The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States Envelopes — John Shaqi
The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States EnvelopesBerthold, Victor Maximilian
History
The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States Envelopes
Berthold, Victor Maximilian
Postage stamps -- United States
A considerable margin between top of letters "S. POS" and the outer
frame line. "PO" close. "GE" wide at top. Centre line touches "O" to
right and passes through the curves of "C" of "CENTS." Numerals in
ovals do not touch. Distance between "O" of "TWO" "and "C" of "CENTS"
wide. "C" low. Nose near left oval.
VARIETY 6 (22 × 25-3/4 mm.).
Back of head close to right oval.
The entire inscription in the upper label is close to the inner frame
line and the letters are spaced closely. "U. S." is spaced closer than
in any other variety. Point of bust almost touches the frame line.
Distance between "O" of "TWO" and "C" of "CENTS" near. "CE" very close.
"S" near right oval. Nose near left oval.
CLASS V.
[Illustration]
VARIETY 7 (22-1/2 × 25 mm.).
Bust points between "W" and "O."
"U. S." widely spaced. "OS" on level. "GE" close. "T" of "TWO" far from
left oval. "OC" wide. "C" well under the point, and far from "E."
"CENTS" well spaced, and "S" far from right oval.
DIE B.
CLASS IV.
[Illustration]
VARIETY 8 (21-1/2 × 25 mm.).
In the numerals of value the end stroke does not curve back, but slants
sharply from the downstroke.
"S" of "U. S." and "P" of "POSTAGE" are spaced closely. "O" to left of
point. Top of "S" is a little above "O" and "T." Distance between "O"
of "TWO" and "C" of "CENTS" very wide. "C" by far the lowest letter.
The hair projects beyond the forehead, and the nose is near left oval.
This issue adds no new shapes of envelopes, only two knives are used,
and they are No. 2 and 11, both known as "Full Letter," Size 3,
measuring 139 × 83 mm. It has already been stated that the wrappers
bearing the design of Dies A. and B. were issued in accordance with the
Act of March 3, 1863, which changed the rate of postage for "transient
newspaper" to two cents. Shortly after their issue the Post Office was
informed that the wrapper, as issued with a marginal coating, infringed
the patent issued to L. P. Mara, and that the inventor would assert his
rights. We do not know what step the Department took to allay the ire
of the famous patentee, but we do know that the issue of newspaper
wrappers was suspended for about six months, to commence anew in April
1865.
Of more interest to the collector is the paper of these wrappers which,
generally speaking, is a rough manila, varying considerably in shade.
The width of the wrapper varies also from 148 to 152 mm., the length
from 227 to 230 mm., while the stamp is from 62 to 72 mm from the
gummed top of the wrapper.
DIES INSCRIBED "U. S. POST."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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