paper. + +NOTE. There are _proofs_ however on white paper. + + + + +XVIII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1851. + + +The Act of the XXXI Congress, Session II, Chapter XX, approved March +3rd, 1851, and entitled: "An Act to reduce and modify the Rates of +Postage in the United States, and for other purposes" reads: + + "Be it enacted, etc., that from and after the 30th day of June, + 1851, in lieu of the rates of postage now established by law, + there shall be charged the following rates, viz: For every + single letter in manuscript, or paper of any kind, upon which + information shall be asked for, or communicated, in writing, or + by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail for any distance, + between places within the United States, not exceeding 3,000 + miles, when the postage upon said letter shall have been + prepaid, three cents, and five cents when the postage thereon + shall not have been prepaid, and for any distance exceeding + 3,000 miles, double these rates; for every such single letter or + paper when conveyed wholly or in part by sea, and to or from a + foreign country, for any distance over 2,500 miles, twenty + cents, and for any distance under 2,500 miles, ten cents, + excepting however, all cases where such postages have been or + shall be adjusted at different rates by postal treaty or + convention already concluded or hereafter to be made; and for a + double letter there shall be charged double the rates above + specified; and for a treble letter, treble these rates; and for + a quadruple letter, quadruple these rates; and every letter or + parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight, shall be deemed a + single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or + every additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be + charged with an additional single postage. And all drop letters, + or letters placed in any post office, not for transmission, but + for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of + one cent each, and all letters which shall hereafter be + advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any post office + shall be charged with one cent in addition to the regular + postage to be accounted for as other postages now are." + +The second section fixed the rates upon newspapers of all descriptions, +coming from the publishers, etc., etc., which were not to be paid for by +stamps, but: + + "Every other newspaper circular, hand bill, engraving, + pamphlet," etc., etc., "shall be charged one cent an ounce under + 500 miles and one cent each additional ounce between 500 and + 1500 miles," double beyond, etc., etc. + +The third section provides: + + "And be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the + Postmaster General to provide and furnish to all deputy + postmasters, and to all other persons applying and paying + therefor, suitable postage stamps, of the denomination of three + cents, and of such other denominations as he may think expedient + to facilitate prepayment of postages provided for in this Act; + and any person who shall forge or counterfeit any postage stamp, + provided or furnished under this Act, whether the same are + impressed or printed on or attached to envelopes or not, or any + die, plate or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or + knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent to + use or sell, any such false, forged or counterfeit die, plate, + engraving, or postage stamps, or who shall make or print, or + otherwise procure to be made or printed, any postage stamps of + the kind provided and furnished by the Postmaster General, as + aforesaid, without the especial authority and direction of the + Post Office Department, or who, after such postage stamps have + been printed, shall, with intent to defraud the revenue of the + Post Office Department, deliver any postage stamps to any person + or persons other than such as shall be authorized to receive the + same by an instrument of writing duly executed under the hand of + the Postmaster General, and the seal of the Post Office + Department, shall on conviction thereof be deemed guilty of + felony, and punishable by a fine not exceeding 500 dollars, or + by imprisonment not exceeding five years; or by both such fine + or imprisonment, and the expenses of procuring and providing all + such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided or + authorized by this Act, shall be paid, after being adjusted by + the auditor of the Post Office Department, on the certificate of + the Postmaster General, out of any money in the Treasury, + arising from the Revenues of the Post Office Department." + +The 4th section provides that postage stamps shall be defaced as the +Postmaster General may direct, and the penalty for omitting so to do. + +The 10th section provides for the appointment of carriers, the rate to +be one or two cents prepaid, the carriers to be paid out of the receipts +from this postage. + +The 11th section authorizes the coining of the three cent coin, probably +to facilitate the payment of these rates. + +The other matters mentioned in the foregoing Act are of little interest +here, but the following circular contains some matters of importance: + + REGULATIONS CONCERNING POSTAGE STAMPS. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + _June 10th, 1851_. + + "To facilitate the payment of postages upon letters and + packages, postage stamps of the following denominations are + provided and furnished by the postmaster General, pursuant to + the third section of the "Act to reduce and modify the rates of + Postage in the United States," and for other purposes approved + March 3rd, 1851. + + Viz: No. 1. Printed in black, representing the head of + Washington, of the denomination of twelve cents. + No. 2. Printed in red, representing the head of + Washington, in profile, of the denomination of three + cents. + No. 3. Printed in blue, representing the head of Franklin, + in profile, of the denomination of one cent. + + These stamps will be furnished to one or more of the principal + postmasters in each county, who will be required to supply the + other postmasters in their vicinities, upon being paid for the + amount furnished." + +The remaining provisions relate to the mode of distribution, accounting, +cancelling, etc., and are of no particular interest. The circular is +signed "Nathan D. Hall, Postmaster General." + +A similar circular dated April 3rd, 1852, is almost an exact repetition +of the foregoing. The stamps issued may be described more fully thus: + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1851. + +ONE CENT. Bust of Benjamin Franklin, first Postmaster General, in +profile, facing to the right, in an oval disk 17 by 201/2 mm., with a +ground of very fine horizontal colored lines, slightly waved, bordered +by a colorless line between two fine colored lines. The colorless line +is ornamented by a line of fine dots. Above is a label, bordered at the +top by a similarly ornamented colorless line, between two fine colored +lines, terminated at the ends by the corner ornaments of the stamp, with +a ground of fine colored lines following the lines of the oval, and +inscribed in outline capitals "_U. S. Postage_." Below the oval is a +similar label, the ends terminated by a similar border, with a ground of +fine colored lines, inscribed "_One Cent_" in outline capitals. This +label is shaded by a number of vertical lines. Scroll and foliated +corner ornaments extending down the sides. There is no outside line +finishing the frame. The stamps are very near each other on the sheet. + +Plate impression, 19 by 22 mm., color, white paper. + + 1 cent, shades of indigo blue. + +THREE CENTS. Bust of Washington, first President of the United States, +in profile to left, on an oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by a +fine colorless line between two fine colored lines, surrounded by a +frame composed of colorless lines, forming diamonds on a solid ground, +the alternate diamonds filled in with diagonal colorless lines, leaving +a colored chain conspicuous, with rosettes in the four angles. The space +between the oval and frame filled with horizontal lines, and the corners +outside the rosettes filled with ornamented triangles. Above and below +all these are solid colored labels, with a small piece containing a +diamond cut off at each end by a vertical colorless line, inscribed in +colorless Roman capitals, above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Three +Cents_." The whole is surrounded, at a little distance, by a colored +line forming a rectangle. + +Plate impression 20 by 25 mm., color, white paper. + + 3 cents, in shades of brick and rose red. + +TWELVE CENTS. Bust of Washington, after Stewart, facing three quarters +to the left, on an oval disk 131/2 by 17 mm., with hatched ground, +bordered by a colorless line between two colored lines. This colorless +line is crossed by horizontal lines. About this is a frame like that of +the 3 cents, with rosettes at the angles, but showing six and two half +links in the chain on each side, instead of five and two half links as +in the three cents. The outside corners are filled by small foliations. +The space between the oval and frame is filled by horizontal lines. +Inscription above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Twelve Cents_" in colorless +capitals, shaded outside on the back ground and following the curve of +the oval. The whole is surrounded by a fine colored line. + +Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper. + + 12 cents, black. + +As it was considered desirable to keep the amounts collected and paid +for delivery by carriers (under section 10 of the act) separate, a +special stamp for the payment of such postage was soon added: + + +ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 29TH, 1851. + +ONE CENT. Bust of Benjamin Franklin, in profile, to the left, on an oval +disk, 15 by 171/2 mm. with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +between two fine colored lines. Frame, labels, etc., like the three +cents, but with a colorless star between curved colorless lines at the +end instead of the diamonds. The inscription is in colorless Roman +capitals, on the upper label "_Carrier's_," and "_Stamp_" in the lower +label. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 24 mm., color, rose paper. + + No value indicated, indigo blue. + +Specimens exist in brick red, some of which show the crack in the die. +These must be proofs, although a letter purporting to be from W. M. +Ireland, Third Assistant Postmaster General, dated August 10th, 1869, +and published in the August number of the American Journal of Philately, +after describing this stamp says: + + "Color, orange-brown, typographed in color on white paper. + Proofs were issued printed in blue on pink paper; also in green + and yellow. It was issued about September 29th, 1851, but was + suppressed almost immediately, owing to its great similarity to + the then three cent stamp. Only about 300,000 were ever issued. + It has always surprised me that the Department has never kept + any official history of its stamps." + +This stamp was succeeded by the; + + +ISSUE OF NOVEMBER, 17, 1851. + +ONE CENT. Eagle poised for flight, turned to the left, resting on a +branch of laurel, on an oval disk, 18 by 13 mm., the ground of clouds +and rays, surrounded by a fine colored line, a colorless line, and a +band of solid color inscribed in colorless Roman capitals above "_U. S. +P. O. Dispatch_," below "_Prepaid, One Cent_," with ornaments of oak +leaves on the left and of laurels on the right. + +Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper. + + 1 cent, blue. + +A letter dated from the Post Office Department, Finance Office. July +20th, 1869, and signed W. H. H. Corell, Third Assistant Postmaster +General, published in the American Journal of Philately, says: + + "The blue stamp "Eagle" was used for prepaying City letters + delivered by carriers. It was issued about Nov. 17th, 1851, and + was withdrawn Jan. 27th, 1852. It was very little used except in + Philadelphia, Pa., and Cincinnati, Ohio." + +As a matter of fact however, the published reports of the Postmaster +General, shows that there were issued: + + 4,777,552 from Nov. 1851, up to June, 1852. + 4,370,383 " June 1852, " " " 1853. + 7,103,416 " " 1853, " " " 1854. + +These stamps were all engraved and printed by Messrs. Toppan, Carpenter, +Cassilar and Co., of Philadelphia, under a contract with the Department. + +The collector naturally desires to know what supposed peculiarities of +the public demand led to the selection of these values, and not others. +As already shown, the carriers were paid out of the receipts from the +sale of the two carrier stamps. + +The one cent was required for newspapers and other printed matter, +either singly or in twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, etc., and Mr. +Sterling has preserved specimens thus used, adhering, either in strips +by the sides or ends, or in blocks. + +The three cent stamp paid the ordinary letter rate, and two or more +would be required on double, triple, etc., letters. Mr. Sterling has +also preserved strips and blocks of these found so used. + +The single postage to California was six cents. This was also the double +letter rate, and it seems singular that a stamp of this value was not +issued. Its place was supplied by two three cent stamps, the double rate +to California by four three cent stamps, etc. That it was also supplied +occasionally by half of the twelve cent stamp, cut diagonally from +corner to corner, specimens so used on the original envelopes in the +possession of the same gentleman abundantly prove. The twelve cent must, +therefore, have had no function except to replace a quadruple ordinary +rate, or a double California rate. For foreign letters, the postage was +10 or 20 cents, when not provided for by treaty. Most of the treaties +fixed the same rates, and stamps of those values would seem to have been +required. The fact that prepayment was optional, may have influenced the +demand for these values. + +Soon after the issue of the foregoing series, the postal rates were +again discussed in congress, and the law amended as follows: + + XXXIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 173, Section 31, approved + March 30th, 1885, entitled: "An Act further to amend the Act + entitled: 'An Act to reduce, etc., approved March 3d, 1851.'" + + Be it enacted, etc. That in lieu of the rates of postage now + established by law, there shall be charged the following rates + to wit: For every single letter in manuscript, or paper of any + kind in which information shall be asked, or, communicated in + writing, or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail, for any + distance between places in the United States not exceeding 3,000 + miles, three cents; and for any distance exceeding 3,000 miles, + ten cents. And for a double letter, there shall be charged + double the rates above specified; and for a treble letter, + treble these rates, and for a quadruple letter, quadruple these + rates; and every letter or paper not exceeding half an ounce in + weight shall be deemed a single letter; and every additional + weight of half an ounce, or every additional weight of less than + half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single + postage; and upon all letters passing through or in the mail of + the United States, except such as are to or from a foreign + country, the postages as above specified, shall be prepaid, + except upon letters and papers addressed to officers of the + government on official business, which shall be so marked on the + envelope. And from and after the first day of January, 1856, + the Postmaster General may require postmasters to place postage + stamps upon all prepaid letters, upon which such stamps may not + have been placed by the writers. + + And all drop letters, or letters placed in the post office, not + for transmission through the mail, but for delivery only, shall + be charged with postage at the rate of one cent each, and all + letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remaining over or + uncalled for in any post office, shall be charged with one cent + each in addition to the regular postage, both to be accounted + for as other postages now are. + + Section 2. And be it further enacted, that it shall be unlawful + for any postmaster or other person, to sell any postage stamp or + stamped envelope for any larger sum than that indicated upon the + face of such postage stamp, or for a larger sum than that + charged therefor by the Post Office Department. + + [Here follows the penalty for so doing.] + + Section 3. And be it further enacted: That for the greater + security of valuable letters posted for transmission in the + mails of the United States, the Postmaster General be, and + hereby is authorized to establish a uniform plan for the + registration of such letters on application of parties posting + the same, and to require the prepayment of the postage, as well + as a registration fee of five cents, on every such letter or + packet, to be accounted for by postmasters receiving the same, + in such manner as the Postmaster General may direct: Provided, + however, that such registration shall not be compulsory: and + shall not render the Post Office Department, or its revenues + liable for the loss of such letter or package, or the contents + thereof. + +By this Act there was established for the first time compulsory +prepayment, at a uniform rate of 3 and 10 cents, according as the +distance was less or greater than 3,000 miles, upon letters in the +United States, and the Act of the XXXIV Congress, Session III, Chapter +1, approved January 2d, 1857, entitled: "An Act to provide for the +compulsory Prepayment of Postage on all transient printed matter," which +provided, that such postage "shall be prepaid by stamps or otherwise, as +the Postmaster General may direct," completes the legislation upon the +subject, so far as it is of interest here, up to the year 1861. + +Upon the approval of this Act, the following circular, dated at +Washington, March 12th, 1855, was issued to postmasters: + + NEW POSTAGE ACT. + + INSTRUCTIONS TO POSTMASTERS. + + The particular attention of Postmasters and others is invited to + the annexed Act, passed at the last session of Congress. It will + be observed: + + 1st. That from and after April 1st, 1855, the single rate of + postage on a letter conveyed in the mail, for any distance in + the United States, not exceeding three thousand miles, is three + cents, and for any distance exceeding three thousand miles, ten + cents. + + 2nd. That from and after April 1st, 1855, prepayment by stamps, + stamped envelopes or in money is compulsory. + + 3rd. That from and after January 1st, 1856, all letters, between + places in the United States, must be prepaid either by postage + stamps or stamped envelopes. + + 4th. That the laws relating to the Franking Privilege are not + altered. + + 5th. That the existing rates and regulations in regard to + letters to or from Canada, and all foreign countries, remain + unchanged. + + Unpaid letters mailed before April 1st, 1855, will be forwarded + and delivered upon payment of the postage, by the person + addressed. Postage stamps and stamped envelopes, of the + denomination of ten cents, will be prepared and issued speedily, + and the Department will use every exertion to supply all post + offices with one and and three cent stamps also, as fast as they + are required. + + Absolute prepayment being required on all letters to places + within the United States, from and after April 1st, 1855, great + care should be used as well in prepaying the proper amount on + letters above the weight of half an ounce, as on single letters. + + Postmasters will post up conspicuously in their respective + offices a notice, calling attention to the provisions of the Act + requiring prepayment. + + The provisions in regard to the registration of valuable letters + will be carried into effect, and special instructions issued on + the subject, as soon as the necessary blanks can be prepared and + distributed. + + (Signed) JAMES CAMPBELL, + Postmaster General. + + _Post Office Department, March 12, 1855._ + + N. B.--Copy of the Act of March 3d, 1855, on the back. + +Another circular dated at Washington, Nov. 20th, 1855, also signed by +the Postmaster General, after reciting certain regulations which are +addressed to and concern only the postmasters themselves, contains the +following: + + "Section 7. The denominations of postage stamps authorized by + the Department to be issued, are _one_, _three_, _five_, _ten_ + and _twelve_ cents." + +The one, three and twelve cents of the issue of 1851, remaining in use +without apparent change, and the same contract with Messrs. Toppan, +Carpenter, Cassilar & Co., of Philadelphia, remaining in force, the +following were added to the series: + + +ISSUE OF MAY 5TH, 1855. + +TEN CENTS. Portrait of Washington, after Stewart, faced three-quarters +to the left, on an oval disk with hatched ground, bordered by a +colorless line between two fine colored lines, the colorless line +crossed in parts by small horizontal lines, on a hatched back-ground, +bordered by outlined foliations, which form small ovals in the upper +corners containing a colorless "X," with "_U. S. Postage_" in colored +capitals between them. Thirteen colorless stars on the ground above the +oval. "_Ten Cents_" in colorless capitals in a waved line below. + +Plate impression, 18 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper. + + 10 cents, green. + +This stamp was issued to provide for the single rate to California. + + +ISSUE OF JANUARY 5TH, 1856. + +FIVE CENTS. Portrait of Jefferson, the third President of the United +States, faced three quarters to the right, on an oval disk, 121/2 by 151/2 +mm., with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line between two fine +colored lines, in a broad frame with solid ground, ornamented by +colorless lines forming a geometric lathe pattern. This frame is +rounded at the corners, with a small projection of about 2 mm. between +at the top, bottom and sides, and is surrounded at a little distance by +a fine colored line following the same outline. On the back ground, +without labels, above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Five Cents_," in +colorless Roman capitals. + +Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper. + + 5 cents, in shades of yellow brown, red brown, + and dark brown. + +This stamp was issued to prepay the registration fee, but is often found +in unsevered pairs upon California letters, and sometimes in triplets +including the registration fee and a single postage to California. + +On the 24th of April, 1856, a stamp of the value of twenty-four cents +was approved. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Portrait of Washington, after Stewart, faced three +quarters to the right, on an oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by +a colorless line, surrounded by a solid band of color, inscribed in +colorless Roman capitals, above "_U. S. Postage_," below "_Twenty-four +Cents_," separated by a sort of buckle at the sides. A broad solid +colored frame, ornamented by colorless lathe work is surrounded, at a +little distance, by a fine colored line, and the corners are rounded, +with a single swell between them above and below, and three between them +at the sides. + +Plate impression, 181/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper. + + 24 cents, lilac. + +Although made and approved, this stamp is said to have been withheld +from issue in this imperforate condition. They were finished and gummed, +and some of them seem to have gotten into circulation, as occasional +specimens are to be found in collections, and one entire sheet, at +least, is known to have existed. + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +Every collector ought at least to be aware of the nature and character +of the varieties that exist in these stamps. Although many of them are +very minute, and can be distinguished only by the use of a good +magnifying glass, others, once noticed, can readily be selected by the +unassisted eye. Few will care, probably, to place more than the most +marked varieties in their collections, still fewer will have the +patience to explore the necessary piles of common "stock," in order to +find these marked varieties, for the most marked are the most uncommon, +or to distinguish the more minute varieties from each other. + +The plates of all values printed 200 stamps each upon the sheet. Before +the stamps were distributed, each sheet was cut vertically into half +sheets, the place where they were to be cut being marked on the plate by +a vertical colored line, and each half containing ten rows of ten +stamps each. Upon each side of the plate, at a little distance from the +outer row of stamps, the tops of the letters being towards the stamps, +and running along the sides of the 5th and 6th stamp from the top or +bottom of the sheet, and part of the 4th and 7th stamp, is the maker's +imprint, "Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar & Co., BANK NOTE ENGRAVERS, +Phila., New York, Boston and Cincinnati," with "No--P." in a second +line. This imprint was afterwards changed by leaving out the third name. + +The one cent eagle is an exception, as the imprint here appears at the +top and bottom of the sheet, running along the space covered by four +stamps, and the sheet is said to have contained only 100 stamps. + +Upon some of the sheets, of the other values, from the first plate, +there is also a vertical line from the top to bottom of the plate, +probably upon each outer margin. Upon other sheets, this does not +appear. Specimens of these are now difficult to obtain, as the wide +borders at the sides, the top and bottom of the sheets, were usually cut +off when the stamps were used. + + +ONE CENT UNPERFORATED. + +The stamps are about 1/2 mm. apart between the nearest points of the tops +and bottoms, and 1 mm. between the nearest points of the sides. + +It should be noticed that the top and bottom labels have a fine line +parallel to the solid body of the inscribed labels, both at the top and +bottom. + +The imprint is about 11/2 mm. from the outer row of stamps. The central +vertical line is about 13/4 mm. from each central row. The side vertical +lines are about 33/4 mm. from the outside rows. These dimensions vary +slightly. There is little appreciable difference in the stamps in a +sheet, except in the thickness of the lines bordering or shading the +ornaments. In some specimens, these lines are all fine in all parts of +the stamp, in others, they are much heavier, and in others fine in parts +and heavy in other parts, in many gradations. The color used seems to +have been always the same, varying only in intensity, as more or less +ink was left on the paper in printing. Dark, or pale specimens, with +intermediate shades may therefore be found. The paper is always white, +but more or less tinted with the color of the stamp from imperfect +wiping of the plates. + + +THREE CENTS UNPERFORATED. + +The number of plates used in printing this value unperforated, has not +been possible to determine. The distance between the stamps varies +considerably in different plates. In some, they are only 7/10 mm. apart +between the tops and bottoms, in others a little over 1 mm. In some they +are only 9/10 mm. apart between the side lines, in other fully 1-2/10 +mm. Specimens with broad, white margins (A) show the paper to have +extended, sometimes 15 mm. beyond the stamps. The vertical lines are (B) +6 mm., or (C) 21/2, 3 and 33/4 mm. from the center rows. The makers imprint +(D) is about 11/2 mm. from the outer rows, but varies slightly in +different sheets. + +The process of making these plates is said to have been; first to mark +out on a soft plate of steel the points at which the right vertical line +of each vertical row of stamps was to come, by a dot at the top and +bottom of the plate. These dots were sometimes too large and too heavily +put in, and may be found in some specimens (E) at or near, the upper or +lower right hand corner of the stamp. The lines however were not always +accurately drawn so that the dot appears (F) on the top or bottom line, +at a distance to the left of the corner, or (G) above the line, or (H) +below the line, or (I) entirely outside of the stamp to the right. These +lines having been drawn, the next step in the process was to put in the +body of the design, which had been engraved on a soft steel punch or +die, and then hardened, by placing the die successively in the position +to be occupied by each stamp on the plate, and "rocking" it back and +forth under pressure. As this process was not as perfect as that now +employed, the die was not always placed in exactly the proper position, +not infrequently being too near or too far from the vertical side lines, +or the die was not rocked far enough, and the edges were left imperfect. + +In the design, it was evidently intended that the outside lines should +be equally distant from the top and bottom labels, and the side edges of +the block, and that the corners should be exactly mitered. The top and +bottom lines are practically always at the same distance from the +labels, and one engraver maintains that they were engraved on the die. +But specimens are plentiful in which (a) the top and bottom line +projects beyond the side line, or (b) does not touch it, or rarely (c) +is double or split, or again the side line (d) projects beyond the top +or bottom line, or (e) does not touch it. Again, instead of the side +line being (f) at the proper distance from the corner blocks, it is not +infrequently (g) too far from one or more of them, or (h) too near one +or more of them, or (i) touches one or more of them. Again, the side +line is found (j) connecting with the next stamp above or below, and +occasionally there is a second line (J) near this between two stamps. + +In the die itself it will be noticed that the lower left block is almost +always a little further to the left than the top one, in fact, that the +distance from the right of the right block to the left of the left block +is about 1/4 of a mm. greater at the bottom than at the top of the stamp. +The lower right rosette is a little too far also to the right, +ordinarily at least. The blocks vary in size in the same and different +stamps, as well as the diamonds in them, which are not of uniform shape +or size. The labels above and below are crowded upon the rosettes. The +sides of the groundwork should terminate in a straight line, formed by +the bases of the little colored triangles, which touch each other. But +this line is often broken in appearance as parts of it are too finely +cut, or the die was not rocked far enough. In some cases this seems to +have been remedied by re-engraving this line, and there is a heavy line, +independent of the base lines of the triangles extending, (K) from +rosette to rosette, (L) from the lower rosette to the upper triangle, +(M) from the lower rosette to the middle of the upper triangle, (N) from +the lower rosette to the top of the upper triangle, (O) from the lower +rosette to the upper block, (P) a light line extending from the lower +rosette to the upper block, (Q) a heavy line extending from the middle +of the lower block to the upper triangle, (R) or from the middle of the +lower triangle to the upper rosette. Frequently there is a light line +(S) from the side of the triangle in the corner to the adjacent block. +The triangles are ordinarily shaded by horizontal parallel lines, and +are formed by a single fine line on the top and vertical sides, while +the curved side is double. But the following variations occur: (T) the +triangle has a heavy side line, (U) a double side line, (V) a triple +side line, (W) is white or nearly so, the horizontal line having +disappeared. + +Again it will be found that there are added lines along the whole or +part of either side line, making these double, or even triple. Thus +whether there is a distinct line, as described, between the rosettes, +etc., or not, if the next line be called the frame line, there may be +found varieties with an extra line outside the frame line, but (k) very +near it, (l) farther from it, (m) very heavy, the frame line being +thin, (n) the frame line split into two parts from the middle up, (o) +frame line split into two parts from chin up, (p) two extra side lines +all the way, (q) extra line from the level of the chin to the upper +rosette, (r) extra line from the level of the lips to upper rosette, (s) +from the level of the lips to the centre of the rosette, (t) from the +level of the nose to the top of the triangle, (u) from the level of the +breast to the top of the triangle, (v) opposite the bottom rosette. If +there be added to these letters the numerals 1 to express the left side, +2 the right when the variations occur along the whole side, and 1 for +the top, 3 for the bottom on the left side, 2 for the top, and 4 for the +bottom on the right side, when the variations occur only at the top or +bottom, the following table will facilitate investigation. + + On the On the + LEFT Specimens Showing RIGHT + at the at the + Top Bottom Top Bottom + + A^1 broad margin over 6 mm. and no line A^2 + B^1 " " ver. line 6 mm. from stamp B^2 + C^1 " " " 21/2 to 31/2 " C^2 + D^1 " " printer's imprint D^2 + ... ... dot on or near the corner E^2 E^4 + ... ... " " the end line, away from corner F^2 F^4 + ... ... " above " G^2 G^4 + ... ... " below " H^2 H^4 + ... ... " outside the corner I^2 I^4 + a^1 a^3 end line projecting beyond the corner a^2 a^4 + b^1 b^3 " " not touching " b^2 b^4 + c^3 " " split or double c^4 + d^1 d^3 side " projecting beyond " d^2 d^4 + e^1 e^3 " " not touching " e^2 e^4 + f^1 f^3 " " ordinary distance from block f^2 f^4 + g^1 g^3 " " too far from " g^2 g^4 + h^1 h^3 " " too close to " h^2 h^4 + i^1 i^3 " " touching the " i^2 i^4 + j^1 j^3 " " connecting with the next stamp j^2 j^4 + ... ... " " and another " " " J^2 ... + K^1 heavy " from rosette to rosette K^2 + L^1 " " " low. roset. to up'r triangle L^2 + M^1 " " " lo. r. to mid. of " " M^2 + N^1 " " " " " top of " " N^2 + O^1 " " " " " " block O^2 + P^1 light " " " " " " P^2 + Q^1 heavy " " mid. low. block to triangle Q^2 + R^1 " " " " tri. to up. roset. R^2 + S^1 S^3 fine " " triangle to adjoining block S^2 S^4 + T^1 T^3 triangle with heavy side line T^2 T^4 + U^1 U^3 " extra " U^2 U^4 + V^1 V^3 " 2 " " V^2 V^4 + W^1 W^3 " white or nearly so W^2 W^4 + k^1 extra line, outside frame line near it k^2 + l^1 " " " " far off l^2 + m^1 heavy " " thin frame line m^2 + n^1 frame " split into 2 parts half way n^2 + o^1 " " " " 3/4 " ... + p^1 two extra lines, continuous ... + q^1 extra line frame, lev. of chin to up'r roset. ... + r^1 " " " lips " ... + s^1 " " " " center roset. ... + t^1 " " " nose, top of trian. ... + u^1 " " " breast, " ... + v^1 " opposite the bottom rosette ... + +All the variations mentioned in this table have been found. It is +scarcely possible that each of them exists separately, i. e.; on +specimens that are in other respects normal. Many of them have been +found so, but most of them only in combination. The following may be +mentioned: + + A, B, C, D. Specimens showing broad margins with no outer line, + with outer line 6 mm. from stamp, with outer line about 3 mm. + from the stamp, or with