FOOTNOTES:
[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.
Those who possess a number of Jackson dies cannot have failed to observe that in various specimens the forward end of the bust points to different letters of the word "TWO" in the lower label. It required no great amount of ingenuity to examine all known varieties of this die, and to reach the conclusion that this important feature should be selected as one point of a line measurement which would subdivide the varieties into distinct classes. In carrying out this idea it was equally apparent that in order to draw a straight line we need two definite points, but the problem was: which point would serve our purpose best? Luckily the design lent itself admirably to the construction of such a line and the second, or starting point, was found in the point of contact of the right hand oval with the inner frame line of the upper label. The line is, then, drawn from this point to the left extremity of the bust and prolonged until it strikes the letter "W" or "O" of "TWO." In this manner five definite and unmistakable classes are established, each of which may contain a number of varieties. While this system is indispensible for classification, the collector, after a very little training, may omit the actual line measurement, as the eye is sufficient to note the class to which any variety belongs. The five classes are:
Class I.—Line cuts first stroke of "W" of "TWO."
Class II.—Line cuts second stroke of "W" of "TWO."
Class III.—Line cuts third stroke of "W" of "TWO."
Class IV.—Line cuts last stroke of "W" of "TWO."
Class V.—Line falls outside of "W" and sometimes cuts "O."
I. II. III. IV. V.
It may be well to state here that the die reading "U. S. POSTAGE" exists only in classes I., II., IV., and V., and the reading "U. S. POST" in classes II., III., IV. and V.
DIES INSCRIBED "U. S. POSTAGE."
The design consists of two concave and convex curves, of which the first two form the upper, and the second two the lower label. Each of these two curves meet in a point. The sides of the design are a pointed oval consisting of the sections of a large circle. The inscription in the upper label is "U. S. POSTAGE"; in the lower "TWO CENTS" with the figure "2" in the ovals at the sides.
The 1863 design was issued with two shapes of the figure "2", which is probably due to an oversight of the engraver; but, as every collector knows, the design in which the lowest stroke of the figure "2" starts sharply from the downstroke, and does not curve back with it is a rarity possessed only by a few lucky mortals.
In the general catalogues the common form is known as "Die A," the latter as "Die B."
DIE A. (Seven Varieties).
They are subdivided as follows:
Class I.—Var. 1 Wrapper only.
Class II.—Var. 2 Wrapper only.
Class IV.—Var. 3 to 6 Envelope and Wrapper.
Class V.—Var. 7 Wrapper only.
DIE A.
Class I.
Variety 1 (22-1/4 × 25-3/4 mm.).
Bust points to centre of "W," which touches line above.
"O" of "POSTAGE" to left, but near the junction point of the inner frame line; "OS" nearly on level. "W" of "TWO" near inner frame line, and touching the latter in deteriorated dies. "OC" near. A line drawn through the junction point of the upper and lower inner frame lines cuts the end curves of the "C" of "CENTS." "CE" well spaced, but "C" lower than "E." "S" far from the right oval line. Figure "2" in right oval nearly touches at left. In deteriorated dies both figures touch at left. The tip of nose is near the left oval.
Class II.
Variety 2 (22-3/4 × 25-1/2 mm.).
"POS" very near. "E" of "POSTAGE" touches frame.
Top of "TWO" far from left oval line, and distance between "O" of "TWO" and "C" of "CENTS" nearer than in Var. 1. Nose near left oval.
Class IV.
Variety 3 (22 × 26 mm.).
"O" in the centre of label and highest letter.
Centre line passes through "O" and "C" of "CENTS." The downstroke of "2" in the left oval touches inner frame. "C" of "CENTS" is the lowest letter, and "ENT" is widely spaced. Distance between "OC" wider than in Var. 2. Nose near left oval.
Variety 4 (22-1/2 × 25 mm.).
"OS" on a level. "OC" very wide.
"POS" wide and "O" to the left of the point. Centre line touches "O" to the right, and passes through the centre of "C" of "CENTS." Left numeral does not touch outer frame line. "S" of "CENTS" very far from right oval. Nose far from left oval.
Variety 5 (22-1/2 × 25-3/4 mm.).
"S" is the highest letter, far from line below.
A considerable margin between top of letters "S. POS" and the outer frame line. "PO" close. "GE" wide at top. Centre line touches "O" to right and passes through the curves of "C" of "CENTS." Numerals in ovals do not touch. Distance between "O" of "TWO" "and "C" of "CENTS" wide. "C" low. Nose near left oval.
Variety 6 (22 × 25-3/4 mm.).
Back of head close to right oval.
The entire inscription in the upper label is close to the inner frame line and the letters are spaced closely. "U. S." is spaced closer than in any other variety. Point of bust almost touches the frame line. Distance between "O" of "TWO" and "C" of "CENTS" near. "CE" very close. "S" near right oval. Nose near left oval.
Class V.
Variety 7 (22-1/2 × 25 mm.).
Bust points between "W" and "O."
"U. S." widely spaced. "OS" on level. "GE" close. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "OC" wide. "C" well under the point, and far from "E." "CENTS" well spaced, and "S" far from right oval.
DIE B.
Class IV.
Variety 8 (21-1/2 × 25 mm.).
In the numerals of value the end stroke does not curve back, but slants sharply from the downstroke.
"S" of "U. S." and "P" of "POSTAGE" are spaced closely. "O" to left of point. Top of "S" is a little above "O" and "T." Distance between "O" of "TWO" and "C" of "CENTS" very wide. "C" by far the lowest letter. The hair projects beyond the forehead, and the nose is near left oval.
This issue adds no new shapes of envelopes, only two knives are used, and they are No. 2 and 11, both known as "Full Letter," Size 3, measuring 139 × 83 mm. It has already been stated that the wrappers bearing the design of Dies A. and B. were issued in accordance with the Act of March 3, 1863, which changed the rate of postage for "transient newspaper" to two cents. Shortly after their issue the Post Office was informed that the wrapper, as issued with a marginal coating, infringed the patent issued to L. P. Mara, and that the inventor would assert his rights. We do not know what step the Department took to allay the ire of the famous patentee, but we do know that the issue of newspaper wrappers was suspended for about six months, to commence anew in April 1865.
Of more interest to the collector is the paper of these wrappers which, generally speaking, is a rough manila, varying considerably in shade. The width of the wrapper varies also from 148 to 152 mm., the length from 227 to 230 mm., while the stamp is from 62 to 72 mm from the gummed top of the wrapper.
DIES INSCRIBED "U. S. POST."
