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, 50½ mm. long, the "B," 4½ 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," 11½ mm. high, in an oval 20½ mm. long by 7½ 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, ¾ face to the right, on a colorless circular disk, 16½ 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 ½ mm. longer than the horizontal.
Impression from wood block 22 by 22½ 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 | " | " | " | " | 6¼ | ||
| 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 6¼. 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, Chapter LXIII, Section 1, approved March 3rd, 1847. An Act to establish certain Post Roads and for other purposes.
"And be it further enacted, that to facilitate the transportation of letters by mail, the Postmaster General be authorized to prepare postage stamps, which, when attached to any letter or packet, shall be evidence of the prepayment of the postage chargeable on such letter, which said stamps the Postmaster General may deliver to any deputy postmaster who may apply for the same, the deputy postmaster paying or becoming accountable for the amount of the stamps so received by him, and if any of said stamps shall not be used, but be returned to the General Post Office, the amount so returned shall be credited to such deputy postmaster, and such deputy postmaster may sell or dispose of any stamps so received by him to any person who may wish to use the same, but it shall not be lawful for any deputy postmaster, to prepare, use, or dispose of any postage stamps not authorized by and received from the Postmaster General. And any person who shall falsely and fraudulently make, alter or forge any postage stamp with intent to defraud the Post Office Department, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction shall be subject to the same punishment as provided in the 21 Section of the Act approved March 3rd, 1825, entitled an Act," etc.
This is the first authorization of postage stamps in the United States, and it will be well to observe that the use of any stamps other than those authorized and received from the Postmaster General is strictly prohibited. The use of the stamps of the postmasters herein before treated of, must therefore have ceased from and after the 1st of July, 1847, when the law went into effect, or as soon thereafter as supplies were received from the Department. This effectually determines the character of such locals, as the so-called "Horseman," and "U. S. Mail Prepaid," before referred to.
According to the law and custom in the United States, a contract for the engraving and printing of stamps, under the authority of this Act, was made by the Postmaster General with Messrs. Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson, for four years. During this time they furnished 4,400,000, five cent stamps, and 1,050,000, ten cent stamps, of which 3,712,000 five cent, and 891,000 ten cent stamps are officially reported to have been distributed by the Department to deputy postmasters for sale. A portion of these, valued at $12,038.55, were however afterwards returned to the Department and exchanged for those of the subsequent issue, and credited to the deputies who returned them.
Issue of July 1st, 1847.
The issue consisted of two values only, five and ten cents.
Five Cents. Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, Continental Postmaster General, facing three quarters to the left, on an oval disk with hatched ground, 14½ by 17¼ mm., bounded by a broad colorless line with a fine colored line outside, in a rectangular frame, also bordered by a broad colorless line with a fine colored line outside. The ground work of this frame is composed of fine horizontal colored lines, and is ornamented by foliations, and inscribed in outlined colorless capitals, "U." and "S.," in the upper corners, with "Post Office," between, following the form of the oval, large numeral "5," and "5," in the lower corners, with "Five Cents" between, following the form of the oval.
Between the lines of the outer border, exactly in the centre, are the initials of the engravers, "R. W. H. & E.," in small colored capitals.
Plate impression, 18½ by 23½ mm., in color, on faintly bluish paper.
5 cents, bronze.
Ten Cents. Portrait of George Washington, first President, facing three quarters to the right, on an oval disk, with hatched background, bordered by a broad colorless line, with a fine colored line outside, in a rectangular frame, bordered in the same manner. The ground of the frame and inscriptions are similar to the five cents, but changed for the value to a large "X," in each lower corner, with "Ten Cents," between. Same small initials in the lower border.
Plate impression, 18½ by 23½ mm., in color, on faintly bluish paper.
10 cents, black.
In the Hartford Times of August 5th, 1885, appeared a long article, entitled: "The First Postage Stamps," from which the following relating to the actual date of this issue may be here repeated.
"Thirty eight years ago to-day the first postage stamps were used in the United States. * * * On the 25th of March, 1840, John M. Niles, of Hartford, became Postmaster General and signalized his administration by many reforms. * * * It was necessary to cap all by a genuine innovation, and he performed this by suggesting the postage stamp. The suggestion was received with ridicule, and Mr. Niles soon after retired. * * * When Cave Johnson assumed the post office, on the 5th of March, 1845, he found it an Herculian task to reinstate the reform measures of Mr. Niles. * * * Among the measures of Mr. Niles that he adopted was the postage stamp idea. * * * Johnson garnished his conversation with fathering the suggestion originated six years before. * * * The matter took form as a bill. * * * Approved March 3rd, 1847. The date of the issue was appointed as July 1st, but there was a delay in the contractors' work and the time ran over a month.
