These stamps are twenty-four in number and were prepared by the Continental Bank Note Company, of New York, from designs selected in October, 1874." Elsewhere it is stated that the distribution to postmasters began December 11th, 1874. "The denominations are as follows, viz: 2 cents, 3 cents, 4 cents, 6 cents, 8 cents, 9 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 36 cents, 48 cents, 60 cents, 72 cents, 84 cents, 96 cents, $1.92 cents, $3, $6, $9, $12, $24, $36, $48 and $60. These denominations were found to be necessary, in order that payment might be made on any given quantity from one pound to one ton, at both the two and three cent rate, with the use of not to exceed five stamps in any transaction. No description of these stamps having been given in any official form. I may be pardoned for presenting herewith a detailed description of them, in order that it may be printed, and be permanently preserved in the records of the department." TWO CENTS TO TEN CENTS, inclusive, emblematical figure of America, looking to the right and modeled after Crawford's statue surmounting the dome of the capitol. The left hand rests on a shield, and holds a wreath; the right rests on a sword. The head is adorned with a head dress consisting of a coronet of stars, surmounted by an eagle's head and plumes. The background is horizontally lined and in parts diagonally also. The vignette stands in an arched frame, composed of vertical lines; and on either side of this frame, and at the top are slabs containing the inscriptions (the upper in colored letters on horizontally lined ground, the others in colorless block capitals, the sides upon vertically lined ground), "_Newspapers_" and "_Periodicals_" (at the sides), "_U. S. Postage_" (at top). At the bottom are shaded outline block letters, representing the value, which is also indicated by large outlined figures shaded on the face, in the upper corners, on foliated scrolls. The lower corners are ornamented with shields. The color of these stamps is black. TWELVE CENTS TO NINETY-SIX CENTS, inclusive. Vignette of Astraea or Justice, in niche, bordered by a colorless line curved at the top, holding in her right hand the balance, and resting with her left on a shield bearing the United States coat of arms. The figure is full robed, mailed and girdled as to the upper part and helmeted. Surmounting the helmet is an eagle with out-stretched wings on a background horizontally and diagonally lined. Figures representing values in shaded numerals on shields, in the upper corners; values also in sunken letters below, on solid labels bordered by a colorless and colored line, richly ornamented. Inscriptions, "_Newspapers_," "_Periodicals_," on side and at top in shaded outlined capitals on vertically lined ground. Color, pink.