Chapter 281: , approved July 27, 1866, authorized the use in all post (2)

As stated by the passage quoted above, there are 100 stamps, or ten rows of ten stamps in the so called sheet, or properly half sheet, there being 200 on the plate. The imprint was either "Engraved and printed by the," in one line, "National Bank Note Co., New York," in a second line in colorless capitals, on a solid ground, with pearled edges and outer fine colored line, or the second line above without pearls on colored ground, bordered by a double colored line. The author cannot state whether all the values bore both imprints, having only seen the 1, 2 and 3 cents with the first, and the 30 and 90 with the second, the latter without the grille. These imprints are placed 2 mm. from the stamps, above and below the 5th and 6th rows on each half sheet, the plate number being between the 8th and 9th rows. The line on which the sheets are divided is indicated by three lines forming a sort of arrow head, at the top and bottom of the sheet. The center rows of stamps are 21/2 mm. apart, and there are no perforations between them. The vertical rows of perforation are 221/2 mm. apart horizontally. The horizontal rows 271/2 mm. apart vertically, but the upper and lower rows are sometimes 281/2 and sometimes 291/2 mm. apart. If a sheet is selected, where the vertical rows are so far from the center line as to cut into the stamps, and the horizontal rows too high or too low, and a stamp from the top or bottom of the row next to the center cut line is selected, and the perforations carefully cut off, specimens can be made that have a much larger margin than the ordinary perforated stamps, and might easily pass as unperforated. This may not account for all the unperforated specimens, some of which may be the result of accident, but all the values of this series and the following may be so made unperforated, and have been so catalogued.

The number of these stamps issued with grille, is estimated as follows:

1 cent, 95,127,100.
2 cents, 208,375,550.
3 " 962,467,790.
6 " 21,600,900.
7 " 2,070,800.
10 cents 8,509,280.
12 " 2,857,975.
15 " 4,299,220.
24 " 637,450.
30 " 711,430.
90 " 165,180.

ISSUE WITHOUT GRILLE (1873?)

The use of the grille was finally abandoned altogether. The first notice of this change appeared in the stamp papers of February, 1873. They were made by the same company, and are in all respects the same, except the embossing.

1 cent, imperial ultramarine, perforated 12.
2 cents, velvet brown " "
3 " milori green " "
6 " cochineal " "
7 " vermilion " "
10 " chocolate " "
12 " purple " "
15 " orange " "
24 " pure purple " "
30 " black " "
90 " carmine " "

The colors do not vary materially from those of the grilled series, but there are two quite distinct shades of the twelve cents, a blackish purple and a brownish tint.

ISSUE OF 1873.

In accordance with the provisions of the general law, before the expiration of the contract with the National Bank Note Company, the Postmaster General advertised in the daily papers, in December, 1872, that he would receive bids for furnishing the Department with postage stamps from the 1st of May, 1873, to the 1st of May, 1877. This contract, as well as the subsequent one which terminated the 1st of July, 1881, was awarded to the Continental Bank Note Company, of New York. The dies and plates, by the terms of the contract with the National Bank Note Company, were the property of the Government, and were turned over to the new contractors, who continued to print the stamps from the same plates, until they were worn out, and theoretically in the same colors. As new plates were required from time to time, they were made from the original dies, but bore the imprint of the new contractor, which resembles the first one described as used by the National Company, but reads "Printed by the" in the first line, "Continental Bank Note Co., New York," in the second line. This imprint probably, was not put upon one of the values above 15 cents. In fact the 30 and 90 cents sent out just before, and for some years after the expiration of the second contract awarded to this Company, bore the second named imprint of the National Bank Note Company.

Specimens are found which show the heavier border lines and shadows of the different parts of the design, the fine lines of the background, of the tablets, and sometimes of the shields, being invisible to the eye, though more or less of them can generally be traced with a glass. These collectors have designated as "plain frames," as they appear to be without color. They are, really, defective impressions either from worn plates, when the plates made by the National Bank Note Company, were giving out in 1873, or from the poor results of the process of printing adopted, as is claimed by the Postmaster General.

But similar varieties have certainly appeared, and for like causes, at other times. Collectors of curiosities will find:

1 cent plain frame, perforated 12.
2 cents " " " "
3 " " " " "
6 " " " " "
10 " " " " "

The stamps from the plates with the imprint of this Company, now bear on the back a white gum, and not the brownish, used by the National Bank Note Company, which will help to distinguish impressions made by them from the old plates. The colors, however, are not identical, and will further serve to distinguish them. There may be exceptions, but ordinarily the ONE CENT is a pure indigo, without the red or ultramarine cast, of those printed previously, whether lighter or deeper impressions are chosen.

