Chapter IV: Part 4

None of the Nesbitt die varieties have given the writer so many anxious hours and have required such prolonged study as the three cents of 1864. Indeed, the final solution of the problem of classification of the various dies was only arrived at after more than two years continuous research. Like the famous balancing of the egg of Columbus, the problem, when solved, is extremely simple. Looking backward on the long series of failures, it seems strange that the chief characteristics have so long escaped the attention of cataloguers. The fact, however, is patent. Even as thorough and painstaking a student as the late Gilbert Harrison who, in 1895, chronicled, as he thought, all of the existing die varieties of the three cents has failed to observe the most important differences. Indeed, in the entire philatelic literature dealing with the Nesbitt dies of 1864 there is but one allusion to the feature which constitutes the surest means for the identification of the die varieties, and this is only a single sentence contained in the Historical Notes of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert and Rechert. It reads:--

"It is worth mentioning, however, that while dies 9, 15 and 26 (the latter the die under consideration) all have the small bust of Washington, there are small differences in each which show them to be different engravings. * * In die 26 the front hair shows only five locks and the back hair only four lines."

We shall presently see that, like the three cents, red of 1853, (Die A) the diemakers have produced different groups of heads which, once known, are not only an absolute means of differentiating the varieties, but also protect the collector from acquiring a multitude of the same die.

Although, as stated above, the die of the three cents rose equals that of the three cents red in the use of various heads, it is, otherwise, quite dissimilar to the first issue, as will be seen presently.

As in the varieties of the two cent dies the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the three cents vary greatly. After careful research and taking the advice of experienced philatelists, it was decided to adopt only two sizes for classification: i.e.

Size A:--to include all stamps measuring horizontally 24 mm. but
not exceeding 25 mm.

Size B:--to include all stamps measuring horizontally 25-1/2 mm.
or more.

In our study of the three cents red of 1853 we noted, in addition to the various heads, some minor differences in the spacing of the letters forming the inscription. Referring now to the three cents of 1864, even the unskilled eye of the layman will be struck with the surprising changes, not only in the spacing of the letters forming a word, but, also, in the relative position of the words to each other and their distance from a definite point, such, for instance, as the figure "3." The subsequent cuts well illustrate this point.

In the first the "S" of "CENTS" is several mm. distant from the right figure "3": in the second it is close to "3". The same remarks apply to the "U" of "UNITED" in its relative position to the left figure "3". In the second cut there is also a square period after the final "E" of "THREE".

Looking at cuts 3 and 4 the great variety of spacing between the letters of a word is strikingly apparent in the word "THREE." These differences are easily detected by the 10 mm. unit distance measurement, which has been explained in the introductory chapter of this series of articles. The subjoined diagram proves that there are at least three forms of each word, and, with a little study, the collector will soon recognize the leading types.

It seems strange that such great and palpable differences remained unknown until 1892. Quoting from the work of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert & Rechert, we are, however, informed: "Heretofore it has _not_ been noticed that there are a large number of minor varieties of this die depending on the relative position of the parts."

Commenting on Die 26 (three cents rose) the writers make some valuable suggestions, but they discourage the would-be student from going deeper into the subject by the closing paragraph: "So few collectors would be interested in looking for these varieties that it has been thought unnecessary to devote space to them in a general work." In the writer's opinion the most valuable hint thrown out by Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert & Rechert is contained in the following sentence: "If a thread be laid along the lower stroke of the "U" it will pass at different distances from the tip of the nose and fall on different parts of the right numeral, of the space below it, or even as low as the "S" of "CENTS."

Why these experts stopped at the gate and did not enter is one of those freaks of the human mind that defies explanation. Certainly the person who made this observation was on the very threshold of discovering a scientific classification of this elusive die. The writer confesses that, after having independently evolved this system of classification, nothing has given him greater satisfaction than to find that the basic idea had been chronicled as far back as 1892. To-day it is well known that a line prolongation along the "U" of "UNITED" establishes five distinct classes. As this system has been fully described in a lecture given by the writer before the Boston Philatelic Society, (April 19, 1904) which lecture has also been published in pamphlet form, and, as this classification has been accepted by the writer of the latest Scott Catalogue, it seems unnecessary to go into the details, especially as the subjoined diagram is self-explanatory.

