The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States Envelopes Part 6

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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".

VARIETY 2.

[Ill.u.s.tration: XVI.]

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.

VARIETY 3.

[Ill.u.s.tration: XVII.]

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 s.p.a.ced.

VARIETY 4.

[Ill.u.s.tration: XVIII.]

HEAD XVIII. A heavy eyebrow. A short side-lock with a sharp point, starting near the eye-brow, ends [HW: some] distance from the ear-lobe.

There are five locks in the front row and the same number in the back row. Of the five front locks four are heavy. There is also a long and thin strand between the second and third front-lock. Together with the side-lock starts the lowest front-lock which broadens out towards its middle and ends in a point a short distance behind the ear-lobe. The second front-lock is in line with the queue. "CENTS" close to outer frame line. "CE" nearer than in Var. 3. "T" has a short cross-stroke; "TS" is wide and "NT" is near at top.

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 x 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.

TEN CENTS, GREEN.

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

HEAD XV: VAR. I:--Letters of "TEN" about equally s.p.a.ced. "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".

TEN CENTS, GREEN.

Very wide upper label (measuring horizontally 24-1/2 mm.) with straight ends.

7 loops on each side.

[Ill.u.s.tration: XIX.]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

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 s.p.a.ced, but "S" some distance from "T".

A REFERENCE LIST OF ENTIRE ENVELOPES OF THE SERIES OF 1853 TO 1855.

THREE CENTS, RED.

DIE I. "THREE" IN NARROW CURVED LABEL.

VAR. 1: HEAD I.

No.[C] Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.

1 W 2 3 139 x 83 Seal.

2 B 2 3 " " "

VAR. 2: HEAD I.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.

3 W 2 3 139 x 83 Plain and seal.

4 B 2 3 " " " " "

VAR. 3: HEAD Ia.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.

5 W 2 3 139 x 83 Plain and seal.

6 B 2 3 " " " " "

VAR. 4: HEAD II.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.

7 W 1 1 120 x 73 Plain.

8 W 2 3 139 x 83 Plain and seal.

9 B 2 3 " " " " "

VAR. 5: HEAD III.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Remarks.

10 W 2 3 139 x 83 Plain and seal.

11 B 2 3 " " " " "