Scott U1 Watermark Question.

Is this an original Nesbitt watermark on a Scott U1 that I keep reading about but have never seen. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Don't forget to study the addressee's history, too. In this case, Dr. John Nichols of Kirtland, Ohio. According to this list of documents available at Case Western Reserve University, it sounds as if it would be an interesting read:

Not quite sure what question you are asking about the watermark.

In the 19th Century Catalog of US Envelopes, your watermark is numbered 1a and is labelled 1853.

Regular watermark 1 (with orientation at 30 to 48 degrees to the laid lines) is labelled 1853 - 1869.

Watermark 1a is associated with UPSS #'s 1a and 2a. Catalog prices are higher for the watermark 1a's.

Paper watermarked 1a resulted in the watermark being horizontal on the face of the envelope (evidently desireable). However, this resulted in a wasteful use of paper as the envelope blanks were cut from the sheets of paper. A more compact scheme was chosen to cut the blanks, necessitating changing the angle of the "PODUS" relative to the laid lines so the watermark would still read horizontally. This became watermark 1.

Thanks Thomas,

You answered my question. I was unsure about the difference between watermarks 1 and 1a.