It is evident that we now possess various means for the classification of the three cents die varieties, but a system based solely on a line measurement, as has been stated heretofore, would not guard the collector sufficiently from acquiring a number of the same dies, due to unavoidable mistakes of measurement. To prevent duplication of dies it is imperative to know the various heads.

Luckily the distinctive features are quite plain and it is easy to divide the heads into five classes for, as in the first issue, the die cutters have adorned the head of Washington with a variety of coiffures.

In Heads 1 and 2 there is a _triangular open space_ between the middle bunch of hair and the lowest strand which meets the queue.

HEAD 1.--The queue consists of three vertical strands
extending from the top of the head to the neck. Next to the
queue are 3 rear locks, of which the middle one is a large,
pear-shaped bunch, consisting of five fine strands, while
the second highest is by far the longest, and cuts into the
queue, resembling the stem of a pear.

HEAD 2.--Same as Head 1, but the second lowest strand of
hair in the pear-shaped bunch is the longest and does not
extend into the queue. The triangular space below is
slightly larger than in Head 1.

HEAD 3.--The queue consists of either three or four strands
which extend from the top of the head to the neck. Next to
the queue there are five locks in the rear row, the
arrangement of which differs in the various specimens. The
_main_ feature of Head 3 consists in the _absence of an open
space_ between the middle bunch and the lowest lock.

HEAD 4.--The queue consists of three strands which extend
from the top of the head to the neck. The back row of hair
consists of five locks of which the lowest is very small and
runs almost perpendicularly into the queue. There is a small
space between the perpendicular lock and the next lowest.

HEAD 5.--Generally found on the second quality of buff
paper. The queue consists of three strands, which extend
from the top of the head to the neck. The main feature is
the middle bunch of hair, which is oblong shaped and
consists of three heavy strands, all of which slant
diagonally into the queue. Immediately below this bunch is
the lowest small lock, which also slants diagonally into the
queue.

Of the five heads, the first is certainly the one which is most commonly found; especially on amber paper. Knife 1 is always Head 4. Head 3 is less common, and Head 5 is most frequently found on the second quality buff paper. It is also useful to remember that Head 5 appears on Knife 11.

The subsequent table gives the knives and heads of the three cents, Rose:--

K. 22 120 × 73 P. O. Size 1 Heads 1, 2, 3, 4 White " 1 120 × 73 " 1 " 4 White " 2 139 × 83 " 3 " 3 White " 11 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 White " 11 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Buff " 11 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 2 Amber " 11 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 5 Buff 2nd " 9 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 2, 3, 4 White " 9 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 3, 4 Buff " 9 139 × 83 " 3 " 1, 2 Amber " 12 160 × 90 " 5 " 1, 2, 3, 4 White " 12 160 × 90 " 5 " 1, 3, 4 Buff " 12 160 × 90 " 5 " 1, 2 Amber

A similar table for the three cents, Brown shows that the following heads exist:--

K. 21 225 × 98 Size 7 Heads 1, 2, 3, 4 White " " " " " " 1, 2, 3, 4 Buff " " " " " " 1, 2 Amber

The six cents, Rose and Purple comes only on heads 1 and 3.

A systematic and rational classification of the three cents (both rose and brown) and their congener the six cents (purple and rose) is now ready. The collector of entire envelopes will proceed as follows:--

Given a certain specimen, he first ascertains the knife, second the color of the paper. He then decides which head is represented, and finally ascertains whether it is an "A" or "B" die. The specialist, or any collector who is sufficiently interested to possess the various sub-varieties, goes a step further. Having determined the head, he finds to which of the four classes of line measurement a given specimen belongs. Thus the apparently bewildering number of varieties, through the knowledge of the heads and the "U" line measurement, are brought into perfect order, and all risk of confusion is avoided. It is evident that, henceforth, the collector of cut squares will try to obtain at least one specimen of the different heads of both die A and B, while the collector of entires may go to any length to satisfy his zeal and ambition.

