Published by the
United Postal Stationery Society
Harold M. Stral, Publications Manager
In pencil on card
a. bust only 1500.00†
b. complete design 1500.00†
Above with one page holograph letter signed
George F. Nesbitt, Aug 27, 1857 to the Third Assistant PMG “Herewith you will
please receive these specimens sent in, in answer to my advertisement.” From White Collection, Siegel Auction, Mar
3-4, 1971.
Cut squares, horizontally laid
paper.
a. red on buff 500.00
Only two copies known (Per
Barkhausen’s notes in his copy of Thorp Catalog).
Note: issued envelopes on horizontally laid paper were Dies 1(A) and
5(E); 1861 reprints were Die 5(E) and are on vertically laid paper, therefore
above is none of these.
Comments from Gary Starkey:
“This
item is on horizontally laid paper identical to the paper of the first
envelopes. The paper does not seem to
be any special paper but is buff, which was not used for the first envelopes. Die 3 is known with the Nesbitt seal (rare)
so was in production before the first envelopes were issued.
The stamp
is heavily embossed but the color is not uniform from top to bottom. The color appears like many other embossings
of the Nesbitt issues in that the color is weak on the bottom. This is likely a result of the high-speed
production of the embossing/printing.
The type
of the outer rim and engine work is Type 2 of Die 3, the ‘K’ die. But the head is similar to Head #1, which
did not occur with this outer rim. No
envelopes have been reported with this combination and this combination is not
listed in Thorp or other catalogs.
Finally,
there are red ink specks on the reverse of the item, which indicates that this
item was laid on top of another similar item, which was just printed. The ink of the item on the bottom was not
entirely dry and some of it transferred to the back of the item on top.
Based on all of the above, the item
is believed to be printer’s waste. The
printers were likely testing the embossing/printing equipment and put a Head #1
with Type 2 rim and ran several pieces of paper through to test the printing,
the machinery, etc. They would then
have destroyed this paper, per contract.
But somehow this item made its way to the collectors.”
Similar to Die 6, but four
heavy strands make up the braided side ornaments (rather than three as on issued envelope) and the labels
are not marked off as in the issued stamp.
Stamp in upper right corner of large pieces of horizontally laid paper;
watermark 1. One or two copies of each item known, as indicated below.
a. green on white (75x43 mm) 500.00
(75x43 mm) with tape mounting stains on
top and bottom,
(28x32 mm ex-Brazer1)
with horizontal crease through middle of vignette, “NH” on back, no watermark
b. green on buff (70x65 mm) 500.00
with tape stains on top, side and bottom,
small tear to right of stamp
c. violet-brown on buff (64x75 mm) 500.00
(64x75 mm) with tape stains on top and
bottom,
(28x30 mm ex-Brazer) with
“NH” on back, die cut through paper on lower, inner oval, no watermark
d. red on buff 500.00
e. violet brown on white, no watermark 500.00
(27x31 mm) with “NH” on back, die cut
through paper on lower, inner oval, ex-Brazer
f. red on white 500.00
(28x31 mm
ex-Brazer) with “NH” on back, die cut through paper on lower, inner oval
1 ex-Brazer items from Greg Manning Auctions,
Apr 11, 1991
Postmaster General comments on essay:
Post Office Department Finance
Office, 23rd Dec, 1852
Sir,
The
Postmaster General is of the opinion that the impression of the head of
Washington on the specimen envelope presented by you today are not sufficiently
plain and bold. The figure does not
come out sufficiently, nor does it present the likeness of Washington with
characteristic force. These defects in
the die must be remedied, and approved specimen must be sent here before a
precise or specific order will be given for the envelopes…
J Marron. Third
Asst. PM Genl
ex-White (130% actual size)
1857 (Aug. 15)
George F. Nesbitt & Co.
Both obverse and reverse side by side, 3¼ x 2 inches (80x50 mm) card, no watermark.
a. gold on white card 3000.00†
Originally with George F. Nesbitt letter to Hon. John Marron, Third Assistant P.M.Gen., Aug 14th, 1857:
“As per understanding, I called at the United States Mint yesterday, but did not see Mr. Snowdin; he had left the city to be gone several days. I saw his representative who introduced me to the Chief Die Sinker – Mr. Longfield. Mr. Longfield informed me that there was no head of Washington at the Mint that he thought suitable for the purpose, nor could he tell me of any one capable of producing what I required. He thought that the death of Mr. C. C. Wright had left a vacancy in that branch of art not easily filled.
Mr. Longfield recommended the enclosed as a suitable mark for the Three Cent Envelopes and suggested that if it was used he would like credit for originating the idea - I told him I would forward the card and his remarks to you.
I shall make all diligent exertion to procure a head that will please, and will inform you as early as possible how I progress.
Very Respectfully, George F. Nesbitt”
Front and back of
1854 3¢ coin
The design is of a six-pointed star enclosing a shield with seven horizontal lines on top and 10 vertical lines on the bottom. Below the star is the year of issue and surrounding the star is “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The back is a “C” enclosing the Roman numeral III with a branch above and three arrows wrapped in a ribbon below. (The last two items left off the essay as with coins produced from 1851 to 1853.) The “C” is surrounded by 14 stars.