The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States Envelopes, by Victor M. Berthold.

Wide label, measuring 20 mm. horizontally, with square ends; lower label short (17 mm.) but also with straight ends. 7 loops on each side.

Issued July, 1853.

Luckily the engraver has seen fit to use but one head for this issue and it is our old favorite, HEAD I, and needs no further description. There is but one variety, and none of the envelopes have the Nesbitt seal.

Variety 1:—Letters of "THREE" very widely spaced, especially the last two letters. "T" nearer to left label than "E" to the right. "ENT" of "CENTS" nearer to each other than "C" to "E" and "T" to "S".

The die has been used for note and letter size, i.e., Knives 1 and 2, on white, and for the latter on both white and buff paper.

The common die of the first series.
Short labels (measuring 15 mm. horizontally) with curved ends.
9 loops on the left; 8-1/2 loops on the right.

This die appeared in March, 1854, and remained in existence until October, 1860. On account of its six years of constant use, it was not strange that the die should need repairing and retouching. Nevertheless, while admitting the necessity of repairs, this does not account in any way for the fact that we have thirty distinctly different dies in this series, many of which cannot be explained by the above theory. Of course, the various curves of the labels may be accounted for by repeated retouching, but no one who compares many of these dies would attempt to give the same reason for the totally different lettering and the great variety in the spacing. As a matter of fact, most of the so-called varieties are far more distinct dies than some of the well-known Reays and Plimptons of equal denominations. In spite of the great number of varieties of this issue, the engraver has seen fit to use but one head of Washington, which is totally different from any of those preceding.

Two fine, very short side-locks, reaching to the middle of the ear-lobe, which is rather large. There are seven very thin locks of hair, almost hair lines, in the upper part of the head, extending to the back of the head, each with a curve in the centre. Below these there is a short, thick bunch, or lock, bent upwards into the space left by the curve of the seventh thin lock. There is one short, thick front-lock and three in the back row, side by side, nearly at right angles to the bunch of hair which is bent upwards. The lowest front-lock slants a considerable distance across the ear, while the lock immediately above it is much longer and reaches into the queue. The latter is very thin and shows no subdivisions.

Doubtless the thirty varieties of this die would have been highly prized by collectors and would have been well known many years ago if American philatelists had taken the trouble to study them with a view to systematic classification. Certainly, without a system the collector's task is troublesome, but, with a proper classification, the difficulty vanishes and what has hitherto been considered an annoyance becomes a pleasurable pursuit. This issue greatly favors the collector of cut square specimens, for a good many dies can easily be found. On the contrary, the collector of entires, especially the advanced collector who desires mint copies, will find it difficult to get unused specimens of many dies.

The paper used is white and buff, and, as mentioned before, both the quality and color differ widely. For instance: "Buff" covers shades which would be called at the present time light chocolate, brown, oriental buff, light yellow, etc. A great many envelopes are of soft paper, nearly unsurfaced, while there are numerous others having a hard, brittle texture, highly surfaced or glazed. Often six shades may be obtained, and they are certainly worthy of being collected with care.

It has already been stated that the thirty varieties can be classified, and that such classification is a great help to the philatelist. Fortunately, the first ten dies are quickly recognized by the long, horizontal cross stroke of "T" of "THREE," and "T" of "CENTS," while the remaining twenty dies have a short top stroke, and this differentiation, in the writer's humble opinion, should have been introduced long ago in the general catalogues.

Before commencing the study of the first ten varieties, it is only proper to state that even Mr. Harrison has put himself on record that: "the ten earlier varieties are by no means easy to separate." Indeed, they are decidedly more troublesome and require far closer work than any of the other Nesbitt die varieties. The student is sure to find many specimens in which the upper curves are entirely worn away, and in judging the spacing of the letters errors are likely to occur, due to heavy impressions, which are not infrequent.

Being well aware of these annoyances, the writer has tried, to the best of his ability, to make the description of these ten varieties as lucid as possible, and as they now stand they represent the labor of many hours. Expressions like "far", "near" or "close" are, of course, subject to individual interpretation, but by comparing the illustrations accompanying the text, what is meant by "close", etc., will be easily understood. Wherever greater accuracy seemed needful, the distance between two letters, either at the top or the base has been added. If a letter is stated to be below the level of another, the student, as a rule, should have no difficulty in recognizing this fact. This is true of varieties 4 and 5, but a certain amount of training of the eye is required to recognize quickly the lower position of "T" and "E" of "THREE" in varieties 1, 2 and 10.

