History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America Part 10

And also with the vertical line about 3 mm. from the stamp, all the corners normal, a heavy line terminating the ground between the rosettes on the right, both the triangles on the right connected with the blocks next them, and an extra vertical line in the upper right triangle, which would be C^2 f^{1 2 3 4} K^2 S^{2 4} U^2, which will serve to show the character of the combinations in which these varieties may be found.

Varieties showing the dot, E to I, generally present other varieties also. The following combinations may be noted:

With the bottom line double, or rather split, three of the triangles have fine connecting lines, c^3 c^4 S^{2 3 4}.

With the right side prolonged, and continuous with the side line of the stamp above or below, j^2 or j^4.

With the right side line prolonged upwards, and continuous with the lower, but not with the upper stamp and a second line 1 mm.

to left from stamp to stamp, J^2.

With the extra line outside the frame line on right and near it, all the other parts being normal, the line of the ground work not appearing as a separate line, k^2.

With an extra line outside the frame line on right and near it, a heavy line from rosette to rosette on the right, giving the appearance of three parallel lines on that side, a similar line from rosette to rosette on the left, and a fine line from the upper right triangle to block, k^2 K^{2 1} S^2.

With the same arrangement, but the heavy line on the right of ground extends to the top of the upper triangle, there is a fine line to the block, k^2 K^1 N^2 S^2.

With an extra line outside the frame line on the right but further from it. The left line touches the rosette, and is very near the upper left block. The upper triangles both have the extra vertical line, and the right triangles both have the fine line connecting them with the adjacent block, l^2 h^1 U^{1 2} S^{2 4}.

With the right frame line split into two parts in its lower half. The upper right triangle has the extra vertical line, and the fine line to upper block, n^2 U^2 S^2.

With the extra line outside the left frame line, and a distinct line between the left rosettes, the right line near the corner blocks, k^1 K^1 h^{2 4}.

With the same peculiarities, but frame line touches the lower left corner, k^1 K^1 h^2 i^4.

With two extra lines outside the left frame line, and a heavy line between the left rosettes, so that the stamp appears to have four lines on that side. The right frame line runs from block to block, touching both triangles and rosettes. There is a dot in the lower right corner, and another to the left of it, p^1 S^1 i^{2 4} E^4 F^4.

With the extra line on the left very light, and a heavier one outside, and the ground does not appear to end in a line, m^1.

With the extra line on the left the usual thickness, and the frame line heavier. The right frame line touches all the parts on that side, l^1 i^{2 4}.

With the frame line on the left split into two parts from the level of the chin up, the inner touches the rosette, the triangle and almost touches the block. The right frame line is split into two parts in the lower half. Both the right triangles have the finer line, and the upper the extra vertical line, q^1 i^2 n^2 U^{2 4} S^4.

With the extra outside line from level of lips to the upper rosette. All four triangles are connected with the blocks, the upper right and lower left have the extra vertical line, r^1 U^{1 2 3 4} S^{3 4}.

With extra outside line from level of the lips to the level of the center of the rosette. The frame line is too near the top on the left, the upper right triangle is connected with the block, and has the extra vertical line, the lower right triangle is also connected with the block, s^1 h^1 S^{2 4} U^2.

With the extra left line from the level of the nose to the top of the rosette, the upper right triangle connected with the upper block, and with extra vertical line, t^1 S^2 U^2.

With the extra line on the left from the level of the breast to the top of the rosette, the frame line is too near the upper left corner, and an extra vertical line in all the triangles, u^1 i^1 U^{1 2 3 4}.

With the extra line on the left opposite the bottom rosette only. The two upper triangles are connected with the blocks, and an extra line in the upper right one, v^1 S^{1 2} U^2.

With the left frame line heavy, and too near to the bottom block, a split runs off to left half way down. Both sides appear to have a heavy line from rosette to rosette, but the left one is irregular, all the triangles are connected with the adjoining blocks, and all except the lower right one have the extra vertical line, h^3 n^1 S^{1 2 3 4} U^{1 2 3} K^{1 2}.

In the above descriptions, no mention has been made of those parts that are in their proper ordinary position.

These varieties are the leading ones, and are probably more than enough to show the combinations. Less conspicuous ones are numberless. Owing to the scarcity of adhering specimens, and the uncertainty as to how many plates were actually employed, no attempt has been made to reconstruct any plate. It is perhaps necessary to repeat that the collection of any, except perhaps the more marked varieties, is not advocated.

The color of these stamps varies wonderfully, every shade from pale to dark, with yellowish vermilion, pink, red, and carmine may be found.

Some are undoubtedly changelings from accidental causes, particularly those that run from brown and black brown, to an almost jet black, which were at one time much sought after.

UNPERFORATED FIVE CENTS.

The stamps are about 1 mm. apart each way on the sheet. All have the projection at the top and bottom. Double and triple adhering specimens may be found, but are rare. The imprint is on the sides, 1 mm. from the stamps. No specimens have been found with vertical lines.

The color is generally dark, either a chestnut brown, or with a stronger reddish cast.

UNPERFORATED TEN CENTS.

The stamps are 2 mm. apart each way on the sheet. The imprint is at about 1 mm. from the side rows. The few specimens with the vertical lines examined, show it at 3 mm. from the stamps. The color is a yellow-green, of which dark and light impressions may readily be found.

A block of four used, adhering 2 and 2, is possessed by Mr. Sterling.

UNPERFORATED TWELVE CENTS.

The stamps are 1 mm. apart each way on the sheet. The vertical line 2 mm. from the stamps. No specimens with the imprint have come under the notice of the author. The color is very uniform, slightly greyish-black.

Adhering specimens are rare. A pair adhering by the sides, used, and a block of four unused, are in Mr. Sterlings' collection, and the curious specimens divided diagonally, on the original letters, in the same collection, have already been mentioned.

UNPERFORATED TWENTY-FOUR CENTS.

The imprint is at the side, 1 mm. from the stamp. The stamps are 2 mm.

apart. The rarity of specimens has prevented further examination. The color of the specimens seen is lilac, with the reddish cast.

ONE CENT "CARRIER," (FRANKLIN.)

This stamp was never issued perforated. The imprint is 4 mm. from the side rows, and the stamps are about 1 mm. apart.

ONE CENT "CARRIER," (EAGLE.)

This stamp was never issued perforated, and any specimens so catalogued will be found to be the reprints. The printer's imprint is at the bottom or top of the four centre rows in the sheet. As the Department is accustomed to call the half sheets issued "sheets," it is often difficult to know which is meant. It has been stated that there are only 100 stamps on the plate. The imprint is 4 mm. from the stamps, and the places where the stamps are to be cut apart are indicated by single lines ruled horizontally and vertically.

XIX.

THE ISSUE OF 1857.

Without any change in the law, and, so far as is known, without any announcement of the improvement, on the 24th of February, 1857, the three cent value of the type of 1851 was issued perforated, and the other values of the series speedily followed with the perforation, and so remained without addition until the middle of 1860.

ISSUE OF 1857.