| 1 | cent, | ultramarine blue. | |
| 2 | cents, | red-brown. | |
| 3 | cents, | green. | |
| 4 | " | dark | green. |
| 5 | " | " | brown. |
| 6 | " | cochineal. | |
| 10 | " | brown. | |
| 15 | " | orange. | |
| 30 | " | black. | |
| 90 | " | carmine. | |
Issue of June 15th, 1887.
The following circular explains itself:
Post Office Department,
Office of the Postmaster General.
Washington, D. C., May 23d, 1887.
On or about the 15th of June, 1887, the Department will begin the issue of a new design of the ordinary one cent postage stamp, of which the following is a description: The center of the stamp consists of a profile bust of Benjamin Franklin (after-the original by Caracci), looking to the left, in an oval disk, with shaded background, the lower portion of the oval being bordered with pearls and the upper portion with a curved frame, containing in small white letters, the words, "United States Postage." The whole is engraved in line upon a shield shaped tablet, with a truncated pyramidal base, bearing on it the words "one" and "cent," on either side of the figure "1." The color of the stamp is ultramarine blue, and its general appearance is somewhat similar to that of the stamp now in use.
Before ordering supplies of the new stamps, postmasters will be expected to exhaust their stock of the old, which will continue to be valid. Under no circumstances are the old stamps to be sent to the Department for redemption or exchange.
WILLIAM T. VILAS,
Postmaster General.
H. R. HARRIS,
Third Assist. P. M. General.
Issue of June 15th, 1887.
One Cent. Head of Benjamin Franklin, in profile to the left, after Carraci, on an oval disk lined horizontally and doubly diagonally, the upper third bordered by a label, the lower two thirds by a broad solid colored line, ornamented with colorless pearls increasing in size from top to bottom, with a colorless line outside this, shaded by another heavy colored line. The label is of solid color, between two colorless lines, the upper one curved round the ends, forming a hook and edged outside by a fine colored line, and is inscribed in white capitals similar to the two cents last described, "United States Postage." The whole is on a horizontally lined shield shaped tablet, the top similar to that of the two cents, but with a small point in the centre of the top and the diagonals shorter. The bottom is curved at the corners, then curved back up and round, and spreads out into the lower part of a "truncated pyramid." It is edged with a heavy colored line on the right and bottom, with a heavy colored line on the left and top. On the truncated base is a large pearled outlined colorless numeral "1," dividing the border of the oval and the words "One Cent," in outline colorless capitals. The rectangle is filled out with horizontal lines at the sides of the shield and vertical line at the top.
Plate impression, 20 by 25½ mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
1 cent, ultramarine blue.
From the adoption of compulsory prepayment up to 1879, various regulations had been made from time to time regarding insufficiently paid letters, in order to relieve the Dead Letter Office as far as possible, and yet enforce the prepayment of all mail matter. Nevertheless mistakes continued to be made and the practice of forwarding all letters upon which one full rate was paid, and collecting the balance of the receiver had finally been adopted, the amount to be collected being written or stamped upon the letter. From this practice abuses arose, and by the Act of the XLV Congress, Section III, Chapter 180, Section 26, approved March 3d, 1879, it was enacted:
"That all mail matter of the first class upon which one full rate of postage has been prepaid shall be forwarded to its destination charged with the unpaid rate, to be collected on delivery, but postmasters before delivering the same, or any article of mail matter upon which prepayment in full has not been made, shall affix, or cause to be affixed, and cancelled as ordinary stamps are cancelled, one or more stamps equivalent in value to the amount of postage due on such article of mail matter, which stamps shall be of such special design as the Postmaster General shall prescribe, and which shall in no case be sold by any postmaster or received by him in prepayment of postage," etc.
Sec. 27. "That any postmaster or other person engaged in the postal service who shall collect and fail to account for the postage due upon any article of mail matter which he may deliver without having previously affixed and cancelled such stamp as herein before provided shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of fifty dollars."