Together with the new die two new sizes of envelopes appear, known as Knives 4 and 5, respectively; both are termed "Full Letter" and have three black lines on the inside of the left side flap.

The ten die varieties are divided into three groups by drawing a straight line along the outside of the downward stroke of "T" of "THREE".

It should be understood, however, that the above line prolongation is only tentative, not absolute, and can only be relied upon in a general way as certain specimens will be found which will vary from it to a greater or less extent.

Variety 1:—"T" a considerable distance from upper left curve. "TH" widely spaced, but "HR" near and "R" the highest letter. "RE" wide at top. "EE" wide. "CE" wide at base. "EN" wide. "NT" wide at base. Lower curves deep and far from "C" and "S".

Variety 2:—"T" near curve, and "T" and final "E" below level of "HRE". "TH" near, "HR" near, but "RE" and "EE" wide at top. Upper curves are frequently much deteriorated. Lower left curve far from "C". "CE" and "NT" wide at base. "TS" near. Lower right curve near "S".

Variety 3:—Upper left curve very far from "T". "RE" wide and "R" slants sharply to the right. "EE" near at top. "C" far from lower left curve. "CE" wide at base. "E" slants sharply to the left and "EN" wide at base. "S" close to curve.

Variety 4:—"T" near curve but below level of "H". "HR" wide but "RE" wider, and "EE" widest at top. The main feature of this die is that the lower left curve slants sharply downward and is far from base of "C". "CE" wide at base. "NT" very wide at base. "S" far from curve.

Variety 5:—Upper right curve flattened and top of "T" near curve. "T" low and far from "H". "HR" widely spaced at top, but "RE" still wider. "EE" near. Upper right curve far from "E" both at top and base. Frequently the curves are nearly obliterated.

Variety 6:—Upper right curve near "T". Top of "T" some distance from "H". "RE" wide at top. "EE" wide. The curve is far from top of "E", but slants so that, at the point where it meets the inner oval line, it is near base of "E". Lower left curve near "C" and reaches over the top of the letter. "CEN" near; "NT" near at base. "S" far from curve.

Variety 7:—The FLAW VARIETY. Upper right curve very deep. Top of "T" considerably nearer curve than base. "TH" near. "HR" and "RE" near at top. "EE" very wide at top. Curve is very far from "E" both at top and base. Lower left curve flattened and near "C". "EX" near. "NT" well spaced. In the outer red frame line, near base of "T", a small portion of the die is broken away.

Variety 8:—Upper left curve deep and top of "T" near curve. "TH" near. "HRE" near, and "RE" the closest spacing of all the varieties. "EE" near. Right curve is a good distance from top of "E". Lower left curve small and near "C". "CE" wide. "ENT" near and upper horizontal stroke of "N" often joined to "T". "TS" near and "S" close to curve.

9, 10

Variety 9:—Upper left curve much flattened and close to "T"; "T" and final "E" somewhat below level of "HRE". "TH" close and "H" sharply slanting to left. "HREE" near at top. Right curve far from "E". Lower left curve short and near "C". "CE" close. "EN" near. "NT" near at base. Right curve near "S".

Variety 10:—Upper left curve near "T". "TH" near at top. "HRE" spaced as in Var. 9 but "EE" nearer, and top of "E" nearer the curve. Lower left curve near "C". "C" above level of "E" and near at base. "ENTS" near. "S" far from curve.

These twenty die varieties are grouped into two classes by the use of a unit distance measurement of 14 and 12 mm. respectively.

A line 14mm. long will extend from the point where the upper left curve meets the inner white frame-line to the end of the final "E" of "THREE".

Group A:—A line 12mm. long, starting from the junction of the upper left curve and the inner, white, frame-line will extend to the end of the horizontal stroke of the first "E" of "THREE". (Var. 11 to 18.)

Group B:—A line 12mm. long, starting from the junction of the upper left curve and the inner, white, frame-line will extend to a point just beyond the end of the horizontal stroke of the first "E" of "THREE". (Var. 19 to 27.)

A line 14mm. long, starting from the junction of the upper left curve and the inner, white, frame-line, will extend to a point just outside of the final "E" of "THREE". (Var. 28 to 30.)

Variety 11:—The top stroke of "N," if extended, would bisect the vertical stroke of "T". "RE" very wide at top. "T" and "E" about an equal distance from curves. Lower left curve well rounded. "EN" near at top. "N" broad.

Variety 12:—The small horizontal line of "N," if extended, would cut the vertical downstroke of "T." All the centre crossbars of "Es" touch the horizontal upper stroke. "N" of "CENTS" is narrow; is the lowest letter, and has a heavy middle line. "T" and "E" are close to the curves, which are short. "TS" close and on level.

