Victor Maximilian Berthold

“ If this series of articles has, in even the slightest degree, helped collectors of United States envelopes to a wider knowledge and better appreciation of these hitherto unknown die varieties, the writer will feel well repaid for the many hours of labor. In closing, he again asserts; "Variety is the spice of life!" ”

“ Doubtless the thirty varieties of this die would have been highly prized by collectors and would have been well known many years ago if American philatelists had taken the trouble to study them with a view to systematic classification. Certainly, without a system the collector's task is troublesome, but, with a proper classification, the difficulty vanishes and what has hitherto been considered an annoyance becomes a pleasurable pursuit. This issue greatly favors the collector of cut square specimens, for a good many dies can easily be found. ”

“ If we recall that many of these dies have been in existence for half a century, embracing all issues prior to 1870, and thus, in comparison with modern issues, are hoary with age, that they have been collected for decades by ardent lovers of United States envelopes, our surprise is heightened.
The honor of the first attempt at describing the various Nesbitt die varieties and making this knowledge public property belongs to an English philatelist of rare ability, the late Gilbert Harrison. ”

“ The question, however, of superlative interest to philatelists is: why has Nesbitt produced such a large number of dies or die varieties? The answer is simple: Pressed hard by the Department to manufacture several millions of envelopes, a gigantic task in the early days of stamp [Pg 7] making, and lacking our present means of reproducing working dies from the matrix, he undoubtedly used his best effort; i.e. he probably ordered a number of engravers to reproduce the original die, and, in the hurry of the work, little attention was paid to exactness. ”

“ It is true that die varieties may be found in half a dozen different ways, but it is equally plain that if we can use a uniform method, applicable to all, we shall be far better off. Although this fact is self evident, such a method was unknown when the writer commenced the study of the Nesbitt die varieties. Recognizing, however, the value of some simple means, various methods were pursued until, after numerous disappointing failures, the solution of the problem was found by means of line prolongation and the use of a unit distance measurement. ”

“ We shall presently see that, like the three cents, red of 1853, (Die A) the diemakers have produced different groups of heads which, once known, are not only an absolute means of differentiating the varieties, but also protect the collector from acquiring a multitude of the same die.
Although, as stated above, the die of the three cents rose equals that of the three cents red in the use of various heads, it is, otherwise, quite dissimilar to the first issue, as will be seen presently. ”

“ Of course, the various curves of the labels may be accounted for by repeated retouching, but no one who compares many of these dies would attempt to give the same reason for the totally different lettering and the great variety in the spacing. As a matter of fact, most of the so-called varieties are far more distinct dies than some of the well-known Reays and Plimptons of equal denominations. In spite of the great number of varieties of this issue, the engraver has seen fit to use but one head of Washington, which is totally different from any of those preceding. ”

“ To assist those who desire to become better acquainted with them it will do no harm to give some additional information, showing how the writer has studied the varieties and what means he has employed to differentiate the several varieties belonging to one class.
Although the description of the varieties accompanying the cuts, should be sufficient for the identification of any die variety, the writer has found that a system of line prolongation is very useful whenever, due to die deteriorations, a stamp appears to possess features which are not found in the descriptions. ”

“ Moreover, henceforth no collection lacking these important die varieties can lay a claim to a full degree of completeness, and this remark refers equally to those who collect entire envelopes or cut square specimens. Indeed, of the two the latter is by far the larger gainer, because these varieties appear on comparatively few "knives" or shapes of envelopes.
Assuming that not many collectors, either young or old, have busied themselves with die varieties a few remarks about the method or way of studying them, gained from practical experience, may not be out of place. ”

“ Why the head used for the three cents was abandoned by the die maker we do not know. The principal new feature is a very short heavy front-lock which ends far from the ear-lobe. In addition to the front-lock there are three long clusters of hair in the front and four in the rear, of which the two lowest reach into the queue. From the middle of the side-lock extends the wedge-shaped lowest front-lock. It slants but a little distance across the ear-lobe. A long straight lock, made up of three strands, runs from the ear-lobe into the queue. ”

“ Upper left curve much deeper than upper right curve, which is almost a straight line. "T" very short. "TH" wide at top, "HR" wider. Note that "R" stands to right of the centre of stamp and, also, the wide, colored space above the top of "THRE". "N" of "CENTS" is broad. Compare varieties 16 and 26.
Variety 28:—"T" of "THREE" is low, small and heavy. "RE" nearest. "T" is near the inner oval line and much nearer to upper left curve than "E" to upper right curve. "TH" near, "H" and "E" at top about the same distance apart from "E", which is upright and close to outer frame line. ”

“ Of course they are the exception, but in many used envelopes the head is impressed with sufficient clearness to permit identification, and the cuts accompanying [Pg 8] the dies, being photographic reproductions of pen drawings by an artist, will be found a valuable aid. Indeed, as far as the varieties of Die 1 are concerned, a thorough knowledge of, or acquaintance with, the various heads is necessary to avoid confusion, especially as the inscription in several labels is similar and not unfrequently the lettering is quite indistinct. ”