Towards the end of 1864, Nesbitt (the contractor for furnishing the Post Office Department with stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers) had considerable financial trouble in living up to his obligations and, at his earnest request, Congress passed a bill for his relief. As the then existing contract expired Sept. 11, 1864, the Post Office Department entered into a new agreement with Nesbitt, paying an advanced rate to the contractor and ordering a change of the dies of the two, three and six cents values.
At present we are interested only in the change of the two cent die. In its new form the general features have been retained, but the inscription is altered to read "U. S. POST" and the shape of the stamp is either narrow or broad.
The narrow die is called by the cataloguer "DIE C" and the broad one "DIE D."
Using the system of line prolongation which has been already fully described, we are at once in a position to handle the large number of varieties and to collect them systematically.
| C Dies. (24 to 25 mm. width) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class II | Var. 1 and 2. | Bust points to intersection of 2nd and 3d stroke of "W." |
| " III | " 3 to 9. | " " to last stroke of "W." |
| " IV | " 10 to 13. | " " to left line of "O." |
| " V | " 14 to 16. | " " to middle of "O." |
| D Dies. (25-1/2 to 26-1/4 mm. in width.) | ||
| Class III | Var. 17 to 21. | |
| " IV | " 22 to 27. | |
| " V | " 28 to 40. | |
As these varieties have never been thoroughly described and classified and as there are but few collectors who have recognized the great philatelic value of the Jackson dies, the writer desires to place himself on record with a prophecy; i. e. that as soon as the general collector knows how to find and to easily recognize the different varieties of "U. S. POST," these dies are going to be sought after enthusiastically.
To assist those who desire to become better acquainted with them it will do no harm to give some additional information, showing how the writer has studied the varieties and what means he has employed to differentiate the several varieties belonging to one class.
Although the description of the varieties accompanying the cuts, should be sufficient for the identification of any die variety, the writer has found that a system of line prolongation is very useful whenever, due to die deteriorations, a stamp appears to possess features which are not found in the descriptions. The system is based on the position of five letters which differ greatly in many varieties. These letters are:—
1) "U" of "U. S."
2) "P" of "POST."
3) "T" of "POST"
4) "W" of "TWO."
5) "E" of "CENTS."
and the measurements are made as follows:
The left stroke of "U" is prolonged downward. Observe the line with regard to letters "O, C, E" and "N."
The upright stroke of "P" is prolonged downward. Observe line with regard to letters "C" and "E."
The central stroke of "T" is prolonged downward. Observe line with regard to letters "W, O, C" and "E."
The left stroke of "W" is prolonged upward. Observe line with regard to letters "S" of "U. S." and "P" of "POST."
The left stroke of "E" is prolonged upward. Observe line with regard to letters "U." and "S."
The student who employs these measurements will find that, taking the various dies belonging to one class, one of the above mentioned five line prolongations is sufficient to clearly differentiate any variety of that group from any other. For instance, Class one includes but two varieties. In Var. 1, a line prolongation of the "T" of "POST" cuts through the "O" of "TWO;" in Var. 2 it passes along the second stroke of "W." In case of doubt that single measurement is decisive.
As an additional safeguard to the collector the characteristic line measurement is mentioned at the end of the description of each variety.
CLASS II.
Bust points to intersection of second and third stroke of "W."
VARIETY 1 (24 × 26-3/4 mm.)
Narrow "U" far from oval line. Buff and Orange.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. There is generally a dot near top of left bar of "U." "U. S." close. "P" nearly vertical. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval; "WO" close; "OC near; "S" of "CENTS" near right oval. Figures of value are exactly in centre of the side ovals. Nose near left oval. "E" line through left stroke of "U." Envelopes only.
VARIETY 2. (24 × 25-1/2 mm.)
Narrow "U" touching line below. Dark Manila.
"POST" fully 8 mm. "P" vertical, much above level of "O." "O" turned to the right. "ST" wide and "T" far from right oval; "WO" very close; "OC" close; "CE" close; "NTS" near inner frame line. Nose near left oval. "E" line to left of "S" of "U. S." Wrapper only.
CLASS III.
Bust points to last stroke of "W."
VARIETY 3. (24-1/2 × 26-1/4 mm.)
Narrow "U." "PO" on a level. "O" and "C" near. Buff and Orange.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "P" slants to left. "POST" evenly spaced. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval; "WO" close; "C" considerably to left of the junction of the inner frame line. "EN" spaced a little wider than "NTS." "S" near right oval. Nose further from oval line than in Variety 1 and 2. Downstroke of right figure "2" is slim. "U" line through "C." Envelopes only.
VARIETY 4. (24-3/4 × 26-1/2 mm.)
Narrow "U." "OC" and "EN" very wide. Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. Top of "P" near outer frame line. "PO" near, but "OS" widely spaced. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. Nose far from left oval. End of downstroke of right figure "2" nearly touches inner oval line. "W" line passes through head of "P." Wrapper only.
VARIETY 5. (24-1/4 × 26 mm.)
"U" tall, wide open, and near inner frame line. Buff and orange.
"POST" 8 mm. "SP" near at base. "POST" closely spaced. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "W" narrow and close to "O." "OC" close. "CE" near at base. "S" near right oval. End of downstroke of right figure "2" near inner oval line. Nose far from left oval. "P" line passes through junction point of the two inner oval lines of lower label. Envelopes only.
VARIETY 6. (24-3/4 × 25 mm.)
"P" vertical and much above level of "O." Buff Orange and Dark Manila.
Outer frame line of upper label near to "U. S." and "PS" of "POST" "POST" 8 mm. "U" wide and far from left oval. "SP" wide at top. "POST" well spaced. "O" considerably to right of point and slanting to right. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" near. "OC" near, but top of "C" some distance below the point. "ENT" near. "S" near right oval. The left figure "2" is well in the centre of the oval, but the right one is near the inner frame line. Nose far from left oval. "E" line passes through center of "S" of "U. S."
VARIETY 6a. (24-3/4 × 25 mm.)
"P" slanting to left over point. "O" far from lower frame line and far to right of point. Buff.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large, wide open, tipped to left, and far from left oval. "O" slants to right. Letters of "POST" well spaced. "T" far from right oval line. "T" of "TWO" near left oval line. "WO" close. "OC" near. "CENTS" near; "S" close to right oval. Nose near left oval. "U" line cuts "E" from left to right.
Similar to Var. 6, except that "P" and "O" are nearly on a level and the entire upper inscription is well in center of label.
VARIETY 7. (24 × 26 mm.)
Nose generally touches line. Buff, Orange and Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large, wide open, close to inner frame line and far from left oval. "P" well to left of junction of the two inner frame lines. "O" near the latter. "OS" widely spaced and "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" close. "OC" near and base of "C" touches outer frame line. "EN" far. "NT" wide at base. "S" close to right oval. End of down stroke of both figures far from their respective oval lines. "E" line passes through first stroke of "U."
