At each side is a six-rayed star between the inscriptions.
NINE VARIETIES.
It has already been mentioned that the new die was issued in accordance with the action of the 36th Congress, and that this stamp is also used to form a compound value with the one cent die.
The collector of entire envelopes finds in this issue two new shapes, knives 6 and 7, of which the former was supposed to supply the needs of the gentler portion of humanity, and is officially known as "Ladies' Note Size," while knife 7 is styled "Medium Letter" and is for commercial correspondence. These envelopes have "patent lines."
With the exception of variety 8, which measures 24-1/2 mm., the vertical dimension of the die is 24 mm. The several varieties may be grouped by observing the position of the back of the bust with relation to the letters "G" and "E" of "POSTAGE."
Group I.—Back of bust points at "G." (Vars. 1 to 7.)
Group II.—Back of bust points between "G" and E." (Var. 8.)
Group III.—Back of bust points almost at "E." (Var. 9.)
For the specialist the writer recommends the use of a 10 mm. unit distance measurement to be applied as follows:
Measure 10 mm. from the top of the highest ray of the left star towards the top of "P" of "POSTAGE." This measurement assists in the identification of varieties 1 and 3. Another measurement may be taken from the left end of the horizontal cross stroke of "N" of "CENTS" towards the "E" of "THREE," and reveals the different spacings between the latter and "CENTS."
BACK OF BUST POINTS AT "G."