The TWO CENTS has also lost its reddish tone, and is a dull brown, with a tendency to blackish-brown, whether lighter or deeper in shade.

The THREE CENTS is of a duller and generally a pale shade.

The SIX CENTS is much lighter and is a washy pink.

The SEVEN CENTS is a more yellowish vermilion.

The TEN CENTS approaches very nearly to the original shade of the two cents, but is a little more of a blackish brown, very unlike the delicate original shade. The oval and face lines are dark and heavy.

The FIFTEEN CENTS is a much paler orange.

The higher values, TWENTY-FOUR, THIRTY and NINETY CENTS, have a thinner tone than the deep rich color of the former Company's work.

In the meantime, the following changes were announced in a circular to postmasters:

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes & Postal Cards.

_Washington, D. C., June 21st, 1875._

The Department is prepared to commence the issue of postage
stamps of the denomination of five (5) cents to meet the new
letter rate of postage, under the treaty of Berne, to the
following countries, viz:

[Here follow the names of all countries that had then joined the
Postal Union, to which five cents was the rate.]

The new five cent stamp is designed from a bust of Gen. Zackary
Taylor in full face, and printed in dark blue color. The
changes in foreign postages will render unnecessary the further
use of the 7, 12 and 24 cent stamps and stamped envelopes, and
they will accordingly be discontinued.

In order to avoid the liability to mistake caused by the near
similarity in color between the two cent and ten cent stamp, the
former will in future be printed in vermilion, the color of the
discontinued seven cent stamp.

[Here follows directions to use up the stock of the discontinued
stamps and envelopes, whenever they can be utilized.]

(Signed.) E. W. BARBER,
Third Assistant Postmaster General.

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, 191/2 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, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

5 cents, dark blue.

The stamp is identical with the two and ten cent values, with the value changed, and the portrait of Taylor from the six ounce tobacco stamp of the "series of 1871," placed in the medallion.

Both the two cent vermilion and the five cent blue, bear the imprint "Printed by the Continental Bank Note Company," which also prepared the tobacco stamp in question.

These two stamps have been chronicled as having been issued grilled. The error crept into the French edition of this work likewise, but they were at least never so issued for circulation.

All the values as issued by this company have likewise been chronicled as unperforated. If they are not accounted for as indicated under the remarks made on page 172, they are the result of accident.

In many cases indistinct dots can be seen where the perforating machine failed to do its work. Such specimens are curious but do not require more than mention.

Before the second contract with the Continental Bank Note Co. expired, it was consolidated with the American Bank Note Co. under, the name of the American Bank Note Company, and new plates began to appear with the imprint of this company, in large colored block capitals, shaded by a colored line parallel to the letters and an outside row of lighter horizontal lines.

The one, two, three, five and ten are found with this imprint, without material change. The seven, twelve and twenty-four cent having long been retired are not to be looked for with this imprint, and the fifteen, thirty and ninety cents at this time were still printed from the plates, with the imprint of the Continental Bank Note Co.

The gum has the white shade and the colors are the same as used by that company.

The _one cent_ of the dull indigo blue.

The _two cents_ has a misty look.

The _three cents_ inclines to a blue-green.

The _five cents_ has heavier lines and is a darker blue.

The _ten cents_ returns to the light appearance of the original of 1870 but is of the yellow-brown shade.

ISSUE OF APRIL 10TH, 1882.

With the letting of the contract for another term in June, 1881, the American Bank Note Company again secured the contract.

Soon after the death of President Garfield, it was proposed that his portrait should be placed on the five cent stamp used for foreign postage, and the stamp printed in mourning, as was said to have been done with the fifteen cent stamp, then used for foreign postage, after the death of President Lincoln. The stamp with the head of Taylor, it was said had been hurriedly gotten up, and did not correspond with the rest of the series. By direction of Postmaster General James, the American Bank Note Co. therefore prepared the new stamp, after a photograph of President Garfield. Mrs. Garfield was consulted, and proofs in various colors were, it is said, submitted to her. Instead of black, she finally selected a vandyke brown. The first proofs were in black, and at the request of Mrs. Garfield it is stated, the Postmaster General sent one of them, mounted on card and placed in a frame of silver, surrounded by a second frame of gold, on a background of purple velvet, and protected by a glass in an ebony frame, to Her Majesty, the Queen of England.

