mm. From end of upper right point of "C" to top of left

stroke of "O" of "ONE" is 5 mm.

Variety 5:--"PO" of "POSTAGE" wide; "OS" and "AGE" near lower frame line: "GE" near. "ONE": "NE" wide. Distance between "ONE" and "CENT" widest. Sometimes a spot under left star and also in central oval at back of head. A rare die. "O" to "U": 8 mm. "C" to "E": 5 mm. _falls considerably outside_ "E".

Variety 6:--DISTANCE BETWEEN "S" of "U. S." and "P" of "POSTAGE" wide. "ONE": "NE" wide, and the latter tipped to right. "POSTAGE": "PO" wide: "TE" wide at foot: "GE" close. There is often a comma after the "S" of "POSTAGE", and a dot above the head in the central oval under the "N" of "ONE". "O" to "U": 7-1/4 mm. "C" to "E": 5 mm. is barely outside "E". 10 mm. from "U" falls at centre of "N". " " " "T" touches middle of lower bar of "E". This die is found greatly worn, especially in the wrappers.

Variety 7:--"U" AND "S" close. This is the only die in which back of bust nearly touches inner frame line. "E" of "ONE" equidistant from oval lines. "ONE": "NE" far apart. "POSTAGE": "PO" wide; "ST" wide at foot: "AGE" close. "O" to "U": 8 mm. "C" to "E": 5 mm. 10 mm, from "T" touches "E" to the left; " " " "U" touches "N" " " " "N" touches middle of top stroke of "E" of "ONE".

Variety 8:--Similar to the last, but _back of bust is some distance from inner oval line_. "POSTAGE": "TAGE" closely spaced and near outer frame line. 10 mm, from "T" strikes one-half mm. into the lower bar of "E". " " " "U" falls between "O" and "N". " " " "N" touches "E". 5-1/2 mm. strikes "E". "O" to "U": 8-1/2 mm. There is a dot under the left star, and sometimes, also, one above it.

BUST POINTS AT A.

BASE LINE OF BUST CUTS LEFT BAR OF A.

Variety 9:--Back of bust opposite first bar of "U". "S" of "U. S." and "P" of "POSTAGE" very close. "U. S." widely spaced. "POSTAGE": "OS" close to lower frame line. 10 mm. from "U" touches "N".

POINT OF BUST BETWEEN A AND G. Oval 20 × 24 mm.

Variety 10:--Back and front of bust cut into inner frame line.

NO PERIOD AFTER POSTAGE. Oval 21 × 25 mm.

BUST POINTS BETWEEN A AND G.

Variety 11:--Back of bust opposite second bar of "U". Base of bust nearly touches inner frame line, and entire bust low in frame. "CENT": "C" much nearer "E". "POSTAGE" close to outer frame line.

BUST POINTS AT G.

Variety 12:--Same as last, but back of bust far from inner frame line, and entire bust lower in frame. "CENT": "C" much nearer "E". "POSTAGE": "POST" close to inner frame line.

NEWSPAPER WRAPPERS.

By the Act of Feb. 27th, 1861, Chap. LVII, Sec. 2, the Postmaster-General was authorized "to adopt such improvements as may be deemed advisable from time to time in connection with postage stamps or stamped envelopes for letters or newspapers." Under authority of this Act the Postmaster decided to introduce one cent wrappers and they were first issued in October, 1861. By the Act of March 3, 1863, the rate for transient newspapers was changed to two cents, and accordingly, the Post Office issued what is known as the "two cent, Jackson", newspaper wrapper.

* * * * *

Collectors have often complained that the wrappers of this issue are troublesome. This is largely due to the fact that no one has undertaken the task of compiling a complete list of the fairly numerous varieties in existence. Again, the various tints of paper used in this issue have justly caused a good deal of confusion. The catalogues distinguished between coarse and yellow buff, salmon, pale buff and amber buff, pale and dark manila, but it is safe to assume that no two collectors would agree in regard to color. It seems reasonable to distinguish between buff, salmon buff (a pinkish yellow) and yellow buff, while the manila paper used for the one cent wrappers may properly be called coarse manila.

To give the philatelist a broader hold on this issue and a better insight, Mr. J. M. Bartels, together with the writer, has made a thorough study of the one cent wrapper, and the result of their united labor is embodied in the list which will follow this series of articles.

For the identification of a wrapper of this issue it is well to observe the following method:

Note whether the paper is horizontally or vertically laid; Whether or not the wrapper has a watermark;

Measure the distance between the top of the stamp and the horizontal edge of the wrapper; it will be found that this distance varies from 35 to 120 mm. and constitutes a valuable help for differentiation and identification of a wrapper;

Note the dimensions of the wrapper which may be:

148 × 225 to 227 mm. 151 × 227 mm. 148 × 257 mm. 151 × 257 mm.