On the 5th of August, soon after the opening of the Postmaster General's office for the day, an old gentleman called to see Mr. Johnson on business. The gentleman was the Hon. Henry Shaw, a New Yorker, * * * and the father of the well known Henry Shaw, Jr., (Josh Billings). * * * Mr. Johnson came into his office accompanied by the printer of the new stamps, a few minutes after Mr. Shaw had arrived, on that August morning. Sheets of the stamps were laid before the Postmaster General, who, after receipting for them, handed them to his visitor to inspect. Mr. Shaw returned them after a hasty glance, and then drawing out his wallet, he counted fifteen cents, with which he purchased two of the stamps—the first two ever issued. The five cent stamp he kept as a curiosity, and the ten cent stamp he presented to Governor Briggs, as an appropriate gift."
Observations.
In nearly all the early catalogues and in some recent foreign ones, these stamps are catalogued upon white paper. Mr. Terrell, Third Assistant Postmaster General, in a letter published on page 111, American Stamp Mercury, 1870, states positively that this issue was never printed except upon faintly tinted bluish paper. It may be observed, generally, that the paper of all stamps of the early issues of all countries which were affixed to the blue or bluish paper in general use at the time, has a tendency to vary from the original color, sometimes becoming blue or bluish, when originally white, darker or lighter blue or even whitish if originally blue. This has been variously explained, as the action of some ingredient in the paper of the letter, or of the stamp, in the gum or the ink.
It must be further observed that the color of the impression of the five cents varies greatly from the original pale red brown, called bronze. Many shades of faint red brown, red brown, faint dark brown, deep dark brown, black brown, bluish black, and almost pure black, may be found. Whether these result, as seems to be the case, from a natural change in the course of time, from something in the ink, paper or surroundings of the stamp itself, or whether it results from the use of different colored ink originally, may perhaps be impossible now to determine.
The ten cent, however, varies very little in the color of the impression. Beyond a lighter, or grayish shade, a black with a bluish cast, and the ordinary black impression, little is to be noticed.
The stamps are separated in the sheet by about 2 mm., each way. Double copies of the five cents, adhering either by the side, or by the top and bottom, are often found on old letters, and occasionally, three or four adhering specimens are encountered. The ten cents is almost invariably found in single specimens, though a few pairs, and even three used together are known.
According to a statement in the American Journal of Philately, of April, 1871, this issue was withdrawn from circulation between June 11th and September 30th, 1851. The instructions of the Department to the deputy postmasters, concerning the distribution of the next issue, published in June, 1851, order that these five and ten cent stamps must not be recognized as prepaying letters after the 30th of June, 1851, and request the public to return them to the deputy postmasters, in exchange for others of the new issue. The report of the Postmaster General for the year expiring June 30th, 1851, and published in the fall of that year, further states: "Directions for the destruction of the dies and plates, employed in the manufacture of the stamps formerly used, have been given, and for counting and burning such stamps as have not been issued to postmasters or have been returned."
These facts probably explain the extreme rarity of unused stamps of this issue, and the re-engraving of the dies by the Government, when it was considered advisable to make an exhibit of all its issues of adhesive stamps at the Centennial Exhibition.
The existence therefore, of a specimen of four unused five cent stamps, adhering by the sides, and another of four unused ten cent stamps, adhering also by the sides, in the private collection of Mr. Sterling, is worthy of notice. The latter specimen, at any rate, is probably unique, and though called whitish paper by him, has nevertheless, the bluish tint, and certainly is not white paper.
Note. There are proofs however on white paper.
XVIII.
The Issue of 1851.
