The U.S. Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Dan Undersander

The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 A World’s Fair was held in Philadelphia, PA to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Officially named the International Exhibition of Arts, Manufactures and Products of the Soil and Mine.

The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 Opening Day Ceremonies Exhibition began May 10, 1876 and closed November 10, 1876

The Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Larger size with red indicium for business, smaller size with green indicium for personal letter use. It was first intended to sell these envelopes only through the Philadelphia Post Office rather than regular stamp and envelope distribution channels. Due to outcry the envelopes were eventually made available through the normal distribution channels. However, the envelope order (from an individual or post office) had to say “Centennial” to get these envelopes. Thus, they were less than 10% of 3¢ envelopes distributed during the 6 months of availability. Envelopes were sold May 10, 1876 to November 10, 1876

The Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Essays Originally with “1876 J.R. Rice” at lower left. Pencil sketch with blue watercolor painted over most of area and silver painted over labels, horse, post boy, locomotive and shield Originals ex Toppan, Mason, Brown, Klemman, Nouss, and Barkhausen. Barkhausen had items trimmed and mounted

The Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Essays Item at left is a forgery to be sold to philatelists. Forged artist drawing of uncertain providence Original pencil drawing by M.S. Chapman, Superintendent of Stamped Envelopes

The Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Die Production Henry Mitchel engraved 10 dies Hartford Die Single line under POSTAGE Two die types are recognized: one with a single line under “POSTAGE” and one with a double line. These are called the Hartford Die (where the contractor manufactured envelopes) and Philadelphia die, though it is thought that both were used at both locations. Frame at left has the only known wax impression of the die, along with envelop cut squares of dies 71 (red) and Die 72 (green) and centennial medal/token. Text on plaque in the wooden frame was: The red wax impression of the original die for the centennial envelope engraved by Henry Mitchell of Boston, Massachusetts in 1876. Philadelphia Die Single line under POSTAGE

The Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Trial Colors The die was printed in multiple trial colors before deciding on the red and green.

The Centennial Issue of Postal Stationery Paper watermarks Centennial Watermark A special watermark was made (Centennial Watermark) for paper used to manufacture envelopes, however a few envelopes were made with the standard watermark 2. Watermark 2 1870 to 1878

The Centennial Issue Production at Exhibition Prior to this time envelope top flaps were gummed by hand (envelopes were spread out on a board with half an inch of flap exposed and gum applied with a roller. This resulted in square gum (top). However, a new Wickham envelope machine was demonstrated at the Philadelphia fair that applied gum resulting in the round gum (bottom). Henceforth all envelopes were made this way.

The Centennial Issue Production at Exhibition Sholes and Glidden Typewriter Later Remington The typewriter was new and was demonstrated at the fair. At first attendees could type a letter (shown left) but this was too slow so Bain developed a form letter and the attendee only addressed it and the envelope. Shown is an envelope with special cancel from the Centennial Fair.

Clark’s Centennial Express Henry Teft Clark operated from a small store near Sidney, NE. He carried freight from the railroad stop at Sidney, NE to Black Hills mining camps. In addition he provided letter pickup and delivery as an express with additional fee for 2 years. This express service was known as Sidney Short Route. Eleven types of franks are recognized, generally only 1 of each is known and all are scarce.

Clark’s Centennial Express Sidney Short Route express letter sent from Deadwood SD to Seth Bullock,(sheriff of Deadwood) while he was visiting his sister in Tecumseh, MI.

Samples sent to GPU in Berne (predecessor to UPU) Postmaster General Marshall Jewell was one of the organizers of General Postal Union (GPU). These envelopes were sent to the GPU in Berne, Switzerland as requested for all countries to have examples of stamps and envelopes for examine to determine counterfeits. The manuscript notation was applied at Berne.

Specimen overprints Specimen overprinted envelopes were produced for distribution to dignitaries at the Philadelphia Fair. Less than 6 are known.

Specimen Overprints The corner handstamp (enlarged) translates “Collection of thee Main Administration.” The envelope was a gift to the Russian representative at the exhibition where a dinner was held honoring Russia’s having helped the North in the Civil War (they sent ships to protect U.S. ports from British).

Usages Less than 10% of envelopes produced during the 6 months of the fair were Centennial envelopes. The upper left is an uncommon example with advertising. The lower left is an unusual use sent to Montreal, Canada and that had a Canadian stamp added for forwarding. The example at right has an office corner card (name of post office with blank for sender’s name) which is scarce since the local post office had to order at least a box of 250 to sell; the envelope was also sent registered.

Forgeries In the late 1800s German forgers produced forgeries of the stamp indicia. With two exceptions, they are known only as cut squares. In addition to engraving differences, they are on wove paper rather than diagonally laid paper as genuine envelopes.

Forgeries Rare strips of 5 of forgeries (two of each known).

Forgeries Only known examples of forged envelopes produced. Note that the envelope at lower right was mailed within France with franking provided by the French stamp.

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