Читать книгу History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America - John K. Tiffany - Страница 21

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This stamp was discovered in an old collection by Mr. Wm. P. Brown, and described by him in his Curiosity Cabinet in May, 1871. The New Haven Palladium of May 11, 1871, has the following account of the discovery, which, though it contains some errors as to the former postal rates, and some ignorance as to the history of the stamps of the United States, is worthy of insertion here.

"A CURIOSITY."

"An old envelope post office stamp, issued at New Haven, of the denomination of 5 cents, marked 'PAID,' and subscribed by 'E. A. Mitchell, P. M.,' has lately turned up. It must have been issued over 20 years ago and is probably one of the oldest United States stamps in existence. Mr. Mitchell was postmaster of this city from 1844 to 1850. When he took office the rates were 6, 10, 12½, and 25 cents for single letters, according to distance, no prepayment being required. The rates were afterwards reduced to 10 and 5 cents according to distance, and subsequently to five cents, uniform for all distances, the weight not exceeding one quarter ounce, and prepayment required. At this period envelopes began to come in use, and as prepayment of postage could only be made at the office during business hours, Mr. Mitchell took the responsibility of issuing envelopes, stamped as above, with his signature on each, and selling them at the cost of envelopes and postage as an accommodation; some of the post offices refused to recognize them, and reported the fact to the Department. As however the stamps could only be used at the New Haven office, and were sent as prepaid matter, properly entered on the New Haven Post Bill, there could be no loss to the government, and the Department taking a liberal view of the subject, authorized their continuance. There is no doubt that the adoption of stamps by our government was much hastened by the issue of these prepaid envelopes, and it can truly be said that they were the first stamps issued by the United States. Mr. Mitchell is still in possession of the original plate."

From a letter of Mr. Mitchell's, printed in the American Journal of Philately in May, 1871, it further appears that Mr. Mitchell permitted parties to bring their own envelopes to be stamped. The die was a simple hand stamp engraved by F. G. Gorham, and the ink employed was that in ordinary use for hand stamps in the office, red or blue. He was postmaster from September, 1844, to 1852, and thinks the stamp was issued first in 1845. Only one original stamp has so far been found.

NEW HAVEN POST OFFICE.

Issue of 1845.

Large rectangular stamp, with corners cut by quarter circles. Frame of a very heavy outside line with an interior fine line. "Post Office" in heavy block letters inclined to left, in a straight line across the top, "New Haven, Ct.," in a curved line of Roman capitals, in a second line. Large numeral "5" with "PAID" in large block capitals beneath, signature (E. A. Mitchell) written, and "P. M." in ordinary capitals forming the fifth line.

Impression 26 by 31 mm., from brass hand stamp, in color on white or colored envelopes.

5 cents, red.

The only known original is cut square. In 1871, Mr. Mitchell made a few re-impressions in red and blue ink, which he signed and distributed to collectors. The die was then deposited in the archives of the New Haven Colonial Historical Society.

Reprints.	5	cents,	blue	impression,	red signature.
	5	"	red	"	blue	"
	5	"	"	"	black	"
	5	"	"	"	no	"

All on large white paper.