Page 2 - Grodon Eubanks

The United States Imperforate Issues of 1851 - 1856 and
Their Importance in an Expanding Postal System

Purpose: A comprehensive study of the five imperforate stamps issued between
1851 and 1856. It also shows a diverse range of uses including how the stamps were
treated by the post office, the innovative uses patrons found for the mails and how
the post office addressed their needs in a period of profound change in the country.

History

The 1851-1856 period coincides with the dawn of the postal age, in which society’s access to long-
distance communication through the mails was expanded and made less costly. It was marked by
extensive westward migration, with many families becoming separated by long distances. Commerce
was growing, and the importance of reliable and fast mail service became essential to business. For
individuals, receiving mail became commonplace. Therefore, moving mail efficiently and reliably was
critical. The number of post offices almost doubled, with a large number of new offices established
in the West, and a growing network of transportation routes served the postal system. During this

period, using stamps on letters became the norm, increasing by a factor of more than 50.
The 1851-1856 Imperