Issue of July 1st, 1875.
Two Cents. Same design, and from the same die and plate as the previous brown impression, the color only changed.
Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
2 cents, vermilion.
Issue of October 5th, 1875.
One of the New York daily papers in April, 1882, speaking of the new five cent stamp (Garfield) about to be issued, says: The history of the current five cent stamp with Taylor's portrait is as follows:
The rates for international postage had been decided upon as 5 cents, the United States series of postage stamps had not such a value. Mr. Jewell, the Postmaster General at the time, suggested to President Grant the propriety of having his portrait on the new stamp of the required value. Gen. Grant did not agree with his Cabinet officer. Finally, he suggested that if Mr. Jewell would insist upon consulting his wishes, he (Gen. Grant) would be well pleased if the portrait of old Zack Taylor, with whom he served in the Mexican war, could be used on the new stamp. Instead of instructing the then contractors to prepare a portrait of Gen. Taylor, which would be in harmony with the other stamps of the series, Mr. Jewell found in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a portrait of Taylor, which had been used on the old tobacco strip series. This portrait was transmogrified into the five cent stamp. It was badly engraved and of wretched color.
Issue of October 5th, 1875.
Five Cents. Bust of General Zachary Taylor, full face, on an oval disk lined horizontally and obliquely, the horizontal lines growing closer and closer towards the top, surrounded by a colorless line with outer colored line, and resting on a shield, vertically lined, and bordered by an exterior colored line, all on a background of colored horizontal lines, the shadows of short horizontal lines. Above the oval is a label, bordered by a colorless line between fine colored lines, and curved round and divided at the ends, the outer part terminating in a ball, horizontally lined and inscribed "U. S. Postage," in outline capitals shaded without. Below the oval is a ribbon, bordered by a colored line, and inscribed "Five Cents," the words divided by a large numeral "5", all in outline capitals, shaded without on a ground of short vertical lines.
Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.