The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
THE FLAG STAMP IS TO GO,
PUBLIC RIDICULE TIE CAUSE
OF ITS WITHDRAWAL.

Washingt0n's Rubicund Nose Especially
Provoked Satire-The New 2-Csnt
Stamp tn Show . shield-Gen. Sher-
man Ousted From the Postal Gallery.
WARRINGTON, Oct. lO.-The flag stamp,
which has been in use for about six months
and is the first and only stamp of the kind
ever issued by this Government, will very
soon be superseded by new design which
will be known as the shield stamp.
Prior to the issuance of the current series
Of stamps, known as the series of 1902 and
brought out at the close of last year, there
was q demand from stamp collectors and
the general public that the flag should have
prominent place upon the two cent stamp.
When the current stamp was issued it was
believed that 1t would sat isfy this demand.
The design showed Stuarts portrait OF
Warrington In the centre with a draped
nag on either side. The name Washing
ton appeared beneath the bust, together
with the date OF the birth and death OF Wash
inRton, these features being entirely new
In stampdom.
Almost from the first many newspapers
condemned the design and letters poured
in criticising adversely and IN satirical vein
the new stamp. Some critics said that it
was an insult to the intelligence of the
American people to print the name of tho
first President beneath his portrait upon a
postage stamp. Others said the lettering
was 30 small that it could not be read. and
suQeested that q magnifying glass accom-
pany each stamp.
Then number OF critics declared that tho
portrait gave Washington the nose OF topper.
Al a matter OF fact. the reddish appear
ance OF the nose and cheeks is due to the cir
cumstance that the inferior ink fills up tho
fine lines on the plate. In the die proof
of the design this does not appear; the shad-
ing IL perfect, and what the critics COM
planned OF a. evidences Of inebriety on the
part OF Washington were not apparent.
As a result Of the condemnation OF the
stamp the Postmaster General determined
to get out another design. and gave in
structions to the artists at the Bureau OF
Engraving and Printing to prepare another
sketch. The artists worked upon the
proposition for months, submitting first
this and then that feature in the effort to
produce q design that would meet popular
approval. They hope now that they have
succeeded. 1t is expected that the new
stamps will be on sale about Nov. 1.
The new design is. as usual. said by phila-
telists and stamp experts to be the finest
ever produced anywhere 1t combines
rare artistic conception with simplicity and
strength.
The central figure is Warrington, OF tho
Stuart type. similar in general way to
the portrait upon the stamp now In Use.
The lines OF the engraving are, however.
not quite % close together. and the bureau
experts assert that in regular use the red
ink will not be 80 apt to fill up the shading
and produce the effects that have made
the current stamp Objectionable.
The frame or background OF the design
is shield the lower portion OF which has
been fiattened so as to permit It's conform
ing to the outlines Of the stamp. The lower
corners are very slightly rounded, and in
the centre Of tho bottom may be seen the
point Of the shield.
The upper third OF the design comprises
the blue field with stars IN white. Instead
OF thirteen stars there are only four fully
visible, although three points Of as many
stars may be seen peeping out from behind
the letters: united States Of America
The blue field is cut Off by means of
NOrlLOnVal HIS dJ uDOut WIG wy Va WASH
ington's head; and the vertical bars. three
on either side shaded so as to depict red
and white, comprise the remainder OF the
design.
The figures 20 appear in relatively the
same position as in the current stamp. The
." at the right Is encircled by wreath OF
laurel leaves, while the wreath on the left
is composed OF oak leaves, laurel repre-
sentinp peace and harmony, while the oak
leaves symbolic strength and vigor.
Previous to the issue of the current stamp
six months ago, Washington's face in pro-
file, as depicted by Houdon, had appeared
on the stamp for thirty-two years; in fact.
all the portraits upon the stamps, from
one cent to 90 cents, had been profiles.
Third Assistant Postmaster General Mad
den. who directly has charge of the stamp
division, conceived the idea that a full
or nearly full facing view Of the subject
would be preferable to the side view. Ac-
cordingly. in preparing the designs for tho
new series every face was turned about ont
quarter 80 that in the new series one views
the subject face to face. In the majority
Of cases the change has worked an in-
proyement, although it is questionable
if as fine bust Of Washington, for the pur-
poses of a postage stamp, will ever he
found as that of Houdon, recently ahan-
doned.
At the time OF the bringing out Of the
| designs for the series Of 1902 II was decided
| to place the portrait Of Martha Washing
| ton upon one Of the denominations, The
question was: Whom should she superseded
Finally it was decided to remove Gen.
| Sherman from the eight cent stamp and
give the place to her, putting the portrait Of
Sherman upon the reply postal card. After
working upon the proposition for six months
| it has been found impossible to design
postal card that is satisfactory, so tho
old Grant reply card will be continued.
So Martha Washington remains, and Gen.
| Sherman is lost in the shuttle and dsap-
pears from the postal gallery.