VARIETY 8. (23-3/4 × 26-1/4 mm.)
"O" above level of "P." "U. S." close. Buff, Orange and Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large, wide open equally far from outer and inner frame line, and far from left oval. "P" to left of junction point of the two inner frame lines. "PO" closer than "OS." "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval and base of "T" touches outer frame line. "WO" close. "OC" near. "C" low. "EN" wide. "S" far from right oval. Nose quite near left oval. End of down stroke of right figure "2" nearly touches inner oval line. "U" line passes along downstroke of "E."
VARIETY 9. (23-3/4 × 26-1/4 mm.)
"U" almost vertical. "PO" wide. Buff and Orange.
"POST" 8-1/2 mm. "U" large, nearly touching outer frame line and far from left oval. Wide space between "S" and "P." "O" well to the right of junction point of the two inner frame lines. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" close. "OC" near. "CE" close, but "C" lower than "E." "EN" well spaced. "TS" close and "S" close to right oval. Figure in left oval well centered, but end of downstroke of right figure "2" near inner oval line. Nose near left oval. "T" line touches "O" of "TWO" to the left. Envelopes only.
CLASS IV.
Bust points to left line of "O."
VARIETY 10. (24-1/4 × 26 mm.)
Narrow "U." Pointed bust, often touching line below. Buff and Dark Manila.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" far from "S," and far from right oval. "SP" very widely spaced. "PO" close. "OST" near. Note that the outer frame line commencing above "T" is incorrectly drawn so that the width at the right end of the label is much smaller than it should be. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" close. "OC" very wide. "CENTS" close, far from inner frame line and letters in a straight line. "S" far from right oval. Nose far from left oval. Top of right figure "2" near inner oval line. "E" line passes just behind the dot after "U" of "U. S." Wrappers only.
VARIETY 11. (25 × 26-1/2 mm.)
Outer frame line strongly pointed at top. Buff and Orange.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" large, far from left oval and top of "U" far from outer frame line. Top of "S" close to outer frame line. "POST" closely spaced. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" almost touches left oval. "WO" close. "OC" close. "CENTS" close and "CE" on level. "S" far from right oval. Nose near left oval. Both figures well in center of ovals. "U" line passes along middle of "N." Envelopes only.
VARIETY 12. (24 × 25-1/2 mm.)
"U" nearly touches line below, and "O" of "POST" line above. Buff, Orange, Amber and Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large and far from left oval. "S" and "P" near. The latter is in a nearly vertical position and stands well to the left of the point. "POST" equally spaced. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval; "WO" close. "OC" near. "C" vertical, and at top near point of inner frame line. "EN" well spaced. "S" near right oval. Nose near left oval. Top of left figure "2" near point of oval. "U" line passes close to head of "E" and touches the latter at base.
VARIETY 13. (24-1/2 × 25-3/4 mm.)
Hair projecting. "CE" on level and nearly touch at top. Buff, Orange and Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large and nearer to left oval than in Var. 12. "U. S." near. "SP." near. "P" a little inclined to left and to left of the point. "POST" spaced near. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" and "OC" close. "ENT" close. "S" far from right oval. Nose near left oval. "E" line passes near right stroke of "U".
CLASS V.
Point of Bust over middle of "O."
VARIETY 14. (23-1/2 × 26 mm.)
"OS" far apart. "S" of "CENTS" near oval line. Buff, Orange, Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large, far from left oval, and near inner frame line. "SP" wide at top. "PO" near, but top of letters some distance from outer frame line. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "OC" near and top of "C" under the point. "CE" wide at base. "EN" widely spaced. "NT" wide at base. "TS" near. Nose near left oval. Figures of value well centered in ovals. "W" line touches top of "P." A deterioration of this variety in which the nose almost touches left oval and "TW" touch upper and lower frame lines is called 14a.
VARIETY 15. (25 × 16 mm.)
Bust touches line over center of "O." Buff, Orange, Amber, Dark Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large, near left oval and at top far from outer frame line. "P" to left of point. "O" well to right of point and slanting to right. "OST" near. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" close. "OC" wide. "C" low and touching outer frame line. "ENTS" spaced near, but "S" far from right oval. Nose near left oval. Left figure "2" well centered, but right figure "2" much nearer to inner frame line. "W" line falls between base of "S" and the period. A deterioration of this die is Var. 15a.
VARIETY 16. (24-3/4 × 26-1/4 mm.)
Bust nearly touches line to right of "O." Buff, Orange.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide and far from left oval. "P" to left of point and close to outer frame line. "PO" wide. "O" far to right of point. "OST" near. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. Inner frame line is some distance from top of letters "WO" of "TWO" and "N" of "CENTS." "OC" wide. "CE" near but "EN" wide. "S" far from right oval. Nose far from left oval. Left figure "2" well centered, but right figure "2" much nearer to inner oval line.
D. DIES.
25-1/2 to 26-1/4 mm.
NOTE:—In Var. 17, 18, 23, 24, 31, and 34 the word "POST" is short and spaced closely. Var. 22 has the narrow "U," and Var. 21, 27, 38, 39 and 40 show the widest spacing of "POST."
CLASS III.
Point of Bust over last bar of "W."
VARIETY 17. (26-1/4 × 25-1/2 mm.)
"O" of "POST" considerably above level of "P." Wide space, after "S" of "CENTS." Buff, Orange and Amber.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" near left oval and near inner frame line. "U.S." close. "P" far to left of point; "O" near point. "OST" close. "T" very far from right oval. "T" of "TWO," far from left oval. "WO" near. "OC" near. "CE" close at top. "N" above level of "E." "NT" close to inner frame line. Nose far from left oval. Figures well centered. "U" line touches "O" at right.
VARIETY 18. (26 × 25-3/4 mm.)
"OC" very near and "O" nearly touching line below. Buff, Orange and Amber.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide, slanting sharply to left and near left oval. "P" is to left of point and slants to the left. "POS" near, but "ST" spaced wider. "T" very far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" close. "CE" close at top. "EN" well spaced at top. "NTS" near and "S" close to right oval. Nose near left oval. "U" line touches base of "N." Envelopes only.
VARIETY 19. (26 × 25-3/4 mm.)
Letters evenly spaced, those in upper label almost in vertical position. Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide, nearly vertical and far from left oval. "U.S." wide. "P" vertical and to left of point. "POS" widely spaced. "ST" near. "T" very far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval and top stroke of "T" nearly touches "W." "WO" near. "OC" near. "C" vertical but a little below "E." "Top stroke of "T" of "CENTS" close to inner frame line. "S" near right oval. Nose near left oval. Figures well in center of ovals. "T" line touches top of "E."
