Fifteen Cents. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture, in the Capitol at Washington, of the "Landing of Columbus," in an oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with rounded upper corners, surrounded at a little distance by a single colored line. Ornamental and scroll work at top and bottom on a ground ruled horizontally inside and vertically outside of the scrolls, the whole surrounded by a colorless and fine colored line. On a colorless tablet, in Gothic capitals, "U. S."; in a curved line of outline capitals on the ground, "Postage" at top. Fifteen Cents at bottom, with numerals "15" underneath in outline colorless capitals, on the ground. Colors: picture, Prussian blue, scroll and ornamental work pale Indian red.
Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. The paper is more or less surfaced with blue.
15 cents blue and brown.
Note. There are two varieties of this stamp, depending on the type, and an error, the latter was however never circulated. The line of the frame, above the picture, is curved up on the left hand, beginning under the O, and on the right hand beginning under the G, in what is called the O. G. curve, till the two meet in a point. In the ordinary variety there are two fine lines within the space left for the picture, which along the whole top, including the curved corners and this central double curve, are united in a heavy line and at about ½ a millimeter from the center line on each side, curve down, as well as up, to a point, forming a diamond. On the sides and bottom within this line, there is a shading of fine diagonal lines. When the picture is exactly in position, which is rare, the colored line surrounding it falls between these fine lines, and on the heavy curved line, just touching the lower part of the diamond.
In the rarer variety, the two fine lines, the broad top line, and the bottom of the diamond are all omitted, the entire space is either empty or shows one, two or three horizontal lines across the top of the space, and three or four across the bottom, with a row of short horizontal lines at the sides. When the picture is in proper place there is an almost blank space at the top, and apparently a white line surrounding the picture. When it is misplaced the colored lines described can be seen and there appear to have been several varieties, as there were more or less of them.
The error is not as is sometimes supposed an error of printing, but in the plate. Two plates, one for each color, had to be used. Originally, there were 150 stamps as in the smaller values, (See circular of March 1st, 1869 above cited) but upon the plate for printing the picture, it is said one picture was reversed, and the error once discovered, the plate was cut down to print only 100 stamps as stated in the circular. It is probable that no copies with the error were ever circulated.
Twenty-Four Cents. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture at the Capitol, of the "Signing of the Declaration of Independence" forming an oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with all four corners cut off diagonally, surrounded by a fine colored line at a little distance. Ornamental scroll work at top and bottom on a lined ground. A line of pearls on a colored line, between a colorless and colored line, forms the frame for the picture. In block capitals "U." and "S." surrounded by ovals at upper left and right corners respectively, the word "Postage" between the two, in a curved line of outline capitals, shaded on the background. "Twenty-four Cents" in scrolls at bottom, with numeral "24" beneath in outline letters shaded. Colors: the picture, purple lake, scroll and ornamental work, light malori green. Just beneath the picture in small colored numerals, "1776."
Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled.
24 cents, purple and green.