1869 Pictorial Issues On Cover

The 1869 Pictorial Issue stamps were released in late March of 1869.

There were eleven stamps in 10 different denominations ranging from 1c to 90c, including the first
bicolor US stamps and the first US stamps to feature something other that the bust or head of a
prominent American.

Embossed "grills" were added to the stamps after printing, because postal officials were concerned
about revenue loss from the reuse of stamps. The grilling process ensured that the ink from cancels
would penetrate into the fibers of the paper.

The stamps were not popular with the public, perhaps because of their small size. They were replaced
by the large banknote series the following year in 1870. Covers franked with 1869 issues,
especially for values other than the 3c locomotive, are scarce.



Here is a romantic one...

Scott #112, the 1c buff Franklin on the reverse of an embossed valentine mailed in Lebanon, NH
to Miss N Blodgett, also of Lebanon NH. The cancel is February 15. (ouch, better late than never)





Miss Blodgett opened it carefully from the side and did not rip through the stamp. Unfortunately there are no contents.



It is easy to see the grill on this stamp.

Very nice Tom

I love the embossed envelope. And that's the first time I see that stamp up close.

Thanks for sharing.

Dianne

Very very nice Tom. And thanks for the up close of the stamp showing the grill. I have been wondering what the grills looked like. I hope you don't mind I snagged that pic for my personal reference and to also show Walter what the grills look like.

I'm glad you found it useful and saved it!

Ahh, romance, Valentines, chocolates! What more could a girl ask for...........except maybe to get the Valentine on time! ha

Nice cover and view of the stamp!!
Gussyboy

This is a small "ladies cover" sent from Gloucester, Massachusetts to Mrs. Charlotte L. Edwards of Salem, Massachusetts.
It is unusual in that it has both the 1c and 2c 1869 pictorial issues.

Geeze Gussy! Can't a guy even catch a break after all these years. At least he tried!!

Here is a nice solo usage of the 1869 2c Pony Express Rider stamp on a local cover.
It is addressed to Professor John Brocklesby, who was Acting President of Trinity College
in Hartford, CT from 1866 to 1867.



Trinity College has beautiful Gothic architecture.

I found this cover today in an APS circuit box. It was sent by Charles M. Murray of Hampstead, Maryland to William McClean, a lawyer in Gettyburgh, Pennsylvania.
It has both the 1c and 2c 1869 stamps and an inverted "Nov 25" date in the town cancel.



This 2c Pony Express Rider stamp is the dark brown shade. Compare it to brown shade 2c Pony Express stamp from the Trinity College cover.



You can see the small US on the mailbag and the grills in the paper above the horse's mane, in the rider's line of sight.

The US Philatelic Classics Society website (uspcs.org) has a nice piece by Jeffrey Forster on the 1869 Pictorial Issue.

Here is an 1869 2c Pony express rider stamp on an advertising cover from Howes, Babcock & Co.
of Silver Springs, New York -- Manufacturers of the "Eureka" Smut and Separating Machine
and Dealers in Mill Furnishings of all Kinds.



Smut refers to any of various bacidiomycete fungi that are parasitic to plants and are distinguished
by black, powdery masses of spores that appear as sooty smudges on the affected plant parts.
Smuts occur on cereal grasses like corn and wheat and can cause enormous damage to crops.



I purchased this cover last week from an American Philatelic Society (APS) sales circuit. If you are not already a member, you should join the APS. One of the great benefits
of membership is that you can sign up to receive up to six sales circuits, which are boxes of stamps and covers for sale by other members. These come in the mail to you
periodically and you can browse through them at your leisure and buy stamps and covers in the comfort of you own easy chair. To join the APS, just fill out the online application.

If you would like to see Proofs of 1869 Pictorials, they are in this thread.

Here is an November 4, 1869 cover with an ad for Home Life Insurance.
It was sent from the Philadelphia office to William McClain in Gettysburg, Pa.



It has a 3c locomotive stamp from the 1869 pictorial issue,



and the engraved vignette shows an idealized American home in 1869.

Nice covers Tom. And a nice peice of history to gho with the last one.

Dianne

You always have such great covers, and the information you provide is priceless. Thanks.

I am working getting my cover collection going strong. Got lot's of Australia covers and British covers and LOTS of post 1960 US covers. Hopefully soon I will be able to show them off too seeing as how I have to get my Scanner working.