VARIETY 20. (25-1/2 × 25-1/2 mm.)
Sharp point at base of right "2." Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide and near left oval. "P" nearly vertical and to left of point. Top of "O" almost touches outer frame line. Base of "S" and "T" close to inner frame line. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" very close. "OC" close. "CENTS" close and "S" far from right oval. Nose far from left oval. "T" line touches "O" to right.
VARIETY 21. (26 × 25-1/2 mm.)
"ST" and "OC" extremely wide. Point of bust far from line. Sharply pointed nose. Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 9 mm. "U" wide, near left oval, and sharply slanting to left. "U.S." and "SP" very wide. "P" to left of point and slanting a little to the right. "PO" very wide. "O" far to right of point and turned to right. "OS" wide. "T" near right oval, "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "TW" very wide at base. "WO" close. "C" low and nearly under the point. "ENTS" near and "S" close to right oval. Nose pointed and far from left oval. Figures well centered. "U" line passes from tip of "E" to base of "N."
CLASS IV.
Bust points to left line of "O."
VARIETY 22. (25-1/2 × 26 mm.)
Narrow "U," the only one in DIE D. Buff.
Extremely rare. "POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" nearly vertical and far from left oval. "P" small near the point and at top far from outer frame line. "O" far to right of point. "POST" equally spaced. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" close. "OC" wide, "C" slants sharply to right and at base is within the angle, formed by the outer curves. "CENTS" are on the same level. "S" near right oval. The inner curves are far from top of letters "WO" and "CENTS." Nose near left oval. In both side ovals the downstroke of figure "2" ends in a sharp point. "U" line touches "O" to left. Buff envelope only. Knife 2.
VARIETY 23. (26 × 25 mm.)
Extremely wide space before "U" and after "T" in upper label. Bust pointed. Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" wide. The inner curves of the label are close to the inscription. "P" nearly vertical. "POS" close. "ST" near. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" near. "OC" near but "C" slants from left to right and its base touches the outer frame line. Top of vertical stroke of "E" close to inner point. "EN" well spaced at top. "S" slants to right and is close to right oval. Nose very far from right oval. Figure 2 in left oval is lower than figure "2" in right oval. "W" line passes through middle of "U."
VARIETY 24. (26 × 26 mm.)
"O" above level of "P," "C" sharply turned to left. Buff Orange and Light Manila.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" wide, inclined to left and near left oval. "U.S." near. "SP" near. "P" slanting to left and near the point. "POST" about equally spaced but "OST" high nearly touching outer frame line at top. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" near. "OC" near. "EC" close at top. "ENT" well spaced. "S" near right oval. Nose close to left oval. Figures in oval well centered. "C" line passes between "O" of "TWO" and "C" of "CENTS."
VARIETY 25. (25-1/2 × 26 mm.)
"P" tipped sharply to left and "O" to right. Buff and Orange.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide and far from left oval. Base of "U", close to inner frame line, but top of "S" close to outer frame line. "U S P" near. "P" far to left and "O" in line with point. "POS" near. "T" far from "S" and far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" close. "OC" close. "CE" on level but "E" slanting to right. "TS" close. "S" near right oval. Nose some distance from left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. Envelopes only.
VARIETY 26. (26 × 26 mm.)
"P" nearly on a level with "O." "POST" close. "OC" near. Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide slanting to left, and far from left oval. "US." wide. "SP" wide. "P" to left of point and nearly vertical. "T" very far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" close. "OC" near. "C" vertical. "CE" close. "EN" near. "NTS" close. "S" far from right oval. Nose near oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "T" line passes close to junction point of inner frame lines, and touches "C" to left.
VARIETY 27. (26-1/2 × 25-1/2 mm.)
Sharp point of bust high above left of "O." Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 9-3/4 mm. "U" wide slanting considerably to left and near left oval. The entire inscription in upper label is widely spaced, but "OS" widest. "T" slants sharply to right, nearly touches outer frame line and is far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" near. "OC" wide. The junction point of the inner frame lines is over the center of "C", which is low. "EN" well spaced and close to inner frame line. "S" nearly horizontal and close to right oval. Nose near left oval. Downstroke of right figure "2" near inner oval line. "T" line passes through first stroke of "W" of "TWO."
VARIETY 27a. (26-1/4 × 25-1/2 mm.)
"POST" 9-3/4 mm. Same as last variety, but appearing to be different. This is due to great deterioration of the die. It is found on a wrapper only and is rather scarce.
CLASS V.
Bust points to middle of "O".
VARIETY 28. (26 × 26 mm.)
"ST" close. Wide space after "S" of "CENTS". Buff and Orange.
"Post" 7-1/2 mm. "U" wide, nearly vertical and near the left oval. "U.S." near. "PO" near, but "O" slightly above "P". There is a wide space between "OS". "T" near right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" very close. "OC near". "CE" close and top of "E" under the point. "EN" wide, especially at top: "N" slightly above "E". "NTS" close. Nose near left oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "U" line cuts top of "O" of "TWO" at right. Envelopes only.
VARIETY 29. (25 × 25-3/4 mm.)
Space before "U" and after "T" extremely wide. Light Manila.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" wide. "U.S." near and both letters close to inner frame line. "P" well to left of point and on a level with "O." "O" close to point. "POS" near, but "T" further from "S". "T" of "TWO" close to left oval. "WO" near. "OC" near and "C" under the point. "E" quite a distance to right of point. "EN" wide. "NTS" near right oval. Nose far from left oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "U" line passes through middle of "C" of "CENTS". Point of bust very broad. Wrappers only.
VARIETY 30. (26 × 25-1/2 mm.)
Nose far from oval line. Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 7-1/2 mm. "U" wide, nearly vertical and near left oval "U.S." wide. "SP" widely spaced. "PO" close and nearly on a level, "OST" near. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" near, but "OC" wide. "CE" on level and close at top. "EN" well spaced. "TS" wide at base. "S" far from right oval. Nose far from left oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "E" line touches "S" of "U.S." at the right.
VARIETY 31. (25-3/4 × 25-3/4 mm.)
"P" considerably above "O". Point of bust square and nearly touches line. Buff and Orange.
"Post" 7-1/2 mm. "U" wide, inclined to left, and near left oval. "S" close to inner frame line. Top of "P" close to outer frame line. "POST" near. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval and base of "T" some distance from outer frame line. "WO" near. "OC" very wide. "C" low. Back stroke of "E" almost touches the point. "EN" wide and "N" high. "NT" wide at top. "TS" close. "S" near right oval. Nose near left oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "T" line passes through center of "U" of "U. S."
VARIETY 32. (26 × 26-1/4 mm.)
Bust ends in a sharp point, which nearly touches line over centre of "O" of "TWO". Orange and light manila.
