Page 2 - Charles Shreve - William H Gross United States 1847 Issue
P. 2
Section One: Production History
A. Contract and Contemporary Die Proofs RWH&E Contract
Small and Large Die Proofs
On March 3, 1847, the United States Congress passed an Act to authorize the ftrst general issue of adhesive postage
stamps. The Postmaster General, with the help ofRobert Morris, Postmaster at New York City, contracted with Rawdon,
Wright, Hatch & Edson (R\VH&E) for the production of a 5~ and a 1W stamp to be issued July 1,1847. The stamps were
produced on steel plates in sheets of 200 subjects which, once printed, were cut to post offtce panes of 100 stamps.
The contemporary die proofs of the 5~ value can be distinguished from
those printed at a later date. The very ftne impression of the printing
is free of the minute defects found on the 1858 or later impressions.
On glazed light card.
The 10~ die proofs show a not quite finished die with a
faint engraver's guide line defining the arc of "TEN
CENTS" and background engraved lines extending into
On India paper sunk on card. e the white oval behind Washington's head.
