FOOTNOTES:

No.Paper.Knife.Size.Dimensions.Gum.Remarks.Var. 1.157B23139 × 83U158B23" "GVar. 2.159B23139 × 83U160B23" "GVar. 3.161B23139 × 83U162B23" "G163B53" "GVar. 4.164B23139 × 83U165B53" "U166B53" "GVar. 5.167B23139 × 83U168B23" "G169B53" "GVar. 6.170B23139 × 83U171B23" "G172B53" "U173B53" "G174B93" "U175B93" "GVar. 7.175aB23139 × 83U176B53" "U177B53" "GVar. 8.178B23139 × 83UVar. 9.179B23139 × 83U180B53" "U181Y.B.53" "U182Or23" "UWove paper, no wmk.183L.Or53" "U" " "Var. 10.184Or113139 × 83GVar. 11.185B113139 × 83GVar. 12.186B113139 × 83G

THREE CENTS, RED.

No.Paper.Knife.Size.Dimensions.Gum.Remarks.Var. 1.187W72137 × 77G188W82" "G189B82" "G190W23139 × 83G191B23" "GVar. 2.192W72137 × 77G193B72" "G194W82" "G195B82" "G196W23139 × 83G197B23" "GVar. 3.198W61118 × 65G199W11120 × 73G200W23139 × 83G201B23" "GVar. 4.202B72137 × 77G203W82" "G204B82" "G205W23139 × 83G206B23" "GVar. 5.207W23139 × 83G208B23" "GVar. 6.209W23139 × 83G210B23" "GVar. 7.211W61118 × 65G212W11120 × 73G213W72137 × 77G214B72" "G215W23139 × 83G216B23" "GVar. 8.217W72137 × 77G218B72" "G219W82" "G220B82" "G221W23139 × 83G222B23" "GVar. 9.223W72137 × 77G224B72" "G225W82" "G226B82" "G227W23139 × 83G228B23" "G

FOUR CENTS, RED AND BLUE.

No.Paper.Knife.Size.Dimensions.Gum.Remarks.Var. 1.229W93139 × 83GVar. 3 of 1c. and 8 of 3c.230B93" "G" " "Var. 2.231W23139 × 83GVar. 4 of 1c. and 4 of 3c.232B23" "G" " "Var. 3.233W23139 × 83GVar. 6 of 1c. and 8 of 3c.234B23" "G" " "Var. 4.235W82137 × 77GVar. 8 of 1c. and 1 of 3c236B82" "G" " "Var. 5.237W82137 × 77GVar. 10 of 1c. and 8 of 3c.238B23139 × 83G" " "

SIX CENTS, RED.

No.Paper.Knife.Size.Dimensions.Gum.Remarks.239W37221 × 98G240B37" "G

TEN CENTS, GREEN.

No.Paper.Knife.Size.Dimensions.Gum.Remarks.241W23139 × 83G242B23" "G

WRAPPERS.ONE CENT, BLUE.

No.Paper.[E]Dimensions.Horizon'lyor Vertic'lyLaid.Dist'ce ofst'p fromEdge.Remarks.Var. 3.243S.B.148 × 225H35244S.B." "V35245S.B." "H35Unwatermarked.246A.B.151 × 257H35"247Y.B.148 × 225H35248Y.B." "V35249Or151 × 257H36Unwatermarked.250Or" "V36"251Or" "Wove36"Var. 4.252B148 × 232V38253Y.B.152 × 257V120253aC.M." "V120Var. 5.254B148 × 227H39Var. 6.255B148 × 227H39256B" "V39257C.M." "H68-71258Y.B." "H33-37259Y.B." "V33260W" "V38Very rare. Butone copy known.Var. 7.261Y.B.151 × 227H35262Y.B." "V35263C.M." "H71Var. 8.264B148 × 227H39Var. 9.265C.M.148 × 225H68-71266C.M." "Wove71Unwatermarked.267B" "H39268B" "V39269B" "V70270Or[HW: 180 × 260]44Unwatermarked.270aOr180 × 260H48"Var. 10.271C.M.148 × 225Var. 12.272B148 × 225

FOOTNOTES:[D]The Knives, Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are those of the list in theCatalogue for Advanced Collectorsand are not referred to in the National Society's list.[E]The abbreviations used to designate the papers are: W—white; B—buff; A.B—Amber-buff; S.B—salmon-buff; Y.B—yellow-buff; Or.—orange and C.M—coarse manila.

[D]The Knives, Nos. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are those of the list in theCatalogue for Advanced Collectorsand are not referred to in the National Society's list.

[E]The abbreviations used to designate the papers are: W—white; B—buff; A.B—Amber-buff; S.B—salmon-buff; Y.B—yellow-buff; Or.—orange and C.M—coarse manila.