The large die (Die B), measuring horizontally 25-1/2 mm. or more, is comparatively scarce and it is found most commonly on the small envelope, Knife 22.

THREE CENTS, ROSE.

K. 22 Heads 1, 2, 4 White " 11 " 4 Buff " 9 " 1, 4 White " 9 " 1 Buff " 12 " 2, 4 White " 12 " 2 Amber

THREE CENTS, BROWN.

K 21 Head 1 White " " " 1, 2 Buff " " " 2 Amber

With the issue of the three cents, rose, the contractor, at the order of the Post Office Department, introduced a second quality of buff paper. This matter is of importance to all collectors and should be duly noted.

In a circular letter from the Finance Office, dated "Washington Oct. 1866," signed "A. N. Zevely, 3d Asst. P. M. G.", it is stated:--

"Letter size envelopes stamped 3 cents, made of a _cheaper_
quality of paper than those hitherto furnished, are
furnished by the Department at $32.80 per 1,000."

The schedule of 1867 gives the prices of three cent
envelopes, etc., and of letter size _second quality buff_. A
circular to the public of the same date says that "letter
size _second quality_ are furnished ONLY in buff."

The white and colored paper of this issue exists in various qualities, of which the extremes may be called nearly cardboard paper and almost tissue. The texture is soft and highly surfaced. An interesting variety of the white paper is a decidedly brownish-white, which, as far as the writer knows, has not been mentioned heretofore. There are also various shades of buff and even a reddish toned orange paper.

Doubtless collectors would like to possess some information about the rarity of the various heads found in the three cents, rose, of this issue. From a study of some six thousand envelopes of this series the writer can give a fairly accurate estimate. Calling the total number of envelopes examined one hundred per cent, the respective percentages of the five heads were:

Head 1--50%
" 2--30%
" 3--10%
" 4--09.5%
" 5--00.5%
--------
100.

In regard to the sub varieties of the various heads it is also of interest to observe that a considerable number are "repeating dies," _i.e._, generally a die, say of Head 1 on white paper and on Knife 11, is liable to be found on buff and amber paper not only on Knife 11, but also on Knife 9. Only very few sub varieties of a given Head exist on of this series. Although it is evident that of all Nesbitt issues the 3 cent rose 1864 has by far the largest number of die varieties, it is by no means an impossible task to classify all existing varieties as has been done with the two cent Jackson, and it is the intention of the writer to carry out this work at no distant day. Probably due to the apparent similarity of many dies collectors have been apathetic and have considered one as good as the other, but a little study speedily convinces the student of this error. Indeed, this issue contains a number of extremely rare dies, and as soon as proper information and classification is published, the 3 cent rose of 1864 will be a favorite of all true philatelists.

Before leaving these interesting dies we must not fail to mention that, on the three cents and six cents, there is often a small dot on Washington's face shaped like a mole, about one mm. under the ear. It is of little importance, and is evidently merely a flaw.

In addition to the 3 and 6 cents, Nesbitt produced, in 1864, a new design for the 9, 12, 18 and 30 cents, while the old design of the former 24 and 40 cents was changed in December 1865. The main difference between the new and the old design is that the oval band and small circular disks are with colored background bordered by colorless lines. The inscriptions and numerals are now colorless. The branches have eight leaves.

Of these values no die varieties are known; but, excepting the 40 cents pink, there are several distinct shades of each stamp.

Commencing with the Nine Cents, we have a decided lemon-yellow and an orange; the Twelve Cents appears in dark brown and red-brown; the Twenty-four Cents in two shades of blue; the Eighteen Cents exists in red and dark red, and the Thirty Cents in yellow-green, dark green and olive-green.

