The national Republican., 1861-04-06
Proposals for Postage Stamps.

Posi- OFFICE DRPARrRy1, March q, 1861
DROPOSALS will be received until IL, H., Of 3Oth April
next for furnishing Postage stamps OF tho general style
and description Of those use suitable papor Of the
best qualify for torn Of six years. commencing arst July
Bidders will state tho price per thousand stamps deliver
able in packages Of ton thousand each at the Post ooo De-
Also the price psr thousand in similar packages deliver
able to the agent Of the department at the place Of
Also, the price por thousand delivered in larger pack
ages as required either at the Department pa:s
Also the price per thousand in such quantities
as may be daily ordered for the post Offices
less than two hundred stamps and securely packed In tin
cases. suitable bnders board boxes with muslin or other
equally strong covers lined envelopes according 10 the
quantity and distance 10 be conveyed may be required
by the Department stating tho difference II any between
tue cost Of delivery agent at the place Of
and at Washington D. C. All such packages before mail.
ing TO be rseSaninOd and the stamps re.counted b.
Bidders will give tho additional cost for directing pack
ages for the nails and preparing blank receipts under
direction OF agent OF the Department either the De.
partmcn Or mandatory.
Proposals be made fer the stampa in sheets per.
fecty gunmcd, and perforated Ia such that each
separate stamp can be readily detached and used.
The denominations Of stamps in use are ono cent
three CENTS I've CENTS ten cents twelve CENTS twenty
cents thirty cents and ninety cents The heads Wash
ngton and Franklin be preserved US the leading dc.
signs the former all the stamps except those of one
thirty cents which arc 10 be the head of Frank
lin On all Of the stamps tho denomination must bic given
distinctly, In figures as well letters and the whole work
must be executed in the best style OF line engraving
The whole number Of postage stamps furnished the
Department during the year ending the 9Oh June $780,
2l6 ,3Io6e0
From past experience Is supposed that tho number Of
packages mailed will average above two hundred daily
rying In size from two Sheets 200 stamps up 10 500
Sheets 900 stamps but by far the larger proportion
OF packages contain not more than 20 sheets or 1000
stamps.
Laun bid Ia to be accompanied with specimen Of the
style OF engraving aud the quality or paper to be furnished
which will be submitted 10 board Of disnteresed experts
or artists for examination and the accepted bidder
the final consummaton OF contract will be REQUIRED u
prepare designs and furnish proof impressions Of the en-
Cravings of the several denominations oi stamps.
Specimens Of board and tin boxes aud lined envelopes
must bo submitted with each bid 1t Is necessary tC
protect the boxes by muslin other covers in the mos,
ectua manner against wet and abrasion The contract vii
require all dies and plates TO be prepared and kept in re
pair aud that dies and plates shall be made either fo
the present denominations OF stamps Uthers, without
charge at the pleasure o the Department and all such dies
and plates TO bv the property u the United States for The
| service Of the Post Office Department.
No bids will be considered except parties who have
been actually engaged In the business Of copperplate aud
steel engraving aud printing and thus engaged tbs
time Of bidding, and who arc occupying suitable IRE
premscs and provided with all the necessary faCtes tc
execute the work promptly and give tho requisite pro,ec
hon to the stamps, dies aud plates, In their possession
Parties known the DSpartl will furnish proof al
| 70 these points with their bids.
In awarding tho contract Postmaster General
the right oi deciding which bid IN III practical resu
be most 10 the interest Of the Department having
TO the style oil the work. security, mode packing &C.
Proposals should be carefully scaled and marked" Propo
sails for Postage Samps and addressed the Third As
Sstant Postmaster General" n. BLAIR,
| mar 2e-lawlw Postmaster General.