History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America

by John K. Tiffany

3 cents blue.

Six Cents. Head of Washington, three quarters face looking to the right, on a ground of vertical and horizontal lines, bordered by a solid broad colored line, ornamented by 68 pearls. Spandrels checkered and bordered by colorless lines. Frame square, composed of vertically lined squares in the upper corners, with narrower horizontally lined label between, with a broad colored border, ornamented by pearls and exterior colorless and colored line above. The colored labels are narrower than the upper squares at the sides, and are bordered by colorless pearls and an interior white line, an exterior colorless and fine colored line. Horizontally lined label across the entire bottom, widened at the ends to correspond with the upper squares, with exterior colorless and colored line. "U. S." in upper left and right corners of frame respectively. The word "Postage" in upper bar of frame, "Six Cents" in lower, the numeral "6" between the words, and "United States" on each side. Color, ultramarine.

Plate impression, 20 by 20 mm., square, in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and possibly without grille.

6 cents blue.

Ten Cents. Shield of the United States on which is resting an eagle with outspread wings, looking to the left. "United States" in small colored capitals with "Postage" in large outline capitals, shaded in a second line beneath, in the upper section of the shield, numeral "10" in lower. The words "Ten Cents" in scroll at the bottom in outline shaded capitals. The whole design surrounded by thirteen stars arranged in a semicircle, (sic) color, orange. The background is rayed behind the eagle and the semicircle of stars are upon this only, the background behind the shield is of clouds, there is no frame.

Plate impression, 19 by 18 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also without grille.

10 cents orange.

Twelve Cents. Ocean Steam ship, headed to left in horizontal oval, surrounded by ornamented scroll work. In a double tablet with arched top on horizontally lined ground, and colored capitals in a curved line, "United States" and "Postage" in outline capitals on a solid ground. On three scrolls in outline capitals and numerals shaded, "Twelve Cents" at the bottom, with numeral "12" between the words. Color, malori green.

Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly surfaced green, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also without grille.

12 cents, green.