This concludes the Nesbitt issues of United States envelopes. His connection with the Postal Department ceased March 31, 1870, when a new contract was awarded to George H. Reay, of New York.

To the philatelists the Nesbitt issues are by far the most interesting series of all the United States Postal issues and, as the years pass on, the intrinsic value of these die varieties will increase rapidly. Specialization is the watchword of the now growing class of collectors, and there is no field so inviting and which will repay a student so richly for his labor as a specialized collection of the Nesbitt issues. What is wanted to-day is a special album for United States envelopes, which would insure to this prominent branch of United States philately that measure of official recognition for which collectors have long and earnestly contended. An equally valuable aid would be the formation of a Society of Collectors of United States envelopes. The writer confidently expects that this suggestion will soon assume a more tangible form.

If this series of articles has, in even the slightest degree, helped collectors of United States envelopes to a wider knowledge and better appreciation of these hitherto unknown die varieties, the writer will feel well repaid for the many hours of labor. In closing, he again asserts; "Variety is the spice of life!"

* * * * *

A REFERENCE LIST OF THE ENVELOPES OF THE SERIES OF 1864 AND 1865.

1864.

THREE CENTS, ROSE.

DIE A.

HEAD I.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Variety. Remarks.

501 White 22 1 120 × 73 1 502 " 22 1 " 2 503 " 22 1 " 3 504 " 22 1 " 4 505 " 11 3 139 × 83 1 506 " 11 3 " 1 Unwatermarked. 507 " 11 3 " 2 508 " 11 3 " 3 509 " 11 3 " 4 510 " 9 3 " 1 511 " 9 3 " 2 511a " 9 3 " 2 Without Patent Lines. 512 " 9 3 " 3 513 " 9 3 " 4 514 " 12 5 160 × 90 2 515 " 12 5 " 3 516 " 12 5 " 4 517 Buff 11 3 139 × 83 2 518 " 11 3 " 3 519 " 11 3 " 4 520 " 9 3 " 1 521 " 9 3 " 2 522 " 9 3 " 3 523 " 9 3 " 4 524 " 12 5 160 × 90 2 525 " 12 5 " 4 526 Buff 2nd 11 3 139 × 83 3 527 " 11 3 " 4 528 Amber 11 3 " 1 529 " 11 3 " 2 530 " 11 3 " 3 531 " 11 3 " 3 Ungummed. 532 " 11 3 " 4 533 " 9 3 " 3 534 " 9 3 " 4 535 " 12 5 160 × 90 2 536 " 12 5 " 3 537 " 12 5 " 4 538 Amber 2nd 11 3 139 × 83 2 539 " 11 3 " 3 540 " 11 3 " 4

HEAD II.

541 White 22 1 120 × 73 1 542 " 22 1 " 2 543 " 22 1 " 3 544 " 11 3 139 × 83 1 545 " 11 3 " 2 546 " 11 3 " 3 547 " 9 3 " 1 548 " 9 3 " 2 549 " 9 3 " 3 550 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 551 " 12 5 " 2 552 " 12 5 " 3 553 Amber 11 3 139 × 83 1 554 " 11 3 " 2 555 " 11 3 " 4 556 " 9 3 " 1 557 " 9 3 " 3 558 " 12 5 160 × 90 2 559 " 12 5 " 3

HEAD III.

560 White 22 1 120 × 73 1 561 " 22 1 " 2 562 " 22 1 " 3 563 " 2 3 139 × 83 3 Ungummed. Probably a proof. 564 " 11 3 " 1 565 " 11 3 " 2 566 " 11 3 " 3 567 " 9 3 " 1 568 " 9 3 " 2 569 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 570 " 12 5 " 2 571 Buff 2 3 139 × 83 3 Ungummed. Probably a proof. 572 " 11 3 " 1 573 " 11 3 " 2 574 " 11 3 " 3 575 " 9 3 " 1 576 " 9 3 " 2 577 " 9 3 " 2 Without patent lines. 578 " 9 3 " 3 579 " 12 5 " 2 580 " 12 5 " 3

HEAD IV.