"POST" 7-1/4 mm. "U" rather short, inclined to left and near left oval. "SP" wide at top. "P" near point and above level of "O". "PO" near but "O" slanting to right. "OS" well spaced, but "S" low. "ST" wide. "T" far from left oval. "WO" close. "C" of "CENTS" almost touches outer frame line and "CE" close at base. "ENTS" close and "S" near right oval. Nose near left oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "U" line passes slantingly from top of "E" to base.
VARIETY 33. (25-3/4 × 25-3/4 mm.)
Projecting hair. Wide space after "S" of "CENTS." Buff, Orange and Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide, close to inner frame line and near left oval. Base of "S" some distance from inner frame line. "P" leans to the left. "PO" close but "O" slants to the right and is near the point. "OS" well spaced but "ST" spaced wider. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" near. "OC" wide. "C" some distance to right of point but on level with "E." The backstroke of the latter nearly touches the point. "EN" wide, and "ENTS" close to inner frame line. Nose far from left oval. Figures well centered in ovals. "P" line passes through back stroke of "E."
VARIETY 34. (25-3/4 × 27 mm.)
"S" of "U.S" touches line above. "OC" near. Buff envelope and wrapper.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide, inclined to left and near left oval. "SP" near, "P" far to left of point. "PO" well spaced at top and "O" a little raised. "OS" widely spaced. "ST" low, so that top stroke of "T" is somewhat above top of "S." "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" near. "C" slants to left, and "E" to right, so that there is a considerable space between the letters at base. "ENT" wide. "TS" close. "S" far from right oval. Figure in right oval near inner frame line, but in left oval well centered. "U" line passes between "CE."
VARIETY 35. (25 × 25-3/4 mm.)
"O" of "POST" slants sharply to left. Hair far from frame line. Buff, Orange and Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" almost vertical and quite near to left oval. "U.S." near. "P" inclined to left. "O" near point. "OST" close. "T" near right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" near. "OC" near. "CE" wide at base. "N" higher than "E" or "T." "S" slants sharply to right and is far from right oval. Nose far from left oval. Figures well centered in oval. "T" line slants through "C" from right to left. Bust ends in a rather short point.
VARIETY 36. (26 × 26 mm.)
"P" tipped to left. "O" nearly touches outer frame line. Point of bust short and over centre of "O." Amber and Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" large, inclined to left and near left oval. "U. S." near and base of "S" some distance from inner frame line. "P" near point and slanting to left. "PO" wide, "O" nearly vertical. "OST" wide. "T" far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" far from left oval. "WO" close. "OC" near. "C" is low and slants sharply to left. "CE" close at top. "ENTS" close. "T" almost touches line above. "S" near right oval. Nose near left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. "U" line touches ends of upper and lower stroke of "E."
VARIETY 37. (26-1/2 × 26 mm.)
"P" nearly touches line at top. "POST" near. Orange and Amber.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide, inclined to left and near left oval. "US" wide. "P" nearly vertical and some distance to left of point. "PO" on a level. "T" "of "POST" very far from right oval. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" close. "OC" near. "C" nearly under the point and vertical. "EN" well spaced at top. "NTS" close, especially the last two letters, "S" near right oval. Nose far from left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. "T" line slants across top of "E." Envelopes only. A common die.
VARIETY 38. (26 × 26 mm.)
Bust point behind "O." "NT" wide. Orange, Amber, Light Manila.
"POST" 8 mm. "U" wide, greatly inclined to left, and quite near left oval. "US" very wide. "P" near point and slanting to left. "O" some distance to right of point and inclined to right. "POS" wide but "ST" widest. Top stroke of "T" close to outer frame line. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" near. "OC" very wide. "C" almost vertical and close to point. Top of "E" slightly above "C." "EN" near. "TS" wide at base and "S" close to right oval. Nose far from left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. "U" line touches base of "T" of "CENTS."
VARIETY 39. (26-1/4 × 25-1/2 mm.)
"P" considerably above level of "O." "POST" wide. Amber, and Light Manila.
"POST" 9 mm. "U" wide, inclined to left, and near left oval. "US" wide. "SP" wide. "P" slants to left and is close to the point. "PO" very wide. "O" far to right of point and but little slanting. "OST" wide. "T" near right oval. "T" of "TWO" close to left oval, "WO" close. The entire word is well above the outer frame line. "OC" very wide. "C" under the point and upright. Top of "E" slightly above "C." "NT" close. "TS" wide. "S" close to right oval. Nose near left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. "W" line touches base of "U" at right. Broad point to bust. Envelope and wrapper.
VARIETY 40. (26 × 26 mm.)
"NT" very near. "POST" wide. Buff, Orange, Amber, Light Manila.
"POST" 9-1/2 mm. Inscription in upper label much resembles that of the preceding variety, but "S" of "U.S." is low and "PO" nearer. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" close. "OC" wide. "TS" close at top. Nose far from left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. "U" line passes along middle stroke of "N." One of the most common varieties.
Reference List of the Two Cent Envelopes and Wrappers of the Series of 1863 and 1864.
ENVELOPES.
TWO CENTS, BLACK.
1863.
Inscribed: "U. S. POSTAGE."
DIE A.
| Var. 3. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Class. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
| 370 | 4 | Buff | 2 | 3 | 139 × 83 | Gummed. |
| 371 | " | " | 2 | 3 | " | Ungummed. |
| Var. 5. | ||||||
| 372 | 4 | Buff | 2 | 3 | 139 × 83 | Ungummed. |
| 373 | " | " | 2 | 3 | " | Gummed. |
| Var. 6. | ||||||
| 374 | 4 | Amber | 2 | 3 | 139 × 83 | Gummed. |
| 375 | " | Buff | 2 | 3 | " | Ungummed. |
DIE B.
| Var. 8. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Class. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
| 376 | 4 | Buff | 11 | 3 | 139 × 83 | Ungummed. |
| 377 | " | Orange | 11 | 3 | " | " |
1864.
Inscribed: "U. S. POST."
DIE C.
DIE D.
Wrappers.
1863.
Inscribed: "U. S. POSTAGE."
DIE A.
| Var. 1. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Class. | Paper. | Dimensions. | Laid. | Remarks. |
| 451 | 1 | D. M. | 227 × 148 | ||
| Var. 2. | |||||
| 452 | 2 | D. M. | 227 × 148 | ||
| Var. 4. | |||||
| 453 | 4 | D. M. | 227 × 148 | ||
| Var. 6. | |||||
| 454 | 4 | D. M. | 227 × 148 | ||
| Var. 7. | |||||
| 455 | 4 | D. M. | 227 × 148 | ||
1864.
