The stamps are 1 mm. apart each way on the sheet. The vertical line 2½ mm. from the stamps. No specimens with the imprint have come under the notice of the author. The color is very uniform, slightly greyish-black. Adhering specimens are rare. A pair adhering by the sides, used, and a block of four unused, are in Mr. Sterlings' collection, and the curious specimens divided diagonally, on the original letters, in the same collection, have already been mentioned.
The imprint is at the side, 1¾ mm. from the stamp. The stamps are 2 mm. apart. The rarity of specimens has prevented further examination. The color of the specimens seen is lilac, with the reddish cast.
This stamp was never issued perforated. The imprint is 4 mm. from the side rows, and the stamps are about 1 mm. apart.
This stamp was never issued perforated, and any specimens so catalogued will be found to be the reprints. The printer's imprint is at the bottom or top of the four centre rows in the sheet. As the Department is accustomed to call the half sheets issued "sheets," it is often difficult to know which is meant. It has been stated that there are only 100 stamps on the plate. The imprint is 4 mm. from the stamps, and the places where the stamps are to be cut apart are indicated by single lines ruled horizontally and vertically.
Without any change in the law, and, so far as is known, without any announcement of the improvement, on the 24th of February, 1857, the three cent value of the type of 1851 was issued perforated, and the other values of the series speedily followed with the perforation, and so remained without addition until the middle of 1860.
Same values, types and colors as the prior issue, perforated with 15 holes in the space of two millimetres.
Plate impression, in color, on white paper, perforated 15.
1 cent, shades of indigo blue. 3 " " " red. 5 " " " brown. 10 " " " green. 12 " " " black.
The report of the Postmaster General, dated December 1st, 1860, states that:
"Larger denominations of postage stamps have been adopted and introduced, especially intended for the purpose of affording requisite facilities to prepay the postage on letters to foreign countries, and of removing all excuse heretofore existing for paying such postages in money. The new denominations are twenty-four cents, thirty cents and ninety cents. The two latter have been introduced since July 1st, last," i. e. since the commencement of the new fiscal year.