the top of "P" of "POSTAGE." This measurement assists in the
identification of varieties 1 and 3. Another measurement may be taken
from the left end of the horizontal cross stroke of "N" of "CENTS"
towards the "E" of "THREE," and reveals the different spacings between
the latter and "CENTS."
BACK OF BUST POINTS AT "G."
[Illustration]
Variety 1:--"PO" close. "AGE" widely spaced. Note that the
distance between "T" and the left star is further in Var. 1
than in Var. 2 or 3. "C" of "CENTS" near "E." Width of "U.
S." at top 4-1/2 mm.
Variety 2:--An additional period close to the upper end of
"S." "O" further from "P." "S" nearer "T" than in Var. 1.
"U. S." wider than in Var. 1, measuring 5 mm. across the
top. "CE" of "CENTS" wide.
Variety 3:--"PO" spaced as in Var. 2, and "U. S." as in Var.
1; but "PO" and "TA" are spaced wider than in Var. 1.
[Illustration]
Variety 4:--"O" far from "P." "S" of "POSTAGE" almost
touches inner frame line. "AGE" near.
Variety 5:--"PO" close, but "OS" very wide. "AGE" wide.
[Illustration]
Variety 6:--"ST" very widely spaced; "OS" wide; "AGE" near.
Variety 7:--"A" of "POSTAGE" has no bar; "PO" near; "OS" wide.
BACK OF BUST BETWEEN "G" AND "E."
[Illustration]
Variety 8:--This is the largest die of the series. Its
vertical measurement is 24-1/2 mm. "PO" close; "ST" close;
"AGE" widely spaced.
BACK OF BUST POINTS ALMOST AT "E."
Variety 9:--"POSTAGE" short and lettering very close. 10 mm.
measured from the top of "P," reaches "E."
PROOF SET.
It may be of interest to collectors of entire envelopes to mention that
a set of envelopes has been catalogued under the supposition that they
were regularly issued, but they are now generally believed to be
proofs. They are all buff paper and are Var. 8. The following knives
and sizes exist:[D]
S. 3, Knife 3, 221 × 97 mm. Official.
S. 7, " 13, 224 × 96 mm. "
S. 8, " 14, 241 × 100 mm. Extra Official.
S. 8, " 15, 249 × 104 mm. " "
S. 8, " 16, 260 × 110 mm. " "
S. 8, " 17. 271 × 118 mm. " "
Letter sheets on blue and white paper with this die are essays or trial
printings.
FOUR CENTS.
ONE CENT BLUE (FRANKLIN) AND THREE CENTS RED (WASHINGTON).
The reason for the issue of this, the only compound stamp of the U. S.
Post Office, has already been stated in the introduction to the one
cent. The two stamps were impressed side by side, the one cent to the
left and the three cents to the right. The Department issued two sizes
of these rather scarce compounds, officially called size 2 and 3. Of
the first there exists but one knife, i.e. knife 8 (137 × 77 mm), and
of the second two knives, i.e. knives 2 and 9, both measuring 139 × 83
mm. All envelopes exist on white and buff paper, except perhaps variety
5. There are five different combinations of these compounds, which are
as follows:
ONE CENT. THREE CENTS.
Variety 1. 3 × 8
Variety 2. 4 × 4
Variety 3. 6 × 8
Variety 4. 8 × 1
Variety 5. 10 × 8
It will be noted that the same variety of the three cents is used with
three different combinations of the one cent. By far the rarest of the
entire series is variety 5 which represents the Franklin die, in which
the back and front of the bust cut into the inner frame line. The
writer has seen a few copies of this variety on white paper but none on
buff.
From the reports of the Postmaster-General it has been ascertained that
the compound stamp was issued only during fifteen months, ending June
30, 1863. On account of the short time that these envelopes remained on
sale but 127,250 were issued. This explains their rarity.
SIX CENTS: RED.
HEAD OF WASHINGTON: SIX RAYED STARS FOR SIDE ORNAMENTS.
OVAL 20 × 24 MM.
