Chapter IV: Introduction (2)

"An old envelope post office stamp, issued at New Haven, of the
denomination of 5 cents, marked 'PAID,' and subscribed by 'E. A.
Mitchell, P. M.,' has lately turned up. It must have been issued
over 20 years ago and is probably one of the oldest United
States stamps in existence. Mr. Mitchell was postmaster of this
city from 1844 to 1850. When he took office the rates were 6,
10, 121/2, and 25 cents for single letters, according to distance,
no prepayment being required. The rates were afterwards reduced
to 10 and 5 cents according to distance, and subsequently to
five cents, uniform for all distances, the weight not exceeding
one quarter ounce, and prepayment required. At this period
envelopes began to come in use, and as prepayment of postage
could only be made at the office during business hours, Mr.
Mitchell took the responsibility of issuing envelopes, stamped
as above, with his signature on each, and selling them at the
cost of envelopes and postage as an accommodation; some of the
post offices refused to recognize them, and reported the fact to
the Department. As however the stamps could only be used at the
New Haven office, and were sent as prepaid matter, properly
entered on the New Haven Post Bill, there could be no loss to
the government, and the Department taking a liberal view of the
subject, authorized their continuance. There is no doubt that
the adoption of stamps by our government was much hastened by
the issue of these prepaid envelopes, and it can truly be said
that they were the first stamps issued by the United States. Mr.
Mitchell is still in possession of the original plate."

From a letter of Mr. Mitchell's, printed in the American Journal of Philately in May, 1871, it further appears that Mr. Mitchell permitted parties to bring their own envelopes to be stamped. The die was a simple hand stamp engraved by F. G. Gorham, and the ink employed was that in ordinary use for hand stamps in the office, red or blue. He was postmaster from September, 1844, to 1852, and thinks the stamp was issued first in 1845. Only one original stamp has so far been found.

NEW HAVEN POST OFFICE.

ISSUE OF 1845.

Large rectangular stamp, with corners cut by quarter circles. Frame of a very heavy outside line with an interior fine line. "_Post Office_" in heavy block letters inclined to left, in a straight line across the top, "_New Haven, Ct._," in a curved line of Roman capitals, in a second line. Large numeral "5" with "PAID" in large block capitals beneath, signature (E. A. Mitchell) written, and "P. M." in ordinary capitals forming the fifth line.

Impression 26 by 31 mm., from brass hand stamp, in color on white or colored envelopes.

5 cents, red.

The only known original is cut square. In 1871, Mr. Mitchell made a few re-impressions in red and blue ink, which he signed and distributed to collectors. The die was then deposited in the archives of the New Haven Colonial Historical Society.

Reprints. 5 cents, blue impression, red signature.
5 " red " blue "
5 " " " black "
5 " " " no "

All on large white paper.

VIII.

STAMPS OF THE PROVIDENCE POSTMASTER.

These stamps, of which the 5 cent value was catalogued as early as 1863, and the 10 cent in June, 1865, were issued by Mr. H. B. Sayles, postmaster at Providence, and engraved by a Mr. Kidden, of that city in 1846. None of the daily papers of the locality, which we have been permitted to consult, seem to have noticed the issue. The plate has however been preserved among the archives of the State of Rhode Island.

PROVIDENCE POST OFFICE.

ISSUE OF 1846.

"_Post Office_," in a curved line, "_Prov. R. I._" in a straight line, and "_Five Cents_" in a curved line, all in outline colorless block capitals on a ground of fine horizontal lines, bordered by a fine colored, a broad colorless and second fine colored line, forming a horizontal oval, the space outside filled in with similar horizontal lined ground to form a rectangle, bordered by a fine colored line, the bottom and right side double thickness, and ornamented with a white foliated ornament in each of the four corners, separated by a white ball on the sides, and by from two to five balls above, but none at the bottom, where there is instead a prolongation of the foliation.

Plate impression (copper), 20 by 28 mm., on yellowish white paper.

5 cents, black,
10 cents, black.

These stamps were issued gummed.