In the absence of a watermark the paper may be either wove or laid. A noteworthy innovation in this issue is the introduction of orange paper used both for envelopes and wrappers.

The one cent wrapper has also been found on a somewhat coarse, white paper, of which the writer has seen a single copy, contained in the magnificent collection of Mr. G. H. Worthington, of Cleveland, Ohio, but, as far as known, the white paper was not issued with the sanction of the Post Office authorities.

An envelope on white paper, of a somewhat similar texture to the wrapper spoken of above, was in the collection of Mr. Van Derlip, of Boston, but, it is impossible to trace its present whereabouts, and, therefore, I have no means of ascertaining the die.

THREE CENTS: RED.

HEAD OF WASHINGTON TO LEFT. A SMALL UPRIGHT OVAL MEASURING 20 × 24 MM. "THREE CENTS" ABOVE; "U. S. POSTAGE" BELOW.

At each side is a six-rayed star between the inscriptions.

NINE VARIETIES.

It has already been mentioned that the new die was issued in accordance with the action of the 36th Congress, and that this stamp is also used to form a compound value with the one cent die.

The collector of entire envelopes finds in this issue two new shapes, knives 6 and 7, of which the former was supposed to supply the needs of the gentler portion of humanity, and is officially known as "Ladies' Note Size," while knife 7 is styled "Medium Letter" and is for commercial correspondence. These envelopes have "patent lines."

With the exception of variety 8, which measures 24-1/2 mm., the vertical dimension of the die is 24 mm. The several varieties may be grouped by observing the position of the back of the bust with relation to the letters "G" and "E" of "POSTAGE."

GROUP I.--Back of bust points at "G." (Vars. 1 to 7.) GROUP II.--Back of bust points between "G" and E." (Var. 8.) GROUP III.--Back of bust points almost at "E." (Var. 9.)

For the specialist the writer recommends the use of a 10 mm. unit distance measurement to be applied as follows:

Measure 10 mm. from the top of the highest ray of the left star towards the top of "P" of "POSTAGE." This measurement assists in the identification of varieties 1 and 3. Another measurement may be taken from the left end of the horizontal cross stroke of "N" of "CENTS" towards the "E" of "THREE," and reveals the different spacings between the latter and "CENTS."

BACK OF BUST POINTS AT "G."

Variety 1:--"PO" close. "AGE" widely spaced. Note that the distance between "T" and the left star is further in Var. 1 than in Var. 2 or 3. "C" of "CENTS" near "E." Width of "U. S." at top 4-1/2 mm.

Variety 2:--An additional period close to the upper end of "S." "O" further from "P." "S" nearer "T" than in Var. 1. "U. S." wider than in Var. 1, measuring 5 mm. across the top. "CE" of "CENTS" wide.

Variety 3:--"PO" spaced as in Var. 2, and "U. S." as in Var. 1; but "PO" and "TA" are spaced wider than in Var. 1.

Variety 4:--"O" far from "P." "S" of "POSTAGE" almost touches inner frame line. "AGE" near.

Variety 5:--"PO" close, but "OS" very wide. "AGE" wide.

Variety 6:--"ST" very widely spaced; "OS" wide; "AGE" near.

Variety 7:--"A" of "POSTAGE" has no bar; "PO" near; "OS" wide.

BACK OF BUST BETWEEN "G" AND "E."

Variety 8:--This is the largest die of the series. Its vertical measurement is 24-1/2 mm. "PO" close; "ST" close; "AGE" widely spaced.

BACK OF BUST POINTS ALMOST AT "E."

Variety 9:--"POSTAGE" short and lettering very close. 10 mm. measured from the top of "P," reaches "E."

PROOF SET.

It may be of interest to collectors of entire envelopes to mention that a set of envelopes has been catalogued under the supposition that they were regularly issued, but they are now generally believed to be proofs. They are all buff paper and are Var. 8. The following knives and sizes exist:[D]

S. 3, Knife 3, 221 × 97 mm. Official. S. 7, " 13, 224 × 96 mm. " S. 8, " 14, 241 × 100 mm. Extra Official. S. 8, " 15, 249 × 104 mm. " " S. 8, " 16, 260 × 110 mm. " " S. 8, " 17. 271 × 118 mm. " "

Letter sheets on blue and white paper with this die are essays or trial printings.

FOUR CENTS.

ONE CENT BLUE (FRANKLIN) AND THREE CENTS RED (WASHINGTON).

The reason for the issue of this, the only compound stamp of the U. S. Post Office, has already been stated in the introduction to the one cent. The two stamps were impressed side by side, the one cent to the left and the three cents to the right. The Department issued two sizes of these rather scarce compounds, officially called size 2 and 3. Of the first there exists but one knife, i.e. knife 8 (137 × 77 mm), and of the second two knives, i.e. knives 2 and 9, both measuring 139 × 83