Observations.

The colors are generally stronger than in those without the grille. The majority of the specimens of these stamps appear to have the surface of the paper tinted slightly with the color of the stamps, possibly from some imperfection in cleaning the plates. A few values have been noted on pure white paper.

The 3 cents, rose, small grille, unperforated, has been noted, and

The re-impressions of these designs did not have the grille.

The five cents was in use up to September, 1870.

Some specimens examined seem to indicate that all these varieties of grille are occasionally to be found reversed, i. e. they present the appearance on the face that is usually to be seen on the back, and vice versa.

Of these stamps with the grille, there were, issued approximately the following numbers:

During the currency of these stamps, a new contract was entered into with the same company. A special despatch to the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, dated Oct. 3rd, 1868 states:

The number of the several values of these stamps issued, with the grille is approximated as above, it being not quite certain whether a few without the grille were not in stock at the dates from which the enumeration is made.

XXII.

The Issue of 1869.

The New York Evening Post of October 6th, 1868, also contains a notice of

Some of these proofs are then described.

These are probably the only words of approbation to be found in the daily press among the host of comments upon these stamps, which by the terms of the contract were to be ready on the first of February, 1869. Messrs. Butler & Carpenter, of Philadelphia, had claimed to be entitled to the award on the ground that they had submitted a better bid than the National Bank Note Co., which resulted in delay and the appointment of the commission above mentioned.

However, in March, 1869, the greater part if not all the values were printed and ready for issue, but were distributed to the public only as the stock of the old issue was exhausted. About the end of April they began to appear, and even in September only the 1, 2, 3 and 6 cents were to be obtained in the larger post offices. Already the public demanded that they should be replaced, and this was done in April, 1870. As late as March, 1870, the 90 cents of the previous issue was on sale in some of the offices.

This unfortunate issue was generally received with approval by the Philatelic press. It is certainly well engraved, and forms an interesting and handsome series for the most part, and is an adornment to the collectors' album. But it is hardly so well suited to the practical requirements of a postage stamp. It was announced that the series was intended in some sort, to portray the history of the Post Office in the United States, beginning with Franklin, the Continental postmaster, and the post rider of the early days, followed by the locomotive of a later day, and the Ocean Steamer carrying the mails which had become so important a branch of the postal service, the most important scenes in the early history of the country, its triumphant arms, and Washington its first and Lincoln its last President. But hardly had it been issued before its doom was sealed.

In August the New York Tribune says:

Other papers pronounced the stamp too small. The comic papers exhibited caricatures in which the people were looking for their stamps in their pocket books with powerful microscopes.

The Evening Telegram says:

The Evening Mail says:

Another paper says:

The New York Herald says:

An Eastern paper says:

And later the Herald says:

The post office department announced the issue in the following circular:

The description upon the other side requires to be supplemented for collectors, but is incorporated in those following.

Issue of March 19th, 1869.

Composed of ten values each of a different type.

One Cent. Head of Franklin, in profile, looking to the left, on a circular disk horizontally lined, surrounded by a broad circle ornamented with colorless pearls, bordered by a band of rayed lines between fine white lines, with exterior fine colored line, and divided into three labels by ornaments at the sides and bottom. "U. S. Postage" at the top; large numeral "1" in a small oval (sic) with a border of colorless loops between the words "One Cent" at the bottom. Color, Roman ochre. Corners plain without color.

Plate impression, circular, 20 by 20 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and without grille.

1 cent, Roman ochre.

Two Cents. Post horse and rider facing to the left, trees, fence, etc., in background, surrounded by ornamental scroll work, "United States" in small colored capitals on the ground above, a curtain inscribed "Postage" in colorless capitals at the top. "Two Cents" at the bottom on a ribbon with large numeral "2" between the words, both in outline shaded. Color, light bronze.

Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and without grille.

2 cents, yellow-brown, light and dark chestnut-brown.