From the correspondence columns of the daily papers, we learn that the Department received the first invoice of these stamps at Washington, the 7th of February, 1882, and that it was expected to begin the issue the 1st of March, following. Mr. Durbin obtained some copies which he used on St. Valentines day. But the stamps were not distributed from the offices until the 10th of April, 1882 and were then sold only as the supply of the old ones was exhausted. This is the date officially given by the report of Postmaster General for the year, and the same date is also given by the New York papers. The description given by the Postmaster General it is not necessary to repeat.

ISSUE OF APRIL 10TH, 1882.

FIVE CENTS. Portrait in profile to the left, of President Garfield, in an oval disk 16 by 20 mm., lined horizontally and obliquely, and bordered by a line of colorless pearls on a broad colored band, resting on a shield lined horizontally, and bordered by a colored line, very heavy on the right side and at the bottom, and an exterior fine colorless line at the bottom and sides, all on a back ground of horizontal lines bordered at the sides by a terminal line of color. The shield is square at the top, of the width of the stamp, with perpendicular sides not quite so far apart, the corners being slanted back, and is pointed at the bottom which is formed of two diagonal lines. A large solid six pointed star, bordered by a colorless line and exterior colored line covers the lower point of the shield and a part of the pearled border, and bears a large colorless numeral "5." On each side of this a ribbon indicated by a colored line, inscribed on left "_Five_," on right "_Cents_," in outline capitals, on a ground of short vertical lines. On the background of the stamp, beneath all, "_U. S. Postage_" in colored block letters, shaded on the left and top by colorless lines.

Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

5 cents, dark chocolate.

ISSUE OF NOVEMBER, 1882.

Without any notice to the postmasters or the public, new plates were made by the American Bank Note Company, and slight changes were made in the engraving. These began to appear in November, 1882, and may be found in the one three, six and ten cent values.

ONE CENT. The vertical lines of the background are thickened in the upper half and so nearly touch, that the ground now appears solid and in fact from the running of the ink, sometimes really is solid. The curved ornamental lines in the upper corners and the balls are now shaded with one or more interior colored lines, instead of being plain. The exterior shading of horizontal lines is omitted here, at the ends of the upper labels, and also outside of the side lines, and is very faint under the lower ornaments and label.

(_a_) The first impressions of this altered plate are in an ashey blue and, the upper ornaments are rendered indistinct by the interior lines. There is a whitish space, like a reflection beneath the bust.

(_b_) Later impressions in 1886, show the upper ornaments more distinctly white, and shaded outside again by lines parallel to their curves. A heavy shadow now appears under the bust, the ground being almost solid where it falls. The color by daylight is again slightly of the ultramarine cast, but differing only slightly from the ashey hue by gaslight.

(_c_) Later impressions in 1887, show the return to the heavy upper ornaments, but their exterior shading remains as in (b). The ground work of the oval is uniform and there is no light or dark shadow under the bust. The ultramarine is of a more pronounced cast by daylight.

TWO CENTS. There seems to have been no change beyond that already mentioned, as the design was soon changed.

THREE CENTS. The altered die beside the other appears quite different, but a close examination is necessary to determine the differences at first. Once detected, they are very apparent. The lines of ground of the oval are heavier. The cross lines can still be seen with the glass, and the part behind the head is now crossed by vertical lines also. The shadows of the upper ornaments are now solid, and the horizontal lines cannot be detected. The shadows of the oval are also solid, and about half as broad as in the other die. The horizontal lines can be seen by the glass, but are very light. This is the most conspicuous difference. The vertical shadow lines under the lower label are omitted. The shield in the old die has a ground of horizontal lines on the right side, with an outside vertical border line, and two fine vertical lines on the horizontal lines form the shadow of the shield. The altered die has the three vertical lines, but the horizontal lines are omitted to the point where the bottom line begins. The color is a blue-green, not yellow-green as before.

SIX CENTS. The ground work of the oval, is practically solid or mottled, that of the panel nearly so. The border line cannot be distinguished from the ground, while in the original issue, not only is the border line distinct, but in the "sallie" the fine vertical shadow lines can be counted inside, and on the right side three, very close together, and four lines besides these between the panel and the edge, counting the outside line. In the new, none of these shadows exist, and there are only _three_ lines between the panel and the edge, including the outside line. In the old, on the right side, there are fourteen lines in the frame above and below the projection. In the new there are thirteen above, and eleven below. The color is a brick red, neither the cochineal or pink previously used.