581 White 22 1 120 × 73 1 582 " 22 1 " 2 583 " 22 1 " 3 581 " 1 1 " 2 585 " 11 3 139 × 83 2 586 " 11 3 " 3 587 " 11 3 " 3 Unwatermarked 588 " 9 3 " 1 589 " 9 3 " 2 590 " 9 3 " 3 591 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 592 " 12 5 " 2 593 " 12 5 " 3 594 Buff 11 3 139 × 83 1 595 " 11 3 " 2 596 " 11 3 " 3 596a Buff 2nd 11 3 " 2 597 Buff 9 3 " 1 598 " 9 3 " 2 599 " 9 3 " 3 600 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 601 " 12 5 " 2

HEAD V.

602 White 11 3 139 × 83 3 603 Buff 11 3 " 2 604 Buff 2nd 11 3 " 2 605 " 11 3 " 3

DIE B.

HEAD I.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Variety. Remarks.

606 White 22 1 120 × 73 2 607 " 9 3 139 × 83 2 608 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 609 Buff 9 3 139 × 83 2 610 " 9 3 " 3

HEAD II.

611 White 22 1 120 × 73 1 612 " 22 1 " 3 613 " 9 3 139 × 83 3 614 " 12 5 160 × 90 4 615 Amber 9 3 139 × 83 1 616 " 12 5 160 × 90 2 617 " 12 5 " 3

HEAD III.

617a White 12 5 160 × 90 5

HEAD IV.

618 White 22 1 120 × 73 1 619 " 11 3 139 × 83 2 620 " 9 3 " 1 621 " 9 3 " 2 622 " 9 3 " 3 623 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 624 " 12 5 " 2 625 Buff 11 3 139 × 83 1 626 " 12 5 160 × 90 1 627 " 12 5 " 2 629 Amber 12 5 160 × 90 3

1865.

THREE CENTS, BROWN.

DIE A.

HEAD I.

630 White 21 7 225 × 98 2 631 Buff 21 7 " 2 633 Amber 21 7 " 2 634 " 21 7 " 3

HEAD II.

635 White 21 7 225 × 98 2 637 Buff 21 7 " 3

HEAD III.

638 White 21 7 225 × 98 2 639 Buff 21 7 " 1 640 " 21 7 " 2

HEAD IV.

642 White 21 7 1 643 " 21 7 2 644 " 21 7 3 645 Buff 21 7 1 646 " 21 7 2

DIE B.

HEAD I.

647 White 21 7 225 × 98 2 648 Buff 21 7 " 2

HEAD II.

649 White 21 7 225 × 98 2 650 Buff 21 7 " 4 650a Amber 21 7 " 2 650b " 21 7 " 4

SIX CENTS, PURPLE.

HEAD I.

651 White 11 3 139 × 83 652 Amber 11 3 "

HEAD III.

653 White 11 3 139 × 83 654 Buff 11 3 " 655 Amber 11 3 "

SIX CENTS, ROSE.

HEAD I.

656 White 21 7 225 × 98 657 Amber 21 7 "

HEAD III.

658 White 21 7 225 × 98 659 Buff 21 7 " 660 Amber 21 7 "

NINE CENTS, YELLOW.

661 Buff 21 7 225 × 98 662 Amber 21 7 "

NINE CENTS, ORANGE.

663 Buff 21 7 225 × 98 664 Amber 21 7 "

TWELVE CENTS, BROWN.

665 Buff 21 7 225 × 98 666 Amber 21 7 "

TWELVE CENTS, RED-BROWN.

667 Buff 21 7 225 × 98

EIGHTEEN CENTS, RED.

668 Buff 20 8 249 × 104

TWENTY-FOUR CENTS, BLUE.

669 Buff 20 8 249 × 104 670 " 20 8 " Dark blue 671 Amber 20 8 "

THIRTY CENTS, GREEN.