Shortly after the passage of this Act the following circular was addressed to all postmasters:
Form No. 3288.
SPECIAL STAMP FOR POSTAGE DUE.
Post Office Department,
Office of the Third Assistant Postmaster General,
Division of Stamps, Stamped Envelopes and Postal Cards.
Washington, D. C., May 5th 1879.
By Sections 26 and 27 of the Act of Congress, making appropriations for the service of the Post Office Department for the year ending June 30th, 1880, and for other purposes "approved March 3d, 1879, it is made the duty of postmasters to affix to all mail matter that has arrived at destination without full payment of postage, and before delivery of the same, an amount of stamps equal to the postage due, the stamps to be of such special design as the Postmaster General may direct."
To avoid any confusion in the accounts of Postmasters with the Auditor, and on account of the length of the time necessary to prepare for the change contemplated by the above sections in the mode of collecting and accounting for short paid postage, it has been decided to have the same go into practical operation on the 1st of July next.
The Department however, will begin issuing sometime during the present month, in anticipation of the wants of postmasters, special stamps for the collection of postage due of the denomination of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, and of the following general description:
A large figure, representing the denomination is placed in the center of the stamp, and is surrounded by an oval of very delicate lathe work. On the upper border of this oval, the words "Postage Due" are printed in white letters; in the lower border is the denomination, in letters of the same kind; on either side of the oval are the letters "U. S." in a small white shield. Around the oval is a form of complex character, described upon an oblong tablet. The general design is the same for all the stamps, the only difference being in the figures and lettering for the several denominations. The color is the same, a reddish brown.
These stamps are intended, exclusively for the collection of postage due on matter arriving at destination through the mails, and are to be used in combination, wherever required to cover unusual amounts of postage. They are to be cancelled in the customary way after being attached to mail matter, are never to be sold or received by Postmasters for prepayment of postage. Postmasters must distinctly understand, that these stamps are not to be used until July 1st, 1879.
A supply of these will be sent at first to all post offices in advance of requisitions from postmasters, and charged to their account; but afterwards they must be ordered on blank forms (No. 3285) to be furnished by the First Assistant Postmaster General. With the first supply of stamps, however, blank requisitions for future use will be enclosed.
The stamps will be accounted for to the auditor the same as other stamps, and will enter into the monthly reports of stamps, etc., received, sold and on hand, required by the regulations, to be made by postmasters at Presidential offices, to the Third Assistant Postmaster General.
On the next page of this circular will be found the sections of the new postal law and regulations relating to the above described stamps, which are published in advance for the information and guidance of postmasters. The distinguishing numbers of the sections cannot now be given, but the instructions are here printed in the same order in which they will appear in the forthcoming volume of the new postal regulations.
A. D. HAZEN,
Third Assistant Postmaster General.
Issue of May 9th, 1879.
For use from and after July 1st, 1879.
Large colorless numeral, 10 mm. high, representing the value, ornamented and shaded, on an oval disk, 17 by 13½ mm., with colored ground ornamented by colorless geometric lathe work, bordered by a solid colored band between two heavy colorless lines and an exterior fine colored line, interrupted by small white shields on the sides bearing "U." on the left, "S." on the right, in fancy colored capitals. The band is inscribed in white capitals, above, "Postage Due," below with the value in full letters, the whole on a tablet with vertically lined ground, with an irregular outline colorless line bordered by an extensive fine colored line, and a double rectangular frame, the interior formed by parallel, diagonal curved lines, and the exterior by vertical short lines at top and bottom, horizontal ones at sides, indicating a bevel.
