2. Issue of 1874. Denominations, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96 cents, $1.92, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. Value of set, $204.66.
The 1847 and 1851 stamps are obsolete, and no longer receivable for postage. The subsequent issues of ordinary stamps are still valid. The newspaper and periodical stamps of 1865 are also uncurrent; those of the issue of 1874 can be used only by publishers and news agents for matter mailed in bulk under the Act of June 23rd, 1874. The official stamps cannot be used except for the official business of the particular Department for which it is provided.
All the specimens furnished will be ungummed, and the official stamps will have printed across the face the word "Specimen" in small type. It will be useless to apply for gummed stamps or for official stamps with the word "Specimen" omitted.
The stamps will be sold by sets, and application must not be made for less than one full set of any issue except the State Department official stamps and newspaper and periodical stamps of the issue of 1874. The regular set of the former will embrace all the denominations from 1 cent to 90 cents inclusive, valued at $2; and any or all of the other denominations ($2, $5, $10 and $20) will be added or sold separately from the regular set as desired.
The newspaper and periodical stamps will be sold in quantities of not less than two dollars worth in each case, of any denomination or denominations that may be ordered.
Under no circumstances will stamps be sold for less than their face value.
Payment must invariably be made in advance in current funds of the United States. Mutilated currency, internal revenue and postage stamps, bank checks and drafts, will not be accepted, but will in all cases be returned to the sender.
To insure greater certainty in the transmission, it is strongly urged that remittances be made either by money order or registered letter. Applicants will also include a sufficient amount for return postage and registry fee, it being desirable to send stamps by registered letter. Losses in the mails or by any mode of transmission must be at the risk of the purchaser.
Applications must be addressed to "The Third Assistant Postmaster General, Washington, D. C."