Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-14

NJ Harris from the X OK T1ver
THE. FLAG TO. APPEAR
ON POSTAGE STAMPS.
TIE Se,ss Tvvo-Ceut STAMPS Z. &"
Benr yvashinEton.s Hortrnit
Drnped In Old Glory.
Patriotism of. the Fourth of July kind
will hereafter be mblazoned on the two
cent stamps: and the cherished desires
OF patriotic Americans will; be realized.
: The new issue, has not yet been received
at the Richmond Postof1ce, but 1T is ex-
pected that they will make their app
pearance at the stamp window within the
next few days.
The Stars and Stripes and the portrait
of Washington will adorn this much-used
denomination OF postage The portrait
selected Isl the Gilbert Stuart which Is
probably the most familiar tozthe multi
iude. e
Concerning the entire series Of the new
postage stamps the Washington Star has
the following: 4 F. ~
For. the first time since 1869 and prac-
tically since the esta blishment Of the
United States postal system the people
will have the privilege of using pos
tagc stamp bearing, the flag OF the Repub-
lie, with the insurance Of the new series
Of the postage stamps now In progress
of printing.
."The stamp displaying prominently the
Stars and Stripes will be the 2-cent de-
nominations. but 1t will bear no resem-
bIance to the 2-cent stamp In use to-day.
Washington's portrait which has appear
ed upon the common letter postage stamp
since the beginning of the use of stamps,
except during the single year-1Ss9, when
the portrait ofWashington was displaced
to make room for wild and woody, wide
stacked. wood burning locomotive of the
Rocket" type. will again occupy the
position Of honor upon the label. but the
bust Of Washington SO long familiar to
the public, will disappear. probably for
ever.
1.-THE portrait Of washington. drawn
from Jean Antoine Houdons profile cast.
is abandoned to be succeeded by q. photo
graph direct from Gilbert Stuart's IA
nous painting, which now adorns the
National Capitol Building.
FIRST STAME5 ISSUED.
| '.rhe first postage stamps issued by
this. Government were the 5 and Decent
denominations. in 1S47, bearing protraits
of Franklin and Washington. respective
ly The Washington picture was Stuarts.
This portrait continued until $780, with
few exceptions: type Of the Houdon
cast appearing upon the scent value
portion Of the time. In 1870 the Stuart
photograph disappeaded entirely. being
superseded by Houdon's profile cast.
which has been used exclusively upon
the current letter postage denominauou
| up to the present time. Now. :stuart's
representation of the first President is
about to resume place it never should
have lost.
"Of course, the likeness Of washing
ton is the most important feature Of the
design upon the new stamp. but the
American fag-two flags, In fact-is con-
spicuous and inspiring. The photograph
occupies the central oval. Somewhat
smaller than the cal In the current
| stamp. Above this. In panel. ar the
| words, United States Of America and
| dra ped upon either side, occupying two
thirds the length Of the stamp. arc two
| flags, forming a background against
which the oval seems to rest Immediate
| ly beneath the bust OF Washington ap-
pears his name, and at the side in small
| figures the date Of Washington's birth
and death. 1732-1799.
WASHINGTON PORThx.-IC HosE44.
.orhe portrait Of Washington selected
by the Bureau of Engraving and Print
Ing for this stamp Is a magnificent one.
dnO@dIl CEltlC3 WHO nave OS6if{ per u1ILtSO
to view the model Of the stamp declare
| 1t to be the finest thing OF the kind ever
produced. There is a. nobility and majes-
| ty Of expression upon the features Of
the Father of His Country" that COM
nands attention and induces patriotic
exhilaration akin to. hlial affection.
"Philatelists-stam expertsassert that
this new 2-cent stamp. with Its superb
picture OF Washington. its sdraped flags.
~0 V<... -.
corners OF the design with the general
/ BALANCE OF the text and art effects. re-
gether with the superior excellence OF the
mechanical work upon, the die, will be the
finest specimen OF a postage stamp ever
produced anywhere. I;
st may be recalled that last winter
when the. order for the new series OF
stamps was given that the Postofice De-
parttnent made special request OF the
1 Bureau OF Engraving and Printing that
i the latter do its level best. OF words to
that effect. In the production of this new
series. with q view to make It not only
series with a view to make 1t not only
distinctive. but sample OF american
craftsmanship. It was even suggested
that its was hoped that at least an high q
standard as that attained in the famous
two-colored Pan-American or Buffalo
4 series OF stamps. said to- have been the
most beautiful set OF stamps ever en-
1 grayed, might be reached. which was the
diplomatic way OF saying that the Pan.
i American series must be surpassed
Models for four stamps for the new
series have thus far been Completed 1.-The
lie, "a 8. and q cents. All OF the designs
4 are distinctive and OF rare artistic
I merit. but the 2-csnt with Warrington
4 facing instead OF profile and it's display
j 5of .old Glory. 60 silly leads ali the rest