Three Cents. Locomotive heading to the right, surrounded by ornamental scroll work, "United States" in colored block capitals on a curved band, "Postage" in colorless capitals in a tablet beneath, at top. "Three Cents" in outline shaded block capitals, in two scrolls at the bottom, with numeral "3" in a shield (sic) between the words. Color, Imperial ultramarine blue.

There is no shield as stated in the official description.

Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and without grille.

3 cents blue.

Six Cents. Head of Washington, three quarters face looking to the right, on a ground of vertical and horizontal lines, bordered by a solid broad colored line, ornamented by 68 pearls. Spandrels checkered and bordered by colorless lines. Frame square, composed of vertically lined squares in the upper corners, with narrower horizontally lined label between, with a broad colored border, ornamented by pearls and exterior colorless and colored line above. The colored labels are narrower than the upper squares at the sides, and are bordered by colorless pearls and an interior white line, an exterior colorless and fine colored line. Horizontally lined label across the entire bottom, widened at the ends to correspond with the upper squares, with exterior colorless and colored line. "U. S." in upper left and right corners of frame respectively. The word "Postage" in upper bar of frame, "Six Cents" in lower, the numeral "6" between the words, and "United States" on each side. Color, ultramarine.

Plate impression, 20 by 20 mm., square, in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and possibly without grille.

6 cents blue.

Ten Cents. Shield of the United States on which is resting an eagle with outspread wings, looking to the left. "United States" in small colored capitals with "Postage" in large outline capitals, shaded in a second line beneath, in the upper section of the shield, numeral "10" in lower. The words "Ten Cents" in scroll at the bottom in outline shaded capitals. The whole design surrounded by thirteen stars arranged in a semicircle, (sic) color, orange. The background is rayed behind the eagle and the semicircle of stars are upon this only, the background behind the shield is of clouds, there is no frame.

Plate impression, 19 by 18 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also without grille.

10 cents orange.

Twelve Cents. Ocean Steam ship, headed to left in horizontal oval, surrounded by ornamented scroll work. In a double tablet with arched top on horizontally lined ground, and colored capitals in a curved line, "United States" and "Postage" in outline capitals on a solid ground. On three scrolls in outline capitals and numerals shaded, "Twelve Cents" at the bottom, with numeral "12" between the words. Color, malori green.

Plate impression, 20 by 19 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly surfaced green, perforated 12 and grilled, possibly also without grille.

12 cents, green.

Fifteen Cents. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture, in the Capitol at Washington, of the "Landing of Columbus," in an oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with rounded upper corners, surrounded at a little distance by a single colored line. Ornamental and scroll work at top and bottom on a ground ruled horizontally inside and vertically outside of the scrolls, the whole surrounded by a colorless and fine colored line. On a colorless tablet, in Gothic capitals, "U. S."; in a curved line of outline capitals on the ground, "Postage" at top. Fifteen Cents at bottom, with numerals "15" underneath in outline colorless capitals, on the ground. Colors: picture, Prussian blue, scroll and ornamental work pale Indian red.

Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled. The paper is more or less surfaced with blue.

15 cents blue and brown.

Note. There are two varieties of this stamp, depending on the type, and an error, the latter was however never circulated. The line of the frame, above the picture, is curved up on the left hand, beginning under the O, and on the right hand beginning under the G, in what is called the O. G. curve, till the two meet in a point. In the ordinary variety there are two fine lines within the space left for the picture, which along the whole top, including the curved corners and this central double curve, are united in a heavy line and at about ½ a millimeter from the center line on each side, curve down, as well as up, to a point, forming a diamond. On the sides and bottom within this line, there is a shading of fine diagonal lines. When the picture is exactly in position, which is rare, the colored line surrounding it falls between these fine lines, and on the heavy curved line, just touching the lower part of the diamond.

In the rarer variety, the two fine lines, the broad top line, and the bottom of the diamond are all omitted, the entire space is either empty or shows one, two or three horizontal lines across the top of the space, and three or four across the bottom, with a row of short horizontal lines at the sides. When the picture is in proper place there is an almost blank space at the top, and apparently a white line surrounding the picture. When it is misplaced the colored lines described can be seen and there appear to have been several varieties, as there were more or less of them.