The Act of the XXXI Congress, Session II, Chapter XX, approved March 3rd, 1851, and entitled: "An Act to reduce and modify the Rates of Postage in the United States, and for other purposes" reads:
"Be it enacted, etc., that from and after the 30th day of June, 1851, in lieu of the rates of postage now established by law, there shall be charged the following rates, viz: For every single letter in manuscript, or paper of any kind, upon which information shall be asked for, or communicated, in writing, or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail for any distance, between places within the United States, not exceeding 3,000 miles, when the postage upon said letter shall have been prepaid, three cents, and five cents when the postage thereon shall not have been prepaid, and for any distance exceeding 3,000 miles, double these rates; for every such single letter or paper when conveyed wholly or in part by sea, and to or from a foreign country, for any distance over 2,500 miles, twenty cents, and for any distance under 2,500 miles, ten cents, excepting however, all cases where such postages have been or shall be adjusted at different rates by postal treaty or convention already concluded or hereafter to be made; and for a double letter there shall be charged double the rates above specified; and for a treble letter, treble these rates; and for a quadruple letter, quadruple these rates; and every letter or parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight, shall be deemed a single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or every additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single postage. And all drop letters, or letters placed in any post office, not for transmission, but for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of one cent each, and all letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any post office shall be charged with one cent in addition to the regular postage to be accounted for as other postages now are."
The second section fixed the rates upon newspapers of all descriptions, coming from the publishers, etc., etc., which were not to be paid for by stamps, but:
"Every other newspaper circular, hand bill, engraving, pamphlet," etc., etc., "shall be charged one cent an ounce under 500 miles and one cent each additional ounce between 500 and 1500 miles," double beyond, etc., etc.
The third section provides:
"And be it further enacted, that it shall be the duty of the Postmaster General to provide and furnish to all deputy postmasters, and to all other persons applying and paying therefor, suitable postage stamps, of the denomination of three cents, and of such other denominations as he may think expedient to facilitate prepayment of postages provided for in this Act; and any person who shall forge or counterfeit any postage stamp, provided or furnished under this Act, whether the same are impressed or printed on or attached to envelopes or not, or any die, plate or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent to use or sell, any such false, forged or counterfeit die, plate, engraving, or postage stamps, or who shall make or print, or otherwise procure to be made or printed, any postage stamps of the kind provided and furnished by the Postmaster General, as aforesaid, without the especial authority and direction of the Post Office Department, or who, after such postage stamps have been printed, shall, with intent to defraud the revenue of the Post Office Department, deliver any postage stamps to any person or persons other than such as shall be authorized to receive the same by an instrument of writing duly executed under the hand of the Postmaster General, and the seal of the Post Office Department, shall on conviction thereof be deemed guilty of felony, and punishable by a fine not exceeding 500 dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding five years; or by both such fine or imprisonment, and the expenses of procuring and providing all such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided or authorized by this Act, shall be paid, after being adjusted by the auditor of the Post Office Department, on the certificate of the Postmaster General, out of any money in the Treasury, arising from the Revenues of the Post Office Department."
The 4th section provides that postage stamps shall be defaced as the Postmaster General may direct, and the penalty for omitting so to do.
The 10th section provides for the appointment of carriers, the rate to be one or two cents prepaid, the carriers to be paid out of the receipts from this postage.
The 11th section authorizes the coining of the three cent coin, probably to facilitate the payment of these rates.
The other matters mentioned in the foregoing Act are of little interest here, but the following circular contains some matters of importance:
REGULATIONS CONCERNING POSTAGE STAMPS.
Post Office Department,
June 10th, 1851.
"To facilitate the payment of postages upon letters and packages, postage stamps of the following denominations are provided and furnished by the postmaster General, pursuant to the third section of the "Act to reduce and modify the rates of Postage in the United States," and for other purposes approved March 3rd, 1851.
| Viz: No. 1. | Printed in black, representing the head of Washington, of the denomination of twelve cents. |
| No. 2. | Printed in red, representing the head of Washington, in profile, of the denomination of three cents. |
| No. 3. | Printed in blue, representing the head of Franklin, in profile, of the denomination of one cent. |
These stamps will be furnished to one or more of the principal postmasters in each county, who will be required to supply the other postmasters in their vicinities, upon being paid for the amount furnished."
The remaining provisions relate to the mode of distribution, accounting, cancelling, etc., and are of no particular interest. The circular is signed "Nathan D. Hall, Postmaster General."
A similar circular dated April 3rd, 1852, is almost an exact repetition of the foregoing. The stamps issued may be described more fully thus:
Issue of July 1st, 1851.
