Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-02-21
NEW POSTAGE STAMPS.


They VIII Mako Their Appearance on
Washlngton's Blrshday-To BE Some.
what Smaller In Sixe-The Reurs and
Elves to Contain Pictures Of Lincoln
and Grant-Stamps That Arc value-
less.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Postnaster Gem
eral Wanamaker to-day promulgates circu-
lar letter to postmasters relative to the new
series of postage stamps which are to be
placed on sale in all first-class postofices.
He says:
1.-THE department has had in contemplation
for nearly year past q full revision of the
designs and styles of postage stamps used in
payment of postage on matter passing through
the mails. The subject was necessarily de-
layed to await an impending change OF the
contract for furnishing adhesive stamps,
through which the standards might be fixed.
The new contract was executed in November
and the work Of designing and engraving was
Immediately begun. All nsedful prepare
lions having been completed, the new stamps
will be issued at once and they will be placed
on sale at the principal postofices on Satur-
day, the 22d inst. The issue of the new
four and Ave cent stamps will be delayed for
| q short period on account of the difficulty ex-
psrienced in producing acceptable portraits
of Lincoln and Grant. Meanwhile the de-
psrtment will continue to furnish four and
| i've cent stamps of the old style.
"The stamps remaining in postoffices must
be sold and postmasters must not made
acquisitions for the new stamps 60 long "a
they may have sufficient supply of stamps
of tho old style. The old stamps must not
be returned to the department. for exchange
or redemption. Postmasters must not ex-
change or redeem stamps of the old style re-
naming in the hands of the public. The
stamps of tho styles now in use will continue
to be recognised equally with those of the
new issue in payment of postage.
"The stamps of past issues which are still
valid consist of three styles and are known
as the series of 1861, 1869 and 1870, 1espec
lively. Tho two issues Of stamps made be-
fore the war of the rebellion and designated
as the series of 1847 and 1851 were long since
stamps of the latter issue are believed
to be still obtained, and they must not be ac
cepted by postmasters In payment of postage
Matter bearing these stamps, If offered, mus
be treated as held for postage. There vii
bs no changes In tho current special deliv
cry, postage due, or newspaper and period
, cal stamps, neither will the stamps on tn
. stamped envelopes or on the letter sheet or
| vslopes be changed, for the present .
!. least. No specimens of present or pas
issues are furnished directly by the depar
, msnt."
. The new series comprises the same d,
nominations as the series in present use
! meet existing rates of postage. The stamI
! differ somewhat In form from those in III
= and are one-eighth smaller in size.
The designs contain the personages OF grei
I eminence in American history. The poi
: traits are Ia medallion with heavily shade
. background and set In an ornamental fran
containing the words and figures expressi,
Ct the object and value of the stamps. II
stamps are printed in suitable and attrsoti'
colors from engraved steel plates.
The one-cent stamp contains profile blu
. after Rubricht of Benjamin franklin, printe
in ultramarine blue. On the two-cent STAN
1t is profile bust after Houdon of Georl
= Washington looking to tho left on an ov
\. disc, printed in carmine. The three ee
stamp contains profile bust after Powers
u Andrew Jackson on an oval disc, printed
1t purple. The four cent stamp contains pc
y trait of Abraham Lincoln after photogral
=, from life, thres-quarters face, looking to s!
- right The color IL chocolate. On Il
"a a fve-cent stamp Is portautt OF Gener
a Grant, after q photograph from life, thre
- quarters face, looking to the right, col
70 light brown. The six-csnt denominatis
!, !. photograph from life, thrse-quartsrs fac
- The color of this stamp has not been full
- determined upon. The ten-oent stamps CO
=. tain q portrait OF Daniel Webster after ph
70 tograph from life, thrse-quarters face, loo
y ing to left, color milori green. The hftee
y. cent denomination has q portrait Of Hen
- Clay after photograph. Tho color is de
"' blue. On the thirty-cent stamp il prof
. bust of Thomas Jefferson after Cerraccl
- color black. The ninesy-cent dsnominati
o. contains profile of Commodore o. b. PERI
% The whole series is designed and print
" " by the American Bank Note company nnt
70 the direction and supervision of Third !
i; sistant Postmaster General Hazsn. 7
- | ndmber of stamps ordered of the issue agg
az az gates nearly A, 00O0, 900. representing SIS
Sa 1924.