672 Buff 20 8 249 × 104 Yellow-green. 673 Buff 20 8 " Dark green. 674 Buff 20 8 " Olive green.

FORTY CENTS, ROSE.

675 Buff 20 8 249 × 104

APPENDIX

SERIES OF 1853-1855.

DIE I.

Since the publication of the early portion of the present work the writer has discovered two new varieties of this die, both with Head I, which must be known as varieties 1a and 2a and which, therefore, necessitate his re-writing the descriptions of Vars. 1 and 2.

He has, also, re-written the description of variety 3 with the idea of enabling collectors to more easily differentiate between it and the other varieties.

The following should, therefore replace the descriptions of these varieties on pages 107 and 108 of the JOURNAL for 1905.

HEAD I.

LONG SIDE LOCK.

Var. 1. "CENTS" is near the frame line. "C" and "N" are
in an almost vertical position. "N" is near "T." "S" is
near curve. Letters "TH" are parallel and slant to left.
A line drawn along the "E" of "CENTS" and prolonged upwards
touches the right end of the top stroke of the first "E"
of "THREE."

Var. 1a. The "C" of "CENTS" and "E" of "THREE" slant distinctly
to the right. "EN" close and near outer frame line.
"N" and "T" are wide at base. A line drawn along "E"
touches the left end of the top stroke of the final "E."

Var. 2. "TH" of "THREE" widely spaced and "R" is almost in
center of label and vertical. The "N" of "CENTS" slants to
the right and is far from "T" at top and base. The top
of "S" is some distance from curve. There is a flaw in the
outer colored line nearly opposite the tip of nose. A line
drawn along "E" touches right the end of the top stroke of
the final "E."

Var. 2a. There is a flaw in the red outer frame line nearly opposite
the junction of the queue with the garment. "CENTS" is
near the inner frame line. "HR" wide at top and near at
base. "C" is some distance from the curve. "EN" near.
"N" short and broad. The upper right curve is nearly a
straight line. A line drawn along "E" touches the left end
of the top stroke of the second "E" of "THREE."

HEAD 1a.

SHORT SIDE LOCK.

Var. 3 The "C" of "CENTS" is high and close to curve. "CE" very
wide. "EN" wide. "N" nearly vertical. "EN" close at
top. A line drawn along "E" touches the left end of the top
stroke of the final "E."
*/

ADDENDA.

The following envelopes and wrappers have been discovered since the lists were published and should, therefore, be added to them.

ENVELOPES.

1853-55.

THREE CENTS, RED.

DIE I.

VAR. 1A. HEAD I.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Gum. Remarks.

2a W 2 3 139 × 83 Seal 2b B 2 3 " "

VAR. 2A. HEAD I.

4a W 2 3 139 × 83 Seal. 4b B 2 3 " "

DIE V.

HEAD XV.

VAR. 21.

98a B 4 3 139 × 83

VAR. 29.

131a B 5 3 139 × 83

1860.

ONE CENT, BLUE.

VAR. 3.

163a B 9 3 139 × 83 U

VAR. 7.

177a L. Or. 5 3 139 × 83 U

VAR. 8.

178a B 5 3 139 × 83 U 178b B 5 3 " U No watermark 178c Y. B. 5 3 " U " " wove paper

VAR. 10.

183a B 11 3 139 × 83 G

VAR. 11.

184a W 11 3 139 × 83

THREE CENTS, RED.

VAR. 1.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Gum. Remarks.

187a B 7 2 137 × 77 G

VAR. 3.

199a W 7 2 137 × 77 G

WRAPPERS.

VAR. 3.

Distance of stamp
No. Paper. Dimensions. Laid. from upper edge. Remarks.

245a S. B. 148 × 225 H 35

VAR. 4.

252a B 148 × 232 H 38

1863.

TWO CENTS. BLACK.

ENVELOPES.

DIE A.

No. Class. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.

373a 4 Buff 11 3 139 × 83 Gummed.

1864.

DIE D.

VAR. 19.

415b 3 Buff 12 5 160 × 90 Gummed.