This die, which was in use from October, 1860, to August 15, 1861,
presents us with a new head, which was retained for the next higher
denomination, the ten cents, green. Why the head used for the three
cents was abandoned by the die maker we do not know. The principal new
feature is a very short heavy front-lock which ends far from the
ear-lobe. In addition to the front-lock there are three long clusters
of hair in the front and four in the rear, of which the two lowest
reach into the queue. From the middle of the side-lock extends the
wedge-shaped lowest front-lock. It slants but a little distance across
the ear-lobe. A long straight lock, made up of three strands, runs from
the ear-lobe into the queue. The size of this envelope is "Official" or
No. 7, measuring 221 × 98 mm. It is found both on white and buff paper
and is very rare.
TEN CENTS: GREEN.
HEAD OF WASHINGTON; SIX RAYED STARS FOR SIDE ORNAMENTS.
OVAL 20 × 24 MM.
Envelopes bearing the ten cent die were issued from October, 1860, to
August 15, 1861. As has already been stated the head is the same as
that of the preceding die, but the envelope is different. It is the
common knife 2, or "Full Letter," measuring 139 × 83 mm. The paper is
white or buff. Of the two, the former is the rarer.
Before taking up the next issue it may be well to remind the collector
that the three cents, six cents and ten cents have been reprinted, not
on entire envelopes, but on pieces of paper vertically laid, while the
originals are on diagonally laid paper.
A REFERENCE LIST OF ENTIRE ENVELOPES AND WRAPPERS OF THE SERIES OF
1860.
ENVELOPES.
ONE CENT, BLUE.
No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Gum. Remarks.
VAR. 1.
157 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
158 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 2.
159 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
160 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 3.
161 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
162 B 2 3 " " G
163 B 5 3 " " G
VAR. 4.
164 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
165 B 5 3 " " U
166 B 5 3 " " G
VAR. 5.
167 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
168 B 2 3 " " G
169 B 5 3 " " G
VAR. 6.
170 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
171 B 2 3 " " G
172 B 5 3 " " U
173 B 5 3 " " G
174 B 9 3 " " U
175 B 9 3 " " G
VAR. 7.
175a B 2 3 139 × 83 U
176 B 5 3 " " U
177 B 5 3 " " G
VAR. 8.
178 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
VAR. 9.
179 B 2 3 139 × 83 U
180 B 5 3 " " U
181 Y.B. 5 3 " " U
182 Or 2 3 " " U Wove paper, no wmk.
183 L.Or 5 3 " " U " " "
VAR. 10.
184 Or 11 3 139 × 83 G
VAR. 11.
185 B 11 3 139 × 83 G
VAR. 12.
186 B 11 3 139 × 83 G
THREE CENTS, RED.
VAR. 1.
187 W 7 2 137 × 77 G
188 W 8 2 " " G
189 B 8 2 " " G
190 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
191 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 2.
192 W 7 2 137 × 77 G
193 B 7 2 " " G
194 W 8 2 " " G
195 B 8 2 " " G
196 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
197 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 3.
198 W 6 1 118 × 65 G
199 W 1 1 120 × 73 G
200 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
201 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 4.
202 B 7 2 137 × 77 G
203 W 8 2 " " G
204 B 8 2 " " G
205 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
206 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 5.
207 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
208 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 6.
209 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
210 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 7.
211 W 6 1 118 × 65 G
212 W 1 1 120 × 73 G
213 W 7 2 137 × 77 G
214 B 7 2 " " G
215 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
216 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 8.
217 W 7 2 137 × 77 G
218 B 7 2 " " G
219 W 8 2 " " G
220 B 8 2 " " G
221 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
222 B 2 3 " " G
VAR. 9.
223 W 7 2 137 × 77 G
224 B 7 2 " " G
225 W 8 2 " " G
226 B 8 2 " " G
227 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
228 B 2 3 " " G
FOUR CENTS, RED AND BLUE.
VAR. 1.
229 W 9 3 139 × 83 G Var. 3 of 1c. and 8 of 3c.
230 B 9 3 " " G " " "
VAR. 2.