The paper of the sheet measures 851/2 by 88 mm. On the plate there are three stamps in each horizontal and four in each vertical row, or twelve stamps. The upper right hand corner stamp alone bears the value "_Ten Cents_." If for the sake of convenience the first stamp on the left of the upper row is designated as type one, the next two, etc.; the first stamp on the left of the second row as type four; the first of the third row as seven; and the first of the fourth row as ten, the following may be noticed among the many points of difference. The plate was originally ruled into spaces for the stamps by very fine lines, which seem to have been carried straight through over the spaces intended to separate the stamps, and not always to have been perfectly obliterated afterwards. On the right of the plate there is also a vertical line parallel to the right side of all the stamps in the right hand row, at the distance separating two stamps (nearly 2 mm.) as if the intention had been to add another stamp to each horizontal row.

_Type 1._ At the upper left corner, the horizontal frame line thickened projects to the left and the vertical line projects upward. 5 balls between the foliations the middle one is an oblong rectangle, the end ones touch the ornaments. The side balls are on a line with the tops of the letters of "Prov., R. I." There is a period after Cents.

_Type 2._ At the upper left corner, the horizontal frame line thickened projects to the left. At the lower left corner both the horizontal and vertical lines thickened project. Both the horizontal top and bottom lines continue on the right to Type 3. 5 balls, the middle one is a square, the next on the right is the lower half of a circle, the next on left flat at top and bottom. These three are all small. The end ball on the right larger than the others. Both it and the end ball on the left are flat on top. "F" in "Five" very close to the border. Side balls above the line of the top of the letters of "Prov., R. I." A period after Cents.

_Type 3._ Ten cents. The horizontal top line of frame projects each way. The vertical line at the right plain above but thickened and partially obliterated below the lower right corner. The lower horizontal line projects to the left to Type 2. 5 balls, the middle one large and square, the extreme right one nearly round, the remaining three irregular and nearly equal in size. "E" of "Office" touches the oval. Side balls below the line of the top of the letters of "Prov., R. I.," and lower point of left foliation cuts into the left ball. No period after Cents.

_Type 4._ The top horizontal line projects to the left. The bottom horizontal line projects both to the left and right. 5 balls. The middle one is a small oblong rectangle. Those next to it very small. Left side ball on a level with the top line of letters of "Prov., R. I.," but the right ball smaller and lower down. No period after Cents.

_Type 5._ The top horizontal line projects to the left, and part of it is thickened. It also projects to the right. The bottom horizontal line projects to the left. 5 balls. The middle one in an oblong rectangle. The "s" of Cents, resembles an 8. Side balls are above the line of the top of "Prov., R. I." No period after Cents.

_Type 6._ The top horizontal line projects to left. The bottom horizontal line also. The vertical left line projects to type 9. 5 balls. The middle one is a square. Shading of "E" of "Office" touches the oval. The side balls are below the tops of "Prov., R. I." No period after Cents.

_Type 7._ The top horizontal line projects both to left and right. The right vertical line projects above the corner. 4 balls only. The middle one is gone. They are all small. A period after Cents.

_Type 8._ The top horizontal and left vertical lines both project at the upper left corner. 5 balls. The middle ball is a square. The top of the "E" of "Office" touches the oval. The "s" in Cents is very small, and is followed by a period.

_Type 9._ The top horizontal line projects both ways, and the left vertical line projects above the upper left corner. Both vertical lines are continued down to type 12. 2 balls only, the middle ones are left out. "V" in "Prov." is too large and the "F" of "Five" touches the oval. No period after Cents.

_Type 10._ The top horizontal and right vertical lines both project beyond the upper right corner. 5 balls. The middle one square. The lower leaf of the upper left foliation has no notch. Point after Cents.

_Type 11._ The top horizontal line projects to the left and both verticals project upwards. 5 balls. The middle one is square. The end balls project above top line. No period after Cents.

_Type 12._ Both vertical lines project up to Type 9. 5 dots. Middle one is an oblong rectangle. The next on the right projects above the frame. The one at right end is nearly round, but both those at the left are rectangular. Ball at right side large and flat. No period after Cents.

It has been stated that the engraver of the original plate re-engraved these stamps for the benefit of collectors many years ago. However this may be, there are a number of very dangerous counterfeits in existence, as well as some that are easily detected.

In the following table the lines which touch the letters or other parts are counted as well as those between them. By these differences and peculiarities the position of a given specimen on the plate can readily be determined.

The following peculiarities are noticed in Le Timbre Poste, page 5, 1871.