The error is not as is sometimes supposed an error of printing, but in the plate. Two plates, one for each color, had to be used. Originally, there were 150 stamps as in the smaller values, (See circular of March 1st, 1869 above cited) but upon the plate for printing the picture, it is said one picture was reversed, and the error once discovered, the plate was cut down to print only 100 stamps as stated in the circular. It is probable that no copies with the error were ever circulated.

Twenty-Four Cents. Microscopic reproduction of the large picture at the Capitol, of the "Signing of the Declaration of Independence" forming an oblong rectangle 20 by 10 mm., with all four corners cut off diagonally, surrounded by a fine colored line at a little distance. Ornamental scroll work at top and bottom on a lined ground. A line of pearls on a colored line, between a colorless and colored line, forms the frame for the picture. In block capitals "U." and "S." surrounded by ovals at upper left and right corners respectively, the word "Postage" between the two, in a curved line of outline capitals, shaded on the background. "Twenty-four Cents" in scrolls at bottom, with numeral "24" beneath in outline letters shaded. Colors: the picture, purple lake, scroll and ornamental work, light malori green. Just beneath the picture in small colored numerals, "1776."

Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled.

24 cents, purple and green.

Note. There is the same error of this stamp "reversed picture" stated to be from the same cause, a defect in the plate as for the 15 cents, and the same remarks apply.

Thirty Cents. Eagle facing to left, with outspread wings, resting on shield with flags grouped on either side. The words "United States Postage" in upper section of shield. The numeral "30" in lower. The words "Thirty Cents" across the bottom, with three stars arranged in a semi-circle at top of the design. Colors: Eagle and Shield, carmine, flags blue. Except for the change of numerals and words of value, the omission of the scroll, and the substitution of the two flags on each side for the clouds, the design, though not the drawing of this stamp is identical with the ten cents. "Thirty cents" is however in block letters, the T Y C E in outline, the rest shaded.

Plate impression, 21½ by 22 mm., in color, on white paper, slightly tinted with pink, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled.

30 cents, carmine and blue.

Error. There is also an error of this stamp in which the flags are reversed. It is also stated to be an error on the plate, but may be only an error in printing.

Ninety Cents. Portrait of Lincoln in an oval, looking to the right, surrounded by ornamental scroll work, numerals "90" at each of the upper corners, set diagonally in outline, and shaded on vertically lined ground. On a label with rayed ground, edged by a colorless and colored line, in outline capitals shaded, "U. S. Postage" at top of oval. "Ninety" and "Cents" on scrolls at the lower left and right corners of oval respectively, set diagonally and in colored capitals. In outline Gothic capitals "U." and "S." at the lower left and right corners of the stamp respectively. Colors: portrait black, surrounding ornamental and scroll work, carmine. It may be well to add that the portrait is three quarters face, on a square hatched ground, and a single colored line in same color surrounds the oval at a little distance. The space left in the frame for the picture is bordered by fine short horizontal lines, which show when the picture is not properly placed.

Plate impression, 21½ by 21½ mm. square, in two colors, on white paper, slightly surfaced pink, perforated 12, grilled and not grilled.

90 cents, black and carmine.

The grille in this series is a square 9½ by 9½ mm. composed of 11½ rows of 12 smaller squares each, apparently separated by raised lines crossing each other at right angles, each little square divided by depressed diagonals also, as if produced by forcing a series of pyramids set close together, but not touching, into the face of the stamp. Seen from the reverse, the dividing lines are depressed and the squares stand up like pyramids, with ragged edges showing the broken fibre of the paper.

The numbers of the several values of this issue is approximated as follows:

XXIII.

The Issue of 1870.

