History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America Part 27

Plate impression 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent velvet-brown, 2,900,000 issued.

2 cents " 2,484,500 "

3 " " 11,250,000 "

6 " " 4,105,000 "

7 " " 220,000 "

10 " " 1,291,500 "

12 " " 783,000 "

15 " " 663,000 "

24 " " 100,000 "

30 " " 456,500 "

90 " " 312,500 "

The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in depth, some specimens having a spotted appearance as if the ink did not work well.

WAR DEPARTMENT.

The oval containing the bust, the scrolls or labels and numerals are placed on a back ground of parallel vertical lines above and below, horizontal on the sides. In the upper corners "_U._" on the left, "_S._"

on the right. A curved solid label bordered by a cord, cuts off the upper corners and is inscribed on the left "_War_" on right "_Dept._" in the usual capitals. The lines of the sides are arranged to show the stripes of the flag. A s.h.i.+eld on each side above the scrolls or beneath the labels.

Plate impression 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent cochineal red, 3,301,230 issued.

2 cents " 1,867,160 "

3 " " 5,393,137 "

6 " " 3,584,813 "

7 " " 55,728 "

10 " " 342,152 "

12 " " 792,070 "

15 " " 284,960 "

24 " " 201,025 "

30 " " 336,641 "

90 " " 48,172 "

The shades of these stamps vary somewhat in intensity, some being much lighter and some darker than ordinary.

NAVY DEPARTMENT.

The ovals containing the busts, the labels or scrolls and large numerals are placed on a ground of vertical parallel lines. A large, six-pointed star in each upper corner, and a smaller one on each side. A cable runs round the sides and top. The words "_Navy_" on the left and "_Dept._" on the right in the usual capitals across the upper corners and a losenge with "_U._" on the left and "_S._" on the right shaded in the lower corners and placed diagonally above the scrolls or below the labels.

Plate impression 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent, ultramarine-blue, 106,800 issued.

2 cents " 201,300 "

3 " " 580,700 "

6 " " 234,800 "

7 " " 16,000 "

10 " " 55,210 "

12 " " 61,300 "

15 " " 37,500 "

24 " " 26,000 "

30 " " 29,600 "

90 " " 11,270 "

POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.

The oval as before stated contains a large numeral of value instead of the head with the word "_Official_" above and "_Stamp_" below, on a plain colorless ground. Same labels or scrolls and numerals rather smaller below as in the stamps of other departments, with small circular disks bearing "_U._" and "_S._" on the left and right above the scrolls or under the labels. In the 1, 6, 10, 30 and 90 cents these small disks are shaded by vertical lines, in the other values by diagonal lines, and the letters are filled with horizontal lines. Around the top of the oval a solid colored label bordered by colorless lines and inscribed "_Post Office Department_." There is a small circle with four horizontal lines, and shaded outside in each upper corner, all on a ground of parallel vertical lines.

Plate impression 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent black, 1,114,250 issued.

2 cents " 894,600 "

3 " " 6,479,700 "

6 " " 3,306,800 "

10 " " 182,450 "

12 " " 298,780 "

15 " " 109,285 "

24 " " 87,625 "

30 " " 133,255 "

90 " " 65,200 "

Two complete series of these stamps may be found, the one on white paper, the other having the surface tinted with the ink of the stamp, also intermediate or partly tinted specimens, showing that the tinting probably results from imperfect wiping of the plates.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

The ovals containing the heads, the scrolls, labels and large numerals are placed on a ground of vertically ruled lines, crossed in parts to form heavy shadows and showing stripes at the sides, small s.h.i.+elds above the ends of the scrolls and below the ends of the labels, bearing the "_U._" and "_S._" lined and shaded. A large, six-pointed star in the upper corners. A broad, colorless band doubly curved and following in part the outline of the oval above, inscribed in lined and shaded Roman capitals, "_Dept. of the Interior_."

Plate impression 19 by 25 mm., in color, on white paper, perforated 12.

1 cent vermilion, 394,800 issued.

2 cents " 1,414,400 "

3 " " 5,255,300 "

6 " " 1,722,500 "

10 " " 284,550 "

12 " " 359,850 "

15 " " 257,100 "

24 " " 134,125 "

30 " " 138,300 "

90 " " 64,377 "

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

The ovals containing the heads, bands, scrolls and large numerals are placed on a ground of vertically ruled lines. Six pointed stars with the letters "_U._" and "_S._" above the ends of the scrolls or under the ends of the labels. Diagonally in small capitals in the upper left corner, "_Dept._" in the right "_of_" and in larger capitals following the line of the oval, "_Justice_" all in outline Roman capitals heavily shaded, on the ground without bands. The oval, stars, scrolls, etc., are also heavily shaded.