A four cent denomination of postage stamps and stamped envelopes, to cover double postage under the new rate, will also be issued.
The design embraces the head of Jackson, similar to that on the present 2 cent stamp and envelope. No change will be made in the postage due stamps.
The same 3 cent stamps and stamped envelopes of the present design, will continue to be valid after the 1st of October, and must be accepted in payment of postage whenever offered in appropriate amounts.
The drop letter rate of postage will remain the same as now.
A. D. HAZEN,
Third Assistant Postmaster General.
Issue of September 15th, 1883.
Two Cents. Bust of General Washington, in profile to the left, after Houdon, on an oval disk, lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, bordered by a colorless line, surrounded by a solid colored band, ornamented in the lower two-thirds with a row of white pearls, the upper third broadened into a label, edged outside by a colorless line, with outside colored line, the ends curved round into a hook, the whole resting on a shield shaped tablet, corresponding to that of the last three cents, horizontally lined and edged by a colored line, very heavy on the right and bottom, with an outside colorless line, the whole on a rectangular background of horizontal lines, very close together below, and farther apart above. There are no shadows except a few vertical lines beneath the projecting part of the top parts of the shield.
The label above the oval is inscribed "United States Postage," in full colorless capitals, on the solid ground. A large colorless numeral outlined in color and doubly shaded outside, obscures the point of the shield and the pearled and colorless border of the oval, dividing the words "Two Cents" in full colorless capitals on the background, so shaded as to be on a solid colored ground.
Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.