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.
| 10 | ½ | by | 12½ | mm., | or | 13 | by | 17 | rows. |
| 10 | " | 12 | " | " | 13 | " | 15 | " | |
| 9 | " | 11½ | " | " | 12 | " | 15 | " | |
| 9 | " | 11 | " | " | 11 | " | 14 | " | |
| 8 | ½ | " | 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.