Plate impression, 20 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
| 1 | cent, | reddish brown. |
| 2 | cents, | " |
| 3 | " | " |
| 5 | " | " |
The report of the Postmaster General dated December, 1879, states:
"Under a provision in the act of Congress, approved March 3d 1879, authorizing a change in the mode of collecting postage due, on matter arriving at destination through the mails, the Department began issuing on the 9th of May, special stamps, called postage due stamps, of the denominations of 1, 2, 3 and 5 cents, and subsequently of the additional denominations of 10, 30, and 50 cents. Before the first of July, every office in the country was provided with a supply of these stamps, and the new system of collecting short paid postage is now fairly in operation."
Issue of August, 1879.
Stamps of the same design, but there being two figures, the numerals are smaller.
Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
| 10 | cents, | reddish brown. |
| 30 | " | " |
| 50 | " | " |
The number of these stamps issued from May, 1879, to June 30th, 1885, was:
| 1 | cent, | 25,328,525 |
| 2 | cents, | 30,534,425 |
| 3 | " | 31,146,230 |
| 5 | " | 5,029,435 |
| 10 | " | 6,105,175 |
| 30 | " | 169,078 |
| 50 | " | 93,490 |
Observations.
There are two quite distinct shades of the red-brown in which these stamps are printed, the earlier issues being of a brown that shows hardly a trace of red, while those printed under the 1885 contract are of the shade of the current two cent postage stamp.
The history of the introduction and usage of these stamps is contained in the following extracts from two circulars, both dated at Post Office Department, Office of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., August 11th, 1885, and signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The first directed to postmasters reads as follows:
"Sir:—On the first of October, 1885, you are directed to establish at your office, a system for special delivery of letters, in accordance with sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Act making appropriation for the postal service for the current fiscal year (XLVIII Congress, Session II, Chapter 342, approved March 3d, 1885,) which are as follows:
Section 3. That a special stamp of the face valuation of 10 cents may be provided and issued, whenever deemed advisable or expedient, in such form and bearing such device as may meet the approval of the Postmaster General, which when attached to a letter, in addition to the lawful postage thereon, the delivery of which is to be at a free delivery office, or at any city, town or village containing a population of 4,000 or over, according to the Federal census, shall be regarded as entitling such letter to immediate delivery within the carrier limit of any free delivery office which may be designated by the Postmaster General as a special delivery office, or within one mile of the post office at any other office coming within, the provisions of this section which may in like manner be designated as a special delivery office.
Section 4 provides for immediate delivery between the hours of 7 a. m. and midnight.
Section 5 provides for the employment of special messengers and,
Section 6 the mode of paying them. The rest of this circular gives the details of the service which it is not necessary to repeat here.
The second circular after reciting the provisions of Section 3, of the Act of March 3d, 1885, and that it has been decided to introduce the system on the first day of October, at all the post offices permitted by the law; contains a description of the stamp prepared to carry out the law, which with some additions is as follows:
Special Delivery Stamp.
Issue of October 1st, 1885.
A line engraving on steel, oblong in form; dimensions 13/16 by 1-7/16 inches, color dark blue. Design: on the left in an arched panel, 10½ by 15½ mm., a mail messenger boy on a run, faced to the right on a hatched back-ground, and surrounded above by the words "United States," in curved line of colorless capitals. On the right an oblong tablet, ornamented with a wreath of oak on the left, and laurel on the right, surrounding the words, "Secures—Immediate—Delivery—At a special—Delivery—Office," in six lines of white capitals on a solid ground. The ground of the tablet above is composed of light vertical lines with colorless border. Across the top of the tablet, but above it, is the legend, "Special—Postal delivery," and at the bottom the words, "Ten Cents," separated by a shield bearing the numeral "10." The entire ground of the stamp is composed of fine vertical lines except the edges, which are so contrived as to appear bevelled.
Plate impression, 21 by 27 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
10 cents, dark blue.
"They are to be sold by Postmasters to any required amount, and to any person who may apply for them, but they can be used only for the purpose of securing the immediate delivery of letters."