WRAPPERS.

DIE D.

VAR. 35.

No. Class. Paper. Dimensions. Laid. Remarks.

496a 5 Buff 100 × 200 H

ERRATA.

Page 13, last line under Head 6, read: _narrow_ for "norrow."

" 18, add to description of Var 2, Head XI: _there is usually a flaw
in the outer colored line opposite the lower left straight line near "C."_

Page 31, Head XVIII, second line, after "eye-brow", read; _some
distance_ instead of: "a considerable distance."

" 35, No. 46 should read: "W 2 3 139 × 82."

" " " 47 " " "B 2 3 "

" 37, No. 89 and 90, under "Remarks", add: "_Reprints on white
and buff vertically laid paper_."

" 38, No. 121 and 122, under "Remarks", cancel: "_Reprints on
white and buff vertically laid paper_."

" 42, Variety 3, add: "_distance from "E" to "C" is_ 3-1/2 _mm_."

" " The cut marked "7" should have its number changed to "9."

" 43, The cut marked "9" should have its number changed to "7."

" 52, No. 248, read: "V" instead of "H".

" " No. 270, dimensions should be: 180 × 260.

" 62, No. 327 and 327a are: Size 3.

" 85, No. 417, is gummed.

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes

[HW:] contains handwritten errata notes, as listed above. Roman and Arabic numeral inconsistencies were retained. Minor punctuation errors and the following typos were corrected:

CONTENTS: Changed The 1853-55 Series from page 5 to 6.

Page 3: Changed "humilation" to "humiliation".
(it is an humilation to American philatelists)

Page 3: Changed "unkown" to "unknown".
(timorous traveler to proceed into the unkown country)

Page 4: Deleted duplicate "the".
(spacings between the the letters)

Page 5: Changed "ascer" to "ascertained".
(easy manner, we have ascer [end of line] three important classes.)

Page 6: Changed "proceeed" to "proceed".
(and the manufacture will at once proceeed.)

Page 7: Changed "accordence" to "accordance".
(In accordence with the instructions of the United States Postal)

Page 7: Changed "pecular" to "peculiar".
(artists, had pecular ideas of the manly beauty)

Page 7: Deleted duplicate "the".
(expression runs the the gamut of meekness)

Page 8: Changed "aquaintance" to "acquaintance".
(Die 1 are concerned, a thorough knowledge of, or aquaintance)

Page 31: Deleted duplicate "the".
(Together with the the side-lock)

Page 40: Changed "realty" to "reality".
(new SIX and TEN CENTS. In realty the latter two appeared)

Page 44: Changed "broarder" to "broader".
(To give the philatelist a broarder hold on this issue)

Page 59: Changed "bu" to "but".
(the SIX CENTS is very similar to the last one, bu)

Page 64: Changed "uts" to "cuts".
(Class V.--Line falls outside of "W" and sometimes uts "O.")

Page 65: Changed "luckly" to "lucky".
(a rarity possessed only by a few luckly mortals.)

Page 68: Changed "contracter" to "contractor".
(the contracter for furnishing the Post Office Department)

Page 68: Changed "vareties" to "varieties".
(five letters which differ greatly in many vareties.)

Page 69: Changed "measurment(s)" to "measurement(s)".
(and the measurments are made as follows:)
(The student who employs these measurments)
(In case of doubt that single measurment is decisive.)
(the characteristic line measurment is mentioned)

Page 75: Deleted duplicate "of".
(top stroke of of "T" nearly touches "W.")

Page 77: Changed "manilla" to "manila".
(Buff Orange and Light Manilla.)

Page 78: Changed "deteoriation" to "deterioration".
(This is due to great deteoriation of the die.)

Page 82: Changed "beheind" to "behind".
(Bust point beheind "O.")

Page 82: Deleted duplicate "and".
("C" almost vertical and and close to point.)

Page 84: Under VAR. 13: Changed "041" to "401".

Page 103: Changed "discriptions" to "descriptions".
(replace the discriptions of these varieties)