In the report of the Postmaster General for the year ending the 30th of June, 1870, under date of Nov. 15th, 1870, he says:

It may not be uninteresting to remark that the following stamps were adapted among other uses, to the payment of the rates under postal treaties as follows;

The series being ready for issue, was announced to the various Postmasters in the following:

[The "description annexed" is on the other side and is merely a list of values, the bust from which the portrait was copied, the color, etc., exactly following that in the extract from the Postmaster General's report above.] The exact date of issue is fixed by the Postmaster General's report, as May, 1870.

Issue of May, 1870.

Composed of ten values as follows:

One Cent. Bust of Benj. Franklin, in profile to the left, after Rubricht, on an oval disk, lined horizontally and obliquely, bordered by a broad colorless line and exterior colored fine line. Outside of this a series of colorless curved lines, bordered by fine colored lines, and foliated at the corners on a ground of parallel vertical colored lines, completes the rectangle. There is no enclosing colored line at top or bottom. Short horizontal colored lines form the shadows of the oval and ornaments. The upper corners are formed by a line curved round from the oval and terminating in a large ball, a second line curving round from this and continued along the top, ending in two foliations with a small leaf-shaped dash beyond. There is a large ball at the intersection of these lines in the corner of the stamp. A slightly curved line continues down from the corner, forming the sides. The lower corner being formed by a curved line starting in a dot, curving upward and round, and terminating inside the side lines in a large foliation with three balls above it. The bottom is formed of a waved line. These are all distinct and plain colorless lines between fine colored lines, and about the width of the line surrounding the oval.

The ornaments in the corners have shadows beneath, and on the inner edges, and the side lines have shadows on the outer edges, formed of short horizontal lines. The oval has heavy shadows similarly formed. The vertical lines of the background are fine, and of even width throughout. Above the oval, a thin colorless line, bordered by a fine colored line, within and without, parallel with the oval, but curved round at the ends to meet it, forms a label inscribed in outline capitals, "U. S. Postage," shaded without on a rectangularly hatched ground. Below the oval a large outline pearled numeral "1" shaded without, divides the lower border line, and a similar line parallel to the border line, but terminated at each end by a ball, forms a label inscribed in outline capitals "One Cent" shaded outside on a rectangularly hatched ground. Above this label are three small white pearls on each side of the numeral.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent, imperial ultramarine.

Two Cents. Bust of Andrew Jackson, in profile to the left, after Powers, on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly obliquely, bordered by a broad white line and fine exterior colored line, the whole super-imposed on a shield, with ground of vertical colored lines, and bordered by a very fine colored exterior line. The shield is curved in at the top, corners diagonal, sides curved in and then out, bottom rounded and rests on a background of horizontal colored lines. There are no exterior lines on the sides. Below the oval, a large outline numeral "2" divides a colorless ribbon bordered by fine colored lines, and inscribed "Two Cents" in outline colored capitals shaded outside, on a background of short vertical colored lines. Above the oval, a band bordered by a colorless line edged by fine colored lines, extends nearly to the outer edge of the stamp, and is inscribed, "U. S. Postage" in outline colorless capitals, shaded outside on a rectangularly hatched ground. The shadows of the shield are made by short vertical lines, those of the oval by short horizontal lines. The shield is ornamented by fine laurel leaves on each side, just above the lower label.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

2 cents, velvet brown.

Three Cents. Bust of Geo. Washington, after Houdon, in profile to left, on oval disk with horizontally lined ground, and occasional diagonal latticed hatchings, bordered by a broad colorless line with exterior fine colored line, resting on a shield with vertically lined ground, on a background of horizontal lines, with a border line on the right side but none on the left. Above the oval, a band bordered by a colorless line, with a ball on each end and three little foliations above on each side, all edged by a fine colored line inscribed "U. S. Postage," in outline capitals, shaded outside on a horizontally lined ground. Below the oval a large numeral "3," shaded outside, divides a ribbon bordered by a colored line, and inscribed in similar capitals, "Three Cents" on a ground of short vertical lines. The shadows of the oval are made by short colored horizontal lines, and those of the shield by vertical lines.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

3 cents, malori green.

