Figure 1. Issued DesignBy 1861, the early kinks in long-distance international mail were working themselves out. Treaties had been negotiated with Great Britain, France, and Germany streamlining the carriage and accounting for mails transiting multiple jurisdictions. International trade was burgeoning. European colonialism was near or at its peak. The Far East was seeing more and more contact and trade with the West. Mail steamers were regularly plying most of the major seas, connecting with rail and other forms of transportation.
Domestically, at the same time as the country was (temporarily) being wrenched apart, settlers were moving West, taming much of the area from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean and filling the areas first explored by Louis and Clark some 50 years earlier. Mail communications between the east and west coasts, both business and personal, was increasing. Express companies supplemented and complemented the services provided by the Government. Mail agents and outposts were established in other countries to facilitate the handling of mails to and through the United States.
With this as a backdrop, the United States Government issued the 12 cent denomination of the issue of 1861. This, in itself, was an interesting decision. At the time of its issuance, and until January 1, 1868 when the basic 1/2 ounce rate between the United States and Great Britain was halved from 24 cents to 12 cents, there was no 12 cent single rate domestically or internationally.
The 12 cent stamp does, in fact, have much going for it as an object of study:
- The design of the stamp was the most changed between the submitted “August” essays and the issued stamp of all of the denominations in the series.
- The lack of an early 12 cent rate led to the 12 cent having the highest ratio of grilled stamps to ungrilled stamps issued.
- It is known to have been used to virtually every destination in the world, as well as used from a number of locations outside of the country.
- It is free of many of the minute production varieties, including color shades and plate defects, freeing the student of this issue to concentrate on the rates, routes, and usage’s of the stamp.
Postmaster Montgomery Blair advertised for bidders for the new postage stamp contract and, in early June 1861, the contract was awarded to the National Bank Note Company. As part of the contracting process, the firm was required to furnish “sheets, perfectly gummed and perforated.” Although the plates for these samples were produced in mid June 1861 and the samples submitted not long afterward, these samples are now known as the “August” designs, as it was believed by early scholars that these samples were the ones issued in August, 1861.
Figure 2. “August” EssayThere are no postally used examples of the 12 cent “August” design and therefore these “stamps” have now be reclassified as essays – preliminary designs for issued postage stamps. Between its submission in June/July and the issuance of the stamps in late August, the die for the stamp was reworked, adding ornaments in the four corners of the design, and small scrolls at the midpoints of the left and right sides of the design.
There are currently only 16 examples of the perforated August essay (see illustration), the lowest number known of any of the denominations. Unlike many of the other stamps of this issue, the differences between the submitted essays and the issued stamps are readily apparent. It is quite possible that the gummed and perforated essays of the other denominations were circulated as samples of the soon-to-be-released stamps, as they closely resemble the approved designs. Circulating the 12 cent August design as an example of the coming issue would do nothing but cause confusion upon its eventual appearance due to the significant design differences. Hence, the 12 cent August design was not released at the time, leading to very limited circulation and a very low number of remaining examples.
1. Two copies of a horizontal imprint at the top at the center of each pane
2. Two copies of a vertical imprint centered in the left and right sheet margins
3. Two copies of a 2-line imprint with plate number at the bottom in the center of each pane
Margin copies of the stamp showing any part of the imprints are rare, with few copies known. Each of the plates for the 1861 issue received plate numbers starting at plate number “1” and moving up through the numbers. All of the 12 cent stamps were printed from a plate numbered “16.”
Copies of the 12 cent 1861 are known with “Specimen” overprints, and with a 4-digit number overprint (see Figure 3). With regard to the 4-digit overprint, the 12 cent stamp received the numbers “4567.” The overprint numbers varied by stamp, shifting one digit as the denominations changed. For example, the 90 cent received number “1234;” the 30 cent “2345;” and so on, down to the 1 cent, which received number “9012.” As both the 2 cent Black Jack, (“8901”) and the 15 cent Lincoln (which was outside of the pattern with an overprint of “235”) were overprinted, it is likely that these overprints were applied after 1866, when the 15 cent stamp was issued, and before 1868, which saw the introduction of the grilled stamps. While the purpose of these overprints has not yet been determined, it is believed that one sheet of stamps of each denomination was so overprinted.
Multiples of the 12 cent issue are known. The largest known unused block of the stamp is a block of 9 with the “Z” grill and the largest known used block is a reconstructed revenue-usage block of 82 of the ungrilled stamp. The stamp can be found with black, red, blue, and other colored cancellations, and with foreign mail, and other “fancy” cancellations. However, its dark color and limited usage makes it less than ideal as a vehicle to study cancellations.
Brookman estimated that 7,314,000 copies of the ungrilled 12 cent denomination (Scott Catalog number 69) were issued between August 1861 and early 1868.
