The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-26
POSTAGE STAMPS OF 1902.
The Especial Use for Which the New
13-Cent Stamp II Issued.
Boston TRANSCRIPT.

boston transcript.
As soon as the die proof of the first of the
new series of United States postage stamps
is approved by the postmaster general
plates will be made and the stamp issued
10 the public Its denomination is IL cents;
BenJamin Harrison occupies the center of
the field.
This will be the first 13-cent stamp ever
issued by the United States. Up to 1879 a
stamp OF the value of cents had been in
use ten years, but it was discontinued when
the rate of foreign postage was reduced TO
cents. The new Harrison stamp will be
little used in domestic mails. Its issuance
is the outgrowth of the increased foreign
registration service; covering as ii will the
postage and registration fee upon a letter
Weighing one-half ounce anywhere within
the limits of the postal union, which now
includes practically all of the organized ma
tons of the world
Stamp experts who have examined the
drawing for the new stamp say il will be
one OF the finest specimens of a postage
stamp ever produced, not excepting the IA
nous Columbian series, and the Pan-Ameri-
can set. In addition to the usual United
states of America" and Postage Thirteen
Cents. the inscription Series of 1902 to-
gether with Harrison" 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 Presidents favorite.
When the Postoffice Department ordered
this new series ii requested the treasurer
TO make special efforts to provide stamps
that should be not only distinctive but in
s
art in which the United States has become
famous. The Bureau of Engraving and
Printing has entered into the spirit of the
occasion and will produce the best work
OF which 1t is capable After the 13-cent
stamp will come the new 4-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 and Lincoln will
later nave place on the 5. There will be
something of shaking up in the postal
nj M fo han
completed: Commodore Perry, who has for
a score of years occupied the central oval
on the 81 stamp-rarely seen by the general
public-is to be superseded by Admiral
Farragut. Gen. William Tecumseh Sher-
man. who for many years has figured on
the scent stamp, disappears entirely from
the series His place Will be taken upon
the stamp of that denomination by Martha
Washington.
1t has been supposed by some persons
tnat Martina washington was the first
woman honored with a position upon a
United States postage stamp. 1t is re-
called, however, that the Columbian series
issued In commemoration of the worlds
1air, contained portrait of Queen Isabella
OF Spain, appearing beside that of Chris
TOPPER Columbus, on the 81 denomination
General Sherman. while he disappears
gotten. He succeeds to the place now
held by General Grant on the return postal
card.
The entire new series will probably he on
sale before the close of the present wear.
They will appear one at a time as the dies
are approved and the plates made 1t is
customary TO change series of postage
stamps every eight or ten years. The pres
ent set has performed service continuously
Tor twelve years, however. II is notable
that with all the changings and shiftings
or these honors, there is one sturdy figure
VINO occupies the same place on our most
age stamps that he did fifty-one years ago
when our first regular series was issued
and that is Benjamin Franklin, the foun,
DER, almost, OF the American postofflce.
never been disturbed in his occupancy of
the l-cent stamp. and should we come to
penny postage, which Is obviously hut a
question of time. the issue would arrive
whether Franklin should continue in his
place or whether II should go to the much
monumented Washington, whose relation
10 the postal establishment was much more
remote. Washington has thus far been
nearly as undisturbed as Franklin in oc-
cupying the popular stamp. In the series
or 1869 better known as the locomotive
set. from the primitive wood burning To-
connective, however. Washington was dis
placed by the locomotive appearing instead
on the scent stamp. In ISL. when the 10
comotlve' series was abandoned he re-
turned TO the Scent stamp, where he re-
manned until 1850. when the unit of domes-
tic postage was changed to cents
When the 13-cent stamp is issued there
VIII nave been but three eligible EXPIRES
place in the postal gallery of the Nation
during the last forty years-Johnson.
Hayes and Arthur. No living ex-President
Is, OF course, eligible. President McKin-
ley portrait now appears on the new pos
tai cards. 1t is understood that later a
placed on one of the principal denomina
lions of postage stamps