Six Cents. Bust of Abraham Lincoln, in profile to the left, after Volk, on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly lined obliquely, bordered by a colorless line. On a depressed panel, lined horizontally, the sides projected, darker than the frame of fine vertical lines which surrounds it, completes the rectangle. There is no terminal line at the sides. Above the oval a yoke-shaped label, bordered by a colorless line, edged by fine colored lines, inscribed "U. S. Postage" in outline colorless capitals, shaded outside on a ground of horizontal lines. Below the oval is a ribbon bordered by fine colored lines, inscribed in the same letters, "Six Cents" divided by a large outline numeral "6," on a ground of short colored vertical lines. A distinct line borders the depressed panel all the way around, being heaviest on the left side. The shadows of the oval and depressed panel are made by vertical colored lines, and those of the upper and lower labels are made by horizontal colored lines.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

6 cents, cochineal red.

Ten Cents. Bust of Thomas Jefferson, in profile to left, after Powers, on an oval disk, lined horizontally, and obliquely from right to left, bordered by a colorless line with exterior colored line, on a shield bordered by a fine colored line, vertically lined, on a rectangular background, which is lined horizontally. Above the oval a label formed by a colorless line edged by a colored exterior line, curved round from the oval line at the ends, and then parallel with it, having a small ball ornament at each end, is inscribed "U. S. Postage" in outline capitals, shaded outside, on a ground of vertical lines, except at the ends, where the lines are horizontal. Below the oval, on a ribbon bordered by colored lines, in the same letters "Ten Cents," on a ground of short vertical lines, the words separated by large outline numerals "10." Shadows of the oval in short horizontal lines crossed by lines parallel to the oval. Shadows of the lower ribbon in vertical lines.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

10 cents, chocolate.

Twelve Cents. Bust of Henry Clay, after Hart, in profile to the left, on an oval disk, closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a colorless line between two fine colored lines, surrounded by labels bordered without by a second colorless line, between fine colored lines, but curved inwards, crossed and the sides united in a vertical line at the sides of the stamp, the whole arranged in a double tablet formed by vertical lines, terminated by an outside colored line at top and bottom. The outer edges representing a chamfer are horizontally lined. A little distance from the edge, a series of diagonal lines between two parallel lines, represent a beveled edge, making the parts within appear higher. The upper label is inscribed "U. S. Postage," in outline capitals, doubly shaded outside, on a ground of horizontal lines. The lower label is inscribed, "Twelve Cents," in outline block capitals, doubly shaded on a ground of horizontal lines. Large outline numerals "12," doubly shaded, divide the lower band and separate the words.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

12 cents, neutral tint.

Fifteen Cents. Bust of Daniel Webster, in profile to the left, after Clevenger, on an oval disk, very closely lined horizontally and obliquely, bordered by a colorless line, on a vertically lined background, with no terminal line at the top or bottom. There is a triangular depression represented in each of the four corners by horizontally lined ground and shade lines, and mitered at the angles. Above the oval and following its outline, is a label indicated by a colorless line between fine colored lines, square at the ends with a ball beyond, inscribed on a horizontally lined ground in colorless capitals, outlined by colored lines and shaded without, "U. S. Postage." Below the oval is a similarly formed label with pointed ends, inscribed in the same letters on horizontally lined ground, "Fifteen Cents," divided by large pearled numerals "15."

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

15 cents, orange.

Twenty-Four Cents. Bust of Winfield Scott, in profile to the left, after Coffee, on an oval disk closely lined horizontally, and bordered by a colorless line with exterior colored line, on a rectangular background of horizontal lines. Above and following the line of the oval are thirteen five pointed stars, two at each end plain, and one letter of the inscription "U. S. Postage" in colored block capitals in each of the others. Above these and parallel to the oval is a colorless line between colored lines, divided and curving into two balls below, but curving into a single ball above and shaded by another colored line. Above these in each corner on a solid ground of color, bordered by a similar arrangement of lines, etc., in colorless block numerals "24." Below the oval is a label inscribed "Twenty Four," with another beneath it inscribed "Cents," both indicated by a colorless line between colored lines, with a horizontally lined background. The letters are colorless block capitals. In the lower left corner are flags and cannon, and in the right three muskets stacked.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

24 cents, pure purple.