About a year ago, after the system was inaugurated at carrier offices there was a further change in the law, and the system was further extended as is shown by the following extracts from three circulars, all dated August 10th, 1886, from the office of the Postmaster General, Washington, D. C., signed by William F. Vilas, Postmaster General. The first is addressed to Postmasters at carrier offices, the second to all other postmasters, and the third to the public. The following from the first circular:
"By the Act of August 4th, 1886, Congress has authorized the extention of the special delivery system to all post offices and to all mailable matter. The Act is as follows, namely:
'That every article of mailable matter upon which the special stamp, provided for by Section 3 of the act entitled: an Act, etc., shall be duly affixed, shall be entitled to immediate delivery according to said act, within the carrier limit of any free delivery office, and within one mile of any other post office which the Postmaster General shall at any time designate as a special delivery office.'"
From the second circular only this is of interest:
"No change will be made in the general style of the special delivery stamp now in use. The following is its description: (same as in the original circular). The words 'Secures immediate delivery at a special delivery office,' will however, be changed to read: 'Secures immediate delivery at any post office.' But as stamps with the former words are now in the hands of the postmasters and the public, their use will continue until the present supply shall be exhausted."
From the third circular only this is to be noticed:
"The attention of the public is invited to the fact that under a recent Act of Congress the special delivery system heretofore in effect in cities and towns having a population of 4,000 and upwards, has been extended to all post offices in the United States, to take effect on and after October 1st, 1886. The privileges of this system have also been extended to all classes of mail matter."
The remainder of these circulars are devoted to directions to postmasters at the two classes of offices, and to the public.
These stamps are printed in sheets of 100, and distributed in half sheets of 50, the center of the sheets being marked as usual by an arrow head. There are consequently 10 stamps in a row, and 10 rows in the whole sheet. The makers imprint appears four times on the sheet, above and below the center row of each half sheet, and the plate number is also four times repeated on the sheet.
3,699,560 special delivery stamps were issued up to June 30th, 1886.
Issue of 1865.
The newspaper stamps issued by the United States Post Office Department do not correspond in their usage very nearly to the stamps denominated newspaper stamps in other countries. The series under review had a very limited and peculiar use. While the dissemination of learning and information had always been fostered in every way by the Acts of Congress, and the distribution of newspapers and periodicals had always been undertaken by the post office at rates that did not pay for the expense of the service, in the intention of encouraging these publications, the Department always found a great rival in the express companies, which, having conformed their rules to the exigencies of business, were enabled to deliver newspapers and periodicals from the trains to the agents and dealers always hours, sometimes days before those sent by the mails reached their destination, as these were sent to the post office and there assorted, some to be delivered locally and others to be made up again into the new mail for further transportation, while those sent by the express companies being transferred at the depot, often finished their journey before the mails could be made up and started.
This service assisted the express companies in those violations of the postal laws which each year the Postmaster General called to the attention of Congress, and Congress endeavored to reach by new laws. The government got the expensive service, the express companies the paying business partly because of their more liberal rates, but particularly because of their more expeditious service.
The attempt was therefore made to so frame the law that the post office might successfully compete for the carriage of newspapers. The Act of the XXXVII Congress, III Session, Chapter 71, Section 38, approved the 3rd of March, 1863, reads:
"And be it further enacted that the Postmaster General may, from time to time, provide by order the rates and terms upon which route agents may receive and deliver, at the mail car or steamer, packages of newspapers and periodicals, delivered to them for that purpose by the publishers or any news agent in charge thereof, and not received from or designed for delivery at any post office."
Under this act for some time payment was made in money, but the report of the Postmaster General dated November 15th, 1865, states:
"New stamps have been adopted of the denominations of 5, 10, and 25 cents for prepaying postage on packages of newspapers forwarded by publishers or news dealers under the authority of law, whereby a revenue will be secured, hitherto lost to the Department."
In the report of the Postmaster General for 1878, the date of this issue is stated to have been April 1st, 1865. In the accounts of the number of stamps issued in each quarter it appears, however, that the first issue was in the quarter between June 30th and September 30th, 1865.
