Post by I.L.S. on Aug 18, 2013 13:11:46 GMT
Here is a Scott #35 {Type V.}on a cover from 1855 that I recently acquired in a small lot that I purchased.
An interesting note on this design from the USPCS website:
An interesting note on this design from the USPCS website:
The Act of March 3, 1855, stated that effective April 1, 1855, the rate for letters conveyed a distance of 300 miles or greater would be changed from 6¢ to 10¢ per 1/2 oz. The short time span from passage to institution of the bill resulted in the immediate need for a 10¢ U.S. stamp for mail to and from the west coast of the United States. Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co., the Company who had in 1851 been awarded the contract for producing U.S. stamps, was immediately told to prepare 10¢ stamps for design and production. The design chosen for the 10¢ stamp was not perfect. In fact, it was not symmetrical. Upon examination (see image below), one can see that the top and bottom of the design is not horizontal resulting in the design being higher on the right side and lower on the left side.
Below is a schematic to illustrate the uneven frame.