printer's imprint, have been found, both + from the left and right sides of the sheet, with all the other + parts normal. These would be, + + A^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, A^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, B^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, B^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, + C^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, C^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, D^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, D^2 f^{1 2 3 4}. + + With the vertical line about 3 mm. from the stamp, three corners + only normal, the side line too near the lower right block, a dot + on the upper right corner, the right line connected with the + stamp below, and a fine line from each of the upper triangles to + the block above, which would be C^2 f^{1 2 3} h^4 E^2 j^4 S^{2 4}. + + And also with the vertical line about 3 mm. from the stamp, all + the corners normal, a heavy line terminating the ground between + the rosettes on the right, both the triangles on the right + connected with the blocks next them, and an extra vertical line + in the upper right triangle, which would be C^2 f^{1 2 3 4} K^2 + S^{2 4} U^2, which will serve to show the character of the + combinations in which these varieties may be found. + + Varieties showing the dot, E to I, generally present other + varieties also. The following combinations may be noted: + + With the bottom line double, or rather split, three of the + triangles have fine connecting lines, c^3 c^4 S^{2 3 4}. + + With the right side prolonged, and continuous with the side line + of the stamp above or below, j^2 or j^4. + + With the right side line prolonged upwards, and continuous with + the lower, but not with the upper stamp and a second line 1 mm. + to left from stamp to stamp, J^2. + + With the extra line outside the frame line on right and near it, + all the other parts being normal, the line of the ground work + not appearing as a separate line, k^2. + + With an extra line outside the frame line on right and near it, + a heavy line from rosette to rosette on the right, giving the + appearance of three parallel lines on that side, a similar line + from rosette to rosette on the left, and a fine line from the + upper right triangle to block, k^2 K^{2 1} S^2. + + With the same arrangement, but the heavy line on the right of + ground extends to the top of the upper triangle, there is a fine + line to the block, k^2 K^1 N^2 S^2. + + With an extra line outside the frame line on the right but + further from it. The left line touches the rosette, and is very + near the upper left block. The upper triangles both have the + extra vertical line, and the right triangles both have the fine + line connecting them with the adjacent block, l^2 h^1 U^{1 2} + S^{2 4}. + + With the right frame line split into two parts in its lower + half. The upper right triangle has the extra vertical line, and + the fine line to upper block, n^2 U^2 S^2. + + With the extra line outside the left frame line, and a distinct + line between the left rosettes, the right line near the corner + blocks, k^1 K^1 h^{2 4}. + + With the same peculiarities, but frame line touches the lower + left corner, k^1 K^1 h^2 i^4. + + With two extra lines outside the left frame line, and a heavy + line between the left rosettes, so that the stamp appears to + have four lines on that side. The right frame line runs from + block to block, touching both triangles and rosettes. There is a + dot in the lower right corner, and another to the left of it, + p^1 S^1 i^{2 4} E^4 F^4. + + With the extra line on the left very light, and a heavier one + outside, and the ground does not appear to end in a line, m^1. + + With the extra line on the left the usual thickness, and the + frame line heavier. The right frame line touches all the parts + on that side, l^1 i^{2 4}. + + With the frame line on the left split into two parts from the + level of the chin up, the inner touches the rosette, the + triangle and almost touches the block. The right frame line is + split into two parts in the lower half. Both the right triangles + have the finer line, and the upper the extra vertical line, q^1 + i^2 n^2 U^{2 4} S^4. + + With the extra outside line from level of lips to the upper + rosette. All four triangles are connected with the blocks, the + upper right and lower left have the extra vertical line, r^1 + U^{1 2 3 4} S^{3 4}. + + With extra outside line from level of the lips to the level of + the center of the rosette. The frame line is too near the top on + the left, the upper right triangle is connected with the block, + and has the extra vertical line, the lower right triangle is + also connected with the block, s^1 h^1 S^{2 4} U^2. + + With the extra left line from the level of the nose to the top + of the rosette, the upper right triangle connected with the + upper block, and with extra vertical line, t^1 S^2 U^2. + + With the extra line on the left from the level of the breast to + the top of the rosette, the frame line is too near the upper + left corner, and an extra vertical line in all the triangles, + u^1 i^1 U^{1 2 3 4}. + + With the extra line on the left opposite the bottom rosette + only. The two upper triangles are connected with the blocks, and + an extra line in the upper right one, v^1 S^{1 2} U^2. + + With the left frame line heavy, and too near to the bottom + block, a split runs off to left half way down. Both sides appear + to have a heavy line from rosette to rosette, but the left one + is irregular, all the triangles are connected with the adjoining + blocks, and all except the lower right one have the extra + vertical line, h^3 n^1 S^{1 2 3 4} U^{1 2 3} K^{1 2}. + +In the above descriptions, no mention has been made of those parts that +are in their proper ordinary position. + +These varieties are the leading ones, and are probably more than enough +to show the combinations. Less conspicuous ones are numberless. Owing to +the scarcity of adhering specimens, and the uncertainty as to how many +plates were actually employed, no attempt has been made to reconstruct +any plate. It is perhaps necessary to repeat that the collection of any, +except perhaps the more marked varieties, is not advocated. + +The color of these stamps varies wonderfully, every shade from pale to +dark, with yellowish vermilion, pink, red, and carmine may be found. +Some are undoubtedly changelings from accidental causes, particularly +those that run from brown and black brown, to an almost jet black, which +were at one time much sought after. + + +UNPERFORATED FIVE CENTS. + +The stamps are about 11/2 mm. apart each way on the sheet. All have the +projection at the top and bottom. Double and triple adhering specimens +may be found, but are rare. The imprint is on the sides, 13/4 mm. from the +stamps. No specimens have been found with vertical lines. + +The color is generally dark, either a chestnut brown, or with a stronger +reddish cast. + + +UNPERFORATED TEN CENTS. + +The stamps are 21/2 mm. apart each way on the sheet. The imprint is at +about 13/4 mm. from the side rows. The few specimens with the vertical +lines examined, show it at 3 mm. from the stamps. The color is a +yellow-green, of which dark and light impressions may readily be found. +A block of four used, adhering 2 and 2, is possessed by Mr. Sterling. + + +UNPERFORATED TWELVE CENTS. + +The stamps are 1 mm. apart each way on the sheet. The vertical line 21/2 +mm. from the stamps. No specimens with the imprint have come under the +notice of the author. The color is very uniform, slightly greyish-black. +Adhering specimens are rare. A pair adhering by the sides, used, and a +block of four unused, are in Mr. Sterlings' collection, and the curious +specimens divided diagonally, on the original letters, in the same +collection, have already been mentioned. + + +UNPERFORATED TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. + +The imprint is at the side, 13/4 mm. from the stamp. The stamps are 2 mm. +apart. The rarity of specimens has prevented further examination. The +color of the specimens seen is lilac, with the reddish cast. + + +ONE CENT "CARRIER," (FRANKLIN.) + +This stamp was never issued perforated. The imprint is 4 mm. from the +side rows, and the stamps are about 1 mm. apart. + + +ONE CENT "CARRIER," (EAGLE.) + +This stamp was never issued perforated, and any specimens so catalogued +will be found to be the reprints. The printer's imprint is at the bottom +or top of the four centre rows in the sheet. As the Department is +accustomed to call the half sheets issued "sheets," it is often +difficult to know which is meant. It has been stated that there are only +100 stamps on the plate. The imprint is 4 mm. from the stamps, and the +places where the stamps are to be cut apart are indicated by single +lines ruled horizontally and vertically. + + + + +XIX. + +THE ISSUE OF 1857. + + +Without any change in the law, and, so far as is known, without any +announcement of the improvement, on the 24th of February, 1857, the +three cent value of the type of 1851 was issued perforated, and the +other values of the series speedily followed with the perforation, and +so remained without addition until the middle of 1860. + + +ISSUE OF 1857. + +Same values, types and colors as the prior issue, perforated with 15 +holes in the space of two millimetres. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 15. + + 1 cent, shades of indigo blue. + 3 " " " red. + 5 " " " brown. + 10 " " " green. + 12 " " " black. + +The report of the Postmaster General, dated December 1st, 1860, states +that: + + "Larger denominations of postage stamps have been adopted and + introduced, especially intended for the purpose of affording + requisite facilities to prepay the postage on letters to foreign + countries, and of removing all excuse heretofore existing for + paying such postages in money. The new denominations are + twenty-four cents, thirty cents and ninety cents. The two latter + have been introduced since July 1st, last," i. e. since the + commencement of the new fiscal year. + + +ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1860. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. The stamp described on page 95 as prepared +imperforated in 1856, but not regularly issued in that condition, was +now issued perforated. + +Plate impression, 181/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +15. + + 24 cents, lilac. + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST 12TH, 1860. + +THIRTY CENTS. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the left, similar +to that on, the Carrier's Stamp of September, 1851, on an oval disk with +hatched back-ground bounded by a colorless line ornamented by a single +fine colored line. A colored back-ground fills out the rectangle and is +ornamented by a shield of the United States in each of the four corners, +the bottom of the shields pointed towards the center, and the ground +just behind them ornamented by colorless rays, with a foliated ornament +on each side of them. Between the ornaments in colorless capitals, on +the solid ground, above, in two lines, "_U. S._" and "_Postage_," below +"30," on the left side "_Thirty_," and on the right side "_Cents_." + +Plate impression, 20 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 15. + + 30 cents, orange. + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST 13TH, 1860. + +NINETY CENTS. Bust of Washington, in General's uniform, after Trumbal, +faced three quarters to the left, on closely hatched ground, appearing +nearly solid, square below, arched above, bordered by a colorless line. +Solid arched label above, inscribed in colorless capitals, "_U. S. +Postage_"; below, solid straight label, inscribed in the same letters +"_Ninety Cents_." The ends of the upper label are curved inwards, those +of the lower label outwards, and the colorless line borders the ends and +remaining side of each. Outside a double colored line borders all, +forming foliated ornaments, etc. There is an added colored line at the +top and bottom, and fine lines shading the ornaments. + +Plate impression, 181/2 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +15. + + 90 cents, deep indigo blue. + +The twenty-four cents was required to prepay the single rate of postage +on letters to England, and the thirty cents to prepay the single rate on +letters to Germany. The ninety cents does not seem to have been required +for any single rate. The contract with the Bank Note Engravers, Toppan, +Carpenter and Co., expired on the 10th of June, 1861, and all the stamps +made by them were withdrawn from circulation, and ceased to be +available for postage, between August 1st, 1861, and January 1st 1862, +as will appear from the circulars quoted, relating to the issue of 1861. +They have been reprinted, differently perforated, and sold to collectors +by the department. (See chapter on reprints.) + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +The one, three, five, ten and twelve cent values were first made by +perforating sheets from the original plates, and later, certain changes +were made that require to be noticed. + + +ONE CENT, PERFORATED. + +The first perforated sheets being from the same plates as the +unperforated, the same observations apply to them. It is to be noticed +that these had the fine colored line outside the labels _at the top and +bottom_. Owing to the nearness of the stamps on the sheets the +perforation generally cut into the stamps, either at the top or bottom, +and cut these lines, but the remains will be found on the points left +between the holes. Careful search will secure specimens in which both +these lines are intact, though they are somewhat rare. The vertical +lines, printer's imprint, etc., are of course in the same positions, and +the same varieties of finer or coarser lines may be found. The color +varies in the same degree. The paper is apparently the same, with the +same tinting, from the imperfectly wiped plates. + +In later specimens, however, the attempt was made to keep the +perforations from impinging on the printed portion. This was done by +removing the larger portion of the fine colored lines outside the +labels, and with them, portions of the upper and lower ornaments. In +many cases, they appear to have been wiped off, and the ends are +smudged. In others, they are clear and distinct. A great many varieties +result, as a greater or less portion of the lines or ornaments were +removed. Some of them are curious enough, in stamps that have always +been supposed to present no varieties. The fact being pointed out, it is +hardly worth while to attempt to distinguish them. + +The vertical lines and printer's imprints are in the same positions. +The stamps are still so near together that evenly perforated specimens, +i. e.; specimens in which the perforation does not cut some portion of +the stamp, are not easily found. + +_Two marked varieties_ may be noticed. In one, the outer fine line _is +removed above the top label_, while that under the bottom is left +intact. In the other, this outer line is removed _below the bottom +label_, while it remains intact above the top label. Both these +variations are exceedingly uncommon and appear to belong to the bottom +and top rows of the sheet respectively, though this has not been +verified. The same observations may be repeated as to variations in the +thickness of lines, the color of the paper and the impression. + +_Oddities._ Specimen showing two rows of perforations at the top and +bottom. Specimen without the outer lines to labels, unperforated. + + +THREE CENTS PERFORATED. + +The first perforated sheets of the three cents were from the same plate +as the last unperforated sheets, and consequently have the rectangular +outside frame lines, not only at the sides, but at the top and bottom as +well. As the stamps measure 25 mm. vertically and are only 1 mm. apart, +and the horizontal rows of perforation are about 251/2 mm. from center to +center of the holes vertically, the perforations generally cut into the +stamp and partially obliterate these lines. As the stamps are only 1 mm. +apart at the sides, and are 191/2 mm. wide, and the vertical rows of +perforations are 201/2 mm. from center to center of the holes horizontally +and the holes are nearly 1 mm. in diameter, the side perforations also +usually cut into some part of the stamp. It is therefore quite difficult +to find good specimens of this variety, and to distinguish some of the +minor varieties, as the corners are generally imperfect. Specimens were +found showing the sheet cut along the colored vertical line, and (X) +perforated between this line and the stamp, from either half of the +sheet. New plates were however, soon constructed. In one of these, No. +24, the side lines are drawn on the plate from the top to the bottom, +and are about 191/2 mm. apart. The fine outer lines at the top and bottom +are entirely omitted. The maker's imprint, "Toppan, Carpenter & Co., +Bank Note Engravers, Phila., New York, Boston and Cincinnati," 11/4 mm. +from the outer rows, is 68 mm. long. "No. 24 P," is 4 mm. from the +outer rows. The vertical center line is 13/4 mm. from the stamp. The sheet +measures 418 mm. from side to side, and 2521/2 mm. from top to bottom of +the printed part. The paper is 447 by 283 mm. The vertical rows of +stamps are 11/2 mm. apart, and the vertical rows of perforations nearly 21 +mm. apart horizontally from center to center of the holes. The last two +rows at the sides are a little further apart. The horizontal rows of +holes are 251/2 mm. apart vertically. Most of the differences in the +stamps on this sheet arise from the fact that the central portion is not +always placed in the same position in regard to the vertical lines. A +few of the stamps show dots in or near the corners. + +In some the lines are too near some of the corners, in some too far off, +and in others they touch and even cut into the blocks. Some few show +double or partly double lines. + +The whole sheet from plate 24, above mentioned, does not contain all the +varieties round, nor are they arranged just in the same order that they +appear in portions of other sheets examined. + +All the varieties possible, considering merely the position of the +corners and side lines, would be 246. So that each stamp on a sheet +might be different in this respect without showing them all. + +In sheet 24 however, only 32 exist. There are therefore, a number of +each variety, as follows, by the table previously given: + + hhhh 1 hiif 1 ifih 2 fihh 5 + hhhf 2 hifh 1 ifif 13 fiih 8 + hhih 16 hfif 3 fhhh 2 fiii 2 + hhif 20 ihih 14 fhhi 1 fiif 9 + hihh 2 ihif 32 fhhf 2 fihh 2 + hihi 2 iiih 7 fhih 3 fihi 3 + hiih 20 iiii 12 fhif 5 ffhf 1 + hiii 5 iiif 1 fhff 1 ffif 2 + +The 11th stamp in the first horizontal row, the 11th and 12th in the +second row, the 13th in the 4th row, and the 17th to 20th in the 10th +row show an extra line to the left of the left bottom rosette, V^1. + +In the 18th vertical row the left line actually cuts through the left +block in four specimens which are marked as if it merely touched in the +foregoing list. + +The 14th and 15th stamps in the top row show the dot. + +The 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th stamps in the upper row show +the right vertical line not only too far, g^2 g^4, as marked, but very +far from the corner block. + +The 9th stamp in the upper row has the double left line. + +The center stamps of this sheet are all of the varieties marked hiih in +the list, on the right half of the sheet, and hhih or hhif, on the left +half. + +None of the more prominent varieties are to be found on this sheet +unless the 9th stamp in the upper row may be considered as such. Loose +specimens from other plates show the vertical line only 7/8 mm. from the +stamps. Some of these are otherwise like those mentioned before, and +hfhg, gfff and ffhf from the left side, and hfhh, fhfg, fgfg and ifig +have also been noted. The above are all cut at or near the vertical +line. Some of the same varieties exist perforated along this line, and +higg and fihh exist also so perforated. In loose specimens have also +been found, igig, ihih, ifif, hhhf, hhhi, hhfh, hhff, hhif, hfhh, hfif, +hfig, hgig, hgif, hifi, hiih, gfgh, gfgf, gfff, ghgh, gigi, ffff, fffh, +ffhg, fgfg, fghf, fghg, fgig, fhfh, figh, varieties not on sheet from +plate 24. + +Passing now from these varieties dependent upon the nearness of the +lines and corner blocks the following more interesting variations may be +found: + +With the upper left corners too far from the blocks, the others being +ordinary; there is an extra line outside the frame line and close to it, +at the right, g^1 f^{2 3 4} k^2. + +With the upper left corner too far from the block, the lower left corner +too near to the block, an extra line outside the frame line and close to +it, g^1 f^2 h^3 f^4 k^2. + +With the upper left corner too far from the block, the others ordinary, +the frame line light, the extra line heavier. Numerous specimens showing +the frame line broken, those with it perfect are much rarer, g^1 f^{2 3 +4} m^2. + +With the upper right corner very near the block, all the others ordinary +but the right frame line runs only half way down, and into the ground +work. The extra line outside is the real side line, beginning too far +from the upper right corner, and running down to the right position at +the bottom (Y). Both the triangles on the right have the fine line +connecting them with the adjacent blocks, and also the extra vertical +line, f^1 i^2 t^{3 4} Y^2 S^{2 4} U^{2 4}. + +With the side line on the right starting at the usual distance from the +block, and running off to the right, and ending half way down, at nearly +twice the distance from the body of the stamps at which it started. A +second line starts at the proper distance from the stamp, and inside the +other at about the level of the lower point of the upper triangle, and +runs off to the right, down to the level of the lower rosette. A third +line starts at the proper distance from the stamp, inside this at about +the middle of the stamp, and runs down straight, (Z) g^1 f^2 i^3 f^4 +S^{1 2 3} Z^2. + +With the right line split about 1/2 way down, into two or three parts, i^1 +f^{2 3} g^4 n^2. + +With an extra line on both sides, f^{1 2} g^3 f^4 k^1 k^2. + +With an extra line outside the left frame line, but far from it (almost +the same distance as the frame line is from the blocks), f^1 f^2 h^3 g^4 +l^1. + +With the frame line thin, often broken, and the extra line heavy and +further off. The outer line is really the one drawn on the plate, and +the inner line probably put in afterwards. A number of differing +specimens. Also one in which there is no side line on the left except a +very thin line from the level of the chin down, and another from the +middle of the lower triangle down, apparently an impression from a worn +plate, the left margin is wide, the perforation cutting into the next +stamp, m^1 in varieties. + +With the left frame line split into two parts from the level of the chin +up, n^1. + +These variations, and a few others easily recognized, not found in the +imperforate stamps add to the table: + + LEFT. RIGHT. + Top Bottom Top Bottom + + X^1 perforated along center line X^2 + ... extra line inside half way Y^2 + ... side line starts thrice Z^2 + extra line opposite lower 1/2 of stamp w^4 + " " " 1/4 " x^4 + " cen. of roset. to cen. of stamp y^4 + " lower block to upper " z^4 + +The color of all these stamps varies like the unperforated greatly, and +the same remarks concerning it might be here repeated. + + +PERFORATED FIVE CENTS. + +The stamps are 21/2 mm. apart between the sides and 11/2 between the tops +and bottoms; the imprint etc., as before. In these sheets the +perforations generally cut into the stamp. They were printed in many +varying shades of several colors; dark brown, dark black-brown, yellow +brown, red brown, and almost rose. + +The second plate was slightly altered. The little projection or salie at +the top and bottom was partially or wholly removed, forming the +following variations: + + 5 cents perforated, projection at top and bottom. + " " 1/2 " " " + " " no " " or " + +The color is very variable, numerous shades of dark black-brown, dark +chestnut-brown, brown, and yellow-brown may be found. + + +PERFORATED TEN CENTS. + +The stamps were apparently, a little further apart in some sheets than +in others, and the color presents only shades of the yellow-green. A +specimen is shown perforated in two rows at the sides. + + +PERFORATED TWELVE CENTS. + +There seems to have been no change in this value. An oddity is shown, +showing two extra lines at the right. + + +TWENTY-FOUR, THIRTY AND NINETY CENTS. + +The plates for these values having been prepared with a view to +perforating, the stamps are arranged about 13/4 mm. apart between the +sides, and 11/4 mm. apart between the tops and bottoms. There is very +little difference to be noted in the color beyond a dark and lighter +shade of the orange of the thirty cents, and of the dark blue of the +ninety cents. There are however, two shades of the lilac of the +twenty-four cents, a red and a blue cast. + + + + +XX. + +THE ISSUE OF 1861. + + +The reason for the introduction of this issue is not to be found in any +change in the law. The report of the Postmaster General, dated on +December 2d, 1861, states that: + + "The contract for the manufacture of postage stamps having + expired on the 10th of June, 1861, a new one was entered into + with the National Bank Note Company of New York, upon terms + very advantageous to the Department, from which there will + result an annual saving of more than thirty per cent, in the + cost of the stamps. In order to prevent the fraudulent use of + the large quantity of stamps remaining unaccounted for, in the + hands of postmasters in the disloyal States, it was deemed + advisable to change the design and the color of those + manufactured under the new contract, and also to modify the + design of the stamp upon the stamped envelope, and to substitute + as soon as possible the new for the old issues. It was the + design of the Department that the distribution of the new stamps + and envelopes should commence on the first of August, but, from + unavoidable delays, that of the latter did not take place until + the 15th of that month. * * * Those of the old issue have been + exchanged and superseded. The old stamps on hand, and such as + were received by exchange, at the larger offices, have been to a + great extent counted and destroyed, and those at the smaller + offices returned to the Department." + +The Act of the 27th Congress, Statute II, Chapter 37, Section 14, +approved March 3d, 1861, had so qualified the Act of 1851: + + "As to require the ten cent rate of postage to be prepaid on + letters in the mail, from any point in the United States east of + the Rocky Mountains to any State or Territory on the Pacific, + and from any State or Territory on the Pacific to any point in + the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. And all drop + letters shall be prepaid by postage stamps." + +Other sections also introduced minor changes in the rates on printed +matter, which it is not important to notice. + +The denomination of the stamps of the new issue therefore remained at +first the same. + +The circular letter from the Department to the several postmasters, +informing them of the change is as follows: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. + + _Finance Office_ ... 1861. + + POSTMASTER, + + Sir: You will receive herewith a supply of postage stamps which + you will observe are of a new style, differing both in design + and color, from those hitherto used, and having the letters U. + S. in the lower corners of each stamp, and its respective + denomination indicated by figures as well as letters. You will + immediately give public notice through the newspapers and + otherwise, that you are prepared to exchange stamps of the new + style for an equivalent amount of the old issue, during a period + of six days from the date of the notice, and that the latter + will not thereafter be received in payment of postage on letters + sent from your office. + + You will satisfy yourself by personal inspection that stamps + offered in exchange have not been used through the mails or + otherwise; and if in any case you have good grounds for + suspecting that stamps presented to you for exchange, were sent + from any of the disloyal states, you will not receive them + without due investigation. + + Immediately after the expiration of the above period of six + days, you will return to the Third Assistant Postmaster General + all stamps of the old style in your possession, including such + as you may obtain by exchange, placing them in a secure package, + which must be carefully registered in the manner prescribed by + Chapter 39, of the Regulations of this Department. + + Be careful also to write legibly the name of your office as well + as that of your county and state. A strict compliance with the + foregoing instructions is absolutely necessary, that you may not + fail to obtain credit for the amount of stamps returned. + + Instead of sending stamps to the Department you can if + convenient, exchange them for new ones at some city post office, + where large supplies are to be found. It being impossible to + supply all offices with new stamps at once, you will deliver + letters received from Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, + Indiana, Maryland and Pennsylvania, prepayed by stamps of the + old issue, until September 10th, those from other loyal states + east of the Rocky Mountains until the first of October, and + those from the states of California and Oregon and from the + Territories of New Mexico, Utah, and Washington, until the first + of November, 1861. + + Your Obedient Servant, + A. N. ZEVELY, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +A second issue of this circular merely extended the dates September +10th, October 1st and November 1st, 1861 to November 1st, December 1st, +1861, and January 1st, 1862, respectively. + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST 14TH, 1861. + +The portraits upon the 8 types or values of this issue seem to be copied +from the same pictures as were those on the corresponding denominations +of the preceeding issue. The same values are represented, that is: + +ONE CENT. Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the right, on an +oval disk with engine turned ground of interlaced colored lines on a +solid colored ground, framed round with interlaced colorless lines of +engine turned work on solid colored ground, bordered by a colorless line +with exterior fine colored line. "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless ordinary +capitals in a curved line following the oval above, "_One Cent_" in the +same letters and reversed curve below. Corners of quarter circles and +two foliated ornaments. "1" and "1" in the upper and "_U._" and "_S._" +in the lower corners, in ornamental colorless numerals and letters, on a +vertically lined ground. + +Plate impression, 20 by 251/2 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 Cent, pale and dark blue. + +THREE CENTS. Head of Washington, in profile to left, upon engine turned +ground with sinuous frame of interlaced engine turned colorless lines +upon a solid colored ground, bordered by a colorless line, with exterior +fine colored line following the curves of the ground. Above, "_U. S._" +in a straight line with "_Postage_" below it in an arched line, and +large numeral "3" on each side. Below the head "_Three_," in reversed +curve with "_Cents_" in double curve below and "_U._" and "_S._" at the +sides all in colorless capitals and numerals on the engine turned frame +and ground, the corner numerals and letters ornamented. Corners and +sides filled out with foliated ornaments. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 3 cents, shades of rose. + +FIVE CENTS. Head of Jefferson, faced three quarters to the left on an +oval disk with rectangular hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +with fine colored exterior line. Broad frame of engine turned colorless +lines on a solid ground, with rounded corners, and curved outwards at +top, bottom and sides, bordered by a colorless line and a fine colored +line. Large "5" in upper corners, and "_U. S. Postage_" in a double +curve above the oval, "_Five Cents_" in a curved line following the oval +below, "_U._" in lower left, and "_S._" in lower right corner, all in +colorless letters upon the engine turned work of frame. The corners are +filled out with foliated ornaments. + +Plate impression, 20 by 251/2 mm., in color, upon white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, ochre, shades of brown. + +TEN CENTS. Head of Washington, faced three quarters to left, on a +rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by four bands, forming a sort of +oval. The bands are bordered all around by a colorless and exterior fine +colored line. The upper band is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," on the +solid ground, and the ends of the bands are rounded; the lower band is +inscribed "_Ten Cents_" on the solid ground, and the ends of the band +are curved inwards; the side bands are of irregular shape, with the ends +rounded and bear four stars each, on a horizontally lined ground. The +rest of the stamp is composed of colorless foliated ornaments, between +colored lines upon the solid ground, forming irregular ovals in the +corners, with a band between the upper ones, bearing five stars, "10" +and "10" in the upper, "_U._" and "_S._" in the lower corners, on +horizontally lined ground, letters, numerals and stars all colorless in +colored outlines. + +Plate impression, 20 by 241/2 mm, in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 10 cents, green, yellow-green. + +TWELVE CENTS. Head of Washington, similar to the ten cents, on an oval +disk, with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line +and exterior fine colored line. Broad frame of engine turned colorless +lines on a solid ground, with rounded corners and waved edges, bordered +by a colorless line, and a fine colored line. The corners are filled out +with loops on colored ground. "12" and "12" set diagonally in the upper +corners, "_U. S. Postage_" following the curve of the oval above, +"_Twelve Cents_" in double curve line below, and "_U._" and "_S._" in +the lower corners. The letters and numerals are colorless, with colored +outlines on the engine turned work of frame. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 241/2 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 12 cents, black. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Small portrait of Washington, faced three quarters to +the right, on a rectangularly hatched ground, surrounded by a fancy +lozenge-shaped frame of engine turned colorless lines on solid colored +ground, bordered by a colorless line and exterior fine colored line. The +upper corners are filled out with foliated ornaments, containing the +numerals "24" and "24," set diagonally with 3 colorless stars between. +The lower corners each contain a large colored star between foliated +ornaments. "_U._" on the left and "_S._" on the right star; "_U. S. +Postage_" above and "_Twenty-four Cents_" below the head, near and +following the outer curve of frame. The letters, numerals and ornaments +are all colorless, but with colored outlines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 24 cents, lilac. + +THIRTY CENTS. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to left, on a +circular disk with diagonally hatched ground, 161/2 mm. in diameter, +bordered by a colorless line and exterior fine colored line. A colorless +line between two fine colored lines, at about 2 mm. from the circle, +with foliated ends, forms a label above and below, the upper inscribed +"_U. S. Postage_," the lower "_Thirty Cents_," on lined ground, in +colorless letters outlined with color. Foliated ornaments without color, +but colored outlines form irregular spaces in the corners, with "30" and +"30" in the upper, "_U._" and "_S._" in the lower ones, in colorless +letters outlined and heavily shaded in color on a lined ground. + +Plate impression, 20 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 30 cents, orange. + +NINETY CENTS. Head of Washington, in General's costume, after Trumbal's +portrait, faced three quarters to the left, on an oval disk, 131/2 by 171/2 +mm., with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line and +exterior colored line, surrounded by a band forming a point above and +below, and bordered outside by a second colorless line and an exterior +colored line, and crossed by fine colored lines. "90" and "90" on this +band above, "_Ninety Cents_" below in colorless letters with colored +outlines. Waved band with similar borders crossing the former above, +and inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in the same letters. The lower corners +are filled with foliated ornaments upon which are "_U._" and "_S._" in +similar letters. + +Plate impression, 19 by 24 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 90 cents, indigo blue. + +It will be noticed that the original contract under which these stamps +were first manufactured by the National Bank Note Co., expired in 1865. +On its expiration a new contract was made with the same company for a +term of four years longer. + +To preserve the history of the postal legislation of the United States +which effects the use of stamps, the provisions of the Act of the XXXVII +Congress, Session III, Chapter 71, approved March 3d, 1863, must be +noted here, although they did not result in any change in the stamps in +use, except the addition of two new values: + + Sec. 3. No mail matter shall be delivered until postage + is paid. + + Sec. 13. The Postmaster General is authorized to establish + branch offices for the sale of stamps, etc. + + Sec. 17. Postage must be prepaid at the time of mailing + on domestic letters, transient printed matter + and all other things not herein provided for. + + Sec. 18. Daily, weekly, etc., publications must be prepaid + quarterly in advance by the receiver. + + Sec. 23. Drop letters will be charged 2 cents, to be prepaid + by postage stamps, but no carrier's fee. + + Sec. 32. The registration fee to be fixed by the Postmaster + General, but not to exceed in any case 20 + cents. + +In accordance with these last provisions however, there were issued two +additional values. + +The report of the Postmaster General for the year 1863, states that a +two cent stamp had been prepared and issued, principally to prepay the +postage on drop letters, and the report for 1878, fixes the date of +issue at of the 1st of July, 1863. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1863. + +(As additional to the series of 1861.) + +TWO CENTS. Very large head of Andrew Jackson, on an oval disk with +rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a fine colorless line with an +exterior colored line; on a band above, similarly bordered, and with +parallel lined ground, "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless capitals outlined +and shaded; on short bands, similarly constructed, below on the left +"_Two_," on the right "_Cents_." Foliated ornaments in the four corners, +forming small solid circles, bearing the numeral "2" in the upper, and +colorless ovals bearing "_U._" on the left, and "_S._" on the right, in +irregular shaped colored letters. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 2 cents, black. + +The Postmaster General having fixed the registration fee at 15 cents, a +stamp of that denomination was issued. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 1ST, 1866. + +FIFTEEN CENTS. Bust of Abraham Lincoln, on an oval disk 131/2 by 18 mm. +with rectangularly hatched ground, bordered by a broad colorless line, +between two fine colored lines, and ornamented by short horizontal +colored lines. On the sides, Roman fasces, without the ax, on each side. +Above on a scroll, bordered by a colorless line between two fine colored +lines, curved up and back to form small ovals, and ending at the top in +foliations and inscribed on the band "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless +capitals, in the ovals "15" in colorless numerals; below, a curved band +following the outline of the oval, similarly bordered, and inscribed in +similar letters "_Fifteen Cents_"; foliated ornaments forming colored +ovals in the corners, with "_U._" in the left, "_S._" in the right, in +colorless capitals. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 15 cents, black. + +Issued originally for registered letters, this stamp also served the +next year, principally to prepay the postage on letters to Belgium, +Prussia, Holland, Switzerland and the German Postal Union. + +The entire series of 1861-63-66 was reprinted in 1874. + +It may also be noticed, that the act of the XXXIX Congress, Session I, +Chapter 281, approved July 27, 1866, authorized the use in all post +offices of weights of the denomination of grams, 15 grams to equal one +half ounce, and the postal laws to be applied accordingly. + +Also the Act of the XL Congress, Session I, Chapter 246, Section 10 and +11, approved July 29th, 1868, provided penalties for re-using stamps +that had once paid postage, and authorized the sale of stamps at a +discount of five per cent to persons to sell again as agents. + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +The plates of this issue having been prepared with a view of +perforating, the stamps are placed sufficiently far apart to allow a +perforation, without ordinarily cutting into the stamps. Occasionally +eccentricities may be found, which are the result of accident. The +sheets, as in the previous issue, consist of 200 stamps, the central +point is indicated by three lines at the top and at the bottom, and the +sheets are cut apart on this line and distributed in half sheets of 100, +or ten stamps in ten rows. The printer's imprint is generally to be +found at the center of the top and bottom of each half sheet, at about 4 +mm. from the printed stamps, and consists of a small colored label with +a dotted edge, inscribed "National Bank Note Co." preceded by "New +York," and followed by "City" in colored capitals. The plate number also +appears near this. + +The ONE CENT varies in color from a pale blue to a dark blue, generally +of the shade known as ultramarine. The paper is ordinarily white with a +yellowish cast, but there are specimens which appear surfaced with the +same ink as the stamp, which is probably an accident from imperfect +wiping of the plates, and others the paper of which has a pale pink +cast, both on the front and back. + +The TWO CENTS varies from grey to black, with occasional specimens +partially tinted with the ink, probably from the same cause as in the +one cent. + +_Variety._ Doubly perforated at the sides. + +The THREE CENTS varies from a very faint rose to a deep rose, with +occasional specimens tinted as in the other values, probably from the +same cause. + +_Variety._ Doubly perforated at sides. + " " top and bottom. + +There are also a few specimens known of a scarlet tint. They resemble +the ordinary stamps of this value in all other particulars, and it does +not appear to be settled whether they were ever used or not. Proofs, +both perforated and unperforated, exist in this shade, and the better +opinion would seem to be that all of this shade are proofs. It is +claimed, however, that a sheet, or part of a sheet unused, was picked up +at the New York Post Office by a collector. + +Strips of ten stamps adhering, forming a vertical row from the sheet, +and showing a double perforation along the sides are also exhibited. + +Unperforated specimens have been catalogued. + +The FIVE CENTS was originally issued in a pale yellow brown or ochre, +but was changed in September to a darker brown, with a reddish cast, +there is also a brown with a yellowish cast, another with a blackish +cast and a chestnut brown. It would appear that the latter is the true +color composed of red, yellow and black, and that the others result from +some improper mixing of these colors, by which one or the other +predominates. + +_Variety._ Doubly perforated at the sides. + +A "yellowish brown," meaning the brown with a yellowish cast, has been +chronicled unperforated. + +The TEN CENTS is light and dark green. The lighter shade is generally +called a yellow-green, but the two shades differ only in intensity. + +The TWELVE AND FIFTEEN CENTS also vary from grey to deep black. + +The TWENTY-FOUR CENTS is violet, and pale or dark lilac. + +The THIRTY CENTS is of two shades of orange, and an orange-brown. + +The NINETY CENTS is faint deep blue and indigo blue. + +The number of the several values of these stamps issued, without the +_grille_ is approximated as follows: it being not quite certain whether +a few with the grille were not issued prior to the dates to which the +enumeration is made. + + 1 cent 91,256,650 + 2 cents 254,265,050 + 3 cents 1,847,559,100 + 5 cents 8,258,460 + 10 cents 28,872,780 + 12 cents 7,639,525 + 15 cents 2,139,300 + 24 cents 10,238,650 + 30 cents 3,208,980 + 90 cents 337,770 + + + + +XXI. + +THE ISSUE OF 1867-9. + + +The Act of the XXXIX Congress, Session I, Chapter 114, Section 7, +approved June 12th, 1866, entitled an Act to amend the Postal Laws, had +provided among other things. + + "Sec. 7. And be it further enacted: that whenever it shall + become expedient in the opinion of the Postmaster General to + substitute a different kind of postage stamps for those now in + use, he shall be, and is hereby authorized to modify the + existing contracts for the manufacture of postage stamps, so as + to allow the contractors a sum sufficient to cover the increased + expenses, if any, of manufacturing stamps so substituted." + +The Report for the Postmaster General for the year ending June 30th, +1867, states that experiments had been made in printing postage stamps +on an embossed paper, which appeared to offer a fair guarantee against +fraud; that the tissues of the paper were broken by the process, so that +the ink of the cancelling stamps penetrated the stamps in such a manner +as to render cleaning impossible; that the adhesiveness of the stamps +was also increased, to say nothing of other advantages, which recommend +the invention. Some of these curious experiments will be noticed in the +chapter on Essays. The plan adopted was, however, to emboss the stamp, +after it was printed, with a series of small square points, arranged in +the form of a rectangle, much in the same way that checks are sometimes +treated to prevent alteration. This breaks the tissues of the paper. The +French collectors call this a _grille_, or grating, which it resembles. +There were several varieties used on this issue, and they were applied +to the stamps then current, without other change in the design, paper, +color or gum. + + +ISSUE OF 1867 TO 1869. + +The first variety was a grille covering the entire stamp, adopted May +8th, 1867, and applied only to the; + + 3 cents, rose, perforated 12, grilled all over. + +If this is examined with a glass on the face of the stamp, there appear +to be rows of slightly raised squares, separated by depressed straight +lines, with a still more raised cross, formed by diagonal lines running +from corner to corner of the square. If the back is examined, the +straight lines appear raised, the crosses depressed. In all specimens +examined, the embossing is very flat. + +The second variety does not cover the entire stamp, but shows a +rectangle, measuring 13 by 16 mm., composed of 16 rows of 20 small +squares each. It was adopted August 8th, 1867, and was applied only to +the; + + 3 cents, rose, perforated 12, large grille. + +Copies with this grille may be found in which one side row or the other +shows only half squares instead of whole ones, also with some of the top +or bottom rows missing, wholly or partly. + +_Var._ 121/2 by 16 mm., 151/2 by 20 rows, 3c., perf. 12. + 121/4 " 15 " 15 by 181/2 " 3c " + +The appearance of this grille, examined on the face, is just the reverse +of the preceding, as the straight lines are raised and the crosses +depressed. + +The third variety was a still smaller rectangle, about 11 by 14 mm., +composed of 14 rows of 17 small squares or parts of squares. The date is +January 8th, 1868. Numerous variations may be found. It was applied only +to the; + + 1 cent, blue, perforated 12, medium grille. + 2 " black " 12 " + 3 " rose " 12 " + 10 " green " 12 " + 12 " black " 12 " + 15 " black " 12 " + +_Var._ 111/2 by 141/2 mm., 15 by 18 rows, 3c, rose, perf. 12. + 11 by 14 mm., 14 by 171/2 " 3c " " + 14 by 17 " 3c " " + 14 by 161/2 " 1c blue " + 14 by 161/2 " 3c rose " + 14 by 161/2 " 10c green " + 14 by 161/2 " 12c black " + 14 by 161/2 " 2c " " + 14 by 161/2 " 3c rose " + 11 by 13 mm., 14 by 161/2 " 3c " " + 14 by 16 " 3c " " + 101/2 by 14 mm., 14 by 161/2 " 3c " " + 13 by 161/2 " 3c " " + 13 by 161/2 " 10c green " + +_Oddity._ With 2 grilles touching on the same stamp. 3 cents, rose, +perforated 12. + +_Note._ It is not uncommon to find parts of two grilles on the same +stamp at a distance from each other, part of a grille being at the top +and part at the bottom, or part of a grille on each side. The oddity +noted presents two grilles touching by the top and bottom, one a little +farther to the left than the other, making a strip of squares from the +top to the bottom of the stamp. + +This medium grille if examined on the face is quite different from the +foregoing large grille. It appears to be composed of raised lines +between the squares and depressed crosses in them. A glass transforms +these lines into rows of diamonds. On the reverse it appears as if +composed of depressed lines, between the squares, and raised crosses in +them. + +_Note._ The other values so far as known, have not been found with this +grille. Up to May, 1868, only the values from 1 to 12 cents had been +noted by the stamp papers as having been found with any grille. The 24 +and 30 cents are chronicled with a grille in the November, 1868, but the +90 cents was not so noticed until much later, February, 1869, (see +American Journal of Philately). + +The fourth and most common grille is a square of 9 by 14 mm., composed +of 12 rows of 161/2 squares each. The date of its adoption is not known. +It was applied to the whole series. + + 1 cent, blue, perforated 12, small grille. + 2 " black " 12 " + 3 " rose " 12 " + 5 " brown " 12 " + 10 " green " 12 " + 12 " black " 12 " + 15 " black " 12 " + Nov. 1868, 24 " lilac " 12 " + " 30 " orange " 12 " + Feb. 1869, 90 " blue " 12 " + +_Varieties._ 9 by 14 mm., 12 by 161/2 rows, 1c., perf. 12. + " " " 3c " + " 12 by 17 " 30c " + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +The colors are generally stronger than in those without the grille. The +majority of the specimens of these stamps appear to have the surface of +the paper tinted slightly with the color of the stamps, possibly from +some imperfection in cleaning the plates. A few values have been noted +on pure white paper. + + 1 cent, blue, small grille, perforated 12. + 2 " black " " 12 + 10 " green " " 12 + +The 3 cents, rose, small grille, unperforated, has been noted, and + + 2 cents, black, grille, variety 4 { unperforated + 3 " rose " " 4 { at the + 5 " brown " " 4 { sides. + +The re-impressions of these designs did not have the grille. + +The five cents was in use up to September, 1870. + +Some specimens examined seem to indicate that all these varieties of +grille are occasionally to be found reversed, i. e. they present the +appearance on the face that is usually to be seen on the back, and vice +versa. + +Of these stamps with the grille, there were, issued approximately the +following numbers: + + 1 cent 9,638,600 + 2 cents 46,440,000 + 3 " 231,773,300 + 5 " 1,006,400 + 10 " 3,076,070 + 12 " 2,087,575 + 15 " 868,080 + 24 " 167,453 + 30 " 214,000 + 90 " 26,870 + +During the currency of these stamps, a new contract was entered into +with the same company. A special despatch to the St. Louis +Globe-Democrat, dated Oct. 3rd, 1868 states: + + "Postmaster General Randall to-day accepted the proposal of the + National Bank Note Company, of New York, for furnishing stamps + for four years at 251/2 cents per 1000. This includes everything + required for preparing the stamps for immediate use, gumming, + perforation printing and preparing receipts. The contractors are + also required to furnish new designs, at least four of which + must be printed in combination colors." + +The number of the several values of these stamps issued, with the +_grille_ is approximated as above, it being not quite certain whether a +few without the grille were not in stock at the dates from which the +enumeration is made. + + + + +XXII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1869. + + +The New York Evening Post of October 6th, 1868, also contains a notice +of; + + "THE NEW CONTRACT FOR POSTAGE STAMPS. + + In June last, Postmaster General Randall, advertised for + proposals for furnishing the Government with postage stamps for + a term of years. The Committee of experts appointed for the + purpose, decided in favor of the National Bank Note Company, and + on Saturday last, the Postmaster General awarded the contract to + that Company for a term of four years. We have been shown proofs + of the new stamps, and they reflect credit upon the artistic + taste of the Company." + +Some of these proofs are then described. + + "One of the characteristics of the stamps manufactured by this + Company is that the ink used prevents persons washing, and using + the stamps a second time. The fiber in the centre of the stamp + is broken completely, and they adhere better, while the ink of + cancellation sinks into the paper. The engraving on these stamps + are remarkable copies of historical pictures, and bear the test + of microscopical examination." + +These are probably the only words of approbation to be found in the +daily press among the host of comments upon these stamps, which by the +terms of the contract were to be ready on the first of February, 1869. +Messrs. Butler & Carpenter, of Philadelphia, had claimed to be entitled +to the award on the ground that they had submitted a better bid than the +National Bank Note Co., which resulted in delay and the appointment of +the commission above mentioned. + +However, in March, 1869, the greater part if not all the values were +printed and ready for issue, but were distributed to the public only as +the stock of the old issue was exhausted. About the end of April they +began to appear, and even in September only the 1, 2, 3 and 6 cents were +to be obtained in the larger post offices. Already the public demanded +that they should be replaced, and this was done in April, 1870. As late +as March, 1870, the 90 cents of the previous issue was on sale in some +of the offices. + +This unfortunate issue was generally received with approval by the +Philatelic press. It is certainly well engraved, and forms an +interesting and handsome series for the most part, and is an adornment +to the collectors' album. But it is hardly so well suited to the +practical requirements of a postage stamp. It was announced that the +series was intended in some sort, to portray the history of the Post +Office in the United States, beginning with Franklin, the Continental +postmaster, and the post rider of the early days, followed by the +locomotive of a later day, and the Ocean Steamer carrying the mails +which had become so important a branch of the postal service, the most +important scenes in the early history of the country, its triumphant +arms, and Washington its first and Lincoln its last President. But +hardly had it been issued before its doom was sealed. + +In August the New York Tribune says: + + "The greater part of the stamps sold at the Post Office in this + city are worthless, and have not sufficient gum to make them + stick to letters. One can be amused, or become indignant, in + watching people who buy stamps, demanding a little mucilage from + the clerk, in order to fasten the stamp on their envelopes. It + appears that the invention of embossing which is continued in + this emission, while it spoils the stamps, does not increase + their adhesive properties as was pretended." + +Other papers pronounced the stamp too small. The comic papers exhibited +caricatures in which the people were looking for their stamps in their +pocket books with powerful microscopes. + +The Evening Telegram says: + + "The new United States postage stamps have a very un-American + look." + +The Evening Mail says: + + "Our old postage stamps were really neat and pleasing in + appearance. They were National and American, as they ought to + have been. The head of Washington was venerable, and our three + cent stamps were as perfect as they well could be. So also the + one cent stamp with the head of Franklin was equally + appropriate. There was a fitness of congruity in putting the + head of the old, thrifty economist, on the one cent stamp. Our + youth were reminded of the wise saws and sayings of "Poor + Richard" and it taught them that if they learned to save the + cents, the dollars were more likely to take care of themselves. + But now think of the miserable, confused looking thing, with its + wretched printing, that the Post Office has given us for the + present three cent stamp. It is neither historical, national, + beautiful, nor anything but a paltry evidence of the fact, that + some engraver has got paid or will get paid for a job that ought + never to have been done. Can our authorities not let well enough + alone? + + Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, all have railroad engines + such as ours. What is there in a big chimney on a railroad + carriage to indicate the nationality of our postal system. Aye, + but there are words, "United States Postage" on the stamp. Just + so. We remember to have seen a boy's drawing on a sheet of + paper, the words "this is a church" underneath, and certainly + the artistic performance needed the index, but not more so than + the new stamp requires a similar proclamation to tell the world + what it means. And then again look at the printing of the word + "Postage." Can our engravers do nothing better than that? We + hope that the contractors have been paid for their work. If so, + then let the post office folks give us back again our old head + of Washington, and save us from looking at the contemptible + thing that we are now getting in its stead." + +Another paper says: + + "The present miserable experiments in blue, with a meaningless + legend, are to be recalled and something new in red is to be + substituted. The old heads of Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, + Franklin and Lincoln are to be restored. It is about time that + some definite form and design of postage stamp should be + adopted, so that people may know to a certainty what mucilaged + square of paper will carry a letter to its designation, and what + not." + +The New York Herald says: + + "The old style of three cent postage stamps had thereon a face + of Washington, out of compliment to a good man. It now has a + railway scene to represent how Congressmen make money. The two + cent stamp represents a man on horseback. This represents + Booth's death ride into Maryland. The one cent stamp should + represent a cow with the favorite son of the Covington + postmaster fast to her tail. This out of compliment to Grant." + +An Eastern paper says: + + "The Government introduced the present nondescript things called + postage stamps, for the purpose of frightening counterfeiters." + +And later the Herald says: + + "Another attempt is to be made to give us decent postage stamps. + We suppose it will fail, as so many have hitherto. Our postal + authorities try too much. If they will only take the Italian or + French stamp, and put Washington's head in place of Victor + Emanuel's, or Napoleon's, they cannot fail; but they will try + some improvements and spoil all." + +The post office department announced the issue in the following +circular: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. + + _Finance Office, March 1st, 1869._ + + Sir: + + At an early day, in the regular course of business, the + Department will issue to Postmasters stamps of new designs. + [See description annexed.] In the proposed issue the six cent + stamp is substituted for the five cents. You are required to + exhaust all of the present style on hand, before supplying the + public with the new; and in no case will you be allowed to make + exchanges for individuals, or to return stamps to the Department + to be exchanged. The stamps now in use are not to be + disregarded, but must be recognized in all cases equally with + the new ones. + + Special attention is called to the fact that sheets of all + denominations below 15 cents contain 150 stamps. The 15 cents + and all higher denominations, contain 100 stamps on each sheet. + This must be borne in mind to prevent mistakes in counting, as + in the present issue each denomination has but 100 stamps to the + sheet. Special requests for the new style of stamps will be + disregarded until the stock of the present issue in possession + of the Department is exhausted. Due notice will be given of the + date of issue of any new design of stamped envelopes, therefor + all inquiries respecting them will be disregarded. + + (Signed.) A. N. ZEVELY, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +The description upon the other side requires to be supplemented for +collectors, but is incorporated in those following. + + +ISSUE OF MARCH 19TH, 1869. + +Composed of ten values each of a different type. + +ONE CENT. Head of Franklin, in profile, looking to the left, on a +circular disk horizontally lined, surrounded by a broad circle +ornamented with colorless pearls, bordered by a band of rayed lines +between fine white lines, with exterior fine colored line, and divided +into three labels by ornaments at the sides and bottom. "_U. S. +Postage_" at the top; large numeral "1" in a small oval (sic) with a +border of colorless loops between the words "_One Cent_" at the bottom. +Color, Roman ochre. Corners plain without color. + +Plate impression, circular, 20 by 20 mm., in color, on white paper, +perforated 12, grilled and without grille. + + 1 cent, Roman ochre. + +TWO CENTS. Post horse and rider facing to the left, trees, fence, etc., +in background, surrounded by ornamental scroll work, "_United States_" +in small colored capitals on the ground above, a curtain inscribed +"_Postage_" in colorless capitals at the top. "_Two Cents_" at the +bottom on a ribbon with large numeral "2" between the words, both in +outline shaded. Color, light bronze. + +Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, +grilled and without grille. + + 2 cents, yellow-brown, light and dark chestnut-brown. + +THREE CENTS. Locomotive heading to the right, surrounded by ornamental +scroll work, "_United States_" in colored block capitals on a curved +band, "_Postage_" in colorless capitals in a tablet beneath, at top. +"_Three Cents_" in outline shaded block capitals, in two scrolls at the +bottom, with numeral "3" in a shield (sic) between the words. Color, +Imperial ultramarine blue. + +There is no shield as stated in the official description. + +Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, +grilled and without grille. + + 3 cents blue. + +SIX CENTS. Head of Washington, three quarters face looking to the right, +on a ground of vertical and horizontal lines, bordered by a solid broad +colored line, ornamented by 68 pearls. Spandrels checkered and bordered +by colorless lines. Frame square, composed of vertically lined squares +in the upper corners, with narrower horizontally lined label between, +with a broad colored border, ornamented by pearls and exterior colorless +and colored line above. The colored labels are narrower than the upper +squares at the sides, and are bordered by colorless pearls and an +interior white line, an exterior colorless and fine colored line. +Horizontally lined label across the entire bottom, widened at the ends +to correspond with the upper squares, with exterior colorless and +colored line. "_U. S._" in upper left and right corners of frame +respectively. The word "_Postage_" in upper bar of frame, "_Six Cents_" +in lower, the numeral "6" between the words, and "_United States_" on +each side. Color, ultramarine. + +Plate impression, 20 by 20 mm., square, in color, on white paper, +perforated 12, grilled and possibly without grille. + + 6 cents blue. + +TEN CENTS. Shield of the United States on which is resting an eagle with +outspread wings, looking to the left. "_United States_" in small +colored capitals with "_Postage_" in large outline capitals, shaded in +a second line beneath, in the upper section of the shield, numeral "10" +in lower. The words "_Ten Cents_" in scroll at the bottom in outline +shaded capitals. The whole design surrounded by thirteen stars arranged +in a semicircle, (sic) color, orange. The background is rayed behind the +eagle and the semicircle of stars are upon this only, the background +behind the shield is of clouds, there is no frame. + +Plate impression, 19 by 18 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12 +and grilled, possibly also without grille. + + 10 cents orange. + +TWELVE CENTS. Ocean Steam ship, headed to left in horizontal oval, +surrounded by ornamented scroll work. In a double tablet with arched top +on horizontally lined ground, and colored capitals in a curved line, +"_United States_" and "_Postage_" in outline capitals on a solid ground. +On three scrolls in outline capitals and numerals shaded, "_Twelve +Cents_" at the bottom, with numeral "12" between the words. Color, +malori green. + +Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly +surfaced green, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also without grille. + + 12 cents, green. + +FIFTEEN CENTS. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture, in the +Capitol at Washington, of the "Landing of Columbus," in an oblong +rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with rounded upper corners, surrounded at a +little distance by a single colored line. Ornamental and scroll work at +top and bottom on a ground ruled horizontally inside and vertically +outside of the scrolls, the whole surrounded by a colorless and fine +colored line. On a colorless tablet, in Gothic capitals, "_U. S._"; in a +curved line of outline capitals on the ground, "_Postage_" at top. +_Fifteen Cents_ at bottom, with numerals "15" underneath in outline +colorless capitals, on the ground. Colors: picture, Prussian blue, +scroll and ornamental work pale Indian red. + +Plate impression, 211/2 by 211/2 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12, grilled and not grilled. The paper is more or less surfaced with +blue. + + 15 cents blue and brown. + +NOTE. There are two varieties of this stamp, depending on the type, and +an error, the latter was however never circulated. The line of the +frame, above the picture, is curved up on the left hand, beginning under +the O, and on the right hand beginning under the G, in what is called +the O. G. curve, till the two meet in a point. In the ordinary variety +there are two fine lines within the space left for the picture, which +along the whole top, including the curved corners and this central +double curve, are united in a heavy line and at about 1/2 a millimeter +from the center line on each side, curve down, as well as up, to a +point, forming a diamond. On the sides and bottom within this line, +there is a shading of fine diagonal lines. When the picture is exactly +in position, which is rare, the colored line surrounding it falls +between these fine lines, and on the heavy curved line, just touching +the lower part of the diamond. + +In the rarer variety, the two fine lines, the broad top line, and the +bottom of the diamond are all omitted, the entire space is either empty +or shows one, two or three horizontal lines across the top of the space, +and three or four across the bottom, with a row of short horizontal +lines at the sides. When the picture is in proper place there is an +almost blank space at the top, and apparently a white line surrounding +the picture. When it is misplaced the colored lines described can be +seen and there appear to have been several varieties, as there were more +or less of them. + +_The error_ is not as is sometimes supposed an error of printing, but in +the plate. Two plates, one for each color, had to be used. Originally, +there were 150 stamps as in the smaller values, (See circular of March +1st, 1869 above cited) but upon the plate for printing the picture, it +is said one picture was reversed, and the error once discovered, the +plate was cut down to print only 100 stamps as stated in the circular. +It is probable that no copies with the error were ever circulated. