The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States Envelopes Part 13

OVAL 20 x 24 MM.

This die, which was in use from October, 1860, to August 15, 1861, presents us with a new head, which was retained for the next higher denomination, the ten cents, green. Why the head used for the three cents was abandoned by the die maker we do not know. The princ.i.p.al new feature is a very short heavy front-lock which ends far from the ear-lobe. In addition to the front-lock there are three long cl.u.s.ters of hair in the front and four in the rear, of which the two lowest reach into the queue. From the middle of the side-lock extends the wedge-shaped lowest front-lock. It slants but a little distance across the ear-lobe. A long straight lock, made up of three strands, runs from the ear-lobe into the queue. The size of this envelope is "Official" or No. 7, measuring 221 x 98 mm. It is found both on white and buff paper and is very rare.

TEN CENTS: GREEN.

HEAD OF WASHINGTON; SIX RAYED STARS FOR SIDE ORNAMENTS.

OVAL 20 x 24 MM.

Envelopes bearing the ten cent die were issued from October, 1860, to August 15, 1861. As has already been stated the head is the same as that of the preceding die, but the envelope is different. It is the common knife 2, or "Full Letter," measuring 139 x 83 mm. The paper is white or buff. Of the two, the former is the rarer.

Before taking up the next issue it may be well to remind the collector that the three cents, six cents and ten cents have been reprinted, not on entire envelopes, but on pieces of paper vertically laid, while the originals are on diagonally laid paper.

A REFERENCE LIST OF ENTIRE ENVELOPES AND WRAPPERS OF THE SERIES OF 1860.

ENVELOPES.

ONE CENT, BLUE.

No. Paper. Knife. Size. Dimensions. Gum. Remarks.

VAR. 1.

157 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 158 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 2.

159 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 160 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 3.

161 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 162 B 2 3 " " G 163 B 5 3 " " G

VAR. 4.

164 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 165 B 5 3 " " U 166 B 5 3 " " G

VAR. 5.

167 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 168 B 2 3 " " G 169 B 5 3 " " G

VAR. 6.

170 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 171 B 2 3 " " G 172 B 5 3 " " U 173 B 5 3 " " G 174 B 9 3 " " U 175 B 9 3 " " G

VAR. 7.

175a B 2 3 139 x 83 U 176 B 5 3 " " U 177 B 5 3 " " G

VAR. 8.

178 B 2 3 139 x 83 U

VAR. 9.

179 B 2 3 139 x 83 U 180 B 5 3 " " U 181 Y.B. 5 3 " " U 182 Or 2 3 " " U Wove paper, no wmk.

183 L.Or 5 3 " " U " " "

VAR. 10.

184 Or 11 3 139 x 83 G

VAR. 11.

185 B 11 3 139 x 83 G

VAR. 12.

186 B 11 3 139 x 83 G

THREE CENTS, RED.

VAR. 1.

187 W 7 2 137 x 77 G 188 W 8 2 " " G 189 B 8 2 " " G 190 W 2 3 139 x 83 G 191 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 2.

192 W 7 2 137 x 77 G 193 B 7 2 " " G 194 W 8 2 " " G 195 B 8 2 " " G 196 W 2 3 139 x 83 G 197 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 3.

198 W 6 1 118 x 65 G 199 W 1 1 120 x 73 G 200 W 2 3 139 x 83 G 201 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 4.

202 B 7 2 137 x 77 G 203 W 8 2 " " G 204 B 8 2 " " G 205 W 2 3 139 x 83 G 206 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 5.

207 W 2 3 139 x 83 G 208 B 2 3 " " G

VAR. 6.

209 W 2 3 139 x 83 G 210 B 2 3 " " G