Row A, Width of the oval
" B, Height of the oval

Horizontal lines between the;
Row C, Upper frame and oval
" D, O of Office, and oval above
" E, V of Prov., and oval above
" F, V of Prov., and C of Cents
" G, C of Cents, and oval below
" H, P of Prov., & E or T of 5, 10
" I, I of R. I., and S of Cents
" J, P of Post, and P of Prov.
" K, E of Office, and I of R. I.

-------------------------------------------------------------
|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|Type|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
A |241/4 | 24 | 24 | 233/4| 233/4| 24 | 24 | 24 | 241/4| 24 | 24 | 241/4|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
B |181/2 | 181/4| 181/4| 181/2| 181/4| 181/4| 181/4| 181/2| 181/4| 181/2|181/4 | 181/4|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
C | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
D |12 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 11 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
E |15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 15 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
F |13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
G | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
H | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
I | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
J | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
K | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
-------------------------------------------------------------

IX.

STAMP OF THE ALEXANDRIA POSTMASTER.

This stamp was discovered by the present author, and was first chronicled in an article by him in Le Timbre Poste, of February, 1873. A second specimen is chronicled in Durbin's Philatelic Monthly, of August, 1879. They are both postmarked with the ordinary dated hand stamp of Alexandria, D. C., the word "PAID," and large numeral "5." The first postmark is dated July 10th, that of the second is illegible, but the letter was dated Sept. 9th, 1846.

ALEXANDRIA POST OFFICE.

ISSUE OF 1846.

Large round stamp, 30 mm. in diameter, with border of 40 six-rayed stars. Within "_Alexandria_," above, and "_Post Office_," below, in heavy block capitals, a six-rayed star separating the words, on each side. In the centre "PAID," in smaller capitals, with the numeral "5" beneath.

Impression from wood block, 30 mm. in diameter, on yellow paper.

5 cents, black.

This stamp appears to have been originally stamped upon the buff envelopes common at the time, and to have been cut out and fastened to the letter. No further information concerning it has yet been discovered. The files at Washington, of the Alexandria Gazette, the only Alexandria paper of that period, are defective from May 22nd, to October, 1845, and in part for 1847. Daniel Brien was Postmaster at Alexandria during 1845-47.

X.

STAMPS OF THE BALTIMORE POSTMASTER.

This stamp was first chronicled in the Philatelical Journal in 1874. The copy there described was the only one known, until very recently, a second copy was described in the New York World, and subsequently that and another were mentioned in the Alexandria Gazette, of August 3rd, 1886, as having been in possession of Mr. Thomas Semmes, of Alexandria. These are described as postmarked respectively, January 15th, and 31st., 1847, with the other marks usual upon letters of the period. From 1845 to 1849, Mr. James Madison Buchannan was the postmaster at Baltimore, and is said to have issued this stamp in the fall of 1846. Further details are wanting. The stamp is a simple looking slip of paper containing the signature of the postmaster in fac-simile, in one line, and the value, "_5 Cents_," in a second line, bordered by a frame of single colored lines, crossed at the four angles.

Impression, 55 by 15 mm., in color upon thin bluish paper.

5 cents, black.

Besides these adhesive stamps, Mr. Buchannan also issued a species of franked envelope. Two copies of this were found by Mr. Robt. H. Smith, in examining his old letters. They are the ordinary buff wove envelopes of the period, size 80 by 137 mm., of the old simple form with straight edged flaps. In the right upper hand corner the signature "James M. Buchannan," hand stamped, 501/2 mm. long, the "B," 41/2 mm. high. Beneath this in a second line the word "PAID," in capitals, 4 mm. high, and 16 mm. long is also hand stamped. Below this again, a large numeral "5," 111/2 mm. high, in an oval 201/2 mm. long by 71/2 high, is also hand stamped.

The specimen described is hand stamped with the ordinary round hand stamp of Baltimore, Md., and dated Nov. 24th, no year stated and is directed to the present owner and finder.

Impression hand stamped in blue ink on buff envelopes.

5 cents, blue.

Besides these it has been claimed that the stamp known as the "horseman," was also issued in 1860 or 1861, by the Postmaster of Baltimore. It may be described as a rough design of a horseman, galloping to the right, holding a streamer, inscribed: "_One Cent_." On ribbons above, "_Government City Dispatch_." Rough frame of vertical lines with rough ornaments in the corners, bordered by a single colored line.

Impression, 23 by 17 mm., apparently lithographed in color on white paper.

1 Cent, red.
1 " black.
Variety, 1 Sent "

It will appear further on, that at this date, 1860, and long prior thereto, the law prohibited postmasters from recognizing or permitting to be used any stamps not received from the Postmaster General. In a letter published in the American Journal of Philately, July 20th, 1869, W. H. H. Corell, 3rd Assistant Postmaster General, says: "The records of the Department do not contain any reference to the other stamp, Post Rider." It is supposed to have been issued by one of the numerous "City Dispatch" companies located in New York. These facts and the very rough workmanship, so unlike any of the authorized Government issues, would seem sufficient to settle the absolutely unofficial character of this stamp.

XI.

STAMP OF THE MILLBURY POSTMASTER.

In the collection of letters received by Col. Isaac Davis, of Worcester, Mass., now in the library of the American Antiquarian Society, were found, in 1884, two letters written and posted at Millbury, in August and December, 1846, postmarked with the ordinary dating stamp of Millbury, of the dates August 21st, and December 16th, respectively, and stamped with an adhesive stamp, cancelled with the word "PAID," in large capitals, partly on the letter and partly on the stamp. The earliest also bears a large "V," in an octagon frame, and the other a large numeral "5," in a circle. Col. Asa H. Waters, was postmaster of Millbury in 1846, having received his commission, dated January 2nd, 1836, from President Jackson, "Old Hickory," and retained the office until November, 1848, when he resigned and obtained the office for Henry Waterman, who had been his assistant. A third copy of the adhesive stamp is in the possession of Col. Waters, postmarked exactly as the first described specimen, but the date is July 18th. Both Col. Waters and Mr. Waterman state that the idea of the stamp was suggested by the reception of letters bearing the New York stamp, and that the stamp was printed in Boston, from a block cut in 1846. Neither gentleman has any data by which to fix more exactly the date of its issue.

MILLBURY POST OFFICE.

ISSUE OF 1846.

Head of Washington, 3/4 face to the right, on a colorless circular disk, 161/2 mm. in diameter, shaded to left of the head, and part way in front by 4 diagonal lines, and bordered by a circular band, 2 mm. wide, edged outside and inside by a colored line. The band is inscribed above, "_Post Office_," below, "_Paid 5 Cents_," in colored block capitals, except "5 Cents," which is in script. There are three five-pointed stars irregularly formed on each side in the band. The outer circle is a little flat between T and O. The vertical diameter is 1/2 mm. longer than the horizontal.

Impression from wood block 22 by 221/2 mm. in diameter, in black on smooth unsurfaced white paper.

5 cents, black.

XII.

STAMPED ENVELOPES OF THE WASHINGTON POSTMASTER.

The Daily Union, published at Washington, Wednesday, July 23rd, 1845, and the National Intelligencer, of Friday, July 25th, 1845, contain the following advertising editorial[A]:

"INTERESTING TO CITIZENS AND SOJOURNERS IN WASHINGTON. Upon
inquiring at the city post office, we learn that Col. Gardiner
has had franked (or rather prepaid) envelopes prepared, which do
away with the necessity of personal application at the delivery
window when one wishes to pay postage on sending off a letter.
They are for sale at the post office, at the following rates;
which barely pay the cost, after deducting the sum chargeable on
each for postage, viz:

18 envelopes to enclose letters charged at 5 cents for $1.00
9 " " " " 50
1 " " " " 61/4
9 " " " 10 cents 1.00
4 " " " 10 " } 50
1 " " " 5 " }

This plan, it will be recollected has been adopted in the
northern cities to the great advantage of the public, and its
introduction here will save our fellow citizens many a long and
hitherto, indispensable trudge, in this metropolis of
magnificent distances."

The latter paper, however quotes the price of the 5 cent envelopes at 6 cents, instead of 61/4. These are evidently the envelopes mentioned in the article of the Express, of July 8th, quoted in the chapter on the stamps of the New York postmaster. Up to the present time none of them have been reported to have been found.

[A] The newspaper articles concerning these envelopes were found
by Mr. C. F. Rothfuchs who, at the suggestion of the author,
kindly searched the files of the Washington papers.

XIII.

STAMPS OF THE PHILADELPHIA POSTMASTER.