The stamps were of very large dimensions, and the figures conspicuous. A package adorned with the requisite number was mailed on the train and it could easily be seen that it was duly stamped. The stamps were ordinarily if not always, cancelled by smearing them with ink, with a brush, and not with hand stamps, and the packages were thrown out of the cars to the agents waiting at each station to receive them, and were often torn open by the agent at the depot and distributed to his customers there. Thus the delay that sending them to the post office for distribution would have caused, was avoided.
Issue of April 1st, 1865.
Five Cents. Large bust of Washington in profile, faced to the right, indicated by colorless curved lines, on a round medallion of straight horizontal lines, 28 mm. in diameter, surrounded by a circular band of curved interlaced colorless lines, all on a colored ground, a smaller circular disk, 11 mm. in diameter, interrupting this band on each side displays a large "V," in color on a horizontally lined ground. Above on a solid ground of color, but ornamented by interlaced colorless lines in colorless letters, "U. S." and "Postage," in a second curved line; below the head on a solid curved label covering a portion of the circular band in large colorless capitals, "Five Cents"; below this again, the ground is ornamented by several colorless lines upon which appear in colored capitals, "Newspapers," a colored label with "and"; in colorless capitals "Periodicals"; below this again, in two lines of colorless capitals on the colored ground, "Sec. 18, Act of Congress approved—March 3d, 1863." In each upper corner is a large colorless numeral "5." About all is a frame of 3 colorless lines, ornamented at the corners. The words "National Bank Note Company, New York," in small colorless capitals appear between the lower colorless lines. The colored ground extends between the stamps which were perforated.
Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
5 cents, dark blue.
Note. 20,140 of this value were issued.
Ten Cents. Similar design, but with the profile of Franklin in an oval, the side letters "X," the label "Ten Cents," the upper numerals "10," set at an angle.
Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
10 cents, green.
Note. 215,600 of this value were issued.
Twenty-Five Cents. Similar design, but with the profile of Lincoln, faced to the left, in a rectangle with corners cut off, "25" in figures instead of numerals at the side, on the label "Twenty Five Cents," the upper numerals "25" set at an angle.
Plate impression, 55 by 98 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
25 cents, vermilion.
Note. 31,488 of this value were issued.
In 1868-9 there were issued 35,420 more of the five cent value, but these were improved by having the broad colored border removed till only a fine colored line remained outside the colorless frame.
Plate impression, 51½ by 95 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.
5 cents, dark blue, white border.
The Postmaster General's Report for 1869 states that the use of these stamps ceased about the 1st of February, 1869. They were used principally at Chicago, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis. Reprints were made of all of them except the 5 cents with white border, with the other early issues in 1874.
There was a very wide margin of some 65 mm. at the top and bottom of the sheet, the manufacturers imprint appearing at the top and bottom in colored letters on a small white label let into the colored ground. It is not known how many stamps formed a sheet.
Newspaper and Periodical Stamps.
Issue of 1874.
Notwithstanding the very liberal provisions of all the laws regarding postage on printed matter, and particularly those of this Act of March 3rd, 1863, we find the Postmaster General in his report of November 15th, 1869, complaining that the Department was largely defrauded of its revenues by abuses rendered possible by the provisions of that Act, and suggesting that:
"For this mischief there is but one adequate remedy, and that is to require prepayment on all printed matter. A due regard to the convenience of the publishers of newspapers would require that postage on newspapers should be charged according to the weight of packages, and that such packages should when suspected, be liable to be opened and searched, and penalties provided if they were found to contain improper matter."