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture at the +Capitol, of the "Signing of the Declaration of Independence" forming an +oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with all four corners cut off diagonally, +surrounded by a fine colored line at a little distance. Ornamental +scroll work at top and bottom on a lined ground. A line of pearls on a +colored line, between a colorless and colored line, forms the frame for +the picture. In block capitals "_U._" and "_S._" surrounded by ovals at +upper left and right corners respectively, the word "_Postage_" between +the two, in a curved line of outline capitals, shaded on the background. +"_Twenty-four Cents_" in scrolls at bottom, with numeral "24" beneath in +outline letters shaded. Colors: the picture, purple lake, scroll and +ornamental work, light malori green. Just beneath the picture in small +colored numerals, "1776." + +Plate impression, 211/2 by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12, grilled and not grilled. + + 24 cents, purple and green. + +NOTE. There is the same error of this stamp "reversed picture" stated to +be from the same cause, a defect in the plate as for the 15 cents, and +the same remarks apply. + +THIRTY CENTS. Eagle facing to left, with outspread wings, resting on +shield with flags grouped on either side. The words "_United States +Postage_" in upper section of shield. The numeral "30" in lower. The +words "_Thirty Cents_" across the bottom, with three stars arranged in a +semi-circle at top of the design. Colors: Eagle and Shield, carmine, +flags blue. Except for the change of numerals and words of value, the +omission of the scroll, and the substitution of the two flags on each +side for the clouds, the design, though not the drawing of this stamp is +identical with the ten cents. "Thirty cents" is however in block +letters, the T Y C E in outline, the rest shaded. + +Plate impression, 211/2 by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly +tinted with pink, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. + + 30 cents, carmine and blue. + +_Error._ There is also an error of this stamp in which the flags are +reversed. It is also stated to be an error on the plate, but may be only +an error in printing. + +NINETY CENTS. Portrait of Lincoln in an oval, looking to the right, +surrounded by ornamental scroll work, numerals "90" at each of the upper +corners, set diagonally in outline, and shaded on vertically lined +ground. On a label with rayed ground, edged by a colorless and colored +line, in outline capitals shaded, "_U. S. Postage_" at top of oval. +"_Ninety_" and "_Cents_" on scrolls at the lower left and right corners +of oval respectively, set diagonally and in colored capitals. In outline +Gothic capitals "_U._" and "_S._" at the lower left and right corners of +the stamp respectively. Colors: portrait black, surrounding ornamental +and scroll work, carmine. It may be well to add that the portrait is +three quarters face, on a square hatched ground, and a single colored +line in same color surrounds the oval at a little distance. The space +left in the frame for the picture is bordered by fine short horizontal +lines, which show when the picture is not properly placed. + +Plate impression, 211/2 by 211/2 mm. square, in two colors, on white paper, +slightly surfaced pink, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. + + 90 cents, black and carmine. + +The grille in this series is a square 91/2 by 91/2 mm. composed of 111/2 rows +of 12 smaller squares each, apparently separated by raised lines +crossing each other at right angles, each little square divided by +depressed diagonals also, as if produced by forcing a series of pyramids +set close together, but not touching, into the face of the stamp. Seen +from the reverse, the dividing lines are depressed and the squares stand +up like pyramids, with ragged edges showing the broken fibre of the +paper. + +The numbers of the several values of this issue is approximated as +follows: + + 1 cent, 24,988,100 + 2 cents, 114,058,000 + 3 cents 530,346,800 + 6 cents, 6,363,700 + 10 cents, 5,770,130 + 12 cents, 4,088,875 + 15 cents, 2,360,740 + 24 cents, 414,325 + 30 cents 513,180 + 90 cents, 77,650 + + + + +XXIII. + +THE ISSUE OF 1870. + + +In the report of the Postmaster General for the year ending the 30th of +June, 1870, under date of Nov. 15th, 1870, he says: + + The adhesive postage stamps adopted by my predecessor in 1869, + having failed to give satisfaction to the public, on account of + their small size, their unshapely form, the inappropriations of + their designs, the difficulty of cancelling them effectually, + and the inferior quality of gum used in their manufacture, I + found it necessary in April last, to issue new stamps of larger + size, superior quality of gum and new designs. As the contract + then in force contained a provision that the stamps should be + changed, and new designs and plates furnished at the pleasure of + the Postmaster General, without additional cost to the + department, I decided to substitute an entire new series, + one-third larger in size, and to adopt for designs the heads, in + profile, of distinguished deceased Americans. This style was + deemed the most eligible, because it not only afforded the best + opportunity for the exercise of the highest grade of artistic + skill in composition and execution, but also appeared to be the + most difficult to counterfeit. The designs were selected from + marble busts of acknowledged excellence, as follows: One cent, + Franklin, after Rubricht; two cents, Jackson, after Powers; + three cents, Washington, after Houdon; six cents, Lincoln, after + Volk; ten cents, Jefferson, after Powers' statue; twelve cents, + Clay, after Hart; fifteen cents, Webster, after Clevenger; + twenty-four cents, Scott, after Coffee; thirty cents, Hamilton, + after Cerrachi; ninety cents, Commodore O. H. Perry, profile + bust, after Walcott's statue. The stamps were completed and + issues of them began in April last. The superior gum with which + they are coated is not the least of the advantages derived from + the change. + + Upon the conclusion of the postal treaty with the North German + Confederation, fixing the single letter rate by direct steamers + at seven cents, to take effect the 1st of July last, a stamp of + that denomination was adopted, and the profile bust of the late + Edwin M. Stanton selected for the design. This has been + completed in a satisfactory manner, but owing to the temporary + discontinuance of the direct mail steamship service to North + Germany, it has not yet been issued to postmasters. + +It may not be uninteresting to remark that the following stamps were +adapted among other uses, to the payment of the rates under postal +treaties as follows; + + 6 cents, England, Dec. 3d, 1869; + Sandwich Islands, May 5th, 1870; + British Columbia, July 15th, 1870; + Germany, March 31st, 1871. + + 7 cents, Germany, April 7th, 1870; + Denmark, Dec. 1st 1871. + + 10 cent, Italy, Feb. 8th, 1870; + Belgium, March 1st, 1870; + Switzerland, April 13, 1870; + Salvador, Oct. 5th, 1870. + + 12 cents, British Honduras, August 11th. 1869; + New Zealand, Oct. 5th, 1870. + + 15 cents, Brazil, May 9th, 1870. + +The series being ready for issue, was announced to the various +Postmasters in the following: + + CIRCULAR TO POSTMASTERS. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General, + + _April 9th, 1870_. + + New Series of Postage Stamps. + + At an early date in the regular course of business, the + Department will issue to Postmasters, postage stamps of a new + design. [See description annexed.] + + You are required to exhaust all of the present style on hand + before supplying the public with the new; and in no case will + you be allowed to make exchanges for individuals or to return + stamps to the Department to be exchanged. + + The stamps now in use are not to be disregarded, but must be + recognized in all cases equally with the new ones. The stamps + known as the series of 1861, of which a few are supposed to be + yet outstanding, are also to be recognized. Those issued prior + to the commencement of the war of the Rebellion were long since + declared to be valueless. + + Special attention is called to the fact that each sheet, of all + denominations of the new series, contains but 100 stamps. This + must be borne in mind to prevent mistakes in counting, as in the + present issue some of the denominations have 150 stamps to the + sheet. + + Special requests for the new style of stamps will be disregarded + until the stock of the present issue, in possession of the + Department, is exhausted. [ * * * * relating to envelopes to be + issued to conform * * * * ] + + [Signed] Wm. H. Terrell, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +[The "description annexed" is on the other side and is merely a list of +values, the bust from which the portrait was copied, the color, etc., +exactly following that in the extract from the Postmaster General's +report above.] The exact date of issue is fixed by the Postmaster +General's report, as May, 1870. + + +ISSUE OF MAY, 1870. + +Composed of ten values as follows: + +ONE CENT. Bust of Benj. Franklin, in profile to the left, after +Rubricht, on an oval disk, lined horizontally and obliquely, bordered by +a broad colorless line and exterior colored fine line. Outside of this a +series of colorless curved lines, bordered by fine colored lines, and +foliated at the corners on a ground of parallel vertical colored lines, +completes the rectangle. There is no enclosing colored line at top or +bottom. Short horizontal colored lines form the shadows of the oval and +ornaments. The upper corners are formed by a line curved round from the +oval and terminating in a large ball, a second line curving round from +this and continued along the top, ending in two foliations with a small +leaf-shaped dash beyond. There is a large ball at the intersection of +these lines in the corner of the stamp. A slightly curved line continues +down from the corner, forming the sides. The lower corner being formed +by a curved line starting in a dot, curving upward and round, and +terminating inside the side lines in a large foliation with three balls +above it. The bottom is formed of a waved line. These are all distinct +and plain colorless lines between fine colored lines, and about the +width of the line surrounding the oval. + +The ornaments in the corners have shadows beneath, and on the inner +edges, and the side lines have shadows on the outer edges, formed of +short horizontal lines. The oval has heavy shadows similarly formed. The +vertical lines of the background are fine, and of even width throughout. +Above the oval, a thin colorless line, bordered by a fine colored line, +within and without, parallel with the oval, but curved round at the ends +to meet it, forms a label inscribed in outline capitals, "_U. S. +Postage_," shaded without on a rectangularly hatched ground. Below the +oval a large outline pearled numeral "1" shaded without, divides the +lower border line, and a similar line parallel to the border line, but +terminated at each end by a ball, forms a label inscribed in outline +capitals "_One Cent_" shaded outside on a rectangularly hatched ground. +Above this label are three small white pearls on each side of the +numeral. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent, imperial ultramarine. + +TWO CENTS. Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile to the left, after Powers, +on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly obliquely, bordered by a +broad white line and fine exterior colored line, the whole super-imposed +on a shield, with ground of vertical colored lines, and bordered by a +very fine colored exterior line. The shield is curved in at the top, +corners diagonal, sides curved in and then out, bottom rounded and rests +on a background of horizontal colored lines. There are no exterior lines +on the sides. Below the oval, a large outline numeral "2" divides a +colorless ribbon bordered by fine colored lines, and inscribed "_Two +Cents_" in outline colored capitals shaded outside, on a background of +short vertical colored lines. Above the oval, a band bordered by a +colorless line edged by fine colored lines, extends nearly to the outer +edge of the stamp, and is inscribed, "_U. S. Postage_" in outline +colorless capitals, shaded outside on a rectangularly hatched ground. +The shadows of the shield are made by short vertical lines, those of the +oval by short horizontal lines. The shield is ornamented by fine laurel +leaves on each side, just above the lower label. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 2 cents, velvet brown. + +THREE CENTS. Bust of Geo. Washington, after Houdon, in profile to left, +on oval disk with horizontally lined ground, and occasional diagonal +latticed hatchings, bordered by a broad colorless line with exterior +fine colored line, resting on a shield with vertically lined ground, on +a background of horizontal lines, with a border line on the right side +but none on the left. Above the oval, a band bordered by a colorless +line, with a ball on each end and three little foliations above on each +side, all edged by a fine colored line inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," in +outline capitals, shaded outside on a horizontally lined ground. Below +the oval a large numeral "3," shaded outside, divides a ribbon bordered +by a colored line, and inscribed in similar capitals, "_Three Cents_" on +a ground of short vertical lines. The shadows of the oval are made by +short colored horizontal lines, and those of the shield by vertical +lines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 3 cents, malori green. + +SIX CENTS. Bust of Abraham Lincoln, in profile to the left, after Volk, +on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly lined obliquely, bordered +by a colorless line. On a depressed panel, lined horizontally, the sides +projected, darker than the frame of fine vertical lines which surrounds +it, completes the rectangle. There is no terminal line at the sides. +Above the oval a yoke-shaped label, bordered by a colorless line, edged +by fine colored lines, inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in outline colorless +capitals, shaded outside on a ground of horizontal lines. Below the oval +is a ribbon bordered by fine colored lines, inscribed in the same +letters, "_Six Cents_" divided by a large outline numeral "6," on a +ground of short colored vertical lines. A distinct line borders the +depressed panel all the way around, being heaviest on the left side. The +shadows of the oval and depressed panel are made by vertical colored +lines, and those of the upper and lower labels are made by horizontal +colored lines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 6 cents, cochineal red. + +TEN CENTS. Bust of Thomas Jefferson, in profile to left, after Powers, +on an oval disk, lined horizontally, and obliquely from right to left, +bordered by a colorless line with exterior colored line, on a shield +bordered by a fine colored line, vertically lined, on a rectangular +background, which is lined horizontally. Above the oval a label formed +by a colorless line edged by a colored exterior line, curved round from +the oval line at the ends, and then parallel with it, having a small +ball ornament at each end, is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in outline +capitals, shaded outside, on a ground of vertical lines, except at the +ends, where the lines are horizontal. Below the oval, on a ribbon +bordered by colored lines, in the same letters "_Ten Cents_," on a +ground of short vertical lines, the words separated by large outline +numerals "10." Shadows of the oval in short horizontal lines crossed by +lines parallel to the oval. Shadows of the lower ribbon in vertical +lines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 10 cents, chocolate. + +TWELVE CENTS. Bust of Henry Clay, after Hart, in profile to the left, on +an oval disk, closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a colorless +line between two fine colored lines, surrounded by labels bordered +without by a second colorless line, between fine colored lines, but +curved inwards, crossed and the sides united in a vertical line at the +sides of the stamp, the whole arranged in a double tablet formed by +vertical lines, terminated by an outside colored line at top and bottom. +The outer edges representing a chamfer are horizontally lined. A little +distance from the edge, a series of diagonal lines between two parallel +lines, represent a beveled edge, making the parts within appear higher. +The upper label is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," in outline capitals, +doubly shaded outside, on a ground of horizontal lines. The lower label +is inscribed, "_Twelve Cents_," in outline block capitals, doubly shaded +on a ground of horizontal lines. Large outline numerals "12," doubly +shaded, divide the lower band and separate the words. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 12 cents, neutral tint. + +FIFTEEN CENTS. Bust of Daniel Webster, in profile to the left, after +Clevenger, on an oval disk, very closely lined horizontally and +obliquely, bordered by a colorless line, on a vertically lined +background, with no terminal line at the top or bottom. There is a +triangular depression represented in each of the four corners by +horizontally lined ground and shade lines, and mitered at the angles. +Above the oval and following its outline, is a label indicated by a +colorless line between fine colored lines, square at the ends with a +ball beyond, inscribed on a horizontally lined ground in colorless +capitals, outlined by colored lines and shaded without, "_U. S. +Postage_." Below the oval is a similarly formed label with pointed ends, +inscribed in the same letters on horizontally lined ground, "_Fifteen +Cents_," divided by large pearled numerals "15." + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 15 cents, orange. + +TWENTY-FOUR CENTS. Bust of Winfield Scott, in profile to the left, after +Coffee, on an oval disk closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a +colorless line with exterior colored line, on a rectangular background +of horizontal lines. Above and following the line of the oval are +thirteen five pointed stars, two at each end plain, and one letter of +the inscription "_U. S. Postage_" in colored block capitals in each of +the others. Above these and parallel to the oval is a colorless line +between colored lines, divided and curving into two balls below, but +curving into a single ball above and shaded by another colored line. +Above these in each corner on a solid ground of color, bordered by a +similar arrangement of lines, etc., in colorless block numerals "24." +Below the oval is a label inscribed "_Twenty Four_," with another +beneath it inscribed "_Cents_," both indicated by a colorless line +between colored lines, with a horizontally lined background. The letters +are colorless block capitals. In the lower left corner are flags and +cannon, and in the right three muskets stacked. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 24 cents, pure purple. + +THIRTY CENTS. Bust of Alexander Hamilton, in profile to the left, after +Cerrachi, on an oval disk horizontally and obliquely lined, bordered by +a colorless line with outer colored line, on a shield shaped panel +vertically lined, the edges beveled and obliquely lined, resting on a +background of horizontal lines. The upper corners of the panel project +beyond the rest at top and sides, the sides project beyond the curved +bottom, the shadows of the oval on the shield are indicated by short +horizontal lines; those of the shield by vertical lines. Across the +curved top of the shield is a colorless line bordered by outside colored +lines. Across the top of the shield in a double curve of outline +capitals, shaded outside, "_U. S. Postage_." Below the oval, a small +shield, outlined by a colorless line between colored lines, bears the +outlined numerals "30," shaded outside on ground of horizontal lines, +dividing a ribbon outlined by colored lines, inscribed "_Thirty Cents_," +in colored spurred capitals, on a ground of vertical lines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 30 cents, black. + +NINETY CENTS. Bust of Com. O. H. Perry, in profile to left, after +Wolcutt, on an oval disk bordered by a colorless line with exterior +colored line. The upper half of this line is covered by a cable, rove at +each end to a ring, that supports the lower label. Above the oval a +label with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line, with exterior +colored line following the oval, the ends curved outward and inward in a +sort of foliation, is inscribed "_U. S. Postage_" in outline capitals, +shaded outside. A five pointed star in each corner. Below the oval, the +lower label, square at the ends, with hatched ground, bordered by a +colorless line and outer colored line, is inscribed "_Ninety Cents_," in +outline block capitals, shaded outside. There is a heavy shadow beneath +the label, an anchor in each lower corner. The whole is on a vertically +lined panel chamfered at the top, bottom and sides. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 90 cents, carmine. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1870. + +SEVEN CENTS. Bust of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, in profile to left, on +an oval disk, closely lined horizontally, bordered by a colorless line. +Above and below, a label bordered by a colorless line following the +outline of the oval, but curved round and terminated inside by a ball at +each end. The whole on a panel, vertically lined, with rounded corners, +and large ball on a rectangular background of horizontal lines. The +labels are inscribed in outline capitals, shaded outside on a hatched +ground, the upper, "_U. S. Postage_," the lower, "_Seven Cents_," +divided by a large outline numeral "7," doubly shaded outside. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 7 cents, vermilion. + +All these values were first issued with a grille, of which there are +several sizes, but on many, if not most, even of unused specimens it is +so indistinct that it is impossible to distinguish the outlines, measure +the size, or count the squares. Some very perfect unused specimens have +been examined however, and on the face it appears to be composed of +horizontal rows of depressed diamonds, divided by alternate rows of +smaller raised diamonds, with deep-depressed lines along the sides of +the latter. On the reverse, the appearance is of rows of squares divided +by depressed lines, with little raised crosses in each square. By these +specimens it has also been determined, that there were at least two +distinct sizes of grille. + +The first measures 101/2 by 121/2 mm., composed of 13 by 151/2 rows of +squares. Perfect specimens of the 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 cent so grilled, +have been found, and satisfactory specimens of the 6, 12, 15, 24, 30 and +90 cents. + +The other variety measures 81/2 by 101/2 mm., and is composed of 10 by 13 +rows of squares. Perfect specimens of the 1, 2, 3 and 7 cents so +grilled have been found, but no satisfactory specimens of any other +value. + +Specimens with only a few distinct squares, are comparatively common. + +The difficulty of arriving at accurate measurement, is increased when +the specimens examined have been used, but apparently the larger of the +above grilles was gradually cut down row by row to the smaller, as +specimens of the 1, 2 and 3 cents, the most used values, are found +undoubtedly grilled. + + 101/2 by 121/2 mm., or 13 by 17 rows. + 10 " 12 " " 13 " 15 " + 9 " 111/2 " " 12 " 15 " + 9 " 11 " " 11 " 14 " + 81/2 " 10 " " 11 " 13 " + +These all now bear a deep yellow or brown gum. The colors are very +uniform. + +As stated by the passage quoted above, there are 100 stamps, or ten rows +of ten stamps in the so called sheet, or properly half sheet, there +being 200 on the plate. The imprint was either "Engraved and printed by +the," in one line, "National Bank Note Co., New York," in a second line +in colorless capitals, on a solid ground, with pearled edges and outer +fine colored line, or the second line above without pearls on colored +ground, bordered by a double colored line. The author cannot state +whether all the values bore both imprints, having only seen the 1, 2 and +3 cents with the first, and the 30 and 90 with the second, the latter +without the grille. These imprints are placed 2 mm. from the stamps, +above and below the 5th and 6th rows on each half sheet, the plate +number being between the 8th and 9th rows. The line on which the sheets +are divided is indicated by three lines forming a sort of arrow head, at +the top and bottom of the sheet. The center rows of stamps are 21/2 mm. +apart, and there are no perforations between them. The vertical rows of +perforation are 221/2 mm. apart horizontally. The horizontal rows 271/2 mm. +apart vertically, but the upper and lower rows are sometimes 281/2 and +sometimes 291/2 mm. apart. If a sheet is selected, where the vertical rows +are so far from the center line as to cut into the stamps, and the +horizontal rows too high or too low, and a stamp from the top or bottom +of the row next to the center cut line is selected, and the perforations +carefully cut off, specimens can be made that have a much larger margin +than the ordinary perforated stamps, and might easily pass as +unperforated. This may not account for all the unperforated specimens, +some of which may be the result of accident, but all the values of this +series and the following may be so made unperforated, and have been so +catalogued. + +The number of these stamps issued with grille, is estimated as follows: + + 1 cent, 95,127,100. + 2 cents, 208,375,550. + 3 " 962,467,790. + 6 " 21,600,900. + 7 " 2,070,800. + 10 cents 8,509,280. + 12 " 2,857,975. + 15 " 4,299,220. + 24 " 637,450. + 30 " 711,430. + 90 " 165,180. + + +ISSUE WITHOUT GRILLE (1873?) + +The use of the grille was finally abandoned altogether. The first notice +of this change appeared in the stamp papers of February, 1873. They were +made by the same company, and are in all respects the same, except the +embossing. + + 1 cent, imperial ultramarine, perforated 12. + 2 cents, velvet brown " " + 3 " milori green " " + 6 " cochineal " " + 7 " vermilion " " + 10 " chocolate " " + 12 " purple " " + 15 " orange " " + 24 " pure purple " " + 30 " black " " + 90 " carmine " " + +The colors do not vary materially from those of the grilled series, but +there are two quite distinct shades of the twelve cents, a blackish +purple and a brownish tint. + + +ISSUE OF 1873. + +In accordance with the provisions of the general law, before the +expiration of the contract with the National Bank Note Company, the +Postmaster General advertised in the daily papers, in December, 1872, +that he would receive bids for furnishing the Department with postage +stamps from the 1st of May, 1873, to the 1st of May, 1877. This +contract, as well as the subsequent one which terminated the 1st of +July, 1881, was awarded to the Continental Bank Note Company, of New +York. The dies and plates, by the terms of the contract with the +National Bank Note Company, were the property of the Government, and +were turned over to the new contractors, who continued to print the +stamps from the same plates, until they were worn out, and theoretically +in the same colors. As new plates were required from time to time, they +were made from the original dies, but bore the imprint of the new +contractor, which resembles the first one described as used by the +National Company, but reads "Printed by the" in the first line, +"Continental Bank Note Co., New York," in the second line. This imprint +probably, was not put upon one of the values above 15 cents. In fact the +30 and 90 cents sent out just before, and for some years after the +expiration of the second contract awarded to this Company, bore the +second named imprint of the National Bank Note Company. + +Specimens are found which show the heavier border lines and shadows of +the different parts of the design, the fine lines of the background, of +the tablets, and sometimes of the shields, being invisible to the eye, +though more or less of them can generally be traced with a glass. These +collectors have designated as "plain frames," as they appear to be +without color. They are, really, defective impressions either from worn +plates, when the plates made by the National Bank Note Company, were +giving out in 1873, or from the poor results of the process of printing +adopted, as is claimed by the Postmaster General. + +But similar varieties have certainly appeared, and for like causes, at +other times. Collectors of curiosities will find: + + 1 cent plain frame, perforated 12. + 2 cents " " " " + 3 " " " " " + 6 " " " " " + 10 " " " " " + +The stamps from the plates with the imprint of this Company, now bear on +the back a white gum, and not the brownish, used by the National Bank +Note Company, which will help to distinguish impressions made by them +from the old plates. The colors, however, are not identical, and will +further serve to distinguish them. There may be exceptions, but +ordinarily the ONE CENT is a pure indigo, without the red or ultramarine +cast, of those printed previously, whether lighter or deeper impressions +are chosen. + +The TWO CENTS has also lost its reddish tone, and is a dull brown, with +a tendency to blackish-brown, whether lighter or deeper in shade. + +The THREE CENTS is of a duller and generally a pale shade. + +The SIX CENTS is much lighter and is a washy pink. + +The SEVEN CENTS is a more yellowish vermilion. + +The TEN CENTS approaches very nearly to the original shade of the two +cents, but is a little more of a blackish brown, very unlike the +delicate original shade. The oval and face lines are dark and heavy. + +The FIFTEEN CENTS is a much paler orange. + +The higher values, TWENTY-FOUR, THIRTY and NINETY CENTS, have a thinner +tone than the deep rich color of the former Company's work. + +In the meantime, the following changes were announced in a circular to +postmasters: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes & Postal Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., June 21st, 1875._ + + The Department is prepared to commence the issue of postage + stamps of the denomination of five (5) cents to meet the new + letter rate of postage, under the treaty of Berne, to the + following countries, viz: + + [Here follow the names of all countries that had then joined the + Postal Union, to which five cents was the rate.] + + The new five cent stamp is designed from a bust of Gen. Zackary + Taylor in full face, and printed in dark blue color. The + changes in foreign postages will render unnecessary the further + use of the 7, 12 and 24 cent stamps and stamped envelopes, and + they will accordingly be discontinued. + + In order to avoid the liability to mistake caused by the near + similarity in color between the two cent and ten cent stamp, the + former will in future be printed in vermilion, the color of the + discontinued seven cent stamp. + + [Here follows directions to use up the stock of the discontinued + stamps and envelopes, whenever they can be utilized.] + + (Signed.) E. W. BARBER, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1ST, 1875. + +TWO CENTS. Same design, and from the same die and plate as the previous +brown impression, the color only changed. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 2 cents, vermilion. + + +ISSUE OF OCTOBER 5TH, 1875. + +One of the New York daily papers in April, 1882, speaking of the new +five cent stamp (Garfield) about to be issued, says: The history of the +current five cent stamp with Taylor's portrait is as follows: + + The rates for international postage had been decided upon as 5 + cents, the United States series of postage stamps had not such a + value. Mr. Jewell, the Postmaster General at the time, suggested + to President Grant the propriety of having his portrait on the + new stamp of the required value. Gen. Grant did not agree with + his Cabinet officer. Finally, he suggested that if Mr. Jewell + would insist upon consulting his wishes, he (Gen. Grant) would + be well pleased if the portrait of old Zack Taylor, with whom he + served in the Mexican war, could be used on the new stamp. + Instead of instructing the then contractors to prepare a + portrait of Gen. Taylor, which would be in harmony with the + other stamps of the series, Mr. Jewell found in the Bureau of + Engraving and Printing, a portrait of Taylor, which had been + used on the old tobacco strip series. This portrait was + transmogrified into the five cent stamp. It was badly engraved + and of wretched color. + + +ISSUE OF OCTOBER 5TH, 1875. + +FIVE CENTS. Bust of General Zachary Taylor, full face, on an oval disk +lined horizontally and obliquely, the horizontal lines growing closer +and closer towards the top, surrounded by a colorless line with outer +colored line, and resting on a shield, vertically lined, and bordered by +an exterior colored line, all on a background of colored horizontal +lines, the shadows of short horizontal lines. Above the oval is a label, +bordered by a colorless line between fine colored lines, and curved +round and divided at the ends, the outer part terminating in a ball, +horizontally lined and inscribed "_U. S. Postage_," in outline capitals +shaded without. Below the oval is a ribbon, bordered by a colored line, +and inscribed "_Five Cents_," the words divided by a large numeral "5", +all in outline capitals, shaded without on a ground of short vertical +lines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, dark blue. + +The stamp is identical with the two and ten cent values, with the value +changed, and the portrait of Taylor from the six ounce tobacco stamp of +the "series of 1871," placed in the medallion. + +Both the two cent vermilion and the five cent blue, bear the imprint +"Printed by the Continental Bank Note Company," which also prepared the +tobacco stamp in question. + +These two stamps have been chronicled as having been issued grilled. The +error crept into the French edition of this work likewise, but they were +at least never so issued for circulation. + +All the values as issued by this company have likewise been chronicled +as unperforated. If they are not accounted for as indicated under the +remarks made on page 172, they are the result of accident. + +In many cases indistinct dots can be seen where the perforating machine +failed to do its work. Such specimens are curious but do not require +more than mention. + +Before the second contract with the Continental Bank Note Co. expired, +it was consolidated with the American Bank Note Co. under, the name of +the American Bank Note Company, and new plates began to appear with the +imprint of this company, in large colored block capitals, shaded by a +colored line parallel to the letters and an outside row of lighter +horizontal lines. + +The one, two, three, five and ten are found with this imprint, without +material change. The seven, twelve and twenty-four cent having long been +retired are not to be looked for with this imprint, and the fifteen, +thirty and ninety cents at this time were still printed from the plates, +with the imprint of the Continental Bank Note Co. + +The gum has the white shade and the colors are the same as used by that +company. + +The _one cent_ of the dull indigo blue. + +The _two cents_ has a misty look. + +The _three cents_ inclines to a blue-green. + +The _five cents_ has heavier lines and is a darker blue. + +The _ten cents_ returns to the light appearance of the original of 1870 +but is of the yellow-brown shade. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 10TH, 1882. + +With the letting of the contract for another term in June, 1881, the +American Bank Note Company again secured the contract. + +Soon after the death of President Garfield, it was proposed that his +portrait should be placed on the five cent stamp used for foreign +postage, and the stamp printed in mourning, as was said to have been +done with the fifteen cent stamp, then used for foreign postage, after +the death of President Lincoln. The stamp with the head of Taylor, it +was said had been hurriedly gotten up, and did not correspond with the +rest of the series. By direction of Postmaster General James, the +American Bank Note Co. therefore prepared the new stamp, after a +photograph of President Garfield. Mrs. Garfield was consulted, and +proofs in various colors were, it is said, submitted to her. Instead of +black, she finally selected a vandyke brown. The first proofs were in +black, and at the request of Mrs. Garfield it is stated, the Postmaster +General sent one of them, mounted on card and placed in a frame of +silver, surrounded by a second frame of gold, on a background of purple +velvet, and protected by a glass in an ebony frame, to Her Majesty, the +Queen of England. + +From the correspondence columns of the daily papers, we learn that the +Department received the first invoice of these stamps at Washington, the +7th of February, 1882, and that it was expected to begin the issue the +1st of March, following. Mr. Durbin obtained some copies which he used +on St. Valentines day. But the stamps were not distributed from the +offices until the 10th of April, 1882 and were then sold only as the +supply of the old ones was exhausted. This is the date officially given +by the report of Postmaster General for the year, and the same date is +also given by the New York papers. The description given by the +Postmaster General it is not necessary to repeat. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 10TH, 1882. + +FIVE CENTS. Portrait in profile to the left, of President Garfield, in +an oval disk 16 by 20 mm., lined horizontally and obliquely, and +bordered by a line of colorless pearls on a broad colored band, resting +on a shield lined horizontally, and bordered by a colored line, very +heavy on the right side and at the bottom, and an exterior fine +colorless line at the bottom and sides, all on a back ground of +horizontal lines bordered at the sides by a terminal line of color. The +shield is square at the top, of the width of the stamp, with +perpendicular sides not quite so far apart, the corners being slanted +back, and is pointed at the bottom which is formed of two diagonal +lines. A large solid six pointed star, bordered by a colorless line and +exterior colored line covers the lower point of the shield and a part of +the pearled border, and bears a large colorless numeral "5." On each +side of this a ribbon indicated by a colored line, inscribed on left +"_Five_," on right "_Cents_," in outline capitals, on a ground of short +vertical lines. On the background of the stamp, beneath all, "_U. S. +Postage_" in colored block letters, shaded on the left and top by +colorless lines. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, dark chocolate. + + +ISSUE OF NOVEMBER, 1882. + +Without any notice to the postmasters or the public, new plates were +made by the American Bank Note Company, and slight changes were made in +the engraving. These began to appear in November, 1882, and may be +found in the one three, six and ten cent values. + +ONE CENT. The vertical lines of the background are thickened in the +upper half and so nearly touch, that the ground now appears solid and in +fact from the running of the ink, sometimes really is solid. The curved +ornamental lines in the upper corners and the balls are now shaded with +one or more interior colored lines, instead of being plain. The exterior +shading of horizontal lines is omitted here, at the ends of the upper +labels, and also outside of the side lines, and is very faint under the +lower ornaments and label. + +(_a_) The first impressions of this altered plate are in an ashey blue +and, the upper ornaments are rendered indistinct by the interior lines. +There is a whitish space, like a reflection beneath the bust. + +(_b_) Later impressions in 1886, show the upper ornaments more +distinctly white, and shaded outside again by lines parallel to their +curves. A heavy shadow now appears under the bust, the ground being +almost solid where it falls. The color by daylight is again slightly of +the ultramarine cast, but differing only slightly from the ashey hue by +gaslight. + +(_c_) Later impressions in 1887, show the return to the heavy upper +ornaments, but their exterior shading remains as in (b). The ground work +of the oval is uniform and there is no light or dark shadow under the +bust. The ultramarine is of a more pronounced cast by daylight. + +TWO CENTS. There seems to have been no change beyond that already +mentioned, as the design was soon changed. + +THREE CENTS. The altered die beside the other appears quite different, +but a close examination is necessary to determine the differences at +first. Once detected, they are very apparent. The lines of ground of the +oval are heavier. The cross lines can still be seen with the glass, and +the part behind the head is now crossed by vertical lines also. The +shadows of the upper ornaments are now solid, and the horizontal lines +cannot be detected. The shadows of the oval are also solid, and about +half as broad as in the other die. The horizontal lines can be seen by +the glass, but are very light. This is the most conspicuous difference. +The vertical shadow lines under the lower label are omitted. The shield +in the old die has a ground of horizontal lines on the right side, with +an outside vertical border line, and two fine vertical lines on the +horizontal lines form the shadow of the shield. The altered die has the +three vertical lines, but the horizontal lines are omitted to the point +where the bottom line begins. The color is a blue-green, not +yellow-green as before. + +SIX CENTS. The ground work of the oval, is practically solid or mottled, +that of the panel nearly so. The border line cannot be distinguished +from the ground, while in the original issue, not only is the border +line distinct, but in the "sallie" the fine vertical shadow lines can be +counted inside, and on the right side three, very close together, and +four lines besides these between the panel and the edge, counting the +outside line. In the new, none of these shadows exist, and there are +only _three_ lines between the panel and the edge, including the outside +line. In the old, on the right side, there are fourteen lines in the +frame above and below the projection. In the new there are thirteen +above, and eleven below. The color is a brick red, neither the cochineal +or pink previously used. + +TEN CENTS. The frame lines have all been strengthened as well as those +of the background, so that the entire stamp is more uniform in engraving +and color, but has entirely lost its light look. The edges no longer +fade away, but stand out sharp from the paper. It is apparent to the eye +that the space between the oval and the shield, is reduced one-third its +width. There are only four vertical lines between the line of the shield +and the line of the oval at their nearest point on the left, or six +lines in all; in the originals, there were five lines, or seven in all. +Beneath the ribbon containing the value in the old stamps, the +horizontal lines of the background are scarcely visible, the vertical +shade lines being conspicuous. In the new the horizontal lines are +strong and clear. + +(_a_) The earliest impressions are in muddy yellow brown, quite uniform +all over the stamp. + +(_b_) Later impressions, in 1886, are in a clearer shade of +yellow-brown, and the light on the face has been increased, much +improving the effect. + +(_c_) An odd purple-brown shade appeared in 1886. + +(_d_) A dark black-brown shade is now, 1887, in use. + + +THE ISSUE OF OCTOBER, 1883. + +The Act of the 47th Congress, Session II, Chapter 92, approved March 3d, +1883, provided that: + + "Upon all matter of the 1st class [as defined by chapter 180 of + the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, 1879, entitled: An Act, + etc.] postage shall be charged on and after the first day of + October, A. D. 1883, at the rate of two cents for each half + ounce or fraction thereof, and all acts so far as they fix a + different rate of postage than herein provided upon said first + class matter, are to that extent hereby repealed." + +The report of the Third Assistant Postmaster General under date of +November 8th, 1883, says: + + "Soon after the passage of the Act of March 3d, 1883, + preparations were begun to carry the new law into effect. The + change left the 3 cent denomination of postage stamps of little + utility, it no longer representing the single rate of postage on + any class of matter, and it was determined to discontinue its + issue. As the public would have undoubtedly regarded with + disfavor, the dropping of Washington from portraits, forming the + distinguishing feature in the series of postage stamps, it was + decided to replace the old 2 cent stamp by a new one bearing the + profile of the first president, thus restoring it to its old + place on the stamp in most general use. It was also decided to + issue a new stamp of the value of four cents, a denomination not + previously in use, and designed to cover two rates of letter + postage. The portrait of Jackson, formerly on the 2 cent stamp, + was transferred to this new (four cent) stamp. The following is + a brief description of the new stamp: + + TWO CENT STAMP. + + An oblong shield, slightly shouldered on the upper square, the + lower lines terminating in a point. Within this shield is an + oval containing a profile bust of George Washington engraved in + line, surrounded by a ribbon ending with small scrolls bearing + the legend "United States Postage," in white letters. From each + end of the scrolls a chain of pearls completes the outlines of + the oval. A prominent white-faced figure "2" laps over the lower + centre point of the oval and shield, dividing the words "Two + Cents." The whole is enclosed in a dark upright square to give + relief to the device. The stamp is printed in dark red. + + FOUR CENT STAMP. + + Over an oval containing a bust of Andrew Jackson in profile, is + a ribbon with the legend "United States Postage," in white + letters. A string of pearls forms round the lower half of the + oval and unites the two ends of the ribbon. At the lower part + of the oval, on either side, appears the figure "4," and under + that the words "Four Cents," with a star on each side, all + engraved in white faced letters. The whole device is inclosed + in an upright oblong tablet. The stamp is printed in green. + + It is worthy of notice that these are the first postage stamps + ever bearing the words "United States Postage" in full, the + name of the country being abbreviated to "U. S." on all other + stamps * * * Postmasters were notified by circular of the + coming change of postage, and intrusted to make their + requisitions for 3 cent stamps and envelopes sufficient only + for carefully estimated needs to the 1st October. * * * The + issue of the new 2 cent and 4 cent stamped envelopes was + commenced on the 1st September, and of the 2 and 4 cent + adhesive stamps on the 15th September; and they were so + generally distributed by the 1st October that the change of + postage was attended with but little inconvenience for want of + the necessary stamps." + +The circular issued to postmasters read as follows: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General. + + _Washington, D. C., July 18th, 1883._ + + On and after the first day of October, 1883, the rate of postage + on domestic mail matter of the first class, will be reduced from + three cents per half ounce, or fraction thereof, as provided by + Act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1883. + + The department has adopted a new design for the two cent stamp. + + The head of Washington, in profile from Houdon's bust, placed on + a plain tablet. Above the oval, surrounding the head, are the + words "United States Postage," and underneath the tablet are the + words "Two Cents." The stamp will be printed in metallic red. + The engraved stamp on the 2 cent envelope will also bear the + head of Washington. + + A four cent denomination of postage stamps and stamped + envelopes, to cover double postage under the new rate, will also + be issued. + + The design embraces the head of Jackson, similar to that on the + present 2 cent stamp and envelope. No change will be made in the + postage due stamps. + + The same 3 cent stamps and stamped envelopes of the present + design, will continue to be valid after the 1st of October, and + must be accepted in payment of postage whenever offered in + appropriate amounts. + + The drop letter rate of postage will remain the same as now. + + A. D. HAZEN, + _Third Assistant Postmaster General_. + + +ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 15TH, 1883. + +TWO CENTS. Bust of General Washington, in profile to the left, after +Houdon, on an oval disk, lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, +bordered by a colorless line, surrounded by a solid colored band, +ornamented in the lower two-thirds with a row of white pearls, the upper +third broadened into a label, edged outside by a colorless line, with +outside colored line, the ends curved round into a hook, the whole +resting on a shield shaped tablet, corresponding to that of the last +three cents, horizontally lined and edged by a colored line, very heavy +on the right and bottom, with an outside colorless line, the whole on a +rectangular background of horizontal lines, very close together below, +and farther apart above. There are no shadows except a few vertical +lines beneath the projecting part of the top parts of the shield. + +The label above the oval is inscribed "_United States Postage_," in full +colorless capitals, on the solid ground. A large colorless numeral +outlined in color and doubly shaded outside, obscures the point of the +shield and the pearled and colorless border of the oval, dividing the +words "_Two Cents_" in full colorless capitals on the background, so +shaded as to be on a solid colored ground. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 2 cents, metallic red. + +FOUR CENTS. Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile to left, after Powers, +in an oval disk, horizontally lined, very closely at the top, and doubly +diagonally bordered by a colorless line, twice as wide as that in the +last two cents, surrounded by a solid colored band, ornamented with +pearls below, and broadened above into a label, bordered above and at +the ends by a colorless line, and inscribed "_United States Postage_," +just as in the two cents, the whole resting on a rectangular tablet, +with horizontally lined ground, crossed by vertical lines below the +oval, and bordered by a vertical colorless line on the right and above +the oval on the left, with mitered or bevelled edge, represented by five +colored lines parallel with the top, bottom and sides, the right, upper +third of the left, and bottom bevel crossed by short colored lines at +right angles. On the ground below the oval, which is nearly solid color, +in colorless capitals, "_Four Cents_," between colored five pointed +stars. Large colorless numeral "4" on each side, above the stars and end +letters of the value. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly +surfaced with green, perforated 12. + + 4 cents, blue green. + +The arrangement of the plates, printer's imprint, plate number, etc., is +the same as before, for both of the new stamps. + +The report of 1883 also proposed that the 3 and 6 cent stamps should be +called in, redeemed and destroyed. Nothing seems to have been done about +it however, until Frank Hatton, Postmaster General, issued an order, +dated December 1st, 1884, that the three and six cents of all issues +with the exceptions following, should be exchanged by postmasters for +other values. + + "Especial care must be taken not to redeem postage stamps issued + prior to 1861, as such stamps were long since declared obsolete + and valueless for postage. No six cent stamps were issued prior + to 1861. The three cent issued before that time bears the head + of Washington, and is printed in red. In a straight line at the + top are the words "U. S. Postage," and at the bottom, the words + "Three Cents." The figure 3 does not appear on the stamps, as it + does upon all subsequent issues of that denomination. Stamps + answering to this description, must in all cases be refused." + +On the 14th of January, 1885, Postmaster General Frank Hatton, by order +No. 75, appointed a committee of three to proceed among other things to +the stamp manufactory at New York, and effectually cancel all the +plates, except one working plate of each denomination, of the issues of +1847, of 1851, including the two carrier stamps, of 1861, of 1865 +newspaper and periodicals, of 1869, of the 3, 5, Taylor, 7, 12 and 24 +cents of 1870, 3 and 9 cent newspaper and periodical of 1874, and of all +the Department stamps. + + "One plate of each kind and denomination of postage stamp + reserved as above, and the dies and rolls from which they have + been produced, together with all the cancelled plates, to be + inventoried, waxed and carefully boxed and sealed, and placed in + the vault of the stamp manufactory, in the custody and under the + control of the agent." + +The committee were also to cancel any worn out and unserviceable plates +of the current series, and to count and destroy the official stamps +remaining in the vaults of the American Bank Note Company, of all +denominations and Departments, numbering 17,024,588, of the 3 and 9 cent +newspaper and periodical stamps of 1874, numbering 324,990, and of the +7, 12, and 24 cent stamps of the 1870 issue, numbering 1,414,300, a +grand total of 18,763,878 stamps. On the 24th of February, the committee +reported that they had carried out the order. + +A. D. Hazen, Third Assistant Postmaster General, who recommended this +holocaust, says: + + "I have excepted from this recommendation the 3 cent stamps of + the current series, of which there are 135,800 in the vault, for + the reason that though their general issue has been + discontinued, occasional calls are made for them by some of the + larger offices." + +The reports show further that from January 1st, to June 30, 1886, +1,094,200 three cent stamps were actually issued. During the same +period, 201,600 six cent stamps were also issued, while 645,950 thirty +cent stamps, and only 29,620 ninety cent stamps were issued. As a matter +of fact therefore these values, though retired from general issue, are +more in demand than the two higher values retained, nearly 2 to 1, as +between the 3 and 30 cents, 50 to 1 as between the 3 and 90 cents, or 9 +to 1 as between the 6 and 90 cents, and that too when the general public +is unaware that these values can be obtained at all. + + +CONTRACT FOR 1885-89. + +The contract for the manufacture of adhesive stamps between the +Department and the American Bank Note Company, expiring on the 30th of +June, 1885, sealed proposals were invited by public advertisement of +March 30th, 1885, for a new contract for four years from July 1st, 1885. +The important features of the new contract to be noticed here, are +_first_, that a definite standard of paper to be used for printing the +stamps, made by an improved formula, was for the first time required, +all other contracts having provided that the paper should be equal to a +sample only; and _second_, that all ordinary postage stamps should be +printed wholly by machinery run by steam power. "The two previous +contracts, 1877 to 1881, and 1881 to 1885, expressly stipulated that the +printing should be done on hand roller presses, the use of steam presses +under the contract immediately preceeding the same, 1873 to 1877, which +was silent as to the mode of printing, having resulted in extremely +unsatisfactory work." + +The act of the 48th Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved March +30th, 1885, provides: + + "That upon all matter of the first class, as defined by chapter + 180 of the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, 1879, entitled: + An Act, etc., and by that act declared subject to postage at the + rate of three cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof, and + reduced by act of March 3d, 1883, to two cents for each ounce or + fraction thereof, postage shall be charged, on and after the + first day of July, 1885, at the rate of two cents for each + ounce or fraction thereof; and drop letters shall be mailed at + the rate of two cents per ounce or fraction thereof, including + delivery at letter carrier offices, and one cent for each ounce + or fraction thereof where free delivery by carriers is not + established." + +It was claimed that the improvements in machinery had produced steam +presses that could produce better word than the hand presses, at less +cost. Bids were taken for stamps printed entirely by hand, partly by +hand and partly by steam, entirely by steam; the last two with or +without an option reserved to the Postmaster General, to require the +work to be done by hand roller presses. The Treasury Bureau of Engraving +and Printing, the Franklin Bank Note Co., and the American Bank Note +Co., were the only bidders. The latter again secured the contract to +print the ordinary stamps, by steam power entirely, and the newspaper, +postage due and special delivery stamps by hand roller presses. For the +latter of these they are paid $18 per 1000, for the postage due $8.49 +per 1000, and for the steam printed stamps $6.99 per thousand. For these +latter the Government paid $9.19 under the previous contract up to 1885, +$9.98 up to 1881, and $14.99 up to 1877. + +The following is the number of stamps of the issue of 1870 as it is +called without the grille. + + 1 cent, old plate, blue, 1,748,378,900 + 1 " altered " " 1,872,063,600 + 2 cents, old " brown 176,830,300 + 2 " " " vermilion 661,829,150 + 2 " new " red-brown 4,370,788,300 + 3 " old " 4,986,505,600 + 3 " altered " 629,537,100 + 5 " Jackson 80,390,500 + 5 " Garfield 14,454,640 + 6 " old plate 76,726,850 + 6 " altered " 8,013,300 + 7 " 3,349,100 + 10 " old " 79,126,690 + 10 " altered " 81,307,910 + 12 " 3,272,125 + 15 " 16,136,380 + 24 " 716,975 + 30 " 6,134,410 + 90 " 436,150 + +The paper provided for in this contract is the soft porous paper, which +according to Mr. Sterling was introduced in 1883. It is not stiff and +hard like the previous paper, and seems to have been adopted about the +time of the change in the dies, the fall 1882. All the values employed +since are to be found on it. It may be noted that the fifteen and thirty +cents on this paper are with the imprint of the American Company. The +fifteen is again a deep orange and the thirty a full black. + + +ISSUE OF 1883, ETC. + +Same colors, values and designs, soft porous paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, ultramarine blue. + 2 cents, red-brown. + 3 cents, green. + 4 " dark green. + 5 " " brown. + 6 " cochineal. + 10 " brown. + 15 " orange. + 30 " black. + 90 " carmine. + + +ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1887. + +The following circular explains itself: + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Postmaster General. + + _Washington, D. C., May 23d, 1887._ + + On or about the 15th of June, 1887, the Department will begin + the issue of a new design of the ordinary one cent postage + stamp, of which the following is a description: The center of + the stamp consists of a profile bust of Benjamin Franklin + (after-the original by Caracci), looking to the left, in an oval + disk, with shaded background, the lower portion of the oval + being bordered with pearls and the upper portion with a curved + frame, containing in small white letters, the words, "United + States Postage." The whole is engraved in line upon a shield + shaped tablet, with a truncated pyramidal base, bearing on it + the words "one" and "cent," on either side of the figure "1." + The color of the stamp is ultramarine blue, and its general + appearance is somewhat similar to that of the stamp now in use. + + Before ordering supplies of the new stamps, postmasters will be + expected to exhaust their stock of the old, which will continue + to be valid. Under no circumstances are the old stamps to be + sent to the Department for redemption or exchange. + + WILLIAM T. VILAS, + Postmaster General. + + H. R. HARRIS, + Third Assist. P. M. General. + + +ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1887. + +ONE CENT. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the left, after +Carraci, on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, the +upper third bordered by a label, the lower two thirds by a broad solid +colored line, ornamented with colorless pearls increasing in size from +top to bottom, with a colorless line outside this, shaded by another +heavy colored line. The label is of solid color, between two colorless +lines, the upper one curved round the ends, forming a hook and edged +outside by a fine colored line, and is inscribed in white capitals +similar to the two cents last described, "United States Postage." The +whole is on a horizontally lined shield shaped tablet, the top similar +to that of the two cents, but with a small point in the centre of the +top and the diagonals shorter. The bottom is curved at the corners, then +curved back up and round, and spreads out into the lower part of a +"truncated pyramid." It is edged with a heavy colored line on the right +and bottom, with a heavy colored line on the left and top. On the +truncated base is a large pearled outlined colorless numeral "1," +dividing the border of the oval and the words "One Cent," in outline +colorless capitals. The rectangle is filled out with horizontal lines at +the sides of the shield and vertical line at the top. + +Plate impression, 20 by 251/2 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent, ultramarine blue. + + + + +XXIV. + +POSTAGE DUE STAMPS. + + +From the adoption of compulsory prepayment up to 1879, various +regulations had been made from time to time regarding insufficiently +paid letters, in order to relieve the Dead Letter Office as far as +possible, and yet enforce the prepayment of all mail matter. +Nevertheless mistakes continued to be made and the practice of +forwarding all letters upon which one full rate was paid, and collecting +the balance of the receiver had finally been adopted, the amount to be +collected being written or stamped upon the letter. From this practice +abuses arose, and by the Act of the XLV Congress, Section III, Chapter +180, Section 26, approved March 3d, 1879, it was enacted: + + "That all mail matter of the first class upon which one full + rate of postage has been prepaid shall be forwarded to its + destination charged with the unpaid rate, to be collected on + delivery, but postmasters before delivering the same, or any + article of mail matter upon which prepayment in full has not + been made, shall affix, or cause to be affixed, and cancelled as + ordinary stamps are cancelled, one or more stamps equivalent in + value to the amount of postage due on such article of mail + matter, which stamps shall be of such special design as the + Postmaster General shall prescribe, and which shall in no case + be sold by any postmaster or received by him in prepayment of + postage," etc. + + Sec. 27. "That any postmaster or other person engaged in the + postal service who shall collect and fail to account for the + postage due upon any article of mail matter which he may deliver + without having previously affixed and cancelled such stamp as + herein before provided shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, + and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of fifty + dollars." + +Shortly after the passage of this Act the following circular was +addressed to all postmasters: + + Form No. 3288. + + SPECIAL STAMP FOR POSTAGE DUE. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes and Postal Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., May 5th 1879._ + + By Sections 26 and 27 of the Act of Congress, making + appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for + the year ending June 30th, 1880, and for other purposes + "approved March 3d, 1879, it is made the duty of postmasters to + affix to all mail matter that has arrived at destination without + full payment of postage, and before delivery of the same, an + amount of stamps equal to the postage due, the stamps to be of + such special design as the Postmaster General may direct." + + To avoid any confusion in the accounts of Postmasters with the + Auditor, and on account of the length of the time necessary to + prepare for the change contemplated by the above sections in + the mode of collecting and accounting for short paid postage, it + has been decided to have the same go into practical operation on + the 1st of July next. + + The Department however, will begin issuing sometime during the + present month, in anticipation of the wants of postmasters, + special stamps for the collection of postage due of the + denomination of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, and of the following + general description: + + A large figure, representing the denomination is placed in the + center of the stamp, and is surrounded by an oval of very + delicate lathe work. On the upper border of this oval, the words + "Postage Due" are printed in white letters; in the lower border + is the denomination, in letters of the same kind; on either side + of the oval are the letters "U. S." in a small white shield. + Around the oval is a form of complex character, described upon + an oblong tablet. The general design is the same for all the + stamps, the only difference being in the figures and lettering + for the several denominations. The color is the same, a reddish + brown. + + These stamps are intended, exclusively for the collection of + postage due on matter arriving at destination through the mails, + and are to be used in combination, wherever required to cover + unusual amounts of postage. They are to be cancelled in the + customary way after being attached to mail matter, are never to + be sold or received by Postmasters for prepayment of postage. + Postmasters must distinctly understand, that these stamps are + not to be used until July 1st, 1879. + + A supply of these will be sent at first to all post offices in + advance of requisitions from postmasters, and charged to their + account; but afterwards they must be ordered on blank forms (No. + 3285) to be furnished by the First Assistant Postmaster General. + With the first supply of stamps, however, blank requisitions for + future use will be enclosed. + + The stamps will be accounted for to the auditor the same as + other stamps, and will enter into the monthly reports of stamps, + etc., received, sold and on hand, required by the regulations, + to be made by postmasters at Presidential offices, to the Third + Assistant Postmaster General. + + On the next page of this circular will be found the sections of + the new postal law and regulations relating to the above + described stamps, which are published in advance for the + information and guidance of postmasters. The distinguishing + numbers of the sections cannot now be given, but the + instructions are here printed in the same order in which they + will appear in the forthcoming volume of the new postal + regulations. + + A. D. HAZEN, + _Third Assistant Postmaster General_. + + +ISSUE OF MAY 9TH, 1879. + +For use from and after July 1st, 1879. + +Large colorless numeral, 10 mm. high, representing the value, ornamented +and shaded, on an oval disk, 17 by 131/2 mm., with colored ground +ornamented by colorless geometric lathe work, bordered by a solid +colored band between two heavy colorless lines and an exterior fine +colored line, interrupted by small white shields on the sides bearing +"_U._" on the left, "_S._" on the right, in fancy colored capitals. The +band is inscribed in white capitals, above, "_Postage Due_," below with +the value in full letters, the whole on a tablet with vertically lined +ground, with an irregular outline colorless line bordered by an +extensive fine colored line, and a double rectangular frame, the +interior formed by parallel, diagonal curved lines, and the exterior by +vertical short lines at top and bottom, horizontal ones at sides, +indicating a bevel. + +Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, reddish brown. + 2 cents, " + 3 " " + 5 " " + +The report of the Postmaster General dated December, 1879, states: + + "Under a provision in the act of Congress, approved March 3d + 1879, authorizing a change in the mode of collecting postage + due, on matter arriving at destination through the mails, the + Department began issuing on the 9th of May, special stamps, + called postage due stamps, of the denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 + cents, and subsequently of the additional denominations of 10, + 30, and 50 cents. Before the first of July, every office in the + country was provided with a supply of these stamps, and the new + system of collecting short paid postage is now fairly in + operation." + + +ISSUE OF AUGUST, 1879. + +Stamps of the same design, but there being two figures, the numerals are +smaller. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 10 cents, reddish brown. + 30 " " + 50 " " + +The number of these stamps issued from May, 1879, to June 30th, 1885, +was: + + 1 cent, 25,328,525 + 2 cents, 30,534,425 + 3 " 31,146,230 + 5 " 5,029,435 + 10 " 6,105,175 + 30 " 169,078 + 50 " 93,490 + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +There are two quite distinct shades of the red-brown in which these +stamps are printed, the earlier issues being of a brown that shows +hardly a trace of red, while those printed under the 1885 contract are +of the shade of the current two cent postage stamp. + + + + +XXV. + +SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP. + + +The history of the introduction and usage of these stamps is contained +in the following extracts from two circulars, both dated at Post Office +Department, Office of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., August +11th, 1885, and signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The +first directed to postmasters reads as follows: + + "SIR:--On the first of October, 1885, you are directed to + establish at your office, a system for special delivery of + letters, in accordance with sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Act + making appropriation for the postal service for the current + fiscal year (XLVIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved + March 3d, 1885,) which are as follows: + + SECTION 3. That a special stamp of the face valuation of 10 + cents may be provided and issued, whenever deemed advisable or + expedient, in such form and bearing such device as may meet the + approval of the Postmaster General, which when attached to a + letter, in addition to the lawful postage thereon, the delivery + of which is to be at a free delivery office, or at any city, + town or village containing a population of 4,000 or over, + according to the Federal census, shall be regarded as entitling + such letter to immediate delivery within the carrier limit of + any free delivery office which may be designated by the + Postmaster General as a special delivery office, or within one + mile of the post office at any other office coming within, the + provisions of this section which may in like manner be + designated as a special delivery office." + + SECTION 4 provides for immediate delivery between the hours of 7 + A. M. and midnight. + + SECTION 5 provides for the employment of special messengers and, + + SECTION 6 the mode of paying them. The rest of this circular + gives the details of the service which it is not necessary to + repeat here." + +The second circular after reciting the provisions of Section 3, of the +Act of March 3d, 1885, and that it has been decided to introduce the +system on the first day of October, at all the post offices permitted by +the law; contains a description of the stamp prepared to carry out the +law, which with some additions is as follows: + + +SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP. + +ISSUE OF OCTOBER 1ST, 1885. + +A line engraving on steel, oblong in form; dimensions 13/16 by 1-7/16 +inches, color dark blue. Design: on the left in an arched panel, 101/2 by +151/2 mm., a mail messenger boy on a run, faced to the right on a hatched +back-ground, and surrounded above by the words "_United States_," in +curved line of colorless capitals. On the right an oblong tablet, +ornamented with a wreath of oak on the left, and laurel on the right, +surrounding the words, "_Secures--Immediate--Delivery--At a +special--Delivery--Office_," in six lines of white capitals on a solid +ground. The ground of the tablet above is composed of light vertical +lines with colorless border. Across the top of the tablet, but above it, +is the legend, "_Special--Postal delivery_," and at the bottom the +words, "_Ten Cents_," separated by a shield bearing the numeral "10." +The entire ground of the stamp is composed of fine vertical lines except +the edges, which are so contrived as to appear bevelled. + +Plate impression, 21 by 27 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 10 cents, dark blue. + + "They are to be sold by Postmasters to any required amount, and + to any person who may apply for them, but they can be used only + for the purpose of securing the immediate delivery of letters." + +About a year ago, after the system was inaugurated at carrier offices +there was a further change in the law, and the system was further +extended as is shown by the following extracts from three circulars, all +dated August 10th, 1886, from the office of the Postmaster General, +Washington, D. C., signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The +first is addressed to Postmasters at carrier offices, the second to all +other postmasters, and the third to the public. The following from the +first circular: + + "By the Act of August 4th, 1886, Congress has authorized the + extention of the special delivery system to all post offices and + to all mailable matter. The Act is as follows, namely: + + 'That every article of mailable matter upon which the special + stamp, provided for by Section 3 of the act entitled: an Act, + etc., shall be duly affixed, shall be entitled to immediate + delivery according to said act, within the carrier limit of any + free delivery office, and within one mile of any other post + office which the Postmaster General shall at any time designate + as a special delivery office.'" + +From the second circular only this is of interest: + + "No change will be made in the general style of the special + delivery stamp now in use. The following is its description: + (same as in the original circular). The words 'Secures immediate + delivery at a special delivery office,' will however, be changed + to read: 'Secures immediate delivery at any post office.' But as + stamps with the former words are now in the hands of the + postmasters and the public, their use will continue until the + present supply shall be exhausted." + +From the third circular only this is to be noticed: + + "The attention of the public is invited to the fact that under a + recent Act of Congress the special delivery system heretofore in + effect in cities and towns having a population of 4,000 and + upwards, has been extended to all post offices in the United + States, to take effect on and after October 1st, 1886. The + privileges of this system have also been extended to all classes + of mail matter." + +The remainder of these circulars are devoted to directions to +postmasters at the two classes of offices, and to the public. + +These stamps are printed in sheets of 100, and distributed in half +sheets of 50, the center of the sheets being marked as usual by an arrow +head. There are consequently 10 stamps in a row, and 10 rows in the +whole sheet. The makers imprint appears four times on the sheet, above +and below the center row of each half sheet, and the plate number is +also four times repeated on the sheet. + +3,699,560 special delivery stamps were issued up to June 30th, 1886. + + + + +XXVI. + +NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL STAMPS. + +ISSUE OF 1865. + + +The newspaper stamps issued by the United States Post Office Department +do not correspond in their usage very nearly to the stamps denominated +newspaper stamps in other countries. The series under review had a very +limited and peculiar use. While the dissemination of learning and +information had always been fostered in every way by the Acts of +Congress, and the distribution of newspapers and periodicals had always +been undertaken by the post office at rates that did not pay for the +expense of the service, in the intention of encouraging these +publications, the Department always found a great rival in the express +companies, which, having conformed their rules to the exigencies of +business, were enabled to deliver newspapers and periodicals from the +trains to the agents and dealers always hours, sometimes days before +those sent by the mails reached their destination, as these were sent +to the post office and there assorted, some to be delivered locally and +others to be made up again into the new mail for further transportation, +while those sent by the express companies being transferred at the +depot, often finished their journey before the mails could be made up +and started. + +This service assisted the express companies in those violations of the +postal laws which each year the Postmaster General called to the +attention of Congress, and Congress endeavored to reach by new laws. The +government got the expensive service, the express companies the paying +business partly because of their more liberal rates, but particularly +because of their more expeditious service. + +The attempt was therefore made to so frame the law that the post office +might successfully compete for the carriage of newspapers. The Act of +the XXXVII Congress, III Session, Chapter 71, Section 38, approved the +3rd of March, 1863, reads: + + "And be it further enacted that the Postmaster General may, from + time to time, provide by order the rates and terms upon which + route agents may receive and deliver, at the mail car or + steamer, packages of newspapers and periodicals, delivered to + them for that purpose by the publishers or any news agent in + charge thereof, and not received from or designed for delivery + at any post office." + +Under this act for some time payment was made in money, but the report +of the Postmaster General dated November 15th, 1865, states: + + "New stamps have been adopted of the denominations of 5, 10, + and 25 cents for prepaying postage on packages of newspapers + forwarded by publishers or news dealers under the authority of + law, whereby a revenue will be secured, hitherto lost to the + Department." + +In the report of the Postmaster General for 1878, the date of this issue +is stated to have been April 1st, 1865. In the accounts of the number of +stamps issued in each quarter it appears, however, that the first issue +was in the quarter between June 30th and September 30th, 1865. + +The stamps were of very large dimensions, and the figures conspicuous. A +package adorned with the requisite number was mailed on the train and it +could easily be seen that it was duly stamped. The stamps were +ordinarily if not always, cancelled by smearing them with ink, with a +brush, and not with hand stamps, and the packages were thrown out of the +cars to the agents waiting at each station to receive them, and were +often torn open by the agent at the depot and distributed to his +customers there. Thus the delay that sending them to the post office for +distribution would have caused, was avoided. + + +ISSUE OF APRIL 1ST, 1865. + +FIVE CENTS. Large bust of Washington in profile, faced to the right, +indicated by colorless curved lines, on a round medallion of straight +horizontal lines, 28 mm. in diameter, surrounded by a circular band of +curved interlaced colorless lines, all on a colored ground, a smaller +circular disk, 11 mm. in diameter, interrupting this band on each side +displays a large "V," in color on a horizontally lined ground. Above on +a solid ground of color, but ornamented by interlaced colorless lines in +colorless letters, "_U. S._" and "_Postage_," in a second curved line; +below the head on a solid curved label covering a portion of the +circular band in large colorless capitals, "_Five Cents_"; below this +again, the ground is ornamented by several colorless lines upon which +appear in colored capitals, "_Newspapers_," a colored label with +"_and_"; in colorless capitals "_Periodicals_"; below this again, in two +lines of colorless capitals on the colored ground, "_Sec. 18, Act of +Congress approved--March 3d, 1863_." In each upper corner is a large +colorless numeral "5." About all is a frame of 3 colorless lines, +ornamented at the corners. The words "_National Bank Note Company, New +York_," in small colorless capitals appear between the lower colorless +lines. The colored ground extends between the stamps which were +perforated. + +Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 5 cents, dark blue. + +Note. 20,140 of this value were issued. + +TEN CENTS. Similar design, but with the profile of Franklin in an oval, +the side letters "X," the label "_Ten Cents_," the upper numerals "10," +set at an angle. + +Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 10 cents, green. + +Note. 215,600 of this value were issued. + +TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. Similar design, but with the profile of Lincoln, +faced to the left, in a rectangle with corners cut off, "25" in figures +instead of numerals at the side, on the label "_Twenty Five Cents_," the +upper numerals "25" set at an angle. + +Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 25 cents, vermilion. + +Note. 31,488 of this value were issued. + +In 1868-9 there were issued 35,420 more of the five cent value, but +these were improved by having the broad colored border removed till only +a fine colored line remained outside the colorless frame. + +Plate impression, 511/2 by 95 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 5 cents, dark blue, white border. + +The Postmaster General's Report for 1869 states that the use of these +stamps ceased about the 1st of February, 1869. They were used +principally at Chicago, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis. Reprints were made of +all of them except the 5 cents with white border, with the other early +issues in 1874. + +There was a very wide margin of some 65 mm. at the top and bottom of the +sheet, the manufacturers imprint appearing at the top and bottom in +colored letters on a small white label let into the colored ground. It +is not known how many stamps formed a sheet. + + +NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL STAMPS. + +ISSUE OF 1874. + +Notwithstanding the very liberal provisions of all the laws regarding +postage on printed matter, and particularly those of this Act of March +3rd, 1863, we find the Postmaster General in his report of November +15th, 1869, complaining that the Department was largely defrauded of its +revenues by abuses rendered possible by the provisions of that Act, and +suggesting that: + + "For this mischief there is but one adequate remedy, and that is + to require prepayment on all printed matter. A due regard to the + convenience of the publishers of newspapers would require that + postage on newspapers should be charged according to the weight + of packages, and that such packages should when suspected, be + liable to be opened and searched, and penalties provided if they + were found to contain improper matter." + +Nothing seems to have resulted from his recommendations, however. The +inconveniences of the system led to calling the attention of Congress to +the matter again in the Report of the Postmaster General, in 1873. He +says: + + "In my report for 1869, I had the honor to suggest a plan for + the prepayment of postage on newspapers and other matter of the + second class by weight of packages rather than by the present + system, which requires the manipulation of each particular + paper, and allows the payment of postage at either the mailing + office, or the office of delivery. A careful revision of the + subject confirms me in the opinion, that the postage on all + such matter should be collected in advance at the mailing + office. * * * No stamps are used for the payment of such + postage; and the Department is compelled to accept in full + satisfaction whatever sums of money postmasters choose to charge + against themselves. So execrably bad is this system, that postal + officers of high standing have estimated that not more than + one-third of the postage properly chargeable on newspapers is + accounted for and paid over. Furthermore, disputes are + continually arising, as to whether the sheets they transmit, + come within the meaning of the term newspapers. * * * I + respectfully submit the following plan for the prepayment of + postage on newspapers of the second class, and urge its + adoption. Let all publishers, their business managers or agents, + be required at the beginning of every quarter, to state under + oath the number of papers of a certain name, they will send by + mail during the quarter, and pay the postage thereon in advance. + On the other hand, postmasters to make return of all newspapers, + with particulars, mailed to regular subscribers. No stamps would + be required. Every paper answering to the description would be + forwarded. No manipulation of each paper would be required, and + the saving to publishers in time and labor, would, it is + thought, be greater than the amount paid for postage, while the + saving to the Department, would justify a reduction of 40 per + cent in the rates, on this class of matter. Periodicals to come + under the same law." + +The result of the deliberations upon this suggestion, was the passage by +Congress of the following law: + + XLIII Congress, Statute 1, Chapter 456, approved June 23rd, + 1874, "Section 5. That on and after the first day of January, + 1875, all newspapers and periodical publications mailed from a + known office of publication or news agency and addressed to + regular subscribers or news agents shall be charged the + following rates: + + On newspapers and periodical publications issued weekly and more + frequently than once a week, two cents for each pound or + fraction thereof, and on those issued less frequently than once + a week three cents for each pound or fraction thereof, provided + that nothing in this Act shall be held to change or amend + Section 99 of the Act entitled: An Act to revise, consolidate + and amend the statutes relating to the Post Office Department, + approved June 8th, 1872. + + SEC. 6. That on and after the first day of January, 1875, upon + the receipt of such newspapers and periodical publications at + the office of mailing, they shall be weighed in bulk, and + postage paid thereon by a special adhesive stamp; to be devised + and furnished by the Postmaster General, which shall be affixed + to such matter or to the sack containing the same; or upon a + memorandum of such mailing, or otherwise as the Postmaster + General may from time to time provide by regulation," etc., etc. + +The report of the Postmaster General also states Nov. 14th 1874, that +being confined to these three modes of collecting this postage; + + "It was deemed best to recommend the adoption of the system + of prepayment by postage stamps 'affixed to a memorandum of + mailing' or in other words, to a stub in a book retained by + the postmaster at the mailing office; a receipt, showing the + weight of matter and the amount paid, being given by the + postmaster to the person mailing the same; the stamps affixed + to the stub, to be cancelled by a cutting punch, thus preventing + their reuse. * * * The Postmaster General having approved the + recommendations, a series of stamps have been devised of twenty + four denominations, by means of which any sum which is a multiple + of either the two or three cent rate, from two cents to + seventy-two dollars, can be made by the use of not more than + five stamps." + +In the report dated November 15th, 1875, we find the following +observations and descriptions of this issue which will further explain +the mode of using them, which seems to be little understood, except by +publishers and post office officials. + + "On the first day of January 1875, the new law, requiring + prepayment of postage by stamps, on all newspapers and + periodicals sent from a known office of publication, to regular + subscribers through the mails, went into operation. The system + inaugurated to carry the law into effect, was approved in + October, 1874 and has been found by experience to be admirably + adapted to the purposes for which it was devised. No complaints + of abuses on the part of publishers or postmasters, have been + received at this office during the nine months, that have + elapsed since the law went into effect. Indeed, it has worked so + well in all its details, and has given such general + satisfaction, that the idea of returning to the old system, or + materially modifying the new one, ought not to be entertained. + + Previous to the time when this law began to operate, no stamps + were required for the payment of postage on newspapers sent to + regular subscribers, as the postage was collected in money + quarterly, at the office of delivery. Last year there were + 35,000 post offices at which newspaper postage was collected, + while under the present true system of the absolute prepayment + of all postage, the whole amount is collected at about 3,400 + offices, the latter representing the number of places in the + United States at which newspapers and periodicals are mailed. + + The papers for subscribers living outside of the county in + which they are published, are made up in bulk at the publication + office, carried to the post office and there weighed. The + postage is computed on the whole issue, the proper amount in + stamps handed to the postmaster, who gives the publisher a + receipt as evidence of payment, and on the stubs of the receipt + book he affixes and cancels the stamps which correspond in + value, with the sum mentioned in the receipt. Thus one + transaction is all that is required in paying the postage upon a + single issue of any regular publication. The stubs with their + cancelled stamps, are kept in the post office as vouchers for + the postage paid. In no case are the stamps affixed to the + papers or packages that pass through the mails. + + These stamps are twenty-four in number and were prepared by the + Continental Bank Note Company, of New York, from designs + selected in October, 1874." Elsewhere it is stated that the + distribution to postmasters began December 11th, 1874. "The + denominations are as follows, viz: 2 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 6 + cents, 8 cents, 9 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 36 cents, + 48 cents, 60 cents, 72 cents, 84 cents, 96 cents, $1.92 cents, + $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. These denominations were + found to be necessary, in order that payment might be made on + any given quantity from one pound to one ton, at both the two + and three cent rate, with the use of not to exceed five stamps + in any transaction. + + No description of these stamps having been given in any official + form. I may be pardoned for presenting herewith a detailed + description of them, in order that it may be printed, and be + permanently preserved in the records of the department." + +TWO CENTS TO TEN CENTS, inclusive, emblematical figure of America, +looking to the right and modeled after Crawford's statue surmounting the +dome of the capitol. The left hand rests on a shield, and holds a +wreath; the right rests on a sword. The head is adorned with a head +dress consisting of a coronet of stars, surmounted by an eagle's head +and plumes. The background is horizontally lined and in parts diagonally +also. The vignette stands in an arched frame, composed of vertical +lines; and on either side of this frame, and at the top are slabs +containing the inscriptions (the upper in colored letters on +horizontally lined ground, the others in colorless block capitals, the +sides upon vertically lined ground), "_Newspapers_" and "_Periodicals_" +(at the sides), "_U. S. Postage_" (at top). At the bottom are shaded +outline block letters, representing the value, which is also indicated +by large outlined figures shaded on the face, in the upper corners, on +foliated scrolls. The lower corners are ornamented with shields. The +color of these stamps is black. + +TWELVE CENTS TO NINETY-SIX CENTS, inclusive. Vignette of Astraea or +Justice, in niche, bordered by a colorless line curved at the top, +holding in her right hand the balance, and resting with her left on a +shield bearing the United States coat of arms. The figure is full robed, +mailed and girdled as to the upper part and helmeted. Surmounting the +helmet is an eagle with out-stretched wings on a background horizontally +and diagonally lined. Figures representing values in shaded numerals on +shields, in the upper corners; values also in sunken letters below, on +solid labels bordered by a colorless and colored line, richly +ornamented. Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on side and +at top in shaded outlined capitals on vertically lined ground. Color, +pink. + +ONE DOLLAR AND NINETY-TWO CENTS. Vignette of Ceres, Goddess of +Agriculture, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line and a +vertically lined frame. She holds in her left hand an ear of corn, her +right holding a wreath, rests against the hip. The figure faced to the +front and is clad in full flowing robes. "_U. S. Postage_" at the top, +other inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," in italic capitals +shaded on the face and outside, on obelisks at either side, resting on +the lower slab, which is in solid color, containing value, "_One dollar +and ninety-two cents_," in two lines of white capitals. Value also in +figures, "$1-92/100" in upper corners. Color, deep brown. + +THREE DOLLARS. Goddess of Victory in curved niche, full-robed, girdled +with sword to the left, and mantle thrown over shoulders. The right hand +is stretched forward, holding a wreath; the left rests on a shield. +Outline figures of value, "$3" on octagons in upper corners, value below +in letters on either side of a large outline figure "3" on a shield. +Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," in colorless capitals, in +solid labels on either side, and "_U. S. Postage_" on lined ground +above. The niche and labels are all edged with colorless lines. The +background is vertically lined. Color, vermilion. + +SIX DOLLARS. Clio, the Muse of History in curved niche, bordered by +colorless line, on horizontally lined ground, full robed the toga thrown +over the left shoulder. In her right hand she holds a stylus, in the +left a tablet. Outline colorless figures of value, "$6" in upper +corners, surrounded by curved ornaments. Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," +"_Periodicals_," in white shaded letters on the sides, and above "_U. S. +Postage_" in dark letters, value, "_Six Dollars_" in outline colorless +letters in label, on vertically lined ground. Color, light blue. + +NINE DOLLARS. Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, full robed, in curved +niche, bordered by a colorless line with horizontally and diagonally +lined ground. The left hand is placed across her breast, holding a +portion of her toga; the right is grasping a spear. Figures of value +"$9" in upper corners, in foliated ornaments. Inscriptions, +"_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on sides in outline colorless and +shaded italics, and above in small colored letters, on the lined ground, +"_U. S. Postage_." Value, "_Nine Dollars_," also in letters shaded on +the face, below on scroll. Beneath is a large "9" in curved foliated +ornaments. Color, orange. + +TWELVE DOLLARS. Vesta, Goddess of the Fireside, full robed in curved +niche, with horizontally lined ground, and bordered by a colorless line. +The left hand lifts her drapery; the right holds a burning lamp. Figures +of value, "$12" in upper corners on tablets. Value, "_Twelve Dollars_" +also in colorless letters on beaded frame beneath. Inscriptions, +"_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on solid (sic), italic letters on +sides, and "_U. S. Postage_" in small white letters above. Frame of +vertical lines. Color, rich green. + +TWENTY-FOUR DOLLARS. Goddess of Peace in curved niche, bordered by a +colorless line, and on horizontally lined ground, a half naked figure +leaning against a broken column. She holds in her right hand an olive +branch, while her left grasps three arrows. The value, "_Twenty-four +Dollars_" is in colorless letters beneath, on a solid tablet; also in +figures "$24" in ornamented curves in upper corners. Inscriptions, "_U. +S. Postage_" in white shaded letters above, and "_Newspapers_," +"_Periodicals_" on the sides between which latter and each upper corner +is a six-pointed star. The back ground is vertically lined. The +ornaments bordered by a colorless line. Color, purplish shade. + +THIRTY-SIX DOLLARS. Figure representing Commerce, in full garments, in +curved niche, bordered by a colorless line with hatched background. She +holds in her left hand the _caduceus_, the winged rod of Mercury, in her +right a miniature ship. Figures of value, "$36" in the upper corners and +"_Thirty-six Dollars_" in ornamented capitals below, in two lines. +Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," also in ornamented +capitals on sides and "_U. S. Postage_" in colorless capitals above. The +frame is vertically lined. Color, dull red. + +FORTY-EIGHT DOLLARS. Hebe, the Goddess of Youth, partly draped in curved +niche with colorless border and horizontally lined ground. The right +hand holds a cup, which she is offering to the eagle around whose neck +is thrown her left arm. Shaded figures of value, "$48" on shields in the +upper corners, the word "_Postage_" between in colorless capitals on +solid label. The value, "_Forty-eight Dollars_" also in colorless +letters below on solid ground, in curved ornaments. The letters "_U._" +and "_S._" in colorless circles between the corners and side +inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," the latter being in +colorless letters on solid curved labels. Frame vertically lined. Color, +light brown. + +SIXTY DOLLARS. Vignette of an Indian Maiden, standing in a rectangular +frame. She is robed from her waist downward. Her right arm is extended, +while her left hangs by her side. The background is a landscape. Trees +and vines to the left, and wigwams to the right in the distance, +bordered by a colorless line between fine colored lines. Figures of +value, "$60" on shields in the upper corners. Value, "_Sixty Dollars_" +also in white letters on solid tablets below. Inscriptions, +"_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," in white on solid labels on the sides. +"_U. S._" in colorless capitals on the ground, and "_Postage_" on a band +in colored letters above. Ground vertically lined. Color, rich purple. + + # # # # # + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Postage Stamps, Stamped Env. & Post Cards. + + _Washington D. C., April 25, 1879._ + + The attention of Postmasters is hereby called to the fact, that + on and after the first of May proximo, under the act of March + 3d, 1879, matter of the second class, commonly known as + newspaper and periodical matter, will be entitled to pass + through the mail, at a uniform rate of 2 cents per pound. Care + will be taken not to collect payment on such matter, at more + than that rate. The same general regulations concerning the + collection of newspaper postage, as have been heretofore + promulgated will remain in force, and the same books and blanks + together with the newspaper and periodical stamps, that are now + outstanding will continue to be used. In future, however, the + issue of the three and nine cents denominations of newspaper and + periodical stamps, will be discontinued. * * * * + + A. D. HAZEN, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +Act of the XLV Congress, Session III, Chapter 180, approved March 3rd, +1879, Sections 10 and 14 merely change the classification to a uniform +one at the rate of two cents per pound. + +The Act of the XLVIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved +March 3rd, 1885, provides as stated in Order No. 109 of the Postmaster +General, dated April 24th, 1885, "That all publications of the second +class, * * * shall on and after July 1st, 1885, be entitled to +transmission through the mails at one cent a pound or fraction +thereof. * * * To provide for wants that may arise from this change in +the rate of second class postage, the Department has decided to issue +a newspaper and periodical stamp of the denomination of one cent, the +design and color of which will be the same as those of the present +series of newspaper and periodical stamps of the denomination of from +2 to 10 cents. Stamps of this new denomination will be ready for issue +by the 1st of June, after which all postmasters needing them will make +requisition for suitable supplies." + + +NEWSPAPER AND PERIODICAL STAMPS. + +SERIES OF 1875-1885. + +Plate impression, 24 by 351/2 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + June 1st, 1885, 1 cent, black. + Jan. 1st, 1875, 3 cents, " to April 25th, 1879. + 9 " " " " " + 2 " " + 4 " " + 6 " " + 8 " " + 10 " " + 12 " carmine, + 24 " " + 36 " " + 48 " " + 60 " " + 72 " " + 84 " " + 96 " " + 1 dollar 92 " deep brown + 3 dollars vermilion + 6 " light blue + 9 " orange + 12 dollars rich green + 24 " purplish slate + 36 " dull red + 48 " light brown + 60 " rich purple + +These stamps were not reprinted in 1874, but samples ungummed and +surcharged "specimen" were sold to collectors. + + +OBSERVATIONS. + +A slight change in the regulations now prohibits postmasters from +selling these stamps even to publishers, but the money is received and +the requisite amount in stamps placed upon the stubs and cancelled. The +amount sold and the amount used in an office should now correspond. The +stubs are sent periodically to Washington with the accounts, compared +and destroyed. Used specimens and even unused specimens are likely to +grow rare in collections. + + + + +XXVII. + +OFFICIAL STAMPS. + + +A thorough understanding of the use of these stamps will best be +obtained by a brief review of the system it for a time supplanted, which +was briefly designated as the "Franking Privilege." As early as the 1st +Session of the Second Congress the necessity and propriety of providing +for the carriage of official correspondence and the correspondence of +Government officers and Members of Congress upon public business was +recognized, and Chapter 7, Section 19, approved February 1st, 1792, of +the Acts of that Sessions provided: + + "That the following letters and packets and no others shall be + received and conveyed by post, free of postage under such + restrictions as are hereinafter provided, that is to say: all + letters and packages to or from the President or Vice-President + of the United States, and all letters and packages not exceeding + 2 ounces in weight, to or from any member of the Senate or House + of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, or Clerk of the + House of Representatives, during their actual attendance in any + session of Congress, and twenty days after such session, all + letters to and from the Secretary of the Treasury and his + assistant; Comptroller, Register and Auditor of the Treasury, + Treasurer, Secretary of State, Secretary of War, the Committee + for settling accounts between the United States and individual + States, the Postmaster General and his assistant. Provided that + no person shall frank or enclose any letter or packet other than + his own, but any public letter or packet from the department of + the Treasury may be franked by the Secretary of the Treasury, or + the assistant Secretary, or by the Comptroller, Register, + Auditor or Treasurer, and that each person before named shall + deliver to the post office, every letter or packet enclosed to + him, which may be directed to any other person, noting the place + from whence it comes by post, and the usual postage shall be + charged thereon." + +By various acts of Congress this privilege was gradually extended to +various persons in the employ of the Government until, in 1869, the +Postmaster General stated in his report that fully 31,933 persons were +authorized by the laws to enjoy this privilege. + +As early as 1836, Congress appropriated the sum of $700,000 to pay the +post office department for this carriage of official correspondence. The +abuses became enormous. Signatures with hand stamps were even +recognized. All sorts of favors were extended by persons having the +privilege, to their friends. In 1869 the annual expense to the +department of this free matter was estimated at $5,000,000. To remedy +this abuse, which had the effect of preventing a proper reduction of +postal rates to the general public, as the expenses of the Department, +including the expense of carrying official matter so-called, greatly +exceeded its annual revenue, there was but one remedy--the passage of +an act abolishing the franking privilege and providing by appropriation +for carrying the necessary government dispatches. The Act of the XLII +Congress, Session III, Chapter 82, approved the 27th of January, 1873, +accordingly provided: + + "That the franking privilege be hereby abolished from and after + the first day of July, Anno Domini 1873, and that henceforth all + official correspondence of whatever nature, and other mailable + matter sent from or addressed to any officer of the government + or person now authorized to frank such matter, shall be + chargeable with the same rates of postage as may be lawfully + imposed upon like matter sent by, or addressed to other persons. + Provided that no compensation or allowance shall be now or + hereafter made to Senators or Members and Delegates of the House + of Representatives on account of postage." + +The Act of the XLII Congress, Session III, Chapter 228, approved March +3, 1873, after appropriating so much as should be necessary of a certain +sum for the purchase of postage stamps for each department, continues: + + "That the Postmaster General shall cause to be prepared a + special stamp or stamped envelope to be used only for official + mail matter for each of the executive departments, and said + stamp and stamped envelope shall be supplied by proper officer + of said departments to all persons under its direction requiring + the same for official use, and all appropriations for postage + heretofore made shall no longer be available for said purpose, + and all said stamps and stamped envelopes shall be sold or + furnished to said several departments or clerks only at the + price for which stamps and stamped envelopes of like value are + sold at the several post offices." + +In the report of the Postmaster General for the year ending June 30, +1873, it is stated that: + + "The several Acts for the repeal of the franking privilege + became operative on the first of July last. The results of the + first quarter of the current year are highly satisfactory and + more fully verified the predictions of the friends of the + repeal. * * * Section 4 of the Act of March 3rd, 1873, making it + the duty of the Postmaster General to provide official stamps + and stamped envelopes for the several Executive Departments, has + been strictly complied with. The stamps and envelopes furnished + have been executed in the highest style of art and will compare + favorably with those of any other country. From July 1st to + September 30th of the current year the following varieties, + numbers and values were issued: + + To whom issued. D'minat'n. Number. Value. + The Executive Dep't 5 5,150 200.00 + The State Dep't 14 60,495 20,749.70 + The Treasury Dep't 11 7,842,500 407,000.00 + The War Dep't 11 446,500 17,689.00 + The Navy Dep't 11 247,230 12,239.00 + The Post Office Dep't 10 10,054,660 354,535.00 + The Interior Dep't 10 1,058,475 59,171.00 + The Dep't of Justice 10 65,400 3,900.00 + The Dep't of Agriculture, 9 275,000 20,730.00 + -- ---------- ---------- + Making a total of 91 20,055,410 896,213.70 + + * * * * * + + The stamps for the Departments other than the Post Office do not + differ materially from those for sale to the public except that + each Department has its own distinctive color and legend. The + colors are: For the Executive, carmine; State Department, green; + Treasury, velvet-brown; War, cochineal red; Navy, blue; Post + Office, black; Interior, vermilion; Department of Justice, + purple; and Department of Agriculture, straw color. + + In the stamps for the Post Office Department the medallion head + gives place to a numeral representing the value with the words + "Post Office Department" above and the denomination expressed in + words below. All the official stamps correspond in denomination + with those issued for the public, except in the case of the + State Department, for which four of higher value were made for + dispatch bags. These four are of the denominations of $2, $5, + $10, and $20, respectively, are of large size and printed in two + colors, and bear a profile bust of the late Secretary Seward." + +Elsewhere the Postmaster General states that the stamps were ready the +24th of May, for use the 1st of July, 1873. The following circular was +accordingly issued to postmasters: + + OFFICIAL POSTAGE STAMPS AND STAMPED ENVELOPES. + + [Circular to postmasters.] + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Division of Postage Stamps, Stamped Env. & Post Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., May 15th, 1873._ + + "The Franking Privilege having been abolished, to take effect on + the first day of July, 1873, the Postmaster General is required + by law to provide postage stamps or stamped envelopes of special + design for each of the several Executive Departments of the + Government for the prepayment of postage on official matter + passing through the mails. + + DESCRIPTION. + + In place of the heads on the regular stamps, the official stamps + adopted for the Post Office Department have conspicuous figures + (numerals) to represent the denomination, with the word + "_Official_" above, and the word "_Stamp_" below. + + These printed in black, and resting on an oval shaped + background, render the stamps especially distinctive, and leave + no good excuse for confounding them with the other stamps. To + further distinguish them, the name of the Department is printed + across the top in lieu of the words "U. S. Postage." There is + also a slight difference in the ornamentation of the border. + + In design, the official stamps for the other Departments do not + differ materially from those issued for sale to the public, the + profile busts are retained but each stamp has at the top the + name of the particular Department for which it is provided. + Other changes appearing in the border need not be specified. + + The stamps for each Department have their own distinctive color, + as follows: For the Executive, carmine; State Department, green; + Treasury Department, velvet-brown; War Department, cochineal + red; Navy Department, blue; Interior Department, vermilion; + Department of Justice, purple; Department of Agriculture, straw; + and for the Post Office Department, black. + + The official stamps will correspond in denomination with the + regular stamps except that for the State Department there will + be four additional denominations, viz: two, five, ten and twenty + dollars respectively. These additional stamps are designed from + a profile bust of the late Hon. William H. Seward, and are of + double size and printed in two colors. + + OFFICIAL STAMPS FOR POSTMASTERS. + + Postmasters at all offices will be furnished with the official + stamps of this Department in suitable denominations and amounts + as far as they can be supplied. The Department will exercise its + own discretion in filling requisitions, and will send only in + such denominations and amounts, as the needs of an office may + seem to require. The less important offices, say those at which + the money order system has not been established, will need only + three cent stamps, but comparatively few offices will require + stamps above the denomination of six cents. The higher + denominations will be supplied to a few of the larger offices + only. Postmasters will combine stamps of the most convenient + denominations at hand to meet emergencies for which they may + have no single stamp exactly filling the rate required." + * * * * * * * + + EDWARD W. BARBER, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + + +ISSUE OF JULY 1st, 1873. + +The several denominations for all the departments have certain +characteristics that are common to all stamps of that value, which may +as well be stated once for all, to avoid repetition. + +With the exception of those of the post office department, the head is +the same as that on the ordinary stamp of the same value then current. + +The value is expressed in numerals and words beneath the oval in the +same numerals, letters and scrolls as on the ordinary stamps of the same +value, except that in those for the Post Office Department the numerals +in the 1, 12 and 30 cents and the letters in all are a trifle smaller. + +The ONE CENT has the head of Franklin in an oval as described, the large +"1" dividing "_One Cent_" on a band bordered by heavy white lines as +described, but the ornament across the ends is omitted except in that +for the Executive and Agriculture, and is lessened in that for the +Interior. + +The TWO CENTS has the head of Jackson as described, the large numeral +"2" dividing "_Two Cents_" upon a scroll with white border as described, +the ends of the scroll are, however, differently arranged to accommodate +parts of the design. + +The THREE CENTS has the head of Washington as described, the large "3" +dividing the words "_Three Cents_" upon a scroll as described. + +The SIX CENTS has the head of Lincoln, the large "6" dividing the words +"_Six Cents_" upon a scroll with colorless borders as described. + +The SEVEN CENTS has the head of Stanton, the large "7" dividing the +words "_Seven Cents_" upon a label following the oval and bordered by +the white line between two colored lines and ending in a curve and ball +as described. + +The TEN CENTS has the head of Jefferson, the large "10" dividing the +words "_Ten Cents_" upon a colorless bordered scroll as described. + +The TWELVE CENTS has the head of Clay, the large numerals "2" dividing +the words "_Twelve Cents_" in block letters following the oval bounded +by the white line between two colored lines and curved back as +described. + +The FIFTEEN CENTS has the head of Webster, the large numerals "15" +dividing the words "_Fifteen Cents_" upon a label bordered as described. + +The TWENTY-FOUR CENTS has the head of Scott, no numerals below, the +words "_Twenty-four_" and "_Cents_" upon two labels and in block letters +as described. In that for the Department of Agriculture the upper label +is changed into a scroll with large ends curved backwards, then forwards +and then downwards. + +The THIRTY CENTS has the head of Hamilton, the large numerals "30" on +the shield dividing the words "_Thirty Cents_" in colored letters on the +scroll as described. + +The NINETY CENTS has the head of Perry, the large numerals "90" dividing +the words "_Ninety Cents_" in block letters on a label bordered as +described, but the ends have a small curve inward in those for the Post +Office Department, are square in those for the Interior and Navy +Departments, are curved inwards in that for the War Department, are +terminated by curves forming a point in that for the Department of +Justice, and are square with a projecting small half circle in those for +the Treasury and State Departments. + + +EXECUTIVE. + +The oval containing the bust, the scroll or label and numeral are all +placed upon a back-ground of vertical parallel lines so disposed as to +produce the stripes of the shield or flag. Above and following the oval +a solid colored label inscribed in colorless capitals, "_Executive_," +and bounded by a white and exterior colored line terminating in a +foliated ornament against the oval; foliated ornaments in the corners +forming small white circles enclosing "_U._" and "_S._" on rectangularly +hatched disks. + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm. in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent carmine, 6,800 issued. + 2 cents " 9,100 " + 3 " " 23,500 " + 6 " " 5,500 " + 10 " " 5,150 " + + +DEPARTMENT OF STATE. + +The oval containing the bust, the scroll or label and numeral are all +placed upon a ground of parallel vertical lines. At the top these are +crossed by horizontal lines at about 1 mm. from the edge over a space of +equal width, so as to form a darker band and thus form a double frame +half way down where the darker frame terminates on each side in a round +ball, except in the 12 cents, which has the dark frame all the way +round. In the values with scrolls "_U._" on the left, "_S._" on the +right above the ends of the scrolls in large white letters shaded +outside. In the values with labels the same letters in the corners below +the ends of the labels, also colorless, except in the 15 cents, in which +they are crossed by parallel horizontal lines. Above the ovals "_Dep't +of State_," in similar capitals, large at the sides and gradually +decreasing towards the center. Above these a fine curved colorless line +between colored lines, the lower heavily shaded; beneath the letters a +white ornament terminating on each side in a fleur de lis, and shaded by +colored lines. + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent green, 31,800 issued. + 2 cents green, 41,800 " + 3 " 109,200 " + 6 " 82,100 " + 7 " 37,800 " + 10 " 64,900 " + 12 " 20,800 " + 15 " 22,800 " + 24 " 13,800 " + 30 " 20,100 " + 90 " 6,043 " + +To these are added the four higher values of larger size. These have a +large profile head of Wm. H. Seward, facing to the left, on a hatched +ground forming an oval disk, with a ground of fine parallel lines all +printed in black. The lines are arranged to form a panelled triangle in +the upper corners, the lines being horizontal and light in the borders +and thickened to form the darker panels which contain a foliated +ornament. On a broad colorless, curved label, with rounded ends, +"_Department of_" in outline Roman capitals shaded at top by curved +parallel colored lines, a series of curved parallel colored lines +filling the lower part of the label. Beneath this, in outlined pearled +capitals, following the label and shaded outside, "_State_." At the +sides bunches of rods tied above and below with crossed bands with "_U. +S. A._" in colorless letters below each. Across the bottom a hatched +label with colorless borders inscribed in colorless letters shaded +outside with the value. + +Plate impression 25 by 39 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + Two dollars, black and green, 3,508 issued. + Five " " " 363 " + Ten " " " 363 " + Twenty " " " 363 " + + +TREASURY DEPARTMENT. + +The oval containing the portraits, the scrolls or labels and large +numerals are placed on a background of vertical parallel lines arranged +to form a drapery with fringes, cords and tassels, and a panel similar +to the State Department stamps. At the top a label indicated by a +colorless line curved up at the ends and terminating above in foliated +ornaments, is inscribed "_Treasury_" in the same letters as the other +official stamps with "_U. S._" beneath the left end and "_Dept._" +beneath the right end. + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent velvet-brown, 2,900,000 issued. + 2 cents " 2,484,500 " + 3 " " 11,250,000 " + 6 " " 4,105,000 " + 7 " " 220,000 " + 10 " " 1,291,500 " + 12 " " 783,000 " + 15 " " 663,000 " + 24 " " 100,000 " + 30 " " 456,500 " + 90 " " 312,500 " + +The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in depth, some specimens having +a spotted appearance as if the ink did not work well. + + +WAR DEPARTMENT. + +The oval containing the bust, the scrolls or labels and numerals are +placed on a back ground of parallel vertical lines above and below, +horizontal on the sides. In the upper corners "_U._" on the left, "_S._" +on the right. A curved solid label bordered by a cord, cuts off the +upper corners and is inscribed on the left "_War_" on right "_Dept._" in +the usual capitals. The lines of the sides are arranged to show the +stripes of the flag. A shield on each side above the scrolls or beneath +the labels. + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent cochineal red, 3,301,230 issued. + 2 cents " 1,867,160 " + 3 " " 5,393,137 " + 6 " " 3,584,813 " + 7 " " 55,728 " + 10 " " 342,152 " + 12 " " 792,070 " + 15 " " 284,960 " + 24 " " 201,025 " + 30 " " 336,641 " + 90 " " 48,172 " + +The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in intensity, some being much +lighter and some darker than ordinary. + + +NAVY DEPARTMENT. + +The ovals containing the busts, the labels or scrolls and large numerals +are placed on a ground of vertical parallel lines. A large, six-pointed +star in each upper corner, and a smaller one on each side. A cable runs +round the sides and top. The words "_Navy_" on the left and "_Dept._" on +the right in the usual capitals across the upper corners and a losenge +with "_U._" on the left and "_S._" on the right shaded in the lower +corners and placed diagonally above the scrolls or below the labels. + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, ultramarine-blue, 106,800 issued. + 2 cents " 201,300 " + 3 " " 580,700 " + 6 " " 234,800 " + 7 " " 16,000 " + 10 " " 55,210 " + 12 " " 61,300 " + 15 " " 37,500 " + 24 " " 26,000 " + 30 " " 29,600 " + 90 " " 11,270 " + + +POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. + +The oval as before stated contains a large numeral of value instead of +the head with the word "_Official_" above and "_Stamp_" below, on a +plain colorless ground. Same labels or scrolls and numerals rather +smaller below as in the stamps of other departments, with small circular +disks bearing "_U._" and "_S._" on the left and right above the scrolls +or under the labels. In the 1, 6, 10, 30 and 90 cents these small disks +are shaded by vertical lines, in the other values by diagonal lines, and +the letters are filled with horizontal lines. Around the top of the oval +a solid colored label bordered by colorless lines and inscribed "_Post +Office Department_." There is a small circle with four horizontal lines, +and shaded outside in each upper corner, all on a ground of parallel +vertical lines. + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent black, 1,114,250 issued. + 2 cents " 894,600 " + 3 " " 6,479,700 " + 6 " " 3,306,800 " + 10 " " 182,450 " + 12 " " 298,780 " + 15 " " 109,285 " + 24 " " 87,625 " + 30 " " 133,255 " + 90 " " 65,200 " + +Two complete series of these stamps may be found, the one on white +paper, the other having the surface tinted with the ink of the stamp, +also intermediate or partly tinted specimens, showing that the tinting +probably results from imperfect wiping of the plates. + + +DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. + +The ovals containing the heads, the scrolls, labels and large numerals +are placed on a ground of vertically ruled lines, crossed in parts to +form heavy shadows and showing stripes at the sides, small shields above +the ends of the scrolls and below the ends of the labels, bearing the +"_U._" and "_S._" lined and shaded. A large, six-pointed star in the +upper corners. A broad, colorless band doubly curved and following in +part the outline of the oval above, inscribed in lined and shaded Roman +capitals, "_Dept. of the Interior_." + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent vermilion, 394,800 issued. + 2 cents " 1,414,400 " + 3 " " 5,255,300 " + 6 " " 1,722,500 " + 10 " " 284,550 " + 12 " " 359,850 " + 15 " " 257,100 " + 24 " " 134,125 " + 30 " " 138,300 " + 90 " " 64,377 " + + +DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. + +The ovals containing the heads, bands, scrolls and large numerals are +placed on a ground of vertically ruled lines. Six pointed stars with the +letters "_U._" and "_S._" above the ends of the scrolls or under the +ends of the labels. Diagonally in small capitals in the upper left +corner, "_Dept._" in the right "_of_" and in larger capitals following +the line of the oval, "_Justice_" all in outline Roman capitals heavily +shaded, on the ground without bands. The oval, stars, scrolls, etc., are +also heavily shaded. + +Plate impression 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12. + + 1 cent, purple, 25,000 issued. + 2 cents, " 26,900 " + 3 " " 182,000 " + 6 " " 84,000 " + 10 " " 20,500 " + 12 " " 26,800 " + 15 " " 12,800 " + 24 " " 12,800 " + 30 " " 8,600 " + 90 " " 3,200 " + +The color varies very slightly in intensity. + + +DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. + +The ovals containing the heads, bands scrolls and large numerals are +placed upon a ground of vertically ruled lines, showing stripes at the +sides. A solid label curved with the oval above bounded by a colorless +line and rounded at the ends, is inscribed "_Agriculture_" in outlined +capitals. In small similar capitals in the upper left corner, "_Dept. +of_" in two lines. In the upper right corner in monogram, "_U. S._" + +Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated +12. + + 1 cent, straw, 95,415 issued. + 2 cents " 230,150 " + 3 " " 435,050 " + 6 cents, straw, 120,000 issued. + 10 " " 95,265 " + 12 " " 51,265 " + 15 " " 54,050 " + 24 " " 60,265 " + 30 " " 82,265 " + +By the appropriation acts each year from the Act of the 22 June, 1874, a +certain amount was annually appropriated to each Department for the +purchase from the Post Office Department of such of these official +stamps as were necessary for the use of the Department and its +subordinate officers. By the 9th Section of the Act of the XLIVth +Congress, Session I, Chapter 287, approved the 15th of August, 1876, it +was enacted. + + "That the Secretaries respectively of the Departments of State, + Treasury, War, Navy and Interior and the Attorney General are + authorized to make requisition upon the Postmaster General for + the necessary amount of postage stamps for the use of their + Departments not exceeding the amount stated in the estimates + submitted to Congress, and upon presentation of proper vouchers + therefore at the Treasury, the amount thereof shall be credited + to the appropriation for the Post Office Department for the same + fiscal year." + +This was the beginning of an entire change in the method of crediting +the Post Office Department for work done in carrying official +correspondence. + +By the Act of XLIVth Congress, Session II, Chapter 103, approved March +30, 1877, the law was modified in the following terms: + + Sec. 5. That it shall be lawful to transmit through the mail, + free of postage any letters, packages or other matter relating + exclusively to the business of the Government of the United + States: Provided that every such letter or package to entitle it + to pass free shall bear over the words "Official Business" an + endorsement, showing also the name of the Department, and if + from a bureau or office, the names of the Department and bureau + or office, as the case may be, whence transmitted. And if any + person shall make use of any such official envelope to avoid the + payment of postage on his private letter, package or other + matter in the mail, the person so offending shall be deemed + guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of three hundred + dollars, to be prosecuted in any court of competent + jurisdiction. + + Sec. 6. That for the purpose of carrying this act into effect it + shall be the duty of each of the Executive Departments of the + United States to provide for itself and its subordinate officers + the necessary envelopes, and in addition to the endorsement + designating the Department in which they are to be used, the + penalty for the unlawful use shall be stated thereon. + + Sec. 7. That Senators, Representatives and Delegates in + Congress, the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of + Representatives may send and receive through the mail all public + documents printed by order of Congress, and the name of each + Senator, Representative, Delegate, Secretary of the Senate, and + Clerk of the House, shall be written thereon with the proper + designation of the office he holds, and the provisions of this + section shall apply to each of the persons mentioned therein + until the first day of December following the expiration of + their terms of office. + +By this act the use of official stamps upon mail matter _from_ the +Departments, bureaus and offices was practically abolished, but official +stamps continued to be used by postmasters and other subordinate +officers in their mail matter _to_ the Departments or each other on +official business. + +By the 29th Section of the Act of the XLVth Congress, Chapter 180, +approved March 3d, 1879, it was enacted that,-- + + "The provisions of the 5th and 6th Sections of the Act entitled, + An Act Establishing Post Routes and for other purposes, approved + March 3d, 1877, for the transmission of official mail matter, be + and they are hereby extended to all officers of the United + States Government, and made applicable to all official mail + matter transmitted between any of the officers of the United + States, or between any such officer and either of the Executive + Departments or officers of the Government, the envelopes of such + matter in all cases to bear appropriate endorsements containing + the proper designation of the office from which the same is + transmitted, with a statement of the penalty for their misuse. + And the provisions of said 5th and 6th Sections are hereby + likewise extended and made applicable to all official mail + matter sent from the Smithsonian Institution. Provided, that + this Act shall not extend or apply to pension agents, or other + officers who receive a fixed allowance for their services, + including expenses for postage." + +In his report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878, D. M. Key, +Postmaster General, had already stated that,-- + + "The amount of matter sent through the mails free is very large, + adding greatly to our expenditures and giving us no revenue. The + Franking Privilege has been restored to the members and chief + officers of Congress, so as to allow them to send free almost + anything which they were ever allowed to transmit through the + mails free, except letters. Tons upon tons of books, documents, + seeds, shrubs and the like are placed in our mails free of cost, + on this score. The official letters of the Executive Departments + of the general Government, their documents, etc., go free + through the mails." + +The operation of the act of 1879, however, greatly increased the amount +of free matter, and decreased the use of official stamps. The Post +Office Department discontinued their use entirely. In a circular dated, +Washington, D. C., April 22nd, 1879, and signed by A. D. Hazen, third +assistant Postmaster General, it is stated that: + + "The Department will begin the issue on May 1st next, of + envelopes for official business which will secure the free + transmission through the mails of all official matter and which + are intended to supercede the Post Office envelopes now in use, + as well as official postage stamps and official stamped + envelopes. Accordingly the issue of official stamps and official + stamped envelopes will be discontinued on and after the date + named. * * * The stock of post office envelopes now in the hands + of postmasters will continue until exhausted to be used as + heretofore by the attachment of official postage stamps. So also + official stamped envelopes now in the hands of postmasters at + Presidential offices will be used as heretofore until + exhausted." + +This circular, of course, applies only to stamps, etc., of the Post +Office Department. The other Departments continued to use them for +certain purposes, though none were issued to the Executive Department. +The report of the Postmaster General for the year ending June 30th, +1885, says: + + "The use of official stamps and stamped envelopes was wholly + discontinued by this Department and substantially so by the + other Departments on the 30th of June, 1879, under the Act + authorizing the use of official penalty envelopes." + +By the Act of the XLVIIIth Congress, Session I, Chapter 234, Section 3, +approved July 5, 1884, the provisions of the Act of 1879, were +substantially re-enacted with the addition that any Department or +officer authorized to use the penalty envelopes, might enclose them to +any person from whom an answer was requested, and might register any +letter required by law, or the regulations to be registered free, and +might receive any letter partly paid free, and added that: + + "Section 3915 of the Revised Statutes of the United States so + far as the same relates to stamps and stamped envelopes for + official purposes is hereby repealed." + +To this the report of the Postmaster General for 1885, adds: + + "The use of official postage stamps and stamped envelopes having + ceased on the 30th of June, 1884, and the same having been + declared invalid for postages by the Act of July 5th, 1884, the + stock remaining in the hands of the stamp and envelope + contractors was destroyed in February last, under the + supervision of the committee appointed by the Postmaster + General." + +From the report of this committee it appears that they destroyed in all, +17,024,588 official stamps, and 1,739,290 of ordinary and newspaper +stamps that had ceased to be of use. Also that about 21/2 per cent of all +the stamps manufactured annually, are destroyed, a single imperfect +specimen on the "sheet" of 100 causing the rejection of at least fifty +or half the sheet. + + + + +XXVIII. + +OFFICIAL SEALS. + + +The Post Office Department of the United States, besides the stamps for +the collection of postage, has employed from time to time for special +usages certain seals which, as they are adhesive and in the form of +postage stamps and officially used, are here described, although they +are of no postal value and not properly stamps, but are all employed to +indicate that the packages which bear them are properly secured and have +not been tampered with in transit. + + +REGISTERED PACKAGE SEAL. + +This is a large rectangular seal 711/2 by 39 mm., in the form of an +adhesive stamp duly gummed and perforated. After the letters or parcels +of registered letters were duly placed in the large registered package +envelopes employed for the purpose, one of these seals was firmly +secured over the tongue of the envelope and duly stamped with the date +of mailing. It is simply an additional guarantee to the receiving office +that the package has not been opened since it was sealed at the sending +office. A circular announcing its issue and directing its use was issued +from the office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General at Washington, +dated February 14, 1872. A second circular from the same office dated +1875, without stating the month or day, announces the adoption of a +differently constructed envelope and the abandonment of the use of the +registered seal. + + +ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 14, 1872. + +Large, oblong, rectangular seals, having in the middle a circular disk +with ground of fine concentric circles, so broken as to present the +appearance of white rays, bounded by two heavier, but still fine colored +lines, separated by a colorless line, and and a broad colorless band +with exterior colored line, inscribed in plain block, colored capitals, +above "_Stamp Here_," below, "_Date_" and "_Place of Mailing_" separated +by a small maltese cross on each side. On each side of this is a ground +of horizontal lines bordered by a heavy colored line with ornamental +triangles of solid color, with colorless geometric lines forming the +corners. Outside all a single colored line. On the ground in three lines +of colored capitals, on each side are the inscriptions: on the left, +reading from the bottom to the top, "_Post Office_," "_Department_"; on +the right, reading from the top to the bottom, "_United States_," "_of +America_"; in the upper corner triangles "_U. S._" in monogram; in the +lower, "_P. O. D._" in white capitals. Across the middle of the whole +stamp in large block capitals 81/2 mm. high and shaded by horizontal lines +is the word "_Registered_." + +Plate impression, 711/2 by 39 mm., printed in color, on white paper, +perforated 12. + + No value, green. + +A second seal employed for a time by the United States Postage Stamp +Agency upon the packages of stamps sent out to postmasters, was equally +an additional guarantee against opening or tampering with the package. + + +ISSUE OF (END) 1875. + +A large rectangle bearing in the center the monogram, "_U. S._" in large +colorless capitals in an oval of geometric colored lines, surrounded by +a ground of interlaced colorless geometric lines on color. A frame of +fifteen colored parallel lines crossing in the angles. A clover leaf of +geometric work, also in the corners. On the frame above in large +colorless capitals, "_U. S. Postage Stamp Agency_," all in brown. A +black surcharge of eight lines reads: "_Postmasters Receiving this +Package--Will Please--Note Its Condition--If showing signs of having +been tam--pered with, report the same and return--this package to 3d +Asst. P. M. General, at--Washington, D. C. This Package--Should be +opened at the end. E. W. Barber, 3d Asst. P. M. G._" Lithographed in +color on white paper, but not perforated, 102 by 52 mm. + + No value, brown and black. + +This was afterwards changed by merely changing the signature to "_A. D. +Hazen, 3d Asst. P. M. G._" and the surcharge to vermilion. + +Lithographed in color on white paper and not perforated. + + No value, brown and vermilion. + +[The latter are still in use. Dec., '86]. + +A third seal was employed by the Dead Letter Office at Washington, and +afterwards by other offices, to reseal letters opened at that office or +broken in the mails. It was placed upon the flap of the envelope of +letters opened at the Dead Letter Office, in order to ascertain the name +of the sender, or on letters opened by the wrong persons through +mistake, or upon the torn places of other packages. + + +ISSUE OF (BEGINNING OF) 1877. + +A large rectangle with small head of Liberty, full face in an oval 11 by +8 mm. in the center. Above in curved line of colored block letters, +"_Post Office Department_," below in double curve of Old English colored +letters, "_United States of America_." On each side of the oval a solid +label bearing in large colorless letters on left, "_Officially_," on +right "_Sealed_." In the corners "_U. S._" in monogram. The frame is a +broad band 3 mm. wide, vertically lined forming a rectangle with rounded +corners, double lined outside and inside and shaded. The ground is +covered with the words "_Post Obitum_" repeated in whole or part 180 +times, in horizontal lines. On the frame below "National Bank Note +Company New York" in small colored letters. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, 431/4 by 27 mm., perforated +12. + + No value, brown. + + +ISSUE OF 1879. + +The foregoing stamp was replaced in 1879, by another of the same design, +but the words "_Post Obitum_" in the ground are replaced by a pattern of +interlaced circles. The same name on the frame. + +Plate impression, in color, on white paper, 431/4 by 27 mm., perforated +12. + + No value, brown. + + + + +XXIX. + +REPRINTS. + + +There seems to have been no special law authorizing the Postmaster +General to issue reprints of the stamps of the United States, or as the +authorities choose to call them, "Specimen Postage Stamps." On the other +hand his general authority under the law is sufficient to make any +re-issue for postal purposes of any of the issues of the Department +legal, for none of them except the official stamps have ever been made +invalid for postal purposes by any authority but his own, and this +authority he undoubtedly has also. It has always seemed expedient to the +Department to issue certain specimens of the stamps and envelopes in +circulation, or to be circulated, from time to time, in the proper, as +well as in trial colors. It has been said that it being considered +expedient to exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition a complete series of +all the various issues authorized from time to time, by the Department, +as a part of its history, and unused specimens not being easily +obtained, the old dies and plates were taken from their places of +storage in order to print the necessary specimens, and that the +Department having been solicited to furnish collectors with specimens of +its old issues, took this opportunity to provide itself to satisfy these +demands. It was, however, a mistaken kindness and unused originals were +not unattainable. So that for exhibition purposes even reprinting was +not necessary. Besides as the reprints or specimens of all except the +current series, are in some respects or other unlike the originals, they +were really only so many tolerably accurate pictures of what had been. + +When the Department was ready to furnish collectors with these doubtful +boons the following official circular was issued: + + SPECIMEN POSTAGE STAMPS. + + POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, + Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General, + Div. of Postage Stamps, St'ped Envelopes & Postal Cards. + + _Washington, D. C., March 27, 1875._ + + The Department is prepared to furnish upon application, at face + value, specimens of adhesive postage stamps issued under its + auspices as follows: + + + Ordinary Stamps for Use of the Public. + + 1. Issue of 1847. Denominations, 5 and 10 cents. Value of set, + 15 cents. + + 2. Issue of 1851. Denominations, 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 24, 30 and 90 + cents; also two separate designs of 1 cent carrier stamps. + Value of set, $1.77. + + 3. Issue of 1861. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 + and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.92. + + 4. Issue of 1869. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 + and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 5. Issue of 1870 (current series). Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, + 10, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + + Official Stamps. + + 1. Executive. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 cents. Value of + set, 22 cents. + + 2. Department of State. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents, and $2, $5, $10 and $20. Value of Set, + $39. + + 3. Treasury Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + 4. War Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 24, + 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + 5. Navy Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, 24, + 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $2. + + 6. Post Office Department. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 7. Department of the Interior. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, + 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 8. Department of Justice. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, + 24, 30 and 90 cents. Value of set, $1.93. + + 9. Department of Agriculture. Denominations, 1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 12, + 15, 24 and 30 cents. Value of set, $1.03. + + + Newspaper and Periodical Stamps. + + 1. Issue of 1865. Denominations, 5, 10 and 25 cents. Value of + set, 40 cents. + + 2. Issue of 1874. Denominations, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, + 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 cents, $1.92, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, + $48 and $60. Value of set, $204.66. + + The 1847 and 1851 stamps are obsolete, and no longer receivable + for postage. The subsequent issues of ordinary stamps are still + valid. The newspaper and periodical stamps of 1865 are also + uncurrent; those of the issue of 1874 can be used only by + publishers and news agents for matter mailed in bulk under the + Act of June 23rd, 1874. The official stamps cannot be used + except for the official business of the particular Department for + which it is provided. + + All the specimens furnished will be ungummed, and the official + stamps will have printed across the face the word "Specimen" in + small type. It will be useless to apply for gummed stamps or for + official stamps with the word "Specimen" omitted. + + The stamps will be sold by sets, and application must not be made + for less than one full set of any issue except the State + Department official stamps and newspaper and periodical stamps of + the issue of 1874. The regular set of the former will embrace all + the denominations from 1 cent to 90 cents inclusive, valued at + $2; and any or all of the other denominations ($2, $5, $10 and + $20) will be added or sold separately from the regular set as + desired. + + The newspaper and periodical stamps will be sold in quantities of + not less than two dollars worth in each case, of any denomination + or denominations that may be ordered. + + Under no circumstances will stamps be sold for less than their + face value. + + Payment must invariably be made in advance in current funds of + the United States. Mutilated currency, internal revenue and + postage stamps, bank checks and drafts, will not be accepted, but + will in all cases be returned to the sender. + + To insure greater certainty in the transmission, it is strongly + urged that remittances be made either by money order or + registered letter. Applicants will also include a sufficient + amount for return postage and registry fee, it being desirable to + send stamps by registered letter. Losses in the mails or by any + mode of transmission must be at the risk of the purchaser. + + [Symbol: Right Index] Applications must be addressed to "The + Third Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, D. C." + + Specimens of stamped envelopes will not be furnished in any case. + + E. W. BARBER, + Third Assistant Postmaster General. + +Here is truly a pretty kettle of fish. The proceedings do not seem to +have been reported by the Department, and there seems to have been no +account rendered of this peculiar transaction of the Stamp Office. +Doubtless the amounts received for these specimens and the number of +them sold are blended in the accounts of the number of stamps sold and +no loss accrued to the service. The public are not, however, informed of +the extent of the transactions, and judging from the difficulty of +finding these specimens in collections, the business was not large. + +There was no law preventing any one from purchasing either the newspaper +or periodical stamps from the Post office, and at the time there was +probably no regulation of the Department which prevented postmasters +from selling them to all desirous of purchasing. Certainly some were +sold to dealers and collectors. Hence the privilege of purchasing the +current newspaper and periodical stamps _without gum_ for the same price +that actual and complete copies could be obtained, particularly in view +of the fact that the purchaser, unless a publisher or agent, could not +use them when so purchased, even if he were willing to gum them himself, +was probably not largely taken advantage of. The specimens when found +can hardly be called reprints and cannot be distinguished from the +ordinary stamps that have by some accident lost their gum. There is +reason to believe that some of them have been adorned with this +appendage by private parties, so that the presence of gum is no +guarantee of genuineness. As, however, they are only partly finished +stamps of the regular issue, no great harm is done if a specimen is +treasured in a collection. + +With the newspaper stamps of the 1865 issue the facts are different. +While they are from the same plates apparently, they can generally be +detected by the color. As the five cents with white border does not +appear in the list of reprints or "specimens" the series was not, after +all, complete, and the possessor of this stamp may feel confident of +possessing an original. The companion five cents with colored border is +exactly of the same color, varying only in different specimens of either +variety in depths of color. The blue of the reprints is of a different +shade, more intense and perhaps the difference can best be expressed by +saying there is a _bloom_ about it that there is not about the +originals. When the two are placed side by side the homely expression +that the "new is worn off" of the originals will serve to express the +difference, though in point of fact they never had the brightness of the +reprints. The same remarks apply to the old and new ten cent values. The +color of the 25 cents, is, however, very badly imitated, the originals +have a yellowish-red cast, the reprint is a dull common red. A very +good idea of it might be had by comparing what are called salmon brick +and pressed brick together. Unfortunately some unscrupulous parties have +"experimented" with the reprints and thus rendered some specimens rather +harder to distinguish, but so far as the observation of the writer goes, +comparison with originals will always satisfactorily expose the +difference. + +The extreme anxiety of the Department that the revenue of the service +should not suffer by the use of a private party of an official stamp for +which he had paid the department full value, led as the advertisement +states to the placing of the word "specimen" in small type across the +face, and thereby saved the collector any trouble in identifying +"specimens" from originals, though as the stamps were current the +omission of the gum only reduced them to partly finished stamps, and not +to the category of reprints or counterfeits. + +Of the "ordinary stamps for the use of the public," the 5th or 1870 +issue was then current, and why ungummed stamps which the circular says +were never the less available for postage, should have been sold when +the Department had a large supply of finished originals at command, is a +mystery to all but official minds. + +The 4th or 1869 series presents greater difficulties to the collector +who desires to have only genuine originals. Made by the same company +that produced the originals, and only a short time afterwards, the +processes of printing, ink and paper making had not materially changed, +but the reprints show signs of more careful workmanship. Notwithstanding +the circular some of them at least were sent out by the department +gummed. But strange to say as noticed by Mr. Coster (A. J. P. 1875 page +6) the gum of the originals "varied from decidedly brownish to almost +white" and "on the 1861-69 issues of the reprints (as also on the +eagles) simple gum arabic seems to have been used, the color being +perfectly white. Furthermore, if the stamps are bent at all, the gum +cracks, which is in no case true of the originals." Mr. Coster further +says, "the originals all had the grille and the reprints have not." +Unfortunately, Mr. Coster was not aware that the four higher values at +least, with the brownish gum and without the grille, and undoubtedly +original, existed in collections before the reprints were made, and have +since been officially stated to have been so issued, and other values +also in that condition are known, which have every appearance of being +originals. Unfortunately also, it is not very difficult to remove the +gum, imitate the grille or not and regum the stamp with brownish gum. +Such experiments have been made with fair success by members of that +fraternity who exist by the trade in bogus antiquities and counterfeit +evidences of value, who sometimes do these little things merely to +experience the delight they feel in deceiving the so-called experts, +especially when as in this case a known reprint is almost unsalable, +but if it can be made to pass as an original its value is increased +several hundred fold and its salable qualities many times more. +Fortunately there are not a large number of the reprints to encounter +and grilled specimens are in all probability original. The 3d or 1861 +issue was also made by the same company that did the reprinting. The +originals were issued first without the grille and afterwards with it, +both had the brownish gum. The reprints have the same perforation and, +notwithstanding the circular, were issued both without the gum and with +the white stiff gum noticed above. Originals without the grille are +rarely on tinted or surfaced paper, though sometimes smurched in parts +from careless wiping of the plates. Originals with the grille are +generally on lightly tinted or surfaced paper and the colors are usually +stronger than the earlier ones. The reprints were without the grille, +but the colors are rather those of the grilled originals, the paper is +however whiter, the printing more carefully worked, and there is the new +look about them noticed when speaking of the reprints of the newspaper +series of 1865. Sheets of the one cent reprinted show the printer's +imprint on the sides and of the pattern of that on the 1869 issue. All +the originals of this value probably had the imprint of the other +pattern, and at the top or bottom. The reprints are therefore, probably +from new plates. + +A few reprints with a forged grille have come under the observation of +the writer, but as the grille was the small grille imitated from that on +the 1869 issue it was easily detected. + +The 2nd or 1851 issue, as it is called in the circular, actually +consisted of two series, the imperforate and perforate. Imperforate +reprints were not furnished. The originals were perforated 15 to the mm. +or 17 to the 7/8 of an inch. The reprints were perforated 12 to the mm. +or 13 to the 7/8 of an inch. This is the perforation of the 1870 series +and of most of the U. S. stamps. + +This is an absolute test then for perforated specimens. Attempts are, +however, made to palm off trimmed reprints as imperforate specimens. The +originals are on a yellowish paper and with brown gum. The reprints on a +very white paper originally but easily manipulated to yellowish. The +reprint of the one cent is from a new plate, the stamps have the outside +fine labels of the original imperforate series, but are set farther +apart on the plate so that even the larger perforation used does not cut +into the stamp. The blue is too bright. The reprinted three cents has +the outer top and bottom lines of the original imperforate stamp. The +stamps do not seem to have been set quite far enough apart on the plate, +as most specimens are somewhat marred by the large perforation. The +color is however a vermilion and not the brick-red, pink or carmine of +the originals. The reprinted five cents is from plate No. 2 without the +top and bottom projection, and the stamps being too near together are +marred by the large perforation. The color is a decided yellow brown, +unlike any of the shades of the original. It would probably be +impossible to remove the perforation so as to make this stamp pass for +an imperforate specimen and then it would lack the projection of the +original. + +The ten and twelve cents are harder to distinguish, the green is too +green, the black too black. The twenty-four, thirty and ninety cents +were not issued imperforate (except the very rare instances of the 24 +cents) and are not likely to deceive any one, their colors, however, are +the more brilliant new colors and not the old dull colors of the +originals. + +The reprinted "Eagle" Carrier's stamp was first sent out perforated 12, +the original was, of course, imperforate, and the stamps upon the sheet +were separated by colored lines. The perforations of the reprints made +sad havoc with these. Later the reprints were sent out imperforate. Such +originals as the present writer has seen are on a yellowish tinted paper +arising probably from the gum or age, the reprints are on a paper blued +on the printed side by the ink of the stamp and with a blue cast at the +back. + +The reprinted "Franklin" Carrier's stamp is on too deep a pink paper and +the dark blue ink is not deep and dull enough. + +Finally the only safe test of any of these stamps is comparison with +undoubted originals, in every case of doubt. + +The first or 1847 reprints are not from the original plates nor even +from the original dies, but from newly engraved dies, and hence are +absolutely worthless as representing the originals. They are not +reprints, but official imitations. In speaking of this issue it was +stated that the Department had ordered all remainders to be burnt and +the plates and dies destroyed. Supposing this to have been done +reprinting was impossible. To take the place of the originals, new dies +were made. + +The imitations are both wider and shorter than the originals. The +foliated ornaments are too conspicuous in both. The small letters, R. W. +H. and E. in the margins, though clear in the originals are too small, +and particularly in the five cents almost illegible, being too light, +and apparently the engraver did not know whether to make an R or an H, +an M or a W, an H or an N, an E or an F. These are the general and +common differences. + +The Five Cents. The hair on the right of the head (left of the stamp) is +in heavy dark masses in the original, but is too light, open and airy in +the imitation. The mouth prolonged in the original beyond the dot on the +right, ends with it in the imitation, in which there is a second dot to +the right of the first. The eyes are clear and distinct in the original, +with perhaps too much white in the right one, they are weak undecided +eyes in the imitation. The shirt front in the original is terminated by +a diagonal line which reaches the oval above the top of the F of "Five" +in the original, but is more nearly horizontal in the imitation, +reaching the oval nearly on a line with the top of the 5. + +The Ten Cents. In the hair on the right of the stamp there is a small, +white circle with a dark center in the imitation which does not appear +in the original. The lips are larger and the mouth longer in the +original than the imitation, but in the latter the lower lip is +indicated throughout by vertical lines, in the original there are three +vertical lines, the rest indicated by points. In the original the white +cravat is separated from the inner colored line marking the oval by a +fine white line with a colored line above it; in the imitation the line +of the oval terminates the cravat. The lines of the face are all too +stiff and ridged and the execution does not compare in delicacy and +boldness of touch with the original. + + + + +INDEX. + + + Agriculture Department; 230, 243 + + Alexandria; 28, 60 + + + Baltimore; 28, 62, 63 + + Baltimore, Horseman; 63 + + Brattleboro; 28, 48, 50 + + + Carrier Stamps; 87, 88, 100, 191, 264 + + Compulsory prepayment; 23, 90, 91 + + + Eight Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 218 + + Eighty-four Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Executive Department; 230, 235 + + + Fifteen Cents, 1866; 131, 135, 136, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 142, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 153, 191 + " 1870; 166, 170, 173 + " 1873; 176 + " 1883; 195 + " Official; 234 + + Fifty Cents, Postage Due; 202 + + Five Cents, 1847; 76, 78, 191, 265 + " 1856; 94, 107, 191 + " 1857; 110, 120, 191 + " 1861; 126, 134, 135, 191 + " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1875; 178 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 181 + " 1883; 196 + " Newspapers, 1865; 191 + " Postage Due; 200 + + Five Dollars, State Department; 237 + + Four Cents, 1883; 187, 189, 196 + " Newspapers, 1874; 218 + + Forty-eight Cents, " 1874; 219 + + Forty-eight Dollars," 1874; 222 + + + Grille of 1867; 138, 139, 140 + " 1869; 157 + " 1870; 170 + + + Interior Dep't; 230, 241 + + Introduction; 13 + + Issue of 1847; 74, 191, 265 + " 1851; 81, 85, 87, 88, 191, 263 + " 1855; 94, 191 + " 1856; 94, 191 + " 1857; 110, 191 + " 1860; 111, 191 + " 1861; 122, 125, 191, 261 + " 1863; 131, 191 + " 1865; 209, 191 + " 1866; 132, 191 + " 1867; 137, 191 + " 1869; 144, 149, 191, 260 + " 1870; 158, 191, 260 + " 1873; 173, 227 + " 1874; 214 + " 1875; 177 + " 1879; 201 + " 1882; 180 + " 1883; 186, 189, 195 + " 1885; 205 + " 1887; 196 + + + Justice Dep't; 230, 242 + + + Millbury; 28, 65 + + + Navy Dep't; 230, 240 + + Newspaper and Periodical, 1865; 209, 259 + " " " 5 cts.; 211 + " " " 10 cts.; 212 + " " " 25 cts.; 213 + " " 1874; 214 + + New Haven; 28, 51, 53 + + New York; 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33 + + New York "U. S. Mail"; 34 + + Nine Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 191, 192, 218 + + Nine Dollars, " " ; 221 + + Ninety Cents, 1860; 112, 121, 191 + " 1861; 129, 135, 136, 191 + " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 156, 191 + " 1870; 169, 170, 173 + " 1873; 176 + " 1883; 195, 196 + " Official; 235 + + Ninety-six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + + Official Stamps; 227 + + Official Seals; 249 + + Officially Sealed; 250 + + One Cent Carrier, Eagle; 88, 109, 191, 264 + " " Franklin; 87, 109, 191, 264 + " 1851; 85, 89, 97, 191 + " 1857; 110, 113, 191 + " 1861; 125, 133, 134, 135, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 149, 191 + " 1870; 161, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 183 + " 1883; 195 + " 1886; 183 + " 1887; 183 + " 1887; 196 + " Newspaper, 1885; 224 + " Official; 233 + " Postage Due; 200 + + One Dollar and Ninety-two Cents, Newspaper, 1874; 220 + + + Philadelphia; 69 + + Pittsfield; 71 + + Postage Due; 198 + " 1, 2, 3, 5; 200 + " 10, 30, 50; 202 + + Postmarks; 14 to 18 + + Post Obitum; 252 + + Post Office Department; 230 + + Postmasters Stamps; 25, 72 + + Providence; 23, 54, 56 + + + Registered Seals; 249 + + Registered Seals for stamp packages; 250 + + Reprints; 254 + + + St. Louis; 27, 28, 36, 38 + " 2 Cents; 47 + " 5 " ; 40 + " 10 " ; 42 + " 20 " ; 44 + + Seven Cents, 1870; 159, 169, 170, 172, 173, 191, 192 + " 1873; 176 + " Official; 234 + + Seventy-two Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Six Cents, 1869; 151, 191 + " 1870; 159, 164, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175, 176 + " 1882; 184, 190, 192 + " 1883; 196 + " 1886; 192 + " Newspapers, 1874; 218 + " Official; 234 + + Sixty Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Sixty Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 223 + + Six Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 220 + + Specimen Postage Stamps; 225 + + Special Delivery; 204 + + State Department; 230, 236 + + + Ten Cents, 1847; 77, 79, 191, 266 + " 1855; 94, 108, 191 + " 1857; 110, 121, 191 + " 1861; 127, 135, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 151, 191 + " 1870; 159, 165, 170, 173 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 185 + " 1883; 185, 186 + " 1886; 196 + " 1887; 186 + " Newspapers, 1874; 218 + " Official; 234 + " Postage Due; 202 + " Special Delivery; 204 + + Ten Dollars, State; 237 + + Thirty Cents, 1860; 111, 112, 121, 191 + " 1861; 129, 135, 136, 191 + " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 155, 191 + " 1870; 168, 170, 173 + " 1873; 176 + " 1883; 196 + " Official; 235 + " Postage Due; 202 + + Thirty-six Cents, Newspapers, 1874; 219 + + Thirty-six Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 222 + + Three Cents, 1851; 85, 89, 98, 191 + " 1857; 110, 115, 191 + " 1861; 126, 134, 135, 191 + " 1867 grilled all over; 138, 191 + " " large grille; 139, 191 + " " medium grille; 139, 191 + " " small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " " imperforate; 142, 191 + " 1869; 150, 191 + " 1870; 163, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175, 176 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 184, 186, 190, 192 + " 1883; 196 + " 1886-7; 192 + " Official; 234 + " Newspapers, 1874; 191, 192, 218 + " Postage due; 200 + + Three Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 220 + + Treasury Dept; 230, 238 + + Twelve Cents, 1851; 86, 89, 108, 191 + " 1857; 110, 121, 191 + " 1861; 127, 135, 191 + " 1867 medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867 small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1869; 152, 191 + " 1870; 159, 165, 170, 173, 191, 192 + " 1883; 196 + " Newspapers, 1874; 219 + " Official; 234 + + Twelve Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 221 + + Twenty Dollars, State; 237 + + Twenty-four Cents, 1856; 93, 108, 191 + " " 1860; 111, 112, 121, 191 + " " 1861; 128, 135, 136, 191 + " " 1867; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " " 1869; 154, 191 + " " 1870; 167, 170, 173, 191, 192 + " " 1873; 176 + " " Newspapers, 1874; 219 + " " Official; 234 + + Twenty-four Dollars, Newspapers, 1874; 222 + + Two Cents, 1863; 131, 135, 191 + " 1867, medium grille; 139, 191 + " 1867, small grille; 140, 141, 142, 191 + " 1867, imperforate; 142, 191 + " 1869; 150, 191 + " 1870; 161, 170, 172, 173 + " 1873; 175 + " 1875; 177 + " 1881; 180 + " 1882; 184, 186 + " 1883; 187, 189, 195 + " Official; 234 + " Newspaper; 218 + " Postage Due; 200 + + Two Dollars, State; 237 + + + Uniform Postage; 23 + + Unpaid Letter Stamps; 200 + + Unperforated Specimens, 1867; 142 + " " 1870; 172 + + U. S. Mail; 34 + + U. S. City Dispatch Post; 19, 22 + + + War Department; 230, 239 + + Washington; 31, 67 + + Worcester; 70 + + + + +THE + +=PHILATELIC CATALOGUE= + +OF POSTAGE STAMPS, STAMPED ENVELOPES +AND POSTAL CARDS. + +BY MAJOR EDW. B. EVANS, R. A. + + +This work is fully illustrated with engravings, also gives full +description of all stamps, particulars as to printing, perforation, +paper, watermarks, colors, as well as market price. Also valuable notes +by the author on subjects pertaining to the stamps. + +The following is the plan of the work: + + Part 1. Adhesives. + Part 2. Stamped Envelopes. + Part 3. Postal Cards. + +Each part is divided into sections: + + Section 1. America. + Section 2. Great Britain and Colonies. + Section 3. Europe. + Section 4. Asia, Africa and Australasia. + +Each section is divided into groups, the groups of Part 1, Section 1 are +now ready and are as follows: + + Group 1. United States (including Confederate issues). + Group 2. Mexico and Central America. + Group 3. U. S. of Columbia and states. + Group 4. Other South American countries. + +The price of each group is 10c; a new one will be published every month. + +The work is limited to 500 copies and when completed will be the +greatest philatelic work ever published. + +Subscriptions received $1.00 per 10 parts, until the number 500 is +reached subscribers will receive the first numbers. + +_C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher,_ +_Room 71, Turner Building._ _ST. LOUIS, MO._ + + + + +THE + +=Improved Stamp Album.= + +With a rational plan for the arrangement of a collection of stamps. +Copyrighted. + + +This is a blank album manufactured expressly for the purpose. + +Good paper is used; size of pages 81/2 by 11 inches; a neat border +surrounds each page and an ornamental band at top for the reception of +the name of the country. Neatly printed names are provided on adhesive +paper. + +Guards or stubs are bound between the pages, so that when filled it will +not bulge, it is equally well adapted for postal cards, stamps or +envelopes. + +One thousand lithographed stamp mounts are furnished with each album. +The stamp mounts are on a new plan, a neat black border surrounds the +stamp, and the mounts are provided in different sizes for the various +stamps. + + No. 1. Album 168 pp., bound in cloth, good paper, with + names and 1000 mounts $2.00 + + No. 2. Album 328 pp., same as above but border printed + on only one side of the page $3.00 + + No. 3. Album 500 pp., same style as the No. 3, better + paper, printed on one side of page $5.00 + + No. 4. Album 500 pp., handsomely bound in leather, + superior paper, printed on one side of page $7.50 + + No. 5. Portfolio, with 200 sheets fine card-board, printed + on one side with names and mounts $5.00 + +The album has given satisfaction wherever it has been sold. + +C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher, +_Room 71, Turner B'l'g_, _ST. LOUIS, MO._ + + + + +THE + +=Philatelic Journal of America.= + + +A large monthly magazine published in interest of stamp collecting. + +Contributed to, by the leading philatelic writers of the day, including, +Major Edw. B. Evans, R. A., James M. Chute, John K. Tiffany, Edw. B. +Hanes, Lieut. J. M. T. Partello, Joseph J. Casey, E. B. Sterling, Wm. E. +Stone, and many others. + +The latest information regarding newly issued stamps and discoveries may +always be found. + +Reports of the proceedings of the leading American philatelic societies. + +Answers to questions, and open letters on current topics, are important +departments. + +The Philatelic Catalogue, by Major Edw. B. Evans, is being published in +monthly installments. + + +SUBSCRIPTION. + +Sent post free, 50 cents per annum, to United States, Canada and Mexico; +75 cents per annum to all countries in the Universal Postal Union. + +$1. per annum to Natal, Cape of Good Hope, Transvaal and Australian +Colonies. + +Payment must be made in advance. Subscription can commence at any time. +Back numbers of current volume, 10 cents each. + + +UNBOUND COPIES, VOLS. I AND II. + +Volume I. March, 1885--February, 1886. 12 numbers, 250p., $3. + +Volume II. March, 1886--February, 1887. 12 numbers, 350p., $1. + +_C. H. MEKEEL, Philatelic Publisher_, +Room 71, Turner Building, ST. LOUIS, MO. + + + + +C. H. MEKEEL, + +PHILATELIC PUBLISHER + +--AND-- + +=POSTAGE STAMP DEALER,= + + +Solicits business relations with all philatelists. Rarities are always +on hand for the advanced collector. Rare stamps bought for cash or taken +in exchange. + +New issues and novelties always on hand. A fine stock of desirable +stamps at very reasonable prices. Selections of stamps on approval sent +to responsible parties. Agents wanted for the sale of stamps on liberal +commission. + +Foreign correspondence and exchange solicited. + +A large wholesale stock for sale by 10, 100 or 1000 at lowest prices. +Mexican, South and Central American stamps is a specialty in wholesale +trade. Hundreds of thousands of these stamps imported yearly. + +Cash paid for U. S. Department stamps, Newspaper and Periodical stamps, +Old U. S. Envelopes, Confederate and U. S. Locals. + +Large or old collections wanted for cash. Send for U. S. Exchange list. + +Inquiries should contain stamp for reply. + +C. H. MEKEEL, +_Room 71, Turner Building_, _ST. LOUIS, MO._ + + + # # # # # + +Transcriber's Notes: + +5. Obvious punctuation errors have been corrected without comment. + +6. Inconsistent quote marks in cited materials have been retained. + Mismatched quotes have been repaired. + +7. Inconsistent abbreviations, punctuation, character spacing, etc., + have been made uniform. + +8. Inconsistent variations of millimeter fractions, _i. e._ 1/2 (with + forward slash) and 1-2 (stacked 1 over 2), etc. have been made + consistent. + +9. Right justified page numbers in the "INDEX" have been replaced by + a left justified semi-colon ";" immediately followed by the + referenced page numbers. + +10. SPELLING CORRECTIONS: (#) shows number of times word was correctly + spelled in the text. + + p. 47, "apperance" to "appearance" (14) (has a blurred appearance) + p. 47, "diffent" to "different" (30) (a different design) + p. 48, "Brattleborro" to "Brattleboro" (8) (of Brattleboro, Vermont) + p. 50, "seperately" to "separately" (7) (stamp separately engraved) + p. 52, "accomodation" to "accommodation" (7) (as an accommodation;) + p. 53, "impresions" to "impressions" (102) (re-impressions in red) + p. 55, "orignally" to "originally" (11) (originally ruled into spaces) + p. 64, "permiting" to "permitting" (4) (permitting to be used) + p. 78, "Terell" to "Terrell" (2) (Mr. Terrell, Third Assistant + Postmaster General) + p. 80, "Goverment" to "Government" (34) (dies by the Government) + p. 88, "Pastmaster" to "Postmaster" (200) (the Postmaster General) + p. 91, "postmater" to "postmaster" (200) (unlawful for any postmaster) + p. 92, "Priviledge" to "Privilege" (13) (the Franking Privilege) + p. 93, "lettters" to "letters" (200) (amount on letters) + p. 94, "Casellar" to "Cassilar" (2) (Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar & Co.) + p. 104, "prolongued" to "prolonged" (3) (right side prolonged) + (this correction is noted on the publishers "Errata" page) + p. 107, "vermillion" to "vermilion" (15) (with yellowish vermilion) + p. 110, "millemetres" to "millimetres" (2) (space of two millimetres) + p. 110, "impresion" to "impression" (102) (Plate impression,) + p. 119, "runing" to "running" (5) (and running off to the right) + p. 120, "Botom" to "Bottom" (110) (LEFT. Top, Bottom) + p. 123, "newpapers" to "newspapers" (88+) (through the newspapers) + p. 124, "Immediatly" to "Immediately" (3) (Immediately after the + expiration) + p. 127, "ocre" to "ochre" (5) (5 cents, ochre, shades of brown.) + p. 129, "impresion" to "impression" (102) (Plate impression,) + p. 132, "borderded" to "bordered" (105) (bordered by a broad) + p. 140, "compossed" to "composed" (19) (composed of depressed lines) + p. 159, "ninty" to "ninety" (27) (ninety cents, Commodore) + p. 160, "posesion" to "possession" (11) (present issue, in possession) + p. 170, "vermillion" to "vermilion" (15) (7 cents, vermilion.) + p. 179, "ZEVERLY" to "ZEVELY" (2) ((Signed.) A. N. ZEVELY) + p. 180, "hurridly" to "hurriedly" (0) (hurriedly gotten up) + p. 185, "conspicious" to "conspicuous" (6) (shade lines being + conspicuous) + p. 194, "improvments" to "improvements" (5) (improvements in + machinery) + p. 197, "soild" to "solid" (60) (broad solid colored line) + p. 200, "whereever" to "wherever" (1) (wherever required) + p. 201, "beween" to "between" (117) (colored band between) + p. 207, "cirular" to "circular" (55) (From the third circular) + p. 209, "newpaper" to "newspaper" (88+) (newspaper stamps in other + countries) + p. 209, "newpapers" to "newspapers" (88+) (distribution of newspapers + and periodicals) + p. 213, "principly" to "principally" (3) (principally at Chicago) + p. 219, "horizontically" to "horizontally" (49) (horizontally and + diagonally) + p. 220, "Ninty" to "Ninety" (27) (One Dollar and Ninety-Two) + p. 224, "classs" to "class" (11) (publications of the second class) + p. 227, "reveiw" to "review" (2) (by a brief review) + p. 228, "Treasuay" to "Treasury" (16) (the Treasury may be) + p. 229, "Ano" to "Anno" (0) (Anno Domini 1873) + p. 232, "addional" to "additional" (19) (four additional denominations) + p. 232, "excercise" to "exercise" (2) (exercise its own discretion) + p. 232, "chocineal" to "cochineal" (7) (War Department, cochineal red;) + p. 245, "judisdiction" to "jurisdiction" (0) (court of competent + jurisdiction) + p. 245, "theron" to "thereon" (9) (shall be stated thereon) + p. 246, "transmision" to "transmission" (9) (for the transmission of) + p. 246, "throught" to "through" (23) (through the mails free) + p. 247, "attatchment" to "attachment" (6) (attachment of official + postage) + p. 259, "genuiness" to "genuineness" (0) (no guarantee of genuineness) + p. 271, "Newpapers" to "Newspapers" (88+) (Three Dollars, Newspapers) + p. 275, "Britian" to "Britain" (0) (Great Britain and Colonies) + +11. PRINTER AND TYPOGRAPHY CORRECTIONS: Words with missing and + misprinted letters, inconsistent hyphenation, punctuation and spacing + have been corrected without comment. Additional corrections; + + p. 23, removed duplicate word "the" (the distances were so great) + p. 56, removed duplicate word "the" (the lower half of a circle) + p. 59, removed duplicate "of" (I, of R. I., and S of Cents) + p. 67-68, added Footnote anchor [A] (following advertising + editorial[A]:) + p. 75, removed duplicate word "be" (shall be subject to) + p. 76, removed duplicate word "been" (to have been distributed) + p. 82, removed duplicate word "be" (shall be deemed) + p. 98, removed duplicate word "the" ((A) show the paper) + P. 104, corrected duplicate instance of D^2 f^{1 2 3 4}, to + D^1 f^{1 2 3 4}, to match established pattern of data. + p. 139, 3rd through 6th line from bottom, changed fraction from 16-2/2 + to 16-1/2. + p. 151, removed duplicate "the" (upper squares at the sides) + p. 177, changed "E. M. BARBER" to "E. W. BARBER" to match all other + instances. + +12. WORD VARIATIONS: + + "back ground" (6), "back-ground" (5), "background" (32) + "Caracci" (1), "Carraci" (1) "Cerrachi" (2) (misspellings appear in + official documents referring to Giuseppe Ceracchi, aka Giuseppe + Cirachi, the Italian sculptor.) + "despatch" (3) and "dispatch" (9) + "enclose(ed)" (7) and "inclose" (1) (in quoted Postmaster report) + "extention" (1) (as shown in quoted postal circular) + "grayish" (1) and "greyish" (2) + "lozenge" (1) and "losenge" (1) (middle english) + "millimeter" (1) and "millimetre(s)" (1) + "preceding" (2) and "preceeding" (2) + "prepaid" (15) and "prepayed" (1) (in quoted Postmaster letter) + "Rawdon" (1) and "Rawden" (1) (part of a company name) + "salie" (1) and "sallie" (1) + "semi-circle" (1) and "semicircle" (2) + "supersede(ed)" (1) and "supercede" (1) (in quoted Postmaster report) + "Wyman" (1) and "Wymer" (1) + "Zachary" (1) (in text) and "Zackary" (1) (General Taylor, in quoted + Postmaster letter) + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the Postage Stamps of the +United States of America, by John Kerr Tiffany + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF POSTAGE STAMPS OF U.S.A. *** + +***** This file should be named 35566.txt or 35566.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/6/35566/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Christine Aldridge and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/35566.zip b/35566.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..75c49a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/35566.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..91fce10 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #35566 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35566) |