Of the seven recognized sizes and types of grills produced, only three can be found on the 12 cent issue:
- The “Z” grill (Scott Catalog number 85E), which is assumed to be the first production grill, measuring about 11 mm wide x 14 mm high and had 13-14 points across x 17-18 points vertically. The ridges across the top of the “Z” grill points were horizontal, as compared to the vertical ridges on all other grill patterns. It is estimated that 100,000 “Z” grill stamps were issued.
- The “E” grill (Scott Catalog number 90), measuring 11 mm x 12.5-14 mm or 14 points x 15-17 points. It is estimated that 1,000,000 “E” grill stamps were issued.
- The “F” grill (Scott Catalog number 95), measuring about 9 mm x 13-14 mm or 11-12 points x 15-17 points. It is estimated that 2,600,000 “F” grill stamps were issued.
After early 1868, as stocks of the 12 cent stamp were depleted in local post offices, they were replaced by copies with the then-current grill pattern.
With the reduction in the postage rate to Great Britain that also occurred at the beginning of 1868, the 12 cent stamp found wider usage. It is estimated that 3,700,000 grilled 12 cent stamps were used from early 1868 through the phasing out of the issue a year or two later. Although more individual copies of grilled 1 cent, 3 cent, and 10 cent stamps are known, the 12 cent grilled stamps accounted for around 33% of the total number of all 12 cent stamps; that is the highest percentage of grilled to ungrilled stamps of any denomination of the issue.
Figure 5. Cover between Banks in New York and Philadelphia showing payment of 4x the 3 cent rate per 1/2 ounce.
Figure 6. Cover within Washington Territory showing payment of 7x the 3 cent rate per 1/2 ounce.In addition to the basic postage rate for what would now be considered first class mail, other rates and services were available. Carrier services to the post office and local or drop postage rates of 1 or 2 cents (after Jan 1, 1863) could be used if the item was not being sent between post offices. Changes in regulations allowed stamps to be used for registration services and forwarding fees are additional domestic usage’s where the 12 cent stamp can be found, though these are less common (see illustrations):
As the 12 cent stamp saw somewhat limited use and remained in stock for years, especially in smaller post offices, it can also be found used in conjunction with later issues, including the 1869 pictorials and the 1870s Banknote issues.
International mail would be routed through one of the Exchange offices where rates were checked. A basic division of the paid postage between the US and the Foreign mail carriers performed, often with debits and credits noted on the covers; mail bags made up for the various transatlantic steamers and the mail and accompanying accounting documents dispatched to the docks in that or a nearby city. Most mail to other than North America would be sent on either a British or American contract steamer and would then be transferred to a foreign mail system for further delivery. Key carriers of the mail during this time included the British, French, and German mail systems.
Local postmasters could subscribe to publications, such as Appleton’s Post Office Assistant, which, on a monthly basis would provide comprehensive rate and route information to many of the world’s destinations. As an indication of the complexity facing postmasters (and mailers), one can look at the number of Mail Conventions in effect during the period.
A full discussion of rates, routes and usages is beyond the scope of this introduction, but anyone interested in the topic is advised to refer to such published works as Hargest and Starnes for descriptions of the treaties and rates. Such works are required to fully appreciate the movement of mails during this time.
During the 1860s, British mail steamers and mail routes extended virtually around the world. Mail to Europe, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa could be routed through the British Mail system. Mail would be sent to Liverpool or Southampton and then routed by British mail to the various destinations. Some destinations, such as those in Asia, had different routes, steamer from Southampton or overland via Marseilles being examples. Depending upon the routing, time could be saved, as the letter could be sent to catch an earlier mail steamer. Mailers would decide at the time of mailing the routing and then the requisite postal rate. If so designated, the post office would endeavor to send the letter by the chosen route. If not indicated, the exchange office would decide on the carrier and routing.
The postal first treaty with France was signed in 1857, facilitating delivery of mails to France and beyond. The basic postal rate was set at 15 cents per 1/4 ounce (actually, the U.S. used 1/4 ounce as the basic unit of measurement, and the French used 7 grams. This occasionally caused confusion, as a letter of exactly 1/4 ounce would qualify for a single U.S. rate, but require a double French rate (1/4 ounce = 7.09 grams):
- 3 cents retained by the U.S. for domestic postage
- 9 cents for transatlantic carriage to the French port
- 3 cents for local delivery in France
Mail would be sealed in bags at the exchange office, be sent either through England or directly to Harve, and then enter the French mails. As such, covers to France often will show a red (denoting credit) 12 cent marking, implying carriage on a non-US contract steamer, or a red 3, denoting carriage on a US contract steamer, with the US retaining both the domestic and transatlantic parts of the rates. Black exchange markings denote the opposite, that the amount is due from the other country.