Inscribed: "U. S. POST."
DIE C.
DIE D.
[FIFTH ISSUE: 1864-1865.]
THREE CENTS, ROSE; THREE CENTS, BROWN; SIX CENTS, ROSE AND SIX CENTS, PURPLE.
In the Postmaster-General's report for 1864 it is stated that "during the last session of Congress a bill was passed for the relief of the contractor for furnishing the department with stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers, under the provisions of which the existing contract expired on Sept. 11, 1864."
With the renewal of the former contract Nesbitt changed the dies of the two, three and six cents. The first we have already exhaustively treated. It is, of course, the two cents, black, "U. S. POST". All these dies remained in use until June 30th, 1870.
As a matter of history it may be noted here that the three cents printed in brown, likewise the six cents rose, both on official size, were issued in July, 1865. The dies have a portrait of Washington facing to the left in a plain oval. It is enclosed in a frame of colorless lines. Inscription above "UNITED STATES"; below, "THREE CENTS" or "SIX CENTS", in block capitals. Large numerals of value at each side.
None of the Nesbitt die varieties have given the writer so many anxious hours and have required such prolonged study as the three cents of 1864. Indeed, the final solution of the problem of classification of the various dies was only arrived at after more than two years continuous research. Like the famous balancing of the egg of Columbus, the problem, when solved, is extremely simple. Looking backward on the long series of failures, it seems strange that the chief characteristics have so long escaped the attention of cataloguers. The fact, however, is patent. Even as thorough and painstaking a student as the late Gilbert Harrison who, in 1895, chronicled, as he thought, all of the existing die varieties of the three cents has failed to observe the most important differences. Indeed, in the entire philatelic literature dealing with the Nesbitt dies of 1864 there is but one allusion to the feature which constitutes the surest means for the identification of the die varieties, and this is only a single sentence contained in the Historical Notes of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert and Rechert. It reads:—
"It is worth mentioning, however, that while dies 9, 15 and 26 (the latter the die under consideration) all have the small bust of Washington, there are small differences in each which show them to be different engravings. * * In die 26 the front hair shows only five locks and the back hair only four lines."
We shall presently see that, like the three cents, red of 1853, (Die A) the diemakers have produced different groups of heads which, once known, are not only an absolute means of differentiating the varieties, but also protect the collector from acquiring a multitude of the same die.
Although, as stated above, the die of the three cents rose equals that of the three cents red in the use of various heads, it is, otherwise, quite dissimilar to the first issue, as will be seen presently.
As in the varieties of the two cent dies the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the three cents vary greatly. After careful research and taking the advice of experienced philatelists, it was decided to adopt only two sizes for classification: i.e.
Size A:—to include all stamps measuring horizontally 24 mm. but not exceeding 25 mm.
Size B:—to include all stamps measuring horizontally 25-1/2 mm. or more.
In our study of the three cents red of 1853 we noted, in addition to the various heads, some minor differences in the spacing of the letters forming the inscription. Referring now to the three cents of 1864, even the unskilled eye of the layman will be struck with the surprising changes, not only in the spacing of the letters forming a word, but, also, in the relative position of the words to each other and their distance from a definite point, such, for instance, as the figure "3." The subsequent cuts well illustrate this point.
In the first the "S" of "CENTS" is several mm. distant from the right figure "3": in the second it is close to "3". The same remarks apply to the "U" of "UNITED" in its relative position to the left figure "3". In the second cut there is also a square period after the final "E" of "THREE".
Looking at cuts 3 and 4 the great variety of spacing between the letters of a word is strikingly apparent in the word "THREE." These differences are easily detected by the 10 mm. unit distance measurement, which has been explained in the introductory chapter of this series of articles. The subjoined diagram proves that there are at least three forms of each word, and, with a little study, the collector will soon recognize the leading types.
It seems strange that such great and palpable differences remained unknown until 1892. Quoting from the work of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert & Rechert, we are, however, informed: "Heretofore it has not been noticed that there are a large number of minor varieties of this die depending on the relative position of the parts."
Commenting on Die 26 (three cents rose) the writers make some valuable suggestions, but they discourage the would-be student from going deeper into the subject by the closing paragraph: "So few collectors would be interested in looking for these varieties that it has been thought unnecessary to devote space to them in a general work." In the writer's opinion the most valuable hint thrown out by Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert & Rechert is contained in the following sentence: "If a thread be laid along the lower stroke of the "U" it will pass at different distances from the tip of the nose and fall on different parts of the right numeral, of the space below it, or even as low as the "S" of "CENTS."
Why these experts stopped at the gate and did not enter is one of those freaks of the human mind that defies explanation. Certainly the person who made this observation was on the very threshold of discovering a scientific classification of this elusive die. The writer confesses that, after having independently evolved this system of classification, nothing has given him greater satisfaction than to find that the basic idea had been chronicled as far back as 1892. To-day it is well known that a line prolongation along the "U" of "UNITED" establishes five distinct classes. As this system has been fully described in a lecture given by the writer before the Boston Philatelic Society, (April 19, 1904) which lecture has also been published in pamphlet form, and, as this classification has been accepted by the writer of the latest Scott Catalo gue, it seems unnecessary to go into the details, especially as the subjoined diagram is self-explanatory.
It is evident that we now possess various means for the classification of the three cents die varieties, but a system based solely on a line measurement, as has been stated heretofore, would not guard the collector sufficiently from acquiring a number of the same dies, due to unavoidable mistakes of measurement. To prevent duplication of dies it is imperative to know the various heads.
Luckily the distinctive features are quite plain and it is easy to divide the heads into five classes for, as in the first issue, the die cutters have adorned the head of Washington with a variety of coiffures.
In Heads 1 and 2 there is a triangular open space between the middle bunch of hair and the lowest strand which meets the queue.
HEAD 1.—The queue consists of three vertical strands extending from the top of the head to the neck. Next to the queue are 3 rear locks, of which the middle one is a large, pear-shaped bunch, consisting of five fine strands, while the second highest is by far the longest, and cuts into the queue, resembling the stem of a pear.
HEAD 2.—Same as Head 1, but the second lowest strand of hair in the pear-shaped bunch is the longest and does not extend into the queue. The triangular space below is slightly larger than in Head 1.
HEAD 3.—The queue consists of either three or four strands which extend from the top of the head to the neck. Next to the queue there are five locks in the rear row, the arrangement of which differs in the various specimens. The main feature of Head 3 consists in the absence of an open space between the middle bunch and the lowest lock.
HEAD 4.—The queue consists of three strands which extend from the top of the head to the neck. The back row of hair consists of five locks of which the lowest is very small and runs almost perpendicularly into the queue. There is a small space between the perpendicular lock and the next lowest.