Nothing seems to have resulted from his recommendations, however. The inconveniences of the system led to calling the attention of Congress to the matter again in the Report of the Postmaster General, in 1873. He says:
"In my report for 1869, I had the honor to suggest a plan for the prepayment of postage on newspapers and other matter of the second class by weight of packages rather than by the present system, which requires the manipulation of each particular paper, and allows the payment of postage at either the mailing office, or the office of delivery. A careful revision of the subject confirms me in the opinion, that the postage on all such matter should be collected in advance at the mailing office. * * * No stamps are used for the payment of such postage; and the Department is compelled to accept in full satisfaction whatever sums of money postmasters choose to charge against themselves. So execrably bad is this system, that postal officers of high standing have estimated that not more than one-third of the postage properly chargeable on newspapers is accounted for and paid over. Furthermore, disputes are continually arising, as to whether the sheets they transmit, come within the meaning of the term newspapers. * * * I respectfully submit the following plan for the prepayment of postage on newspapers of the second class, and urge its adoption. Let all publishers, their business managers or agents, be required at the beginning of every quarter, to state under oath the number of papers of a certain name, they will send by mail during the quarter, and pay the postage thereon in advance. On the other hand, postmasters to make return of all newspapers, with particulars, mailed to regular subscribers. No stamps would be required. Every paper answering to the description would be forwarded. No manipulation of each paper would be required, and the saving to publishers in time and labor, would, it is thought, be greater than the amount paid for postage, while the saving to the Department, would justify a reduction of 40 per cent in the rates, on this class of matter. Periodicals to come under the same law."
The result of the deliberations upon this suggestion, was the passage by Congress of the following law:
XLIII Congress, Statute 1, Chapter 456, approved June 23rd, 1874, "Section 5. That on and after the first day of January, 1875, all newspapers and periodical publications mailed from a known office of publication or news agency and addressed to regular subscribers or news agents shall be charged the following rates:
On newspapers and periodical publications issued weekly and more frequently than once a week, two cents for each pound or fraction thereof, and on those issued less frequently than once a week three cents for each pound or fraction thereof, provided that nothing in this Act shall be held to change or amend Section 99 of the Act entitled: An Act to revise, consolidate and amend the statutes relating to the Post Office Department, approved June 8th, 1872.
Sec. 6. That on and after the first day of January, 1875, upon the receipt of such newspapers and periodical publications at the office of mailing, they shall be weighed in bulk, and postage paid thereon by a special adhesive stamp; to be devised and furnished by the Postmaster General, which shall be affixed to such matter or to the sack containing the same; or upon a memorandum of such mailing, or otherwise as the Postmaster General may from time to time provide by regulation, etc., etc."
The report of the Postmaster General also states Nov. 14th 1874, that being confined to these three modes of collecting this postage,
"It was deemed best to recommend the adoption of the system of prepayment by postage stamps 'affixed to a memorandum of mailing' or in other words, to a stub in a book retained by the postmaster at the mailing office; a receipt, showing the weight of matter and the amount paid, being given by the postmaster to the person mailing the same; the stamps affixed to the stub, to be cancelled by a cutting punch, thus preventing their reuse. * * * The Postmaster General having approved the recommendations, a series of stamps have been devised of twenty four denominations, by means of which any sum which is a multiple of either the two or three cent rate, from two cents to seventy-two dollars, can be made by the use of not more than five stamps."
In the report dated November 15th, 1875, we find the following observations and descriptions of this issue which will further explain the mode of using them, which seems to be little understood, except by publishers and post office officials.
"On the first day of January 1875, the new law, requiring prepayment of postage by stamps, on all newspapers and periodicals sent from a known office of publication, to regular subscribers through the mails, went into operation. The system inaugurated to carry the law into effect, was approved in October, 1874 and has been found by experience to be admirably adapted to the purposes for which it was devised. No complaints of abuses on the part of publishers or postmasters, have been received at this office during the nine months, that have elapsed since the law went into effect. Indeed, it has worked so well in all its details, and has given such general satisfaction, that the idea of returning to the old system, or materially modifying the new one, ought not to be entertained.