TEN CENTS. The frame lines have all been strengthened as well as those of the background, so that the entire stamp is more uniform in engraving and color, but has entirely lost its light look. The edges no longer fade away, but stand out sharp from the paper. It is apparent to the eye that the space between the oval and the shield, is reduced one-third its width. There are only four vertical lines between the line of the shield and the line of the oval at their nearest point on the left, or six lines in all; in the originals, there were five lines, or seven in all. Beneath the ribbon containing the value in the old stamps, the horizontal lines of the background are scarcely visible, the vertical shade lines being conspicuous. In the new the horizontal lines are strong and clear.

(_a_) The earliest impressions are in muddy yellow brown, quite uniform all over the stamp.

(_b_) Later impressions, in 1886, are in a clearer shade of yellow-brown, and the light on the face has been increased, much improving the effect.

(_c_) An odd purple-brown shade appeared in 1886.

(_d_) A dark black-brown shade is now, 1887, in use.

THE ISSUE OF OCTOBER, 1883.

The Act of the 47th Congress, Session II, Chapter 92, approved March 3d, 1883, provided that:

"Upon all matter of the 1st class [as defined by chapter 180 of
the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, 1879, entitled: An Act,
etc.] postage shall be charged on and after the first day of
October, A. D. 1883, at the rate of two cents for each half
ounce or fraction thereof, and all acts so far as they fix a
different rate of postage than herein provided upon said first
class matter, are to that extent hereby repealed."

The report of the Third Assistant Postmaster General under date of November 8th, 1883, says:

"Soon after the passage of the Act of March 3d, 1883,
preparations were begun to carry the new law into effect. The
change left the 3 cent denomination of postage stamps of little
utility, it no longer representing the single rate of postage on
any class of matter, and it was determined to discontinue its
issue. As the public would have undoubtedly regarded with
disfavor, the dropping of Washington from portraits, forming the
distinguishing feature in the series of postage stamps, it was
decided to replace the old 2 cent stamp by a new one bearing the
profile of the first president, thus restoring it to its old
place on the stamp in most general use. It was also decided to
issue a new stamp of the value of four cents, a denomination not
previously in use, and designed to cover two rates of letter
postage. The portrait of Jackson, formerly on the 2 cent stamp,
was transferred to this new (four cent) stamp. The following is
a brief description of the new stamp:

TWO CENT STAMP.

An oblong shield, slightly shouldered on the upper square, the
lower lines terminating in a point. Within this shield is an
oval containing a profile bust of George Washington engraved in
line, surrounded by a ribbon ending with small scrolls bearing
the legend "United States Postage," in white letters. From each
end of the scrolls a chain of pearls completes the outlines of
the oval. A prominent white-faced figure "2" laps over the lower
centre point of the oval and shield, dividing the words "Two
Cents." The whole is enclosed in a dark upright square to give
relief to the device. The stamp is printed in dark red.

FOUR CENT STAMP.

Over an oval containing a bust of Andrew Jackson in profile, is
a ribbon with the legend "United States Postage," in white
letters. A string of pearls forms round the lower half of the
oval and unites the two ends of the ribbon. At the lower part
of the oval, on either side, appears the figure "4," and under
that the words "Four Cents," with a star on each side, all
engraved in white faced letters. The whole device is inclosed
in an upright oblong tablet. The stamp is printed in green.

It is worthy of notice that these are the first postage stamps
ever bearing the words "United States Postage" in full, the
name of the country being abbreviated to "U. S." on all other
stamps * * * Postmasters were notified by circular of the
coming change of postage, and intrusted to make their
requisitions for 3 cent stamps and envelopes sufficient only
for carefully estimated needs to the 1st October. * * * The
issue of the new 2 cent and 4 cent stamped envelopes was
commenced on the 1st September, and of the 2 and 4 cent
adhesive stamps on the 15th September; and they were so
generally distributed by the 1st October that the change of
postage was attended with but little inconvenience for want of
the necessary stamps."

The circular issued to postmasters read as follows:

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Office of Third Assistant Postmaster General.

_Washington, D. C., July 18th, 1883._

On and after the first day of October, 1883, the rate of postage
on domestic mail matter of the first class, will be reduced from
three cents per half ounce, or fraction thereof, as provided by
Act of Congress, approved March 3d, 1883.