HEAD 5.—Generally found on the second quality of buff paper. The queue consists of three strands, which extend from the top of the head to the neck. The main feature is the middle bunch of hair, which is oblong shaped and consists of three heavy strands, all of which slant diagonally into the queue. Immediately below this bunch is the lowest small lock, which also slants diagonally into the queue.
Of the five heads, the first is certainly the one which is most commonly found; especially on amber paper. Knife 1 is always Head 4. Head 3 is less common, and Head 5 is most frequently found on the second quality buff paper. It is also useful to remember that Head 5 appears on Knife 11.
The subsequent table gives the knives and heads of the three cents, Rose:—
| K. | 22 | 120 × 73 | P. O. Size | 1 | Heads | 1, 2, 3, 4 | White |
| " | 1 | 120 × 73 | " | 1 | " | 4 | White |
| " | 2 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 3 | White |
| " | 11 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | White |
| " | 11 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Buff |
| " | 11 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 2 | Amber |
| " | 11 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 5 | Buff 2nd |
| " | 9 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 2, 3, 4 | White |
| " | 9 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 3, 4 | Buff |
| " | 9 | 139 × 83 | " | 3 | " | 1, 2 | Amber |
| " | 12 | 160 × 90 | " | 5 | " | 1, 2, 3, 4 | White |
| " | 12 | 160 × 90 | " | 5 | " | 1, 3, 4 | Buff |
| " | 12 | 160 × 90 | " | 5 | " | 1, 2 | Amber |
A similar table for the three cents, Brown shows that the following heads exist:—
| K. | 21 | 225 × 98 | Size | 7 | Heads | 1, 2, 3, 4 | White |
| " | " | " | " | " | " | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Buff |
| " | " | " | " | " | " | 1, 2 | Amber |
The six cents, Rose and Purple comes only on heads 1 and 3.
A systematic and rational classification of the three cents (both rose and brown) and their congener the six cents (purple and rose) is now ready. The collector of entire envelopes will proceed as follows:—
Given a certain specimen, he first ascertains the knife, second the color of the paper. He then decides which head is represented, and finally ascertains whether it is an "A" or "B" die. The specialist, or any collector who is sufficiently interested to possess the various sub-varieties, goes a step further. Having determined the head, he finds to which of the four classes of line measurement a given specimen belongs. Thus the apparently bewildering number of varieties, through the knowledge of the heads and the "U" line measurement, are brought into perfect order, and all risk of confusion is avoided. It is evident that, henceforth, the collector of cut squares will try to obtain at least one specimen of the different heads of both die A and B, while the collector of entires may go to any length to satisfy his zeal and ambition.
The large die (Die B), measuring horizontally 25-1/2 mm. or more, is comparatively scarce and it is found most commonly on the small envelope, Knife 22.
THREE CENTS, ROSE.
| K. | 22 | Heads | 1, 2, 4 | White |
| " | 11 | " | 4 | Buff |
| " | 9 | " | 1, 4 | White |
| " | 9 | " | 1 | Buff |
| " | 12 | " | 2, 4 | White |
| " | 12 | " | 2 | Amber |
THREE CENTS, BROWN.
| K | 21 | Head | 1 | White |
| " | " | " | 1, 2 | Buff |
| " | " | " | 2 | Amber |
With the issue of the three cents, rose, the contractor, at the order of the Post Office Department, introduced a second quality of buff paper. This matter is of importance to all collectors and should be duly noted.
In a circular letter from the Finance Office, dated "Washington Oct. 1866," signed "A. N. Zevely, 3d Asst. P. M. G.", it is stated:—
"Letter size envelopes stamped 3 cents, made of a cheaper quality of paper than those hitherto furnished, are furnished by the Department at $32.80 per 1,000."
The schedule of 1867 gives the prices of three cent envelopes, etc., and of letter size second quality buff. A circular to the public of the same date says that "letter size second quality are furnished ONLY in buff."
The white and colored paper of this issue exists in various qualities, of which the extremes may be called nearly cardboard paper and almost tissue. The texture is soft and highly surfaced. An interesting variety of the white paper is a decidedly brownish-white, which, as far as the writer knows, has not been mentioned heretofore. There are also various shades of buff and even a reddish toned orange paper.
Doubtless collectors would like to possess some information about the rarity of the various heads found in the three cents, rose, of this issue. From a study of some six thousand envelopes of this series the writer can give a fairly accurate estimate. Calling the total number of envelopes examined one hundred per cent, the respective percentages of the five heads were:
Head 1—50%
" 2—30%
" 3—10%
" 4—09.5%
" 5—00.5%
————
100.
In regard to the sub varieties of the various heads it is also of interest to observe that a considerable number are "repeating dies," i.e., generally a die, say of Head 1 on white paper and on Knife 11, is liable to be found on buff and amber paper not only on Knife 11, but also on Knife 9. Only very few sub varieties of a given Head exist on of this series. Although it is evident that of all Nesbitt issues the 3 cent rose 1864 has by far the largest number of die varieties, it is by no means an impossible task to classify all existing varieties as has been done with the two cent Jackson, and it is the intention of the writer to carry out this work at no distant day. Probably due to the apparent similarity of many dies collectors have been apathetic and have considered one as good as the other, but a little study speedily convinces the student of this error. Indeed, this issue contains a number of extremely rare dies, and as soon as proper information and classification is published, the 3 cent rose of 1864 will be a favorite of all true philatelists.
Before leaving these interesting dies we must not fail to mention that, on the three cents and six cents, there is often a small dot on Washington's face shaped like a mole, about one mm. under the ear. It is of little importance, and is evidently merely a flaw.
In addition to the 3 and 6 cents, Nesbitt produced, in 1864, a new design for the 9, 12, 18 and 30 cents, while the old design of the former 24 and 40 cents was changed in December 1865. The main difference between the new and the old design is that the oval band and small circular disks are with colored background bordered by colorless lines. The inscriptions and numerals are now colorless. The branches have eight leaves.
Of these values no die varieties are known; but, excepting the 40 cents pink, there are several distinct shades of each stamp.
Commencing with the Nine Cents, we have a decided lemon-yellow and an orange; the Twelve Cents appears in dark brown and red-brown; the Twenty-four Cents in two shades of blue; the Eighteen Cents exists in red and dark red, and the Thirty Cents in yellow-green, dark green and olive-green.
This concludes the Nesbitt issues of United States envelopes. His connection with the Postal Department ceased March 31, 1870, when a new contract was awarded to George H. Reay, of New York.
