C. L. VAN ZANDT, Secretary. Hon. ALEX. W. RANDALL,
Postmaster-General, Washington, D. C.
PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 1868. SIR: In accordance with the advertisement of " proposals for postage-stamps," bearing date June 22, 1868, a copy of which is hereto annexed, we have the honor to submit
We will furnish stamps in packages of 10,000 each, at the Post-Office Department, in Washington, D. C., prepared in the best manner, perfectly gummed and perforated, as follows, viz: The self-canceling stamps, (specimens marked A,) at twenty-five cents per thousand; the combination perfect-transfer stamps, (specimens marked B,) at twenty-five cents per thousand ; the indelible cancellation stamps, (specimens marked C,) at twenty cents per thousand ; the postage-stamps, as now prepared, (specimens marked D,) at seventeen cents per thousand.
We will furnish stamps in similar or larger packages, deliverable to the agent at the place of manufacture, or at the Department in Washington, D. C., as required in proposals, paragraphs marked two and three on copy annexed, as follows, viz: The selfcanceling stamps at twenty-five cents per thousand; the combination perfect-transfer stamps, twenty-five cents per thousand ; the indelible cancellation stamps, twenty cents per thousand ; the postage-stamps, as now prepared, seventeen cents per thousand.
We will furnish stamps as required in proposals, paragraph marked four on accompanying copy, as follows, viz: The self-canceling stamps at twenty-five cents per thousand; the combination perfect-transfer stamps at twenty-five cents per thousand; the indelible cancellation stamps at twenty cents per thousand; the postage-stamps, as now prepared, at seventeen cents per thousand.
Finally, we will furnish stamps in such quantities and in such manner and time and place as the Government may direct, perfectly prepared, gummed, perforated, and packed in paper envelopes, binders' board, or muslin covered, or tin boxes, as follows, viz: The self-canceling stamps at twenty-five cents per thousand ; the perfect combination transfer-stamps at twenty-five cents per thousand ; the indelible cancellation stamps at twenty cents per thousand ; tbe postage-stamps, as now prepared, at seventeen cents per thousand.
We will make no additional charge for directing packages and preparing blank receipts, either at the Department or manufactory.
We will charge for embossing paper for stamps, equal if not superior in every respect to that now in use, five cents per thousand stamps, or the cost simply to us of the mechanical execution of this embossing, should it be less than five cents per thousand.
As we have never been able to discover the value of this process in the preparation of stamps, and as we have never heard that it was a protection to the Government, over and above that enjoyed by the postage-stamps furnished before its introduction, we do not deem ourselves justitied, in common honesty, to ask a profit thereon. We will have it done in the cheapest possible manner, (yet quite equal to the present,) and ask only what it will cost us.
We submit herewith specimens of stamps engraved by us for the Revenue Department as indication of the character of our work. We also enclose designs for postage-stamps, which we are prepared to furnish in the highest style of art, without delay. The dies are ready to be put at once into operation, and plates prepared therefrom within a very brief period. They have been gotten up expressly for the Post-Office Department. We will be happy to furnish others as the Department may require.
With respect to envelopes, binders' board, and other boxes, tin cases, &c., we have the honor to say that we are prepared to furnish these articles, of the best quality, from the same makers (or from equally good manufacturers) that now furnish them. The envelopes are patented, but equally attainable by us with others. We guarantee the satisfactory quality of these articles. We invite the particular attention of the Department to the decalomanie process. Time has no injurious effect upon it, and we offer it with the utmost confidence to the Department.
The indelible cancellation stamps are engraved and printed from steel exactly as in the present stamp in use, but are, in addition, so prepared that the cancellation marks can taken out so that the stamps can be fraudulently re-lised. We invite the severest chemical tests to remove the cancellation marks. It will be found this cancellation is more permanent than the stamp itself. This is an entirely new process, practiced by us within a few weeks, and found to answer every requirement. These stamps we guarantee to make as adhesive as any ever used by the Department, with the additional security that even if removed they cannot be re-used, as the original cancellation marks cannot be taken out. We recommend this stamp to the serious examination of the Department. Every protection which fine steel engraving can give is enjoyed by these stamps.
We offer, also, postage-stamps engraved and printed from steel, in the best manner of art, but without the protection against removal of cancellation marks. Stamps such as are now in use, but of different model and design, (we invite examination of the series from one cent to ninety cents, submitted herewith,) which we guarantee shall give every satisfaction. It is for the Department to determine whether the re-use of wasbed postage-stamps is so extensive as to warrant a change from the stamp mauufacture in use for many years.
Finally, we refer, very respectfully, to the honorable Commissioner of Internal Revenue for any testimony the Department may require as to our manner of carrying out our duties with the Government. We have made the manufacture and furnisbing of stamps a specialty of many years. Our Mr. Carpenter was a member of the house of Tappan, Carpenter & Co., who obtained the original contract for postage-stamps, inaugurated and perfected the system of manufacture and delivery, imported the original perforating-machines from England, &c. Our Mr. C. was intrusted for several years with the sole personal charge of the business,
We can furnish fire-proof building vanlts, bave all the machinery, presses, perforators, skilled workmen, and responsible employees, to carry into immediate effect the manufacture and delivery of stamps. Very respectfully, yours,
BUTLER & CARPENTER. |
Posted 05/21/2017 11:14 am