231 W 2 3 139 × 83 G Var. 4 of 1c. and 4 of 3c.
232 B 2 3 " " G " " "
VAR. 3.
233 W 2 3 139 × 83 G Var. 6 of 1c. and 8 of 3c.
234 B 2 3 " " G " " "
VAR. 4.
235 W 8 2 137 × 77 G Var. 8 of 1c. and 1 of 3c
236 B 8 2 " " G " " "
VAR. 5.
237 W 8 2 137 × 77 G Var. 10 of 1c. and 8 of 3c.
238 B 2 3 139 × 83 G " " "
SIX CENTS, RED.
239 W 3 7 221 × 98 G
240 B 3 7 " " G
TEN CENTS, GREEN.
241 W 2 3 139 × 83 G
242 B 2 3 " " G
WRAPPERS.
ONE CENT, BLUE.
Horizon'ly Dist'ce of
or Vertic'ly st'p from
No. Paper.[E] Dimensions. Laid. Edge. Remarks.
VAR. 3.
243 S.B. 148 × 225 H 35
244 S.B. " " V 35
245 S.B. " " H 35 Unwatermarked.
246 A.B. 151 × 257 H 35 "
247 Y.B. 148 × 225 H 35
248 Y.B. " " V 35
249 Or 151 × 257 H 36 Unwatermarked.
250 Or " " V 36 "
251 Or " " Wove 36 "
VAR. 4.
252 B 148 × 232 V 38
253 Y.B. 152 × 257 V 120
253a C.M. " " V 120
VAR. 5.
254 B 148 × 227 H 39
VAR. 6.
255 B 148 × 227 H 39
256 B " " V 39
257 C.M. " " H 68-71
258 Y.B. " " H 33-37
259 Y.B. " " V 33
260 W " " V 38 Very rare. But
one copy known.
VAR. 7.
261 Y.B. 151 × 227 H 35
262 Y.B. " " V 35
263 C.M. " " H 71
VAR. 8.
264 B 148 × 227 H 39
VAR. 9.
265 C.M. 148 × 225 H 68-71
266 C.M. " " Wove 71 Unwatermarked.
267 B " " H 39
268 B " " V 39
269 B " " V 70
270 Or 180 × 260 44 Unwatermarked.
270a Or 180 × 260 H 48 "
VAR. 10.
271 C.M. 148 × 225
VAR. 12.
272 B 148 × 225
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote D: The Knives, Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are those of the
list in the CATALOGUE FOR ADVANCED COLLECTORS and are not referred to
in the National Society's list.]
[Footnote E: The abbreviations used to designate the papers are:
W--white; B--buff; A.B--Amber-buff; S.B--salmon-buff; Y.B--yellow-buff;
Or.--orange and C.M--coarse manila.]
THIRD ISSUE: 1861.
In the report of the Postmaster-General for the fiscal year 1861, it is
stated that the three, six and ten cent dies would be changed, and the
new ones were issued August 15th, 1861. They remained in use till
September, 1864. Another important change was the abolishing of the
former ten cents, or California, rate which took place shortly after
July 1st, 1863.
In addition to these new dies, the Post Office introduced the following
new denominations: i.e. 12, 20, 24 and 40 cents. These latter appear on
large sized envelopes, known to the cataloguers as Knives 14--Size 7,
"Official," 19--Size 8, "Extra Official," and 20--Size 8, "Extra
Official." The 1861 report says that the large envelopes were intended
for the purpose of mailing large packages and for foreign
correspondence. The total issue amounted to 20,000.
THREE CENTS, ROSE.
Head of Washington facing to left. Inscriptions in outline, block
letters. "United States" above: "Three Cents" below, separated on each
side by a small circle containing a colorless numeral of value.
The die is an oval measuring in
Die A:--23 mm. or less in width.
Die B:--23 1/2 mm. or more in width.
Die A includes varieties 1 to 7.
Die B includes varieties 8 to 17.
As in former issues, the engraver has presented the collector with
various heads which differ in the arrangement of the hair but, as in
addition to these minor details the lettering of the various dies is a
far more essential feature, it has not been thought necessary to
reproduce the heads.
