Previous to the time when this law began to operate, no stamps were required for the payment of postage on newspapers sent to regular subscribers, as the postage was collected in money quarterly, at the office of delivery. Last year there were 35,000 post offices at which newspaper postage was collected, while under the present true system of the absolute prepayment of all postage, the whole amount is collected at about 3,400 offices, the latter representing the number of places in the United States at which newspapers and periodicals are mailed.
The papers for subscribers living outside of the county in which they are published, are made up in bulk at the publication office, carried to the post office and there weighed. The postage is computed on the whole issue, the proper amount in stamps handed to the postmaster, who gives the publisher a receipt as evidence of payment, and on the stubs of the receipt book he affixes and cancels the stamps which correspond in value, with the sum mentioned in the receipt. Thus one transaction is all that is required in paying the postage upon a single issue of any regular publication. The stubs with their cancelled stamps, are kept in the post office as vouchers for the postage paid. In no case are the stamps affixed to the papers or packages that pass through the mails.
These stamps are twenty-four in number and were prepared by the Continental Bank Note Company, of New York, from designs selected in October, 1874." Elsewhere it is stated that the distribution to postmasters began December 11th, 1874. "The denominations are as follows, viz: 2 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents, 9 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 36 cents, 48 cents, 60 cents, 72 cents, 84 cents, 96 cents, $1.92 cents, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. These denominations were found to be necessary, in order that payment might be made on any given quantity from one pound to one ton, at both the two and three cent rate, with the use of not to exceed five stamps in any transaction.
No description of these stamps having been given in any official form. I may be pardoned for presenting herewith a detailed description of them, in order that it may be printed, and be permanently preserved in the records of the department."
Two Cents to Ten Cents, inclusive, emblematical figure of America, looking to the right and modeled after Crawford's statue surmounting the dome of the capitol. The left hand rests on a shield, and holds a wreath; the right rests on a sword. The head is adorned with a head dress consisting of a coronet of stars, surmounted by an eagle's head and plumes. The background is horizontally lined and in parts diagonally also. The vignette stands in an arched frame, composed of vertical lines; and on either side of this frame, and at the top are slabs containing the inscriptions (the upper in colored letters on horizontally lined ground, the others in colorless block capitals, the sides upon vertically lined ground), "Newspapers" and "Periodicals" (at the sides), "U. S. Postage" (at top). At the bottom are shaded outline block letters, representing the value, which is also indicated by large outlined figures shaded on the face, in the upper corners, on foliated scrolls. The lower corners are ornamented with shields. The color of these stamps is black.
Twelve Cents to Ninety-Six Cents, inclusive. Vignette of Astraea or Justice, in niche, bordered by a colorless line curved at the top, holding in her right hand the balance, and resting with her left on a shield bearing the United States coat of arms. The figure is full robed, mailed and girdled as to the upper part and helmeted. Surmounting the helmet is an eagle with out-stretched wings on a background horizontally and diagonally lined. Figures representing values in shaded numerals on shields, in the upper corners; values also in sunken letters below, on solid labels bordered by a colorless and colored line, richly ornamented. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," on side and at top in shaded outlined capitals on vertically lined ground. Color, pink.
One Dollar and Ninety-Two Cents. Vignette of Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line and a vertically lined frame. She holds in her left hand an ear of corn, her right holding a wreath, rests against the hip. The figure faced to the front and is clad in full flowing robes. "U. S. Postage" at the top, other inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in italic capitals shaded on the face and outside, on obelisks at either side, resting on the lower slab, which is in solid color, containing value, "One dollar and ninety-two cents," in two lines of white capitals. Value also in figures, "$1-92/100" in upper corners. Color, deep brown.
Three Dollars. Goddess of Victory in curved niche, full-robed, girdled with sword to the left, and mantle thrown over shoulders. The right hand is stretched forward, holding a wreath; the left rests on a shield. Outline figures of value, "$3" on octagons in upper corners, value below in letters on either side of a large outline figure "3" on a shield. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in colorless capitals, in solid labels on either side, and "U. S. Postage" on lined ground above. The niche and labels are all edged with colorless lines. The background is vertically lined. Color, vermilion.
Six Dollars. Clio, the Muse of History in curved niche, bordered by colorless line, on horizontally lined ground, full robed the toga thrown over the left shoulder. In her right hand she holds a stylus, in the left a tablet. Outline colorless figures of value, "$6" in upper corners, surrounded by curved ornaments. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in white shaded letters on the sides, and above "U. S. Postage" in dark letters, value, "Six Dollars" in outline colorless letters in label, on vertically lined ground. Color, light blue.
Nine Dollars. Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, full robed, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line with horizontally and diagonally lined ground. The left hand is placed across her breast, holding a portion of her toga; the right is grasping a spear. Figures of value "$9" in upper corners, in foliated ornaments. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," on sides in outline colorless and shaded italics, and above in small colored letters, on the lined ground, "U. S. Postage." Value, "Nine Dollars," also in letters shaded on the face, below on scroll. Beneath is a large "9" in curved foliated ornaments. Color, orange.