One Cent. Bust of Benjamin Franklin, first Postmaster General, in profile, facing to the right, in an oval disk 17 by 20½ mm., with a ground of very fine horizontal colored lines, slightly waved, bordered by a colorless line between two fine colored lines. The colorless line is ornamented by a line of fine dots. Above is a label, bordered at the top by a similarly ornamented colorless line, between two fine colored lines, terminated at the ends by the corner ornaments of the stamp, with a ground of fine colored lines following the lines of the oval, and inscribed in outline capitals "U. S. Postage." Below the oval is a similar label, the ends terminated by a similar border, with a ground of fine colored lines, inscribed "One Cent" in outline capitals. This label is shaded by a number of vertical lines. Scroll and foliated corner ornaments extending down the sides. There is no outside line finishing the frame. The stamps are very near each other on the sheet.
Plate impression, 19 by 22 mm., color, white paper.
1 cent, shades of indigo blue.
Three Cents. Bust of Washington, first President of the United States, in profile to left, on an oval disk, with hatched ground, bordered by a fine colorless line between two fine colored lines, surrounded by a frame composed of colorless lines, forming diamonds on a solid ground, the alternate diamonds filled in with diagonal colorless lines, leaving a colored chain conspicuous, with rosettes in the four angles. The space between the oval and frame filled with horizontal lines, and the corners outside the rosettes filled with ornamented triangles. Above and below all these are solid colored labels, with a small piece containing a diamond cut off at each end by a vertical colorless line, inscribed in colorless Roman capitals, above "U. S. Postage," below "Three Cents." The whole is surrounded, at a little distance, by a colored line forming a rectangle.
Plate impression 20 by 25 mm., color, white paper.
3 cents, in shades of brick and rose red.
Twelve Cents. Bust of Washington, after Stewart, facing three quarters to the left, on an oval disk 13½ by 17 mm., with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line between two colored lines. This colorless line is crossed by horizontal lines. About this is a frame like that of the 3 cents, with rosettes at the angles, but showing six and two half links in the chain on each side, instead of five and two half links as in the three cents. The outside corners are filled by small foliations. The space between the oval and frame is filled by horizontal lines. Inscription above "U. S. Postage," below "Twelve Cents" in colorless capitals, shaded outside on the back ground and following the curve of the oval. The whole is surrounded by a fine colored line.
Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper.
12 cents, black.
As it was considered desirable to keep the amounts collected and paid for delivery by carriers (under section 10 of the act) separate, a special stamp for the payment of such postage was soon added:
Issue of September 29th, 1851.
One Cent. Bust of Benjamin Franklin, in profile, to the left, on an oval disk, 15 by 17½ mm. with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line between two fine colored lines. Frame, labels, etc., like the three cents, but with a colorless star between curved colorless lines at the end instead of the diamonds. The inscription is in colorless Roman capitals, on the upper label "Carrier's," and "Stamp" in the lower label.
Plate impression, 19½ by 24 mm., color, rose paper.
No value indicated, indigo blue.
Specimens exist in brick red, some of which show the crack in the die. These must be proofs, although a letter purporting to be from W. M. Ireland, Third Assistant Postmaster General, dated August 10th, 1869, and published in the August number of the American Journal of Philately, after describing this stamp says:
"Color, orange-brown, typographed in color on white paper. Proofs were issued printed in blue on pink paper; also in green and yellow. It was issued about September 29th, 1851, but was suppressed almost immediately, owing to its great similarity to the then three cent stamp. Only about 300,000 were ever issued. It has always surprised me that the Department has never kept any official history of its stamps."
This stamp was succeeded by the
Issue of November, 17, 1851.
One Cent. Eagle poised for flight, turned to the left, resting on a branch of laurel, on an oval disk, 18 by 13 mm., the ground of clouds and rays, surrounded by a fine colored line, a colorless line, and a band of solid color inscribed in colorless Roman capitals above "U. S. P. O. Dispatch," below "Prepaid, One Cent," with ornaments of oak leaves on the left and of laurels on the right.
Plate impression, 19 by 25 mm., color, white paper.
1 cent, blue.
A letter dated from the Post Office Department, Finance Office. July 20th, 1869, and signed W. H. H. Corell, Third Assistant Postmaster General, published in the American Journal of Philately, says:
"The blue stamp "Eagle" was used for prepaying City letters delivered by carriers. It was issued about Nov. 17th, 1851, and was withdrawn Jan. 27th, 1852. It was very little used except in Philadelphia, Pa., and Cincinnati, Ohio."