To find the main varieties the following system, based on line
prolongation, has been adopted:
Draw a straight line along the outer vertical stroke of the final "E"
of "THREE" and note its position with regard to letters "D," "S" and
"T" of " UNITED STATES." This establishes four main groups or classes.
Class I.--The line runs to the left of "S" of STATES.
Class II.--The line passes through "S."
Class III.--The line touches the upper bar of "T" to left.
Class IV.--The line runs through centre of "T" or beyond it.
[Illustration: I, II, III, IV]
The varieties of this die are, furthermore, plainly differentiated by
the size of the letters used for the inscription. There are three
sizes:--very tall letters, medium size, and decidedly small letters.
Even a cursory observation reveals various shapes of the letter "C" of
"CENTS," and "D" of "UNITED." Likewise, the spacing between the words
and the distance from the words to the circles containing the numerals
of value vary considerably.
Formerly the existence of a broken circle at the side was chronicled as
one of the most noteworthy varieties, but this feature is of little
value. The philatelist may, however, be interested to hear the opinion
of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert and Rechert: "We have concluded that only
two varieties are worthy of a place in our list. The others, though
existing, are too minute to interest the average collector."
The above statement only proves that Horace is right when he assures us
"_Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus_." Now and then the best experts are
asleep! In the writer's opinion all the varieties of the three cents
rose cannot fail to interest the collector, and no two can be singled
out as being of more or less importance.
By using a 10 mm. unit distance measurement, we detect numerous other
varieties, of which some are shown in the subjoined diagram.
[Illustration]
We are now prepared to study the several varieties of Dies A and B.
DIE A.
CLASS II.
[Illustration]
Variety 1:--Elongated "C" without dot in centre. The
lettering is large. Wide, open "U." "NITE" widely spaced,
especially "TE." "ED" near. "U" far from "3." "DS" near. "S"
of "STATES" near "3." "T" of "THREE" far from "3." "HR"
wide. "RE" wide at top. "NT" wide at base. "S" large and far
from "3." Uncommon on white, very rare on buff.
Variety 2:--Open, short "U." Large, wide open "C." Small
lettering. Wide, open "U," and far from "3." "NITE" widely
spaced. "TAT" well spaced at top. "S" near "3." "T" of
"THREE" near "3." "EC" wide. "C" of "CENTS" is tall, well
rounded, and its ends are far apart. "S" of "CENTS" far from
"3." Found on white and buff paper, quite rare.
CLASS III.
Variety 3:--Smallest letters; "S" of "CENTS" not so near as
in Var. 4. "U" very small, contracted at top, and far from
"3." "UNITE" evenly spaced; "ED" wide at top and "D" in an
almost vertical position. "DS" wide. "TA" of "STATES" wide
at top. "T" of "THREE" near "3." "EC" wide. "C" small and
wide open. "C" far from "E." "TS" close at top. Common on
both papers.
[Illustration]
Variety 4:--Similar to variety 3. "S" of "STATES" nearer
circle. The lettering of this variety is like that of
Variety 3, but "U" of "UNITED" is nearer "3" and "S" of
"CENTS" close to "3." Note also that the top stroke of the
"T" of "THREE" is shorter on the left than on the right.
Found only on buff, but quite common.
CLASS IV.
Variety 5:--"U" very near circle. Rather small letters.
Space between bars of "U" narrow. "NI" wide at top. "DS"
near. Final "S" of "STATES" near "3." "T" of "THREE" very
far from "3." "C" small, open and end poorly rounded. "EC"
wide. "S" of "CENTS" far from "3." Perhaps the rarest of all
the varieties.
Variety 6:--"C" large, well formed, and far from "E."
Similar to Variety 5. "U" further from "3," more open, and
larger than in Variety 5. "C" well rounded and large. "S" of
"STATES" large.