Figure 12. January 19, 1866. Through Boston to Paris 12¢ and 3¢ adhesives paying the 15¢ single rate per quarter ounce to France. Sent in sealed pouch to New York for January 20th sailing of the American packet steamer Arago (New York & Havre Line). Arrived Havre February 3rd; Paris February 4th backstamp. 3¢ credit to France for internal delivery. Note that the Boston exchange office datestamp at the top was re-struck to correct omitted month.
Figure 13. April 13, 1866. Philadelphia to Palermo, Sicily 42¢ rate by French mail for letters weighing between 1/4 and 1/2 oz. 18/2 credit in red crayon signifying 18¢ credit to France for 2x 1/4 oz rate. Philadelphia April 13 exchange office cancellation. By Havre Line Fulton from New York on April 14, arriving Havre April 28. “April 28 Am. Pkt”. and boxed “PD” (Paid to Destination) French transit stamps. By French mail to Palermo with May 4 receiving back stamp. Philadelphia was named as an exchange office for mail to .During the period in question, much of the mail to and through Continental Europe passed through one or more of the German States. Until the German Confederation in 1871, Germany was composed of a number of semi-autonomous states covered by a number of postal rules and conventions. During the early period of this issue, mail was often carried under conventions signed with Bremen, Hamburg, and Prussia. In 1867, a convention was signed with the North German Union and as of January 1868, postal rates to the various German states were greatly simplified.
Figure 14. Prussian Closed Mail. Boston, through Portland, Liverpool, and Aachen, to Vienna. January 31, (1863). Patriotic cover from the Angell correspondence paying the 28¢ single rate. Red Boston exchange datestamp. Bagged and sent to Portland for the Jan. 31, 1863 sailing of the Allen line Hibernian arriving in Liverpool on February 11. Red boxed “Aachen 12 2 / Franco” Marked Franco (Paid) and sent by rail to Vienna. Black and red “WEIN / 14 II” (Vienna 14 Feb.) receiving marks on verso.
Figure 15. North German Union Mails – June 1, (1871) to Turkey. 12¢ grill on mourning cover through New York and Hamburg to Constantinople, Turkey by North German Union direct mail to German office in Constantinople. June 6 “New York 5” exchange mark; red “2Wf” for weiterfranco 2 silbergroschen meaning “paid beyond” (Germany). Germans credited themselves with the 2sg for that mail carriage. Black North German Post (NORDDEUTCHPOST) receiving mark on verso. Figure 16. February 17, 1863 from Honolulu, Hawaii, through San Francisco, to Davenport, Iowa. Red Honolulu “U.S. Postage Paid” handstamp indicating prepayment of 2 cent ship fee and 10 cent transcontinental rate. Orange San Francisco “Paid” transit datestamp and cog wheel cancellation. Carried on the February 17th voyage of the ship Yankeefrom Hawaii to San Francisco.
Figure 17. September 20, 1863. New Westminster, via Victoria and San Francisco, to Canada West Originated in New Westminster where sender affixed Vancouver 2 1/2d rose to pay local postage and paid US postage fees in cash as indicated by black oval “PAID” and red crayon “15.” US stamps affixed in Victoria over GPOBC datestamp and cancelled in transit in San Francisco on October 12, 1863. Black “Paris Station / NO 6 / 63” and “Dunnville / NO 7 / 1863 / UC” datestamps on verso.While mails during the 1860s were much smoother than in previous years, the West was, for the most part, still a sparsely populated and untamed region. Express companies filled the gaps between post offices and their established communications lines were often used to transport letters and packages both intra-territorially, and to the mails in the East.
Postal regulations required that all letters be enclosed in a postal envelope embossed with the required U.S. postal rate to insure that the Government did not lose revenue due to express company carriage. Though it was not explicitly permitted, postage stamps were sometimes used to supplement the embossed postage to make up higher rates. As such, the 12 cent stamp is sometimes found on letters carried by express carriers, though these usages are quite scarce.
Figure 18. Wells, Fargo & Co. San Francisco, through New York, to Dresden. Wells Fargo printed imprint on 3 cent pink stamped envelope. Blue “PAID,” indicates Wells Fargo carriage to New York. Red “New York Paid All” exchange office CDS. 15 cents paid the postage to Dresden by Bremen and Hamburg mails.- Baker, Hugh J. and Baker, J. David, Bakers’ U.S. Classics, 1985 US Philatelic Classics Society.
- Brookman, Lester G., U.S. Postage Stamps of the 19th Century, Lindquist 1966.
- Hargest, George E., History of Letter Post Communications Between the U.S. and Europe, 1845-1875. U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, 1975.
- Starnes, Charles J., United States Letter Rates to Foreign Destinations 1847 to GPU-UPU, Revised Edition. Leonard H. Hartmann, 1985.
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Civil War Timeline, at Siegel Encyclopedia