There are often two dots in the central oval, one near the throat and the other opposite the third loop above "C". Compare variety 11 for "NT," also variety 21.

Variety 13:—A flaw in the design, caused by the addition of a short line immediately above the right lower curve and at the beginning of the first loop. "TH" wide. "RE" wide at top. "CE" near. The entire word "CENTS" is well in the centre of the label. "S" above level of "T". Note the wide distance of "C" from the lower left corner.

Variety 14:—This die shows the widest spacing of "THREE". Lower left curve is deep; slants back and is far from "C". Lower right curve near "S". "T" and "E" about equally far from curves. Upper right curve much flattened. Note "T" short and top of "C" considerably below inner oval line. Note also that centre of first loop below upper right curve is unfinished. "TH" wide at base; "CE" near: "EN" wide. "N" tall and narrow.

Variety 15:—"RE" very wide. There is a small triangle in the design immediately above the centre of lower right curve. Upper left curve very deep and "T" far from it. "HRE" wide at base. Final "E" below level of first "E" and nearer curve than "T". Lower left curve is flat and "C" is far from it, both at top and base. "CE" wide. Tall, narrow "N". Note that the entire word is high in the label.

Variety 16:—"S" of "CENTS" high in label. Lower left curve very slightly curved and very far from "C," which is elongated. "CE" wide, likewise "EN". "N" large and broad. Lower right curve flattened and "S" far from curve. "T" and "E" about equally distant from upper curves, which are, likewise, flattened. "TH" nearer at top than "HR". "RE" wider at top than "HR". "EE" wide at top. Compare varieties 26 and 27 for upper right curve.

Variety 17:—Lower left curve commences near top of "C" of "CENTS", slants sharply downward, and is, at the point where the curve meets the outer oval line, far from base of "C". Upper right curve is much flattened and close to "E" at base. Upper left curve is deep and a good distance from "T". The latter is short, thick and near "H". "RE" much wider at top than "HR". There are two small dots immediately below the upper right curve. In the lower label "C" and "S" are slightly above the level of "ENT"; "EN" near; "N" broad. Compare variety 18 for lower left curve and note position of "T" of "THREE" with regard to upper left curve.

Variety 18:—Lower left curve slants back and is far from "C" at the junction of the curve with the outer frame line. "T" close to upper left curve. Upper left curve flat and "T" is much nearer to it than "E" to the right curve. "THR" near at top. "RE" very wide at top. "EE" near. The entire word "CENTS" is close to the inner oval line. "N" is broad, and top of "T" is slightly above "X". "TS" close. Note that there are three dots immediately above lower right curve. Compare Variety 17 for lower left curve.

Variety 19:—"T" and "E" close to curves. Upper curves short. "HRE" wide at top. "EE" near. Lower left curve near "C". "CE" close. "EN" wide. "N" in upright position. "NT" wide at base. Compare variety 12 for arrangement of letters in upper label and note "NT". Note that the top of "E" is very near curve.

Variety 20:—"C" high; near inner oval line and close to "E". "C" and "S" above level of "ENT". "C" heavy and near lower left curve. "EN" wide. "NT" close. Upper curves are short. "T" near upper left curve. "TH" close and "T" has short top stroke. Upper right curve starts far from top of "E" and slants inward. "EE" near. Lower right curve deep. Compare varieties 12, 19 and 21 for lower label.

Variety 21:—"T" short, thick and near curve. "TH" near. "R" in the centre of label and in a vertical position. Upper right curve slants inward and is much nearer to base than to top of "E". "C" and "S" in lower label are above level of "ENT". "S" of "CENTS" far from curve. Lower left curve short and close to "C". "N" is broad. Lower right curve deeper than lower left curve. "CEN" near. Compare variety 30 for lower right curve and 20 for upper right curve.

Variety 22:—"EN" joined at top. "HR" very wide at top and forming a sharp angle. "TH" close. Upper left curve flat. Upper right curve is deep; far from top of "E" and terminates at its base. Lower left curve far from "C". "C" and "S" above level of "ENT". Upper cross stroke of "T" short. "S" far from lower right curve. First loop above lower right curve has a very large centre. Compare variety 21.

Variety 23:—"R" highest letter and close to outer frame line. "TH" close. "RE" very wide at top. "T" and "E" about the same distance from curves. There are two small, colored dots immediately below the upper right curve. Lower left curve slants. "C" and "S" equally far from curves. "CENT" on level and "CEN" close at base. Compare variety 17 for lower left curve.