[Illustration]
Variety 7:--Elongated "C" with dot in centre. Large
lettering. "U" nearly horizontal and near "3." This variety
has several characteristic features. 1st:--"TS" of "CENTS"
is very widely spaced at base; 2nd:--"C" of "CENTS" is tall,
straight and oval shaped. 3rd:--The left cross stroke of "T"
of "THREE" is very short, and the letter is out of
proportion to those of the rest of the inscription. "EE" of
"THREE" widely spaced. "D" is large and slants decidedly to
the left. "DS" close. Final "S" of "STATES" near "3." "EC"
wide. "S" of "CENTS" far from "3."
DIE B.
Excepting perhaps numbers 9 and 14, the lettering of the varieties of
this class is generally large.
CLASS I.
[Illustration]
Variety 8:--Widest space between "S" of "CENTS" and circle.
"U" narrow and tall, and in a nearly horizontal position;
first bar much thicker than the second. "D" of "UNITED" well
rounded at top. "DS" near. "S" in vertical position. Wide
distance at base of letters "TE" of "STATES." "ES" close,
and "S" near "3." "T" of "THREE" has a long crossbar and is
far from "3." "HR" widely spaced, but "R" and "E," as well
as "T" and "S" almost touch at top. "EC" near. "C" of
"CENTS" is large, oval and open.
CLASS II.
[Illustration]
Variety 9:--Circular "C." Smallest lettering in Die B, "U"
near circle. "U" small, short and near "3." "TE" almost
joined at top. "DS" close. "STATES" spaced closely, and
final "S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" slender and far from
"3." "HR" wide. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" small, almost
circular, and its end-curves close together. "S" far from
"3." There is often a white dot over the centre of "R" of
"THREE."
Variety 10:--"U" nearly touches circle. Medium large
lettering. "U" very close to "3;" it is long and wide open.
"NT" widely spaced. "DS" wide at top. "T" of "THREE" far
from "3." "RE" widely spaced. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS"
round with a wide space between the end-curves. Wide space
between "C" and "E." "S" far from "3." "ENTS" appear smaller
than the other letters.
[Illustration]
Variety 11:--"EC" very wide; "U" rather small. Large
lettering. "U" narrow and far from "3." "D" of "UNITED"
large and rounded, and "ED" close. "DS" close. Note in
"STATES" wide space between "T" and "E." "ES" close at base.
"S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." "HRE" well
spaced. "C" of "CENTS" round; top curve, short. "S" near
"3."
Variety 12:--"U" far from circle. Large, round "C" close to
"E." Large lettering. Second bar of "U" thinner than first.
"UNIT" closely spaced; "ED" wide at top. "DS" near. "ST" of
"STATES" close. The entire word "STATES" is very closely
spaced. "S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." Note that
"RE" are close at top. "EE" close. "N" is unusually broad.
"TS" almost touch. "S" far from "3."
[Illustration]
Variety 13:--There is generally a dot under right circle.
Large lettering. "U" near "3" "UNITED" closely spaced. "DS"
near. "STATES" is also closely spaced. "S" near "3." "T" of
"THREE" short and near "3," and "TH" wide at base. "REE"
well spaced. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" elongated, tipped to
the left, and its end curves wide apart. "CE" well spaced,
but "ENTS" close. "S" near "3." There is frequently a dot
after "S" of "CENTS." Found on white and buff.
CLASS III.
[Illustration]
Variety 14:--"U" very far from circle. Small letters. "U" of
"UNITED" small and contracted. "UNITED" is closely spaced,
but "ED" is wide at top. "DS" near. Excepting "ST" the rest
of "STATES" is also closely spaced. "S" near "3." "T" of
"THREE" close to "3." "TH" near. "HREE" well spaced. "C" of
"CENTS" is small and its curves short. "S" far from "3."
CLASS IV.
[Illustration]
Variety 15:--"S" of "STATES" very far from circle. "U" near
circle. "UNI" close. "T" has a long top stroke and "TED"
wide at top. "DS" near. "S" large; "AT" spaced, and base of
"E" short. "T" of "THREE" small and near "3." "TH" wide.
"RE" close at top, "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" is tall and its
end-curves wide apart. "CE" wide. "S" near "3."