Previous to the time when this law began to operate, no stamps were required for the payment of postage on newspapers sent to regular subscribers, as the postage was collected in money quarterly, at the office of delivery. Last year there were 35,000 post offices at which newspaper postage was collected, while under the present true system of the absolute prepayment of all postage, the whole amount is collected at about 3,400 offices, the latter representing the number of places in the United States at which newspapers and periodicals are mailed.
The papers for subscribers living outside of the county in which they are published, are made up in bulk at the publication office, carried to the post office and there weighed. The postage is computed on the whole issue, the proper amount in stamps handed to the postmaster, who gives the publisher a receipt as evidence of payment, and on the stubs of the receipt book he affixes and cancels the stamps which correspond in value, with the sum mentioned in the receipt. Thus one transaction is all that is required in paying the postage upon a single issue of any regular publication. The stubs with their cancelled stamps, are kept in the post office as vouchers for the postage paid. In no case are the stamps affixed to the papers or packages that pass through the mails.
These stamps are twenty-four in number and were prepared by the Continental Bank Note Company, of New York, from designs selected in October, 1874." Elsewhere it is stated that the distribution to postmasters began December 11th, 1874. "The denominations are as follows, viz: 2 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents, 9 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 36 cents, 48 cents, 60 cents, 72 cents, 84 cents, 96 cents, $1.92 cents, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. These denominations were found to be necessary, in order that payment might be made on any given quantity from one pound to one ton, at both the two and three cent rate, with the use of not to exceed five stamps in any transaction.
No description of these stamps having been given in any official form. I may be pardoned for presenting herewith a detailed description of them, in order that it may be printed, and be permanently preserved in the records of the department."
Two Cents to Ten Cents, inclusive, emblematical figure of America, looking to the right and modeled after Crawford's statue surmounting the dome of the capitol. The left hand rests on a shield, and holds a wreath; the right rests on a sword. The head is adorned with a head dress consisting of a coronet of stars, surmounted by an eagle's head and plumes. The background is horizontally lined and in parts diagonally also. The vignette stands in an arched frame, composed of vertical lines; and on either side of this frame, and at the top are slabs containing the inscriptions (the upper in colored letters on horizontally lined ground, the others in colorless block capitals, the sides upon vertically lined ground), "Newspapers" and "Periodicals" (at the sides), "U. S. Postage" (at top). At the bottom are shaded outline block letters, representing the value, which is also indicated by large outlined figures shaded on the face, in the upper corners, on foliated scrolls. The lower corners are ornamented with shields. The color of these stamps is black.
Twelve Cents to Ninety-Six Cents, inclusive. Vignette of Astraea or Justice, in niche, bordered by a colorless line curved at the top, holding in her right hand the balance, and resting with her left on a shield bearing the United States coat of arms. The figure is full robed, mailed and girdled as to the upper part and helmeted. Surmounting the helmet is an eagle with out-stretched wings on a background horizontally and diagonally lined. Figures representing values in shaded numerals on shields, in the upper corners; values also in sunken letters below, on solid labels bordered by a colorless and colored line, richly ornamented. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," on side and at top in shaded outlined capitals on vertically lined ground. Color, pink.
One Dollar and Ninety-Two Cents. Vignette of Ceres, Goddess of Agriculture, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line and a vertically lined frame. She holds in her left hand an ear of corn, her right holding a wreath, rests against the hip. The figure faced to the front and is clad in full flowing robes. "U. S. Postage" at the top, other inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in italic capitals shaded on the face and outside, on obelisks at either side, resting on the lower slab, which is in solid color, containing value, "One dollar and ninety-two cents," in two lines of white capitals. Value also in figures, "$1-92/100" in upper corners. Color, deep brown.