As a matter of fact however, the published reports of the Postmaster General, shows that there were issued:
| 4,777,552 | from | Nov. | 1851, | up | to | June, | 1852. |
| 4,370,383 | " | June | 1852, | " | " | " | 1853. |
| 7,103,416 | " | " | 1853, | " | " | " | 1854. |
These stamps were all engraved and printed by Messrs. Toppan, Carpenter, Cassilar and Co., of Philadelphia, under a contract with the Department.
The collector naturally desires to know what supposed peculiarities of the public demand led to the selection of these values, and not others. As already shown, the carriers were paid out of the receipts from the sale of the two carrier stamps.
The one cent was required for newspapers and other printed matter, either singly or in twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, etc., and Mr. Sterling has preserved specimens thus used, adhering, either in strips by the sides or ends, or in blocks.
The three cent stamp paid the ordinary letter rate, and two or more would be required on double, triple, etc., letters. Mr. Sterling has also preserved strips and blocks of these found so used.
The single postage to California was six cents. This was also the double letter rate, and it seems singular that a stamp of this value was not issued. Its place was supplied by two three cent stamps, the double rate to California by four three cent stamps, etc. That it was also supplied occasionally by half of the twelve cent stamp, cut diagonally from corner to corner, specimens so used on the original envelopes in the possession of the same gentleman abundantly prove. The twelve cent must, therefore, have had no function except to replace a quadruple ordinary rate, or a double California rate. For foreign letters, the postage was 10 or 20 cents, when not provided for by treaty. Most of the treaties fixed the same rates, and stamps of those values would seem to have been required. The fact that prepayment was optional, may have influenced the demand for these values.
Soon after the issue of the foregoing series, the postal rates were again discussed in congress, and the law amended as follows:
XXXIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 173, Section 31, approved March 30th, 1885, entitled: "An Act further to amend the Act entitled: 'An Act to reduce, etc., approved March 3d, 1851.'"
Be it enacted, etc. That in lieu of the rates of postage now established by law, there shall be charged the following rates to wit: For every single letter in manuscript, or paper of any kind in which information shall be asked, or, communicated in writing, or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail, for any distance between places in the United States not exceeding 3,000 miles, three cents; and for any distance exceeding 3,000 miles, ten cents. And for a double letter, there shall be charged double the rates above specified; and for a treble letter, treble these rates, and for a quadruple letter, quadruple these rates; and every letter or paper not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be deemed a single letter; and every additional weight of half an ounce, or every additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single postage; and upon all letters passing through or in the mail of the United States, except such as are to or from a foreign country, the postages as above specified, shall be prepaid, except upon letters and papers addressed to officers of the government on official business, which shall be so marked on the envelope. And from and after the first day of January, 1856, the Postmaster General may require postmasters to place postage stamps upon all prepaid letters, upon which such stamps may not have been placed by the writers.
And all drop letters, or letters placed in the post office, not for transmission through the mail, but for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of one cent each, and all letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any post office, shall be charged with one cent each in addition to the regular postage, both to be accounted for as other postages now are.
Section 2. And be it further enacted, that it shall be unlawful for any postmaster or other person, to sell any postage stamp or stamped envelope for any larger sum than that indicated upon the face of such postage stamp, or for a larger sum than that charged therefor by the Post Office Department.
[Here follows the penalty for so doing.]
Section 3. And be it further enacted: That for the greater security of valuable letters posted for transmission in the mails of the United States, the Postmaster General be, and hereby is authorized to establish a uniform plan for the registration of such letters on application of parties posting the same, and to require the prepayment of the postage, as well as a registration fee of five cents, on every such letter or packet, to be accounted for by postmasters receiving the same, in such manner as the Postmaster General may direct: Provided, however, that such registration shall not be compulsory: and shall not render the Post Office Department, or its revenues liable for the loss of such letter or package, or the contents thereof.
By this Act there was established for the first time compulsory prepayment, at a uniform rate of 3 and 10 cents, according as the distance was less or greater than 3,000 miles, upon letters in the United States, and the Act of the XXXIV Congress, Session III, Chapter 1, approved January 2d, 1857, entitled: "An Act to provide for the compulsory Prepayment of Postage on all transient printed matter," which provided, that such postage "shall be prepaid by stamps or otherwise, as the Postmaster General may direct," completes the legislation upon the subject, so far as it is of interest here, up to the year 1861.
Upon the approval of this Act, the following circular, dated at Washington, March 12th, 1855, was issued to postmasters: