History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America Part 17

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 s.p.a.ce 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 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 s.p.a.ce is either empty or shows one, two or three horizontal lines across the top of the s.p.a.ce, 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 s.p.a.ce 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, 21 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 s.h.i.+eld with flags grouped on either side. The words "_United States Postage_" in upper section of s.h.i.+eld. 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 s.h.i.+eld, carmine, flags blue. Except for the change of numerals and words of value, the omission of the scroll, and the subst.i.tution 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, 21 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 s.p.a.ce 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, 21 by 21 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 9 by 9 mm. composed of 11 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 subst.i.tute 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, Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 steams.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sistant 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 a.s.sistant 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 b.a.l.l.s 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.