Three Dollars. Goddess of Victory in curved niche, full-robed, girdled with sword to the left, and mantle thrown over shoulders. The right hand is stretched forward, holding a wreath; the left rests on a shield. Outline figures of value, "$3" on octagons in upper corners, value below in letters on either side of a large outline figure "3" on a shield. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in colorless capitals, in solid labels on either side, and "U. S. Postage" on lined ground above. The niche and labels are all edged with colorless lines. The background is vertically lined. Color, vermilion.
Six Dollars. Clio, the Muse of History in curved niche, bordered by colorless line, on horizontally lined ground, full robed the toga thrown over the left shoulder. In her right hand she holds a stylus, in the left a tablet. Outline colorless figures of value, "$6" in upper corners, surrounded by curved ornaments. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in white shaded letters on the sides, and above "U. S. Postage" in dark letters, value, "Six Dollars" in outline colorless letters in label, on vertically lined ground. Color, light blue.
Nine Dollars. Minerva, the Goddess of Wisdom, full robed, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line with horizontally and diagonally lined ground. The left hand is placed across her breast, holding a portion of her toga; the right is grasping a spear. Figures of value "$9" in upper corners, in foliated ornaments. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," on sides in outline colorless and shaded italics, and above in small colored letters, on the lined ground, "U. S. Postage." Value, "Nine Dollars," also in letters shaded on the face, below on scroll. Beneath is a large "9" in curved foliated ornaments. Color, orange.
Twelve Dollars. Vesta, Goddess of the Fireside, full robed in curved niche, with horizontally lined ground, and bordered by a colorless line. The left hand lifts her drapery; the right holds a burning lamp. Figures of value, "$12" in upper corners on tablets. Value, "Twelve Dollars" also in colorless letters on beaded frame beneath. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," on solid (sic), italic letters on sides, and "U. S. Postage" in small white letters above. Frame of vertical lines. Color, rich green.
Twenty-Four Dollars. Goddess of Peace in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line, and on horizontally lined ground, a half naked figure leaning against a broken column. She holds in her right hand an olive branch, while her left grasps three arrows. The value, "Twenty-four Dollars" is in colorless letters beneath, on a solid tablet; also in figures "$24" in ornamented curves in upper corners. Inscriptions, "U. S. Postage" in white shaded letters above, and "Newspapers," "Periodicals" on the sides between which latter and each upper corner is a six-pointed star. The back ground is vertically lined. The ornaments bordered by a colorless line. Color, purplish shade.
Thirty-Six Dollars. Figure representing Commerce, in full garments, in curved niche, bordered by a colorless line with hatched background. She holds in her left hand the caduceus, the winged rod of Mercury, in her right a miniature ship. Figures of value, "$36" in the upper corners and "Thirty-six Dollars" in ornamented capitals below, in two lines. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," also in ornamented capitals on sides and "U. S. Postage" in colorless capitals above. The frame is vertically lined. Color, dull red.
Forty-Eight Dollars. Hebe, the Goddess of Youth, partly draped in curved niche with colorless border and horizontally lined ground. The right hand holds a cup, which she is offering to the eagle around whose neck is thrown her left arm. Shaded figures of value, "$48" on shields in the upper corners, the word "Postage" between in colorless capitals on solid label. The value, "Forty-eight Dollars" also in colorless letters below on solid ground, in curved ornaments. The letters "U." and "S." in colorless circles between the corners and side inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," the latter being in colorless letters on solid curved labels. Frame vertically lined. Color, light brown.
Sixty Dollars. Vignette of an Indian Maiden, standing in a rectangular frame. She is robed from her waist downward. Her right arm is extended, while her left hangs by her side. The background is a landscape. Trees and vines to the left, and wigwams to the right in the distance, bordered by a colorless line between fine colored lines. Figures of value, "$60" on shields in the upper corners. Value, "Sixty Dollars" also in white letters on solid tablets below. Inscriptions, "Newspapers," "Periodicals," in white on solid labels on the sides. "U. S." in colorless capitals on the ground, and "Postage" on a band in colored letters above. Ground vertically lined. Color, rich purple.