In the report of the Postmaster-General for the fiscal year 1861, it is stated that the three, six and ten cent dies would be changed, and the new ones were issued August 15th, 1861. They remained in use till September, 1864. Another important change was the abolishing of the former ten cents, or California, rate which took place shortly after July 1st, 1863.

In addition to these new dies, the Post Office introduced the following new denominations: i.e. 12, 20, 24 and 40 cents. These latter appear on large sized envelopes, known to the cataloguers as Knives 14—Size 7, "Official," 19—Size 8, "Extra Official," and 20—Size 8, "Extra Official." The 1861 report says that the large envelopes were intended for the purpose of mailing large packages and for foreign correspondence. The total issue amounted to 20,000.

Head of Washington facing to left. Inscriptions in outline, block letters. "United States" above: "Three Cents" below, separated on each side by a small circle containing a colorless numeral of value.

The die is an oval measuring in

Die A:—23 mm. or less in width.Die B:—23 1/2 mm. or more in width.Die A includes varieties 1 to 7.Die B includes varieties 8 to 17.

As in former issues, the engraver has presented the collector with various heads which differ in the arrangement of the hair but, as in addition to these minor details the lettering of the various dies is a far more essential feature, it has not been thought necessary to reproduce the heads.

To find the main varieties the following system, based on line prolongation, has been adopted:

Draw a straight line along the outer vertical stroke of the final "E" of "THREE" and note its position with regard to letters "D," "S" and "T" of " UNITED STATES." This establishes four main groups or classes.

Class I.—The line runs to the left of "S" of STATES.Class II.—The line passes through "S."Class III.—The line touches the upper bar of "T" to left.Class IV.—The line runs through centre of "T" or beyond it.

I, II, III, IVI, II, III, IV

The varieties of this die are, furthermore, plainly differentiated by the size of the letters used for the inscription. There are three sizes:—very tall letters, medium size, and decidedly small letters.

Even a cursory observation reveals various shapes of the letter "C" of "CENTS," and "D" of "UNITED." Likewise, the spacing between the words and the distance from the words to the circles containing the numerals of value vary considerably.

Formerly the existence of a broken circle at the side was chronicled as one of the most noteworthy varieties, but this feature is of little value. The philatelist may, however, be interested to hear the opinion of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert and Rechert: "We have concluded that only two varieties are worthy of a place in our list. The others, though existing, are too minute to interest the average collector."

The above statement only proves that Horace is right when he assures us "Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus." Now and then the best experts are asleep! In the writer's opinion all the varieties of the three cents rose cannot fail to interest the collector, and no two can be singled out as being of more or less importance.

By using a 10 mm. unit distance measurement, we detect numerous other varieties, of which some are shown in the subjoined diagram.

10 mm diagram

We are now prepared to study the several varieties of Dies A and B.

DIE A.Class II.

Die A 1, 2, 3

Variety 1:—Elongated "C" without dot in centre. The lettering is large. Wide, open "U." "NITE" widely spaced, especially "TE." "ED" near. "U" far from "3." "DS" near. "S" of "STATES" near "3." "T" of "THREE" far from "3." "HR" wide. "RE" wide at top. "NT" wide at base. "S" large and far from "3." Uncommon on white, very rare on buff.Variety 2:—Open, short "U." Large, wide open "C." Small lettering. Wide, open "U," and far from "3." "NITE" widely spaced. "TAT" well spaced at top. "S" near "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." "EC" wide. "C" of "CENTS" is tall, well rounded, and its ends are far apart. "S" of "CENTS" far from "3." Found on white and buff paper, quite rare.

Variety 2:—Open, short "U." Large, wide open "C." Small lettering. Wide, open "U," and far from "3." "NITE" widely spaced. "TAT" well spaced at top. "S" near "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." "EC" wide. "C" of "CENTS" is tall, well rounded, and its ends are far apart. "S" of "CENTS" far from "3." Found on white and buff paper, quite rare.

Class III.

Variety 3:—Smallest letters; "S" of "CENTS" not so near as in Var. 4. "U" very small, contracted at top, and far from "3." "UNITE" evenly spaced; "ED" wide at top and "D" in an almost vertical position. "DS" wide. "TA" of "STATES" wide at top. "T" of "THREE" near "3." "EC" wide. "C" small and wide open. "C" far from "E." "TS" close at top. Common on both papers.

4, 5, 6

Variety 4:—Similar to variety 3. "S" of "STATES" nearer circle. The lettering of this variety is like that of Variety 3, but "U" of "UNITED" is nearer "3" and "S" of "CENTS" close to "3." Note also that the top stroke of the "T" of "THREE" is shorter on the left than on the right. Found only on buff, but quite common.

Class IV.

