The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-09-28
A THIRTEEN CENT STAMP
The Especial Use for Which the New
Conner Is Issued.

AS soon as the die proof Of the first
OF the new series of United States pos
tage stamps is approved by the Post
InaSter-General plates will be made and
the stamp issued to the public. Its de-
nomination is IS cents: Benjamin Harri-
son occupies the center of the field.
This will be the first Is cent ever is
sued by the United States. Up to 1879
a stamp Of the value of I cents had been
in use ten years. but was discontinued
when the rate of foreign postage was re-
duced to cents. The new Harrison
stamp will be little used In domestic
mails. It's issuance is the outgrowth of
the increased foreign registration service:
covering as it will the postage and regis
tratfon fee upon letter weighing one
half ounce anywhere within the limits of
the Postal Union, which now includes
practically all the organized nations OF
the world.
Stamp experts who have examined the
drawing for the new stamp say 1t will be
one of the finest specimens Of a postage
stamp ever produced, not excepting the
famous Columbian series and the
Pan-American set. In addition to the
usual United States of America" and
Postage Thirteen Cents the inscription
Series Of 1902" together with ..Harri-
son, and figures giving the date of birth
and death appear upon the design. The
portrait was selected by Mrs. Harrison.
and is said to have been the late Presf
dents favorite
When the Postoffice Department or
oered this new series it requested the
treasury to make special efforts to pro-
vide stamps that should be not only dis
tinctlve, but indicative Of the progress In
the engraVer's art, In which the United
States has become famous The Bureau Of
Engraving and Printing has entered into
the spirit or the occasion and will produce
the best work of which it IS capa Bile.
After the thirteen-cent stamp will come
the new four-cent. This will not continue
to bear the familiar features OF President
Lincoln, but those of General Grant
These two presidents change places:
Grant appears on the four and Lincoln
VIII later have a place on the five There
VIII be something of a shaking, up in the
postal gallery of notables when this new
series IS completed. Commodore Perry
who has for a score of years occupied
the central oval on the one-dolar stamp
rarely seen by the general public-is to be
superseded by Admiral Farragut General
William Tecumseh Sherman, who for
many years has figured on the eight-cent
stamp. disappears entirely from the series.
His place will be taken upon the stamp OF
that denomination by Martha Washing
ton.
It has been supposed by some persons
that Martha Washington was the first
woman houored with a position upon a
United States postage stamp. It is re-
called. however, that the Columbian Sc
ries, issued in couremoration of the
Worlds Fair, contained a portrait of
Queen Isabella of Spain, appearing. be-
side that of Christopher Columbus, on
the four-dolar denomination. General
Sherman, While he disappears from ess
stamp series, is not wholly forgotten He
succeeds to the place now held by Cen
eral Grant on the return postal card
The entire new series will probably be |
IN sale before the close of the present |