[Illustration]
Variety 16:--Largest "C." "RE" and "TS" joined. Large
lettering. This variety has a wide color margin both above
the upper inscription and below the lower one. "UNITED"
close. "DS" near. "STATES" close. "S" close to "3." "T" near
"3." "RE" nearly joined at top. "EC" near. "C" large, broad
and the lower curve considerably longer than the upper one.
"CE" close. "TS" touch at top. "S" far from "3."
Variety 17:--Large square "D." "C" far from "E." "U" is
close to "3," "U" contracted. "UNITED" close and "TE" touch
at top. Note that "D" is nearly square. "DS" near. "STATES"
close. "T" near "3." "HR" well spaced. "C" rather small and
far from "E." "NTS" close; "TS" touch. "S" near.
The subjoined tables are added merely to aid the collector in
recognizing the different varieties:
LETTERING.
Very small:--Varieties 3, 4.
Medium:--Varieties 5, 6, 9, 14.
Large:--Varieties 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17.
Very large:--Varieties 1, 12, 16.
DISTANCE FROM "U" TO LEFT CIRCLE.
1) Close:--Varieties 5, 10.
2) Medium:--Varieties 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17.
3) Far:-- Varieties 1, 2, 3, 12, 14.
Varieties 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 17 are found on Knife 2 only.
SIX CENTS, Rose.
The design of the SIX CENTS is very similar to the last one, but the
numerals at sides are in ovals. The lettering is also in outline block
capitals. No varieties of this die exist.
In the beginning of the year 1861, Nesbitt produced new dies of the 12,
20, 24 and 40 cents values, and later, in August, the 10 cents. No
varieties of these dies exist. The design consists of an horizontal
oval, 27-1/2 × 25 mm. showing the bust of Washington in an upright,
colored oval, surrounded by a broad, colorless band 3-1/2 mm. wide,
inscribed in colored block capitals, with the value above and "U. S.
POSTAGE" below. At each side is a circle with colored numerals. The
ornaments above and below the circles consist of branches with seven
leaves each.
With the exception of the Ten Cents, the new stamps are bi-colored:
i.e.
12 cents: brown and red.
20 " blue and red.
24 " green and red.
40 " black and red.
A REFERENCE LIST OF THE ENTIRE ENVELOPES AND LETTER SHEETS OF THE
SERIES OF 1861.
ENVELOPES.
THREE CENTS, ROSE.
No. Class. Die. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.
VAR. 1.
273 2 A B 7 2 137 × 77
274 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
275 " " " 11 3 "
276 " " B 11 3 "
VAR. 2.
277 2 A W 2 3 139 × 83
277a 2 A B 2 3 "
VAR. 3.
278 3 A W 1 1 120 × 73
279 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
280 " " B 2 3 "
VAR. 4.
281 3 A B 2 3 139 × 83
VAR. 5.
282 4 A W 2 3 139 × 83
283 " " B 2 3 "
VAR. 6.
284 4 A W 2 3 139 × 83
285 " " B 2 3 "
VAR. 7.
286 4 A W 2 3 139 × 83
287 " " B 2 3 "
VAR. 8.
288 1 B W 1 1 120 × 73
289 " " W 1 1 " Wove paper, no wmk.
290 " " W 10 1 122 × 76
291 " " B 7 2 137 × 77
292 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
293 " " W 2 3 " No wmk.
294 " " B 2 3 "
295 " " Or. 2 3 "
296 " " W 5 3 "
297 " " B 5 3 "
298 " " W 9 3 "
299 " " B 9 3 "
300 " " W 12 5 160 × 90
301 " " W 12 5 " No wmk.
302 " " B 12 5 "
303 " " B 12 5 " No wmk.
304 " " Or. 12 5 " " "
VAR. 9.
305 2 B W 2 3 139 × 83
306 " " B 2 3 "
307 " " W 9 3 "
VAR. 10.