Variety 5:—"U" very near circle. Rather small letters. Space between bars of "U" narrow. "NI" wide at top. "DS" near. Final "S" of "STATES" near "3." "T" of "THREE" very far from "3." "C" small, open and end poorly rounded. "EC" wide. "S" of "CENTS" far from "3." Perhaps the rarest of all the varieties.Variety 6:—"C" large, well formed, and far from "E." Similar to Variety 5. "U" further from "3," more open, and larger than in Variety 5. "C" well rounded and large. "S" of "STATES" large.

Variety 6:—"C" large, well formed, and far from "E." Similar to Variety 5. "U" further from "3," more open, and larger than in Variety 5. "C" well rounded and large. "S" of "STATES" large.

Variety 7:—Elongated "C" with dot in centre. Large lettering. "U" nearly horizontal and near "3." This variety has several characteristic features. 1st:—"TS" of "CENTS" is very widely spaced at base; 2nd:—"C" of "CENTS" is tall, straight and oval shaped. 3rd:—The left cross stroke of "T" of "THREE" is very short, and the letter is out of proportion to those of the rest of the inscription. "EE" of "THREE" widely spaced. "D" is large and slants decidedly to the left. "DS" close. Final "S" of "STATES" near "3." "EC" wide. "S" of "CENTS" far from "3."

DIE B.

Excepting perhaps numbers 9 and 14, the lettering of the varieties of this class is generally large.

Class I.

Variety 8:—Widest space between "S" of "CENTS" and circle. "U" narrow and tall, and in a nearly horizontal position; first bar much thicker than the second. "D" of "UNITED" well rounded at top. "DS" near. "S" in vertical position. Wide distance at base of letters "TE" of "STATES." "ES" close, and "S" near "3." "T" of "THREE" has a long crossbar and is far from "3." "HR" widely spaced, but "R" and "E," as well as "T" and "S" almost touch at top. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" is large, oval and open.

Class II.

9, 10

Variety 9:—Circular "C." Smallest lettering in Die B, "U" near circle. "U" small, short and near "3." "TE" almost joined at top. "DS" close. "STATES" spaced closely, and final "S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" slender and far from "3." "HR" wide. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" small, almost circular, and its end-curves close together. "S" far from "3." There is often a white dot over the centre of "R" of "THREE."Variety 10:—"U" nearly touches circle. Medium large lettering. "U" very close to "3;" it is long and wide open. "NT" widely spaced. "DS" wide at top. "T" of "THREE" far from "3." "RE" widely spaced. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" round with a wide space between the end-curves. Wide space between "C" and "E." "S" far from "3." "ENTS" appear smaller than the other letters.

Variety 10:—"U" nearly touches circle. Medium large lettering. "U" very close to "3;" it is long and wide open. "NT" widely spaced. "DS" wide at top. "T" of "THREE" far from "3." "RE" widely spaced. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" round with a wide space between the end-curves. Wide space between "C" and "E." "S" far from "3." "ENTS" appear smaller than the other letters.

11, 12

Variety 11:—"EC" very wide; "U" rather small. Large lettering. "U" narrow and far from "3." "D" of "UNITED" large and rounded, and "ED" close. "DS" close. Note in "STATES" wide space between "T" and "E." "ES" close at base. "S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." "HRE" well spaced. "C" of "CENTS" round; top curve, short. "S" near "3."Variety 12:—"U" far from circle. Large, round "C" close to "E." Large lettering. Second bar of "U" thinner than first. "UNIT" closely spaced; "ED" wide at top. "DS" near. "ST" of "STATES" close. The entire word "STATES" is very closely spaced. "S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." Note that "RE" are close at top. "EE" close. "N" is unusually broad. "TS" almost touch. "S" far from "3."

Variety 12:—"U" far from circle. Large, round "C" close to "E." Large lettering. Second bar of "U" thinner than first. "UNIT" closely spaced; "ED" wide at top. "DS" near. "ST" of "STATES" close. The entire word "STATES" is very closely spaced. "S" far from "3." "T" of "THREE" near "3." Note that "RE" are close at top. "EE" close. "N" is unusually broad. "TS" almost touch. "S" far from "3."

Variety 13:—There is generally a dot under right circle. Large lettering. "U" near "3" "UNITED" closely spaced. "DS" near. "STATES" is also closely spaced. "S" near "3." "T" of "THREE" short and near "3," and "TH" wide at base. "REE" well spaced. "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" elongated, tipped to the left, and its end curves wide apart. "CE" well spaced, but "ENTS" close. "S" near "3." There is frequently a dot after "S" of "CENTS." Found on white and buff.

Class III.

Variety 14:—"U" very far from circle. Small letters. "U" of "UNITED" small and contracted. "UNITED" is closely spaced, but "ED" is wide at top. "DS" near. Excepting "ST" the rest of "STATES" is also closely spaced. "S" near "3." "T" of "THREE" close to "3." "TH" near. "HREE" well spaced. "C" of "CENTS" is small and its curves short. "S" far from "3."