Thirty Cents. Bust of Alexander Hamilton, in profile to the left, after Cerrachi, on an oval disk horizontally and obliquely lined, bordered by a colorless line with outer colored line, on a shield shaped panel vertically lined, the edges beveled and obliquely lined, resting on a background of horizontal lines. The upper corners of the panel project beyond the rest at top and sides, the sides project beyond the curved bottom, the shadows of the oval on the shield are indicated by short horizontal lines; those of the shield by vertical lines. Across the curved top of the shield is a colorless line bordered by outside colored lines. Across the top of the shield in a double curve of outline capitals, shaded outside, "U. S. Postage." Below the oval, a small shield, outlined by a colorless line between colored lines, bears the outlined numerals "30," shaded outside on ground of horizontal lines, dividing a ribbon outlined by colored lines, inscribed "Thirty Cents," in colored spurred capitals, on a ground of vertical lines.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

30 cents, black.

Ninety Cents. Bust of Com. O. H. Perry, in profile to left, after Wolcutt, on an oval disk bordered by a colorless line with exterior colored line. The upper half of this line is covered by a cable, rove at each end to a ring, that supports the lower label. Above the oval a label with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line, with exterior colored line following the oval, the ends curved outward and inward in a sort of foliation, is inscribed "U. S. Postage" in outline capitals, shaded outside. A five pointed star in each corner. Below the oval, the lower label, square at the ends, with hatched ground, bordered by a colorless line and outer colored line, is inscribed "Ninety Cents," in outline block capitals, shaded outside. There is a heavy shadow beneath the label, an anchor in each lower corner. The whole is on a vertically lined panel chamfered at the top, bottom and sides.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

90 cents, carmine.

Issue of July 1870.

Seven Cents. Bust of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton, in profile to left, on an oval disk, closely lined horizontally, bordered by a colorless line. Above and below, a label bordered by a colorless line following the outline of the oval, but curved round and terminated inside by a ball at each end. The whole on a panel, vertically lined, with rounded corners, and large ball on a rectangular background of horizontal lines. The labels are inscribed in outline capitals, shaded outside on a hatched ground, the upper, "U. S. Postage," the lower, "Seven Cents," divided by a large outline numeral "7," doubly shaded outside.

Plate impression, 19½ by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

7 cents, vermilion.

All these values were first issued with a grille, of which there are several sizes, but on many, if not most, even of unused specimens it is so indistinct that it is impossible to distinguish the outlines, measure the size, or count the squares. Some very perfect unused specimens have been examined however, and on the face it appears to be composed of horizontal rows of depressed diamonds, divided by alternate rows of smaller raised diamonds, with deep-depressed lines along the sides of the latter. On the reverse, the appearance is of rows of squares divided by depressed lines, with little raised crosses in each square. By these specimens it has also been determined, that there were at least two distinct sizes of grille.

The first measures 10½ by 12½ mm., composed of 13 by 15½ rows of squares. Perfect specimens of the 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 cent so grilled, have been found, and satisfactory specimens of the 6, 12, 15, 24, 30 and 90 cents.

The other variety measures 8½ by 10½ mm., and is composed of 10 by 13 rows of squares. Perfect specimens of the 1, 2, 3 and 7 cents so grilled have been found, but no satisfactory specimens of any other value.

Specimens with only a few distinct squares, are comparatively common.

The difficulty of arriving at accurate measurement, is increased when the specimens examined have been used, but apparently the larger of the above grilles was gradually cut down row by row to the smaller, as specimens of the 1, 2 and 3 cents, the most used values, are found undoubtedly grilled.