The department has adopted a new design for the two cent stamp.

The head of Washington, in profile from Houdon's bust, placed on
a plain tablet. Above the oval, surrounding the head, are the
words "United States Postage," and underneath the tablet are the
words "Two Cents." The stamp will be printed in metallic red.
The engraved stamp on the 2 cent envelope will also bear the
head of Washington.

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, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

2 cents, metallic red.

FOUR CENTS. Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile to left, after Powers, in an oval disk, horizontally lined, very closely at the top, and doubly diagonally bordered by a colorless line, twice as wide as that in the last two cents, surrounded by a solid colored band, ornamented with pearls below, and broadened above into a label, bordered above and at the ends by a colorless line, and inscribed "_United States Postage_," just as in the two cents, the whole resting on a rectangular tablet, with horizontally lined ground, crossed by vertical lines below the oval, and bordered by a vertical colorless line on the right and above the oval on the left, with mitered or bevelled edge, represented by five colored lines parallel with the top, bottom and sides, the right, upper third of the left, and bottom bevel crossed by short colored lines at right angles. On the ground below the oval, which is nearly solid color, in colorless capitals, "_Four Cents_," between colored five pointed stars. Large colorless numeral "4" on each side, above the stars and end letters of the value.

Plate impression, 191/2 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly surfaced with green, perforated 12.

4 cents, blue green.

The arrangement of the plates, printer's imprint, plate number, etc., is the same as before, for both of the new stamps.

The report of 1883 also proposed that the 3 and 6 cent stamps should be called in, redeemed and destroyed. Nothing seems to have been done about it however, until Frank Hatton, Postmaster General, issued an order, dated December 1st, 1884, that the three and six cents of all issues with the exceptions following, should be exchanged by postmasters for other values.

"Especial care must be taken not to redeem postage stamps issued
prior to 1861, as such stamps were long since declared obsolete
and valueless for postage. No six cent stamps were issued prior
to 1861. The three cent issued before that time bears the head
of Washington, and is printed in red. In a straight line at the
top are the words "U. S. Postage," and at the bottom, the words
"Three Cents." The figure 3 does not appear on the stamps, as it
does upon all subsequent issues of that denomination. Stamps
answering to this description, must in all cases be refused."

On the 14th of January, 1885, Postmaster General Frank Hatton, by order No. 75, appointed a committee of three to proceed among other things to the stamp manufactory at New York, and effectually cancel all the plates, except one working plate of each denomination, of the issues of 1847, of 1851, including the two carrier stamps, of 1861, of 1865 newspaper and periodicals, of 1869, of the 3, 5, Taylor, 7, 12 and 24 cents of 1870, 3 and 9 cent newspaper and periodical of 1874, and of all the Department stamps.

"One plate of each kind and denomination of postage stamp
reserved as above, and the dies and rolls from which they have
been produced, together with all the cancelled plates, to be
inventoried, waxed and carefully boxed and sealed, and placed in
the vault of the stamp manufactory, in the custody and under the
control of the agent."

The committee were also to cancel any worn out and unserviceable plates of the current series, and to count and destroy the official stamps remaining in the vaults of the American Bank Note Company, of all denominations and Departments, numbering 17,024,588, of the 3 and 9 cent newspaper and periodical stamps of 1874, numbering 324,990, and of the 7, 12, and 24 cent stamps of the 1870 issue, numbering 1,414,300, a grand total of 18,763,878 stamps. On the 24th of February, the committee reported that they had carried out the order.

A. D. Hazen, Third Assistant Postmaster General, who recommended this holocaust, says:

"I have excepted from this recommendation the 3 cent stamps of
the current series, of which there are 135,800 in the vault, for
the reason that though their general issue has been
discontinued, occasional calls are made for them by some of the
larger offices."

The reports show further that from January 1st, to June 30, 1886, 1,094,200 three cent stamps were actually issued. During the same period, 201,600 six cent stamps were also issued, while 645,950 thirty cent stamps, and only 29,620 ninety cent stamps were issued. As a matter of fact therefore these values, though retired from general issue, are more in demand than the two higher values retained, nearly 2 to 1, as between the 3 and 30 cents, 50 to 1 as between the 3 and 90 cents, or 9 to 1 as between the 6 and 90 cents, and that too when the general public is unaware that these values can be obtained at all.