“ In one die one-half of the head appears void of hirsutic covering. Well, perhaps this was the summer season! I must not forget to mention that on one side of the nostrils appears a Phrygian cap, probably an indication of the republican spirit of the United States. In conclusion the writer recalls a good joke by a gentleman prominent in philatelic circles. After a perusal of the above paragraphs he expressed himself that the bust of Washington of Die 1, instead of being "after Houdon" was a "Hoodoo", and there is a great deal of truth in the witticism. ”

“ The inscription in the upper label is "U. S. POSTAGE"; in the lower "TWO CENTS" with the figure "2" in the ovals at the sides.
The 1863 design was issued with two shapes of the figure "2", [Pg 65] which is probably due to an oversight of the engraver; but, as every collector knows, the design in which the lowest stroke of the figure "2" starts sharply from the downstroke, and does not curve back with it is a rarity possessed only by a few lucky mortals.
In the general catalogues the common form is known as "Die A," the latter as "Die B."
DIE A. (Seven Varieties) . ”

“ Indeed, in the entire philatelic literature dealing with the Nesbitt dies of 1864 there is but one allusion to the feature which constitutes the surest means for the identification of the die varieties, and this is only a single sentence contained in the Historical Notes of Messrs. Tiffany, Bogert and Rechert. It reads:—
"It is worth mentioning, however, that while dies 9, 15 and 26 (the latter the die under consideration) all have the small bust of Washington, there are small differences in each which show them to be different engravings. ”

“ In regard to the sub varieties of the various heads it is also of interest to observe that a considerable number are "repeating dies," i.e., generally a die, say of Head 1 on white paper and on Knife 11, is liable to be found on buff and amber paper not only on Knife 11, but also on Knife 9. ”

“ For the specialist the writer recommends the use of a 10 mm. unit distance measurement to be applied as follows:
[Pg 46]
Measure 10 mm. from the top of the highest ray of the left star towards the top of "P" of "POSTAGE." This measurement assists in the identification of varieties 1 and 3. Another measurement may be taken from the left end of the horizontal cross stroke of "N" of "CENTS" towards the "E" of "THREE," and reveals the different spacings between the latter and "CENTS."
BACK OF BUST POINTS AT "G."
Variety 1:—"PO" close. "AGE" widely spaced. ”

“ STAMP measures 20 × 24-1/2 mm. "ONE": "NE" far apart. Letters of "ONE" especially the "E" close to outer frame line. "CENT": "C" far from "E." "POSTAGE": "PO" close. "O" to "U": 7-1/2 mm. From end of upper right point of "C" to top of left stroke of "O" of "ONE" is 5 mm.
Variety 5:—"PO" of "POSTAGE" wide; "OS" and "AGE" near lower frame line: "GE" near. "ONE": "NE" wide. Distance between "ONE" and "CENT" widest. Sometimes a spot under left star and also in central oval at back of head. A rare die. "O" to "U": 8 mm. "C" to "E": 5 mm. falls considerably outside "E". ”

“ THREE CENTS, ROSE.
THREE CENTS, BROWN.
With the issue of the three cents, rose, the contractor, at the order of the Post Office Department, introduced a second quality of buff paper. This matter is of importance to all collectors and should be duly noted.
In a circular letter from the Finance Office, dated "Washington Oct. 1866," signed "A. N. Zevely, 3d Asst. P. M. G.", it is stated:—
"Letter size envelopes stamped 3 cents, made of a cheaper quality of paper than those hitherto furnished, are furnished by the Department at $32.80 per 1,000." ”

“ Moreover, on a close inspection we find a lot of curious and noteworthy details which seem to indicate that the artist, or artists, had peculiar ideas of the manly beauty of the "Father of our Country." ”

“ The following should, therefore replace the descriptions of these varieties on pages 107 and 108 of the Journal for 1905.
Head I.
LONG SIDE LOCK.
Var. 1. "CENTS" is near the frame line. "C" and "N" are in an almost vertical position. "N" is near "T." "S" is near curve. Letters "TH" are parallel and slant to left. A line drawn along the "E" of "CENTS" and prolonged upwards touches the right end of the top stroke of the first "E" of "THREE."
Var. 1a. The "C" of "CENTS" and "E" of "THREE" slant distinctly to the right. "EN" close and near outer frame line. "N" and "T" are wide at base. ”

“ Indeed, they are decidedly more troublesome and require far closer work than any of the other Nesbitt die varieties. The student is sure to find many specimens in which the upper curves are entirely worn away, and in judging the spacing of the letters errors are likely to occur, due to heavy impressions, which are not infrequent. ”

“ Envelope and wrapper.
VARIETY 40. (26 × 26 mm.)
"NT" very near. "POST" wide. Buff, Orange, Amber, Light Manila.
"POST" 9-1/2 mm. Inscription in upper label much resembles that of the preceding variety, but "S" of "U.S." is low and "PO" nearer. "T" of "TWO" near left oval. "WO" close. "OC" wide. "TS" close at top. Nose far from left oval. Figures in ovals well centered. "U" line passes along middle stroke of "N." One of the most common varieties.
[Pg 83]
Reference List of the Two Cent Envelopes and Wrappers of the Series of 1863 and 1864. ENVELOPES.
TWO CENTS, BLACK.
1863. ”