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

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

It seems strange that such great and palpable differences remained unknown until 1892. Quoting from the work of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert & Rechert, we are, however, informed: "Heretofore it has not been noticed that there are a large number of minor varieties of this die depending on the relative position of the parts."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THREE CENTS, ROSE.

THREE CENTS, BROWN.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Reference List of the Envelopes of the Series of 1864 and 1865.

DIE B.

1865.

THREE CENTS, BROWN.

DIE A.

DIE B.