CONTRACT FOR 1885-89.

The contract for the manufacture of adhesive stamps between the Department and the American Bank Note Company, expiring on the 30th of June, 1885, sealed proposals were invited by public advertisement of March 30th, 1885, for a new contract for four years from July 1st, 1885. The important features of the new contract to be noticed here, are _first_, that a definite standard of paper to be used for printing the stamps, made by an improved formula, was for the first time required, all other contracts having provided that the paper should be equal to a sample only; and _second_, that all ordinary postage stamps should be printed wholly by machinery run by steam power. "The two previous contracts, 1877 to 1881, and 1881 to 1885, expressly stipulated that the printing should be done on hand roller presses, the use of steam presses under the contract immediately preceeding the same, 1873 to 1877, which was silent as to the mode of printing, having resulted in extremely unsatisfactory work."

The act of the 48th Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved March 30th, 1885, provides:

"That upon all matter of the first class, as defined by chapter
180 of the laws of Congress, approved March 3d, 1879, entitled:
An Act, etc., and by that act declared subject to postage at the
rate of three cents for each half ounce or fraction thereof, and
reduced by act of March 3d, 1883, to two cents for each ounce or
fraction thereof, postage shall be charged, on and after the
first day of July, 1885, at the rate of two cents for each
ounce or fraction thereof; and drop letters shall be mailed at
the rate of two cents per ounce or fraction thereof, including
delivery at letter carrier offices, and one cent for each ounce
or fraction thereof where free delivery by carriers is not
established."

It was claimed that the improvements in machinery had produced steam presses that could produce better word than the hand presses, at less cost. Bids were taken for stamps printed entirely by hand, partly by hand and partly by steam, entirely by steam; the last two with or without an option reserved to the Postmaster General, to require the work to be done by hand roller presses. The Treasury Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Franklin Bank Note Co., and the American Bank Note Co., were the only bidders. The latter again secured the contract to print the ordinary stamps, by steam power entirely, and the newspaper, postage due and special delivery stamps by hand roller presses. For the latter of these they are paid $18 per 1000, for the postage due $8.49 per 1000, and for the steam printed stamps $6.99 per thousand. For these latter the Government paid $9.19 under the previous contract up to 1885, $9.98 up to 1881, and $14.99 up to 1877.

The following is the number of stamps of the issue of 1870 as it is called without the grille.

1 cent, old plate, blue, 1,748,378,900
1 " altered " " 1,872,063,600
2 cents, old " brown 176,830,300
2 " " " vermilion 661,829,150
2 " new " red-brown 4,370,788,300
3 " old " 4,986,505,600
3 " altered " 629,537,100
5 " Jackson 80,390,500
5 " Garfield 14,454,640
6 " old plate 76,726,850
6 " altered " 8,013,300
7 " 3,349,100
10 " old " 79,126,690
10 " altered " 81,307,910
12 " 3,272,125
15 " 16,136,380
24 " 716,975
30 " 6,134,410
90 " 436,150

The paper provided for in this contract is the soft porous paper, which according to Mr. Sterling was introduced in 1883. It is not stiff and hard like the previous paper, and seems to have been adopted about the time of the change in the dies, the fall 1882. All the values employed since are to be found on it. It may be noted that the fifteen and thirty cents on this paper are with the imprint of the American Company. The fifteen is again a deep orange and the thirty a full black.

ISSUE OF 1883, ETC.

Same colors, values and designs, soft porous paper, perforated 12.

1 cent, ultramarine blue.
2 cents, red-brown.
3 cents, green.
4 " dark green.
5 " " brown.
6 " cochineal.
10 " brown.
15 " orange.
30 " black.
90 " carmine.

ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1887.

The following circular explains itself:

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Office of the Postmaster General.

_Washington, D. C., May 23d, 1887._

On or about the 15th of June, 1887, the Department will begin
the issue of a new design of the ordinary one cent postage
stamp, of which the following is a description: The center of
the stamp consists of a profile bust of Benjamin Franklin
(after-the original by Caracci), looking to the left, in an oval
disk, with shaded background, the lower portion of the oval
being bordered with pearls and the upper portion with a curved
frame, containing in small white letters, the words, "United
States Postage." The whole is engraved in line upon a shield
shaped tablet, with a truncated pyramidal base, bearing on it
the words "one" and "cent," on either side of the figure "1."
The color of the stamp is ultramarine blue, and its general
appearance is somewhat similar to that of the stamp now in use.