308 2 B W 6 1 118 × 65
309 " " W 1 1 120 × 73
310 " " W 7 2 137 × 77
311 " " B 7 2 "
312 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
313 " " B 2 3 "
314 " " W 5 3 "
315 " " B 5 3 "
316 " " B 12 5 160 × 90
VAR. 11.
317 2 B W 2 3 139 × 83
318 " " B 2 3 "
319 " " B 9 3 "
320 " " W 12 5 160 × 90
321 " " B 12 5 "
VAR. 12.
322 2 B W 6 1 118 × 65
323 " " W 1 1 120 × 73
324 " " W 10 1 122 × 76
325 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
326 " " B 2 3 "
326a " " W 5 3 "
VAR. 13.
327 2 B B 3 [HW: 3] 137 × 77
327a " " W 2 [HW: 3] 139 × 83
328 " " B 2 3 "
329 " " B 9 3 "
VAR. 14.
330 3 B W 6 1 118 × 65
331 " " W 1 1 120 × 73
332 " " W 7 2 137 × 77
333 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
334 " " B 2 3 "
VAR. 15.
335 4 B B 2 3 139 × 83
336 " " W 9 3 "
337 " " B 9 3 "
VAR. 16.
338 4 B W 7 2 137 × 77
339 " " W 2 3 139 × 83
340 " " B 2 3 "
341 " " W 9 3 "
342 " " B 9 3 "
VAR. 17.
343 4 B W 2 3 139 × 83
344 " " B 2 3 "
SIX CENTS, ROSE.
No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.
345 W 3 7 221 × 98
346 W 3 7 " No wmk.
347 B 3 7 " Also left over right flap.
348 B 3 7 " No wmk.
349 W 21 7 225 × 98
350 B 21 7 " Also horizontally laid.
TEN CENTS, GREEN.[F]
351 W 2 3 139 × 83
352 B 2 3 "
353 W 11 3 "
354 B 11 3 "
355 A 11 3 "
356 W 5 3 "
357 B 5 3 "
358 W 9 3 "
359 B 9 3 "
TWELVE CENTS, BROWN AND RED.
360 A 19 7 226 × 97
TWENTY CENTS, BLUE AND RED.
361 A 14 8 241 × 100
TWENTY-FOUR CENTS, GREEN AND RED.
362 A 20 8 249 × 104
363 S.B. 20 8 "
FORTY CENTS, BLACK AND RED.
364 A 20 8 249 × 104
365 S.B. 20 8 "
* * * * *
LETTER SHEETS.
THREE CENTS, ROSE.
No. Class. Die. Paper. Dimensions. Remarks.
VAR. 8.
366 1 B Blue 256 × 205 Letter size.
367 " " " 205 × 171 Note "
VAR. 10.
368 2 B Blue 256 × 205 Letter size.
369 " " " 205 × 171 Note "
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote F: The shade of green varies greatly in these envelopes.]
FOURTH ISSUE: 1863 AND 1864.
The Act of March 3rd, 1863, establishing a two cent rate for drop
letters and abolishing the carrier's fee, made the issue of a two cent
stamped envelope and wrapper imperative. The new die appeared about the
middle of 1863, and is a miserable caricature of Jackson, facing the
left. The inscriptions are "U. S. POSTAGE" above, and "TWO CENTS"
below, in colorless, block letters. We may as well state at once that
in the next year (1864), the design, though retaining Jackson's bust,
was altered, and the upper inscription changed to read "U. S. POST."
Both of these issues have a number of varieties, but of the two the
design inscribed "U. S. POST" is by far the most interesting, and any
philatelist who devotes some study to this, the "spoiled child" of the
Post Office, will quickly be fascinated with it. Indeed, a fine
collection of these die varieties must be a revelation to those
philatelists who have, so far, kept aloof from collecting them under
the specious plea that such collection required too much study and
labor, and the differences were mere gossamer threads woven by the
overwrought imagination of some wild enthusiast. It is undeniable that
until recently the multitude of Jackson varieties--unclassified and
jumbled together as they were--did not present an inviting field for
the general collector. But that difficulty has now been overcome, and
we have the various designs grouped into distinct classes, which even
an untrained person can recognize at a glance.