Class IV.

Variety 15:—"S" of "STATES" very far from circle. "U" near circle. "UNI" close. "T" has a long top stroke and "TED" wide at top. "DS" near. "S" large; "AT" spaced, and base of "E" short. "T" of "THREE" small and near "3." "TH" wide. "RE" close at top, "EC" near. "C" of "CENTS" is tall and its end-curves wide apart. "CE" wide. "S" near "3."

16, 17

Variety 16:—Largest "C." "RE" and "TS" joined. Large lettering. This variety has a wide color margin both above the upper inscription and below the lower one. "UNITED" close. "DS" near. "STATES" close. "S" close to "3." "T" near "3." "RE" nearly joined at top. "EC" near. "C" large, broad and the lower curve considerably longer than the upper one. "CE" close. "TS" touch at top. "S" far from "3."Variety 17:—Large square "D." "C" far from "E." "U" is close to "3," "U" contracted. "UNITED" close and "TE" touch at top. Note that "D" is nearly square. "DS" near. "STATES" close. "T" near "3." "HR" well spaced. "C" rather small and far from "E." "NTS" close; "TS" touch. "S" near.

Variety 17:—Large square "D." "C" far from "E." "U" is close to "3," "U" contracted. "UNITED" close and "TE" touch at top. Note that "D" is nearly square. "DS" near. "STATES" close. "T" near "3." "HR" well spaced. "C" rather small and far from "E." "NTS" close; "TS" touch. "S" near.

The subjoined tables are added merely to aid the collector in recognizing the different varieties:

LETTERING.

Very small:—Varieties 3, 4.Medium:—Varieties 5, 6, 9, 14.Large:—Varieties 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17.Very large:—Varieties 1, 12, 16.

DISTANCE FROM "U" TO LEFT CIRCLE.

1) Close:—Varieties 5, 10.2) Medium:—Varieties 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17.3) Far:— Varieties 1, 2, 3, 12, 14.Varieties 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 17 are found on Knife 2 only.

The design of the SIX CENTS is very similar to the last one, but the numerals at sides are in ovals. The lettering is also in outline block capitals. No varieties of this die exist.

In the beginning of the year 1861, Nesbitt produced new dies of the 12, 20, 24 and 40 cents values, and later, in August, the 10 cents. No varieties of these dies exist. The design consists of an horizontal oval, 27-1/2 × 25 mm. showing the bust of Washington in an upright, colored oval, surrounded by a broad, colorless band 3-1/2 mm. wide, inscribed in colored block capitals, with the value above and "U. S. POSTAGE" below. At each side is a circle with colored numerals. The ornaments above and below the circles consist of branches with seven leaves each.

With the exception of the Ten Cents, the new stamps are bi-colored: i.e.

12 cents: brown and red.20 " blue and red.24 " green and red.40 " black and red.

Envelopes.

THREE CENTS, ROSE.

No.Class.Die.Paper.Knife.Size.Dimensions.Remarks.Var. 1.2732AB72137 × 77274""W23139 × 83275"""113"276""B113"Var. 2.2772AW23139 × 83277a2AB23"Var. 3.2783AW11120 × 73279""W23139 × 83280""B23"Var. 4.2813AB23139 × 83Var. 5.2824AW23139 × 83283""B23"Var. 6.2844AW23139 × 83285""B23"Var. 7.2864AW23139 × 83287""B23"Var. 8.2881BW11120 × 73289""W11"Wove paper, no wmk.290""W101122 × 76291""B72137 × 77292""W23139 × 83293""W23"No wmk.294""B23"295""Or.23"296""W53"297""B53"298""W93"299""B93"300""W125160 × 90301""W125"No wmk.302""B125"303""B125"No wmk.304""Or.125"" "Var. 9.3052BW23139 × 83306""B23"307""W93"Var. 10.3082BW61118 × 65309""W11120 × 73310""W72137 × 77311""B72"312""W23139 × 83313""B23"314""W53"315""B53"316""B125160 × 90Var. 11.3172BW23139 × 83318""B23"319""B93"320""W125160 × 90321""B125"Var. 12.3222BW61118 × 65323""W11120 × 73324""W101122 × 76325""W23139 × 83326""B23"326a""W53"Var. 13.3272BB3[HW: 3]137 × 77327a""W2[HW: 3]139 × 83328""B23"329""B93"Var. 14.3303BW61118 × 65331""W11120 × 73332""W72137 × 77333""W23139 × 83334""B23"Var. 15.3354BB23139 × 83336""W93"337""B93"Var. 16.3384BW72137 × 77339""W23139 × 83340""B23"341""W93"342""B93"Var. 17.3434BW23139 × 83344""B23"

SIX CENTS, ROSE.

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