Before ordering supplies of the new stamps, postmasters will be
expected to exhaust their stock of the old, which will continue
to be valid. Under no circumstances are the old stamps to be
sent to the Department for redemption or exchange.

WILLIAM T. VILAS,
Postmaster General.

H. R. HARRIS,
Third Assist. P. M. General.

ISSUE OF JUNE 15TH, 1887.

ONE CENT. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the left, after Carraci, on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, the upper third bordered by a label, the lower two thirds by a broad solid colored line, ornamented with colorless pearls increasing in size from top to bottom, with a colorless line outside this, shaded by another heavy colored line. The label is of solid color, between two colorless lines, the upper one curved round the ends, forming a hook and edged outside by a fine colored line, and is inscribed in white capitals similar to the two cents last described, "United States Postage." The whole is on a horizontally lined shield shaped tablet, the top similar to that of the two cents, but with a small point in the centre of the top and the diagonals shorter. The bottom is curved at the corners, then curved back up and round, and spreads out into the lower part of a "truncated pyramid." It is edged with a heavy colored line on the right and bottom, with a heavy colored line on the left and top. On the truncated base is a large pearled outlined colorless numeral "1," dividing the border of the oval and the words "One Cent," in outline colorless capitals. The rectangle is filled out with horizontal lines at the sides of the shield and vertical line at the top.

Plate impression, 20 by 251/2 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent, ultramarine blue.

XXIV.

POSTAGE DUE STAMPS.

From the adoption of compulsory prepayment up to 1879, various regulations had been made from time to time regarding insufficiently paid letters, in order to relieve the Dead Letter Office as far as possible, and yet enforce the prepayment of all mail matter. Nevertheless mistakes continued to be made and the practice of forwarding all letters upon which one full rate was paid, and collecting the balance of the receiver had finally been adopted, the amount to be collected being written or stamped upon the letter. From this practice abuses arose, and by the Act of the XLV Congress, Section III, Chapter 180, Section 26, approved March 3d, 1879, it was enacted:

"That all mail matter of the first class upon which one full
rate of postage has been prepaid shall be forwarded to its
destination charged with the unpaid rate, to be collected on
delivery, but postmasters before delivering the same, or any
article of mail matter upon which prepayment in full has not
been made, shall affix, or cause to be affixed, and cancelled as
ordinary stamps are cancelled, one or more stamps equivalent in
value to the amount of postage due on such article of mail
matter, which stamps shall be of such special design as the
Postmaster General shall prescribe, and which shall in no case
be sold by any postmaster or received by him in prepayment of
postage," etc.

Sec. 27. "That any postmaster or other person engaged in the
postal service who shall collect and fail to account for the
postage due upon any article of mail matter which he may deliver
without having previously affixed and cancelled such stamp as
herein before provided shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of fifty
dollars."

Shortly after the passage of this Act the following circular was addressed to all postmasters:

Form No. 3288.

SPECIAL STAMP FOR POSTAGE DUE.

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes and Postal Cards.

_Washington, D. C., May 5th 1879._

By Sections 26 and 27 of the Act of Congress, making
appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for
the year ending June 30th, 1880, and for other purposes
"approved March 3d, 1879, it is made the duty of postmasters to
affix to all mail matter that has arrived at destination without
full payment of postage, and before delivery of the same, an
amount of stamps equal to the postage due, the stamps to be of
such special design as the Postmaster General may direct."

To avoid any confusion in the accounts of Postmasters with the
Auditor, and on account of the length of the time necessary to
prepare for the change contemplated by the above sections in
the mode of collecting and accounting for short paid postage, it
has been decided to have the same go into practical operation on
the 1st of July next.

The Department however, will begin issuing sometime during the
present month, in anticipation of the wants of postmasters,
special stamps for the collection of postage due of the
denomination of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, and of the following
general description:

A large figure, representing the denomination is placed in the
center of the stamp, and is surrounded by an oval of very
delicate lathe work. On the upper border of this oval, the words
"Postage Due" are printed in white letters; in the lower border
is the denomination, in letters of the same kind; on either side
of the oval are the letters "U. S." in a small white shield.
Around the oval is a form of complex character, described upon
an oblong tablet. The general design is the same for all the
stamps, the only difference being in the figures and lettering
for the several denominations. The color is the same, a reddish
brown.