Variety 24:—Top stroke of "E" is above top of "C". "CE" close. "EN" near at top. "N" short and thick. Top stroke of "N" nearly touches "T". "NT" high in label. Lower curves well rounded and short, but lower left curve deeper than lower right. "C" somewhat further from curve than "S". Upper right curve deep and far from "E". "TH" near and about parallel. "HR" near, but "RE" wider at top. "EE" near; centre strokes touch upper horizontal line. Compare, for distance of "THR", variety 29.

Variety 25:—A flaw, i.e., a white line running out from the middle of the third loop on the right, towards the inner oval line. Lower left curve a good distance away from "C". "C" round and full, but shorter than the rest of the letters. "S" far from lower right curve. "EE" widely spaced and upper right curve flat. "C" and "S" above level of "ENT".

Variety 26:—"C" of "CENTS" elongated, very slanting and far from "E". Lower left curve is very flat and far from "C". "ENT" near at top. Lower right curve slants back and is far from base of "S". Upper left curve is very flat. "HRE" very wide at top and "EE" widely spaced. "N" is broad. There are, also, two dots immediately below upper right curve. Compare varieties 16 and 29.

Variety 27:—The horizontal bar of the final stroke of "N" extends over the top of "T". Lower left curve fat and very far from "C". "CE" wide. Upper left curve much deeper than upper right curve, which is almost a straight line. "T" very short. "TH" wide at top, "HR" wider. Note that "R" stands to right of the centre of stamp and, also, the wide, colored space above the top of "THRE". "N" of "CENTS" is broad. Compare varieties 16 and 26.

Variety 28:—"T" of "THREE" is low, small and heavy. "RE" nearest. "T" is near the inner oval line and much nearer to upper left curve than "E" to upper right curve. "TH" near, "H" and "E" at top about the same distance apart from "E", which is upright and close to outer frame line. "EE" near. Lower left curve short; lower right curve deep. "CE" on level and close. "EN" far. "N" short and thick and, at base, nearer "E" than "T". Compare variety 29.

Variety 29:—"THR" spaced closest. "T" of "THREE" slightly nearer the curve than "E" is to upper right curve. Upper curves are deep and well rounded. "TH" close. "C" of "CENTS" is heavy and close to the short, round curve. "NT" near and sometimes touching at top. "TS" wide and "S" far from curve. Lower right curve deep and well rounded. Note that the word "CENTS" is near the outer frame line. Compare variety 30 for "S" distance.

Variety 30:—"C" near outer frame line and on level with "E". "TH" very near and top of "T" close to curve. "RE" much wider at top than "HR". "EE" wide at top. Upper right curve much larger than upper left curve and much further from top than from base of "E". Lower curves short and round. "NT" wide at base. "TS" close at top and top of "S" close to curve. There is a colored dot, or circle, immediately above centre of the lower right curve. Note wide colored space above top of "R" and "E". Compare varieties 21 and 28.

The date of issue of the SIX CENTS red is generally placed about July 31st. 1853; that of its congener—but with color changed—sometime before Sept. 30th of the same year. As there has never been much demand for a six cent envelope, it is strange that this issue has four distinct heads of Washington, two forms of "SIX", small and large, and different spacings of the word "CENTS". Unlike the last issue, the die is exceedingly well printed, and it is not difficult to get fine copies.

No description of the head is needed; it is HEAD I of Die 1 of 1853. "CE" very wide; "EN" wide; "NT" near at top and "S" is far from "T".

HEAD XVI. Side-lock is long, straight, curved at its point, and ends near the ear-lobe. There are five locks in the front row and four in the back row. The highest front-lock is split into two parts. Between the side-lock and the lowest front-lock and well towards the middle of the former, commences a thin lock which extends far beyond the ear-lobe and ends in the queue. "CE" wide; "EN" wide; "NT" further at base than in Var. 1. "TS" near. This head is found on the reprints on white and buff vertically laid paper.

HEAD XVII. A very heavy eyebrow which comes close to the side-lock. The latter is very fine and near the ear-lobe. The hair consists of five long and nearly parallel locks. The second longest and heaviest lock touches the queue. "CE" very wide; "EN" wide. "NT" wide at top. "TS" very widely spaced.

