Variety 27:--THE HORIZONTAL BAR OF THE FINAL STROKE OF "N" EXTENDS OVER THE TOP OF "T". Lower left curve fat and very far from "C". "CE" wide. Upper left curve much deeper than upper right curve, which is almost a straight line. "T" very short. "TH" wide at top, "HR" wider. Note that "R" stands to right of the centre of stamp and, also, the wide, colored space above the top of "THRE". "N" of "CENTS" is broad. Compare varieties 16 and 26. Variety 28:--"T" OF "THREE" IS LOW, SMALL AND HEAVY. "RE" nearest. "T" is near the inner oval line and much nearer to upper left curve than "E" to upper right curve. "TH" near, "H" and "E" at top about the same distance apart from "E", which is upright and close to outer frame line. "EE" near. Lower left curve short; lower right curve deep. "CE" on level and close. "EN" far. "N" short and thick and, at base, nearer "E" than "T". Compare variety 29. [Illustration] Variety 29:--"THR" SPACED CLOSEST. "T" of "THREE" slightly nearer the curve than "E" is to upper right curve. Upper curves are deep and well rounded. "TH" close. "C" of "CENTS" is heavy and close to the short, round curve. "NT" near and sometimes touching at top. "TS" wide and "S" far from curve. Lower right curve deep and well rounded. Note that the word "CENTS" is near the outer frame line. Compare variety 30 for "S" distance. Variety 30:--"C" NEAR OUTER FRAME LINE AND ON LEVEL WITH "E". "TH" very near and top of "T" close to curve. "RE" much wider at top than "HR". "EE" wide at top. Upper right curve much larger than upper left curve and much further from top than from base of "E". Lower curves short and round. "NT" wide at base. "TS" close at top and top of "S" close to curve. There is a colored dot, or circle, immediately above centre of the lower right curve. Note wide colored space above top of "R" and "E". Compare varieties 21 and 28. SIX CENTS, RED AND SIX CENTS, GREEN. Short labels with straight ends. 8-1/2 loops on the left; 9 loops on the right. The date of issue of the SIX CENTS red is generally placed about July 31st. 1853; that of its congener--but with color changed--sometime before Sept. 30th of the same year. As there has never been much demand for a six cent envelope, it is strange that this issue has four distinct heads of Washington, two forms of "SIX", small and large, and different spacings of the word "CENTS". Unlike the last issue, the die is exceedingly well printed, and it is not difficult to get fine copies. In Varieties 1 and 2 "SIX" is widely spaced: In Varieties 3 and 4 the spacing is closer. VARIETY 1. [Illustration] No description of the head is needed; it is HEAD I of Die 1 of 1853. "CE" very wide; "EN" wide; "NT" near at top and "S" is far from "T". VARIETY 2. [Illustration: XVI.]