To the philatelists the Nesbitt issues are by far the most interesting series of all the United States Postal issues and, as the years pass on, the intrinsic value of these die varieties will increase rapidly. Specialization is the watchword of the now growing class of collectors, and there is no field so inviting and which will repay a student so richly for his labor as a specialized collection of the Nesbitt issues. What is wanted to-day is a special album for United States envelopes, which would insure to this prominent branch of United States philately that measure of official recognition for which collectors have long and earnestly contended. An equally valuable aid would be the formation of a Society of Collectors of United States envelopes. The writer confidently expects that this suggestion will soon assume a more tangible form.
If this series of articles has, in even the slightest degree, helped collectors of United States envelopes to a wider knowledge and better appreciation of these hitherto unknown die varieties, the writer will feel well repaid for the many hours of labor. In closing, he again asserts; "Variety is the spice of life!"
A Reference List of the Envelopes of the Series of 1864 and 1865.
1864.
THREE CENTS, ROSE.
DIE A.
DIE B.
| Head I. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Variety. | Remarks. |
| 606 | White | 22 | 1 | 120 × 73 | 2 | |
| 607 | " | 9 | 3 | 139 × 83 | 2 | |
| 608 | " | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 1 | |
| 609 | Buff | 9 | 3 | 139 × 83 | 2 | |
| 610 | " | 9 | 3 | " | 3 | |
| Head II. | ||||||
| 611 | White | 22 | 1 | 120 × 73 | 1 | |
| 612 | " | 22 | 1 | " | 3 | |
| 613 | " | 9 | 3 | 139 × 83 | 3 | |
| 614 | " | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 4 | |
| 615 | Amber | 9 | 3 | 139 × 83 | 1 | |
| 616 | " | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 2 | |
| 617 | " | 12 | 5 | " | 3 | |
| Head III. | ||||||
| 617a | White | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 5 | |
| Head IV. | ||||||
| 618 | White | 22 | 1 | 120 × 73 | 1 | |
| 619 | " | 11 | 3 | 139 × 83 | 2 | |
| 620 | " | 9 | 3 | " | 1 | |
| 621 | " | 9 | 3 | " | 2 | |
| 622 | " | 9 | 3 | " | 3 | |
| 623 | " | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 1 | |
| 624 | " | 12 | 5 | " | 2 | |
| 625 | Buff | 11 | 3 | 139 × 83 | 1 | |
| 626 | " | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 1 | |
| 627 | " | 12 | 5 | " | 2 | |
| 629 | Amber | 12 | 5 | 160 × 90 | 3 | |
1865.
THREE CENTS, BROWN.
DIE A.
DIE B.
| Head I. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Variety. | Remarks. |
| 647 | White | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | 2 | |
| 648 | Buff | 21 | 7 | " | 2 | |
| Head II. | ||||||
| 649 | White | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | 2 | |
| 650 | Buff | 21 | 7 | " | 4 | |
| 650a | Amber | 21 | 7 | " | 2 | |
| 650b | " | 21 | 7 | " | 4 | |
SIX CENTS, PURPLE.
| Head I. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
| 651 | White | 11 | 3 | 139 × 83 | |
| 652 | Amber | 11 | 3 | " | |
| Head III. | |||||
| 653 | White | 11 | 3 | 139 × 83 | |
| 654 | Buff | 11 | 3 | " | |
| 655 | Amber | 11 | 3 | " | |
SIX CENTS, ROSE.
| Head I. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
| 656 | White | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | |
| 657 | Amber | 21 | 7 | " | |
| Head III. | |||||
| 658 | White | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | |
| 659 | Buff | 21 | 7 | " | |
| 660 | Amber | 21 | 7 | " | |
NINE CENTS, YELLOW.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 661 | Buff | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | |
| 662 | Amber | 21 | 7 | " |
NINE CENTS, ORANGE.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 663 | Buff | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | |
| 664 | Amber | 21 | 7 | " |
TWELVE CENTS, BROWN.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 665 | Buff | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 | |
| 666 | Amber | 21 | 7 | " |
TWELVE CENTS, RED-BROWN.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 667 | Buff | 21 | 7 | 225 × 98 |
EIGHTEEN CENTS, RED.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 668 | Buff | 20 | 8 | 249 × 104 |
TWENTY-FOUR CENTS, BLUE.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 669 | Buff | 20 | 8 | 249 × 104 | |
| 670 | " | 20 | 8 | " | Dark blue |
| 671 | Amber | 20 | 8 | " |
THIRTY CENTS, GREEN.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 672 | Buff | 20 | 8 | 249 × 104 | Yellow-green. |
| 673 | Buff | 20 | 8 | " | Dark green. |
| 674 | Buff | 20 | 8 | " | Olive green. |
FORTY CENTS, ROSE.
| No. | Paper. | Knife. | Size. | Dimensions. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 675 | Buff | 20 | 8 | 249 × 104 |
[APPENDIX]
Series of 1853-1855.
DIE I.
Since the publication of the early portion of the present work the writer has discovered two new varieties of this die, both with Head I, which must be known as varieties 1a and 2a and which, therefore, necessitate his re-writing the descriptions of Vars. 1 and 2.
He has, also, re-written the description of variety 3 with the idea of enabling collectors to more easily differentiate between it and the other varieties.
The following should, therefore replace the descriptions of these varieties on pages 107 and 108 of the Journal for 1905.
Head I.
LONG SIDE LOCK.
Var. 1. "CENTS" is near the frame line. "C" and "N" are in an almost vertical position. "N" is near "T." "S" is near curve. Letters "TH" are parallel and slant to left. A line drawn along the "E" of "CENTS" and prolonged upwards touches the right end of the top stroke of the first "E" of "THREE."
Var. 1a. The "C" of "CENTS" and "E" of "THREE" slant distinctly to the right. "EN" close and near outer frame line. "N" and "T" are wide at base. A line drawn along "E" touches the left end of the top stroke of the final "E."
Var. 2. "TH" of "THREE" widely spaced and "R" is almost in center of label and vertical. The "N" of "CENTS" slants to the right and is far from "T" at top and base. The top of "S" is some distance from curve. There is a flaw in the outer colored line nearly opposite the tip of nose. A line drawn along "E" touches right the end of the top stroke of the final "E."
Var. 2a. There is a flaw in the red outer frame line nearly opposite the junction of the queue with the garment. "CENTS" is near the inner frame line. "HR" wide at top and near at base. "C" is some distance from the curve. "EN" near. "N" short and broad. The upper right curve is nearly a straight line. A line drawn along "E" touches the left end of the top stroke of the second "E" of "THREE."
Head 1a.
SHORT SIDE LOCK.
Var. 3 The "C" of "CENTS" is high and close to curve. "CE" very wide. "EN" wide. "N" nearly vertical. "EN" close at top. A line drawn along "E" touches the left end of the top stroke of the final "E."