All varieties of the SIX CENTS red exist only on Knife 3, and all those of the SIX CENTS green only on Knife 2. The former is a newcomer and was styled "Official, Size 7". On account of its size (221 × 98 mm.) the envelope did not meet with much favor, and to-day it is difficult to find a cancelled specimen in fine condition. In accordance with the instructions of the Post Office the envelope should have been folded so that the right side flap overlapped the left, but this rule was not strictly adhered to, so that many collectors possess specimens with the opposite folding.

Narrow labels with straight ends.
8-1/2 loops on the left; 9 loops on the right.

This die appeared in April, 1855. Its issuance is due to an Act of Congress of March 3, 1855, which fixed the letter rate for transportation over 3000 miles at 10 cents.

HEAD XV: VAR. I:—Letters of "TEN" about equally spaced. "T" slants back and is somewhat nearer the left label than "N" to the right. "CE" close: "NT" near, and the top of the latter above "N". "S" closer to curve than "C". Frequently a little white line runs out from the left ornamental scrollwork a short distance above "C".

Very wide upper label (measuring horizontally 24-1/2 mm.) with straight ends.
7 loops on each side.

HEAD XIX: VAR I:—A short fine eyebrow extends upward from the end of the nose. Another short, but much heavier one, is attached to the corner of the eye. Two fine, short side-locks commence a little distance from the heavy eyebrow and finish just above the ear-lobe. There is a double row of five short and heavy locks, while the queue is continued from the lowest lock in the back row. The garment at the back has three folds.

"TEN" near, but "N" nearer to right label than "T" to the left. Letters of "CENT" closely spaced, but "S" some distance from "T".

A Reference List of Entire Envelopes of the Series of 1853 to 1855.

Var. 1: Head I.
No.[C]	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
1	W	2	3	139 × 83	Seal.
2	B	2	3	" "	"
Var. 2: Head I.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
3	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
4	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 3: Head Ia.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
5	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
6	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 4: Head II.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
7	W	1	1	120 × 73	Plain.
8	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
9	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 5: Head III.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
10	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
11	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 6: Head IV.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
12	W	1	1	120 × 73	Plain.
13	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
14	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 7: Head V.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
15	W	1	1	120 × 73	Plain.
16	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
17	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 8: Head VI.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
18	W	1	1	120 × 73	Plain.
19	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
20	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 9. Head VII.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
21	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
22	W	2	3	" "	No watermark, plain.
23	B	2	3	" "	Plain and seal.
Var. 10: Head VIII.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
24	W	1	1	120 × 73	Plain.
25	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
26	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 11: Head IX.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
27	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal; also hor. laid.
28	B	2	3	" "	Plain and seal.
Var. 12: Head X.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
29	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
30	B	2	3	" "	" " "

Var. 1: Head I.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
31	W	2	3	139 × 83	Seal.
32	B	2	3	" "	"
Var. 2: Head XI.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
33	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
34	B	2	3	" "	" " "
Var. 3: Head XII.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
35	W	1	1	120 × 73	Plain.
36	W	2	3	139 × 83	Plain and seal.
37	B	2	3	" "	" " "

Die III. "THREE" in Square Label with a Diagonal Line Across Each Corner, Called "K Ends".

Var. 1: Head XIII.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
38	W	1	1	120 × 73
39	W	2	3	139 × 83
40	B	2	3	" "
Var. 1: Head XIV.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
41	W	2	3	139 × 83
42	B	2	3	" "

Head I.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
43	W	1	1	120 × 73
44	W	2	3	139 × 83
45	B	2	3	" "

Var. 1: Head XV.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
46	W	[HW: 2]	[HW: 3]	[HW: 139 × 82]
47	B	[HW: 2]	[HW: 3]	" "
48	W	4	3	139 × 82
49	B	2	3	" "
Var. 2.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
50	W	1	1	120 × 73
51	W	2	3	139 × 83
52	W	2	3	" "	No watermark.
53	B	2	3	" "
Var. 3.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
54	W	2	3	139 × 83
55	B	2	3	" "
Var. 4.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
56	W	1	1	120 × 73
57	B	2	3	" "
58	B	2	3	" "
Var. 5.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
59	W	1	1	120 × 73
60	W	2	3	139 × 83
61	B	2	3	" "
Var. 6.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
62	W	2	3	139 × 83
63	B	2	3	" "
Var. 7.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
64	W	2	3	139 × 83
65	B	2	3	" "
Var. 8.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
66	W	2	3	139 × 83
67	B	2	3	" "
Var. 9.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
68	W	2	3	139 × 83
69	B	2	3	" "
Var. 10.
No.	Paper.	Knife.	Size.	Dimensions.	Remarks.
70	W	2	3	139 × 83
71	B	2	3	" "