These stamps are intended, exclusively for the collection of
postage due on matter arriving at destination through the mails,
and are to be used in combination, wherever required to cover
unusual amounts of postage. They are to be cancelled in the
customary way after being attached to mail matter, are never to
be sold or received by Postmasters for prepayment of postage.
Postmasters must distinctly understand, that these stamps are
not to be used until July 1st, 1879.

A supply of these will be sent at first to all post offices in
advance of requisitions from postmasters, and charged to their
account; but afterwards they must be ordered on blank forms (No.
3285) to be furnished by the First Assistant Postmaster General.
With the first supply of stamps, however, blank requisitions for
future use will be enclosed.

The stamps will be accounted for to the auditor the same as
other stamps, and will enter into the monthly reports of stamps,
etc., received, sold and on hand, required by the regulations,
to be made by postmasters at Presidential offices, to the Third
Assistant Postmaster General.

On the next page of this circular will be found the sections of
the new postal law and regulations relating to the above
described stamps, which are published in advance for the
information and guidance of postmasters. The distinguishing
numbers of the sections cannot now be given, but the
instructions are here printed in the same order in which they
will appear in the forthcoming volume of the new postal
regulations.

A. D. HAZEN,
_Third Assistant Postmaster General_.

ISSUE OF MAY 9TH, 1879.

For use from and after July 1st, 1879.

Large colorless numeral, 10 mm. high, representing the value, ornamented and shaded, on an oval disk, 17 by 131/2 mm., with colored ground ornamented by colorless geometric lathe work, bordered by a solid colored band between two heavy colorless lines and an exterior fine colored line, interrupted by small white shields on the sides bearing "_U._" on the left, "_S._" on the right, in fancy colored capitals. The band is inscribed in white capitals, above, "_Postage Due_," below with the value in full letters, the whole on a tablet with vertically lined ground, with an irregular outline colorless line bordered by an extensive fine colored line, and a double rectangular frame, the interior formed by parallel, diagonal curved lines, and the exterior by vertical short lines at top and bottom, horizontal ones at sides, indicating a bevel.

Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent, reddish brown.
2 cents, "
3 " "
5 " "

The report of the Postmaster General dated December, 1879, states:

"Under a provision in the act of Congress, approved March 3d
1879, authorizing a change in the mode of collecting postage
due, on matter arriving at destination through the mails, the
Department began issuing on the 9th of May, special stamps,
called postage due stamps, of the denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5
cents, and subsequently of the additional denominations of 10,
30, and 50 cents. Before the first of July, every office in the
country was provided with a supply of these stamps, and the new
system of collecting short paid postage is now fairly in
operation."

ISSUE OF AUGUST, 1879.

Stamps of the same design, but there being two figures, the numerals are smaller.

Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

10 cents, reddish brown.
30 " "
50 " "

The number of these stamps issued from May, 1879, to June 30th, 1885, was:

1 cent, 25,328,525
2 cents, 30,534,425
3 " 31,146,230
5 " 5,029,435
10 " 6,105,175
30 " 169,078
50 " 93,490

OBSERVATIONS.

There are two quite distinct shades of the red-brown in which these stamps are printed, the earlier issues being of a brown that shows hardly a trace of red, while those printed under the 1885 contract are of the shade of the current two cent postage stamp.

XXV.

SPECIAL DELIVERY STAMP.

The history of the introduction and usage of these stamps is contained in the following extracts from two circulars, both dated at Post Office Department, Office of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., August 11th, 1885, and signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The first directed to postmasters reads as follows:

"SIR:--On the first of October, 1885, you are directed to
establish at your office, a system for special delivery of
letters, in accordance with sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Act
making appropriation for the postal service for the current
fiscal year (XLVIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved
March 3d, 1885,) which are as follows:

SECTION 3. That a special stamp of the face valuation of 10
cents may be provided and issued, whenever deemed advisable or
expedient, in such form and bearing such device as may meet the
approval of the Postmaster General, which when attached to a
letter, in addition to the lawful postage thereon, the delivery
of which is to be at a free delivery office, or at any city,
town or village containing a population of 4,000 or over,
according to the Federal census, shall be regarded as entitling
such letter to immediate delivery within the carrier limit of
any free delivery office which may be designated by the
Postmaster General as a special delivery office, or within one
mile of the post office at any other office coming within, the
provisions of this section which may in like manner be
designated as a special delivery office."

SECTION 4 provides for immediate delivery between the hours of 7
A. M. and midnight.