From 1845 to 1849, Dr. Geo. F. Lehman was postmaster of Philadelphia. It is asserted that he adopted for use in the post office at Philadelphia, a number of peculiar devices of his own, which appear to have been a substitute for postage stamps. They are described as bands with the names of the persons who mailed the letters upon them, which were fastened around the letters, and upon receipt at the post office, were removed by the clerks and kept as vouchers, the amount of postage due being charged to the account of the sender, and collected with the quarterly bill. There are also said to have been in use several other designs in the form of stamps, printed and sold by the post office, which when fastened upon the letter indicated that the office had received postage, and such letters were then forwarded and marked as paid.

Although several varieties of these are said to have been in use, none of them have yet been found.

XIV.

STAMPS OF THE WORCESTER POSTMASTER.

In the National Aegis, published at Worcester, Mass., September 2nd, 1846, may be found the following item:

"POST OFFICE STAMPS. The postmaster has issued postage stamps of
the denomination of five cents and ten cents. They are very
convenient, and will save the trouble of making change at the
post office, and will enable people to send prepaid letters at
times when the office is closed. To cover the expense of
engraving and printing, these stamps are sold at five per cent
advance upon the regular rates of postage."

Maturin L. Fisher was postmaster at Worcester, from 1839 to 1849, and Andrew A. Williams was his chief clerk in 1846. The above item was recently found by the present author in searching old files of newspapers, for information about the various postmaster's stamps. No other Worcester paper seems to have noticed the matter, and no further information has so far rewarded the limited inquiry and search possible since the discovery. Both of the gentlemen in the office at the time are now deceased.

XV.

STAMPS OF THE PITTSFIELD POSTMASTER.

A short notice published in one of the Springfield, Mass., papers, in the summer of 1874, asserts that in overhauling the vaults of the Berkshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Pittsfield, a number of stamps were found that were issued by the Pittsfield postmaster, in 1846-7. Phineas Allen was postmaster of Pittsfield at the time. No further information concerning these stamps, has rewarded inquiry.

XVI.

OBSERVATIONS.

It is by no means improbable that other similar devices were in use in other towns and cities at this period, by which prepayment of postage was secured. The salaries of many of the smaller offices depended on the amount of postage collected, and the importance of all offices was estimated by the revenue collected. It was natural, therefore, as the public demand for such accommodation grew, that the postmaster should adopt a device tending to their own benefit. There are in the possession of the present author a number of hand stamps, apparently cut from letters and envelopes, inscribed such and such a "Post Office," "5 Cents Paid," which would seem to be stamps of this kind, but in the absence of further information, are not here chronicled. The wide spread use of such stamps would appear from the following caution, published in the Courier, of New York, July 18th, 1845.

"The postmaster of this city has given notice that he has
prepared stamps for the use of merchants, and requests them to
provide themselves with these stamps to facilitate the business
of the post office, and for their own convenience. It will be
observed that the postmaster warns the public that any stamps
offered for sale at any place other than the post office of this
city are spurious. That the use of proper stamps by merchants
will be a great convenience is admitted; but these stamps, thus
offered, should be considered in no other light than the
personal obligations of the postmaster, unauthorized as far as
the public know, by any proper authority, and if issued by the
postmaster of one city, may also be issued by the postmaster of
any town or city in the United States; and if this practice
becomes general, the amount in these stamps held by the public
will be very considerable, and will evidently lead to great
abuses and probably losses.

In case of the death or removal of a postmaster, we know of no
legal obligation of his successor to consider these stamps of
any value whatever.

Post office stamps to be of general utility, should be issued by
the General Post Office at Washington, sanctioned by law, and
with suitable penalties in case of forgery: they would be of
great advantage to the Post Office Department, and would much
facilitate business in various ways, but if issued by any or all
postmasters, will in some cases be used "to raise the wind," and
may raise it pretty effectually in cases of death or default, as
the amount held by the public in any of the large cities would
be a very considerable sum."

(Signed) CAVEAT.

This article was reprinted by numerous journals, among them the Express, of New York, July 18th, 1845.

XVII.

THE ISSUE OF 1847.

Notwithstanding these manifest dangers, noticed by the Courier and Express, the public continued to demand and use, and the postmasters to issue, as we have seen, these unauthorized stamps, without action on the part of Congress, or interference by the Department, until the beginning of 1847 when, apparently in response to the necessities of the case the following law was passed:

STATUTES OF THE UNITED STATES, XXIX Congress, Session II,