EDWARD W. BARBER,
Third Assistant Postmaster General.
Issue of July 1st, 1873.
The several denominations for all the departments have certain characteristics that are common to all stamps of that value, which may as well be stated once for all, to avoid repetition.
With the exception of those of the post office department, the head is the same as that on the ordinary stamp of the same value then current.
The value is expressed in numerals and words beneath the oval in the same numerals, letters and scrolls as on the ordinary stamps of the same value, except that in those for the Post Office Department the numerals in the 1, 12 and 30 cents and the letters in all are a trifle smaller.
The One Cent has the head of Franklin in an oval as described, the large "1" dividing "One Cent" on a band bordered by heavy white lines as described, but the ornament across the ends is omitted except in that for the Executive and Agriculture, and is lessened in that for the Interior.
The Two Cents has the head of Jackson as described, the large numeral "2" dividing "Two Cents" upon a scroll with white border as described, the ends of the scroll are, however, differently arranged to accommodate parts of the design.
The Three Cents has the head of Washington as described, the large "3" dividing the words "Three Cents" upon a scroll as described.
The Six Cents has the head of Lincoln, the large "6" dividing the words "Six Cents" upon a scroll with colorless borders as described.
The Seven Cents has the head of Stanton, the large "7" dividing the words "Seven Cents" upon a label following the oval and bordered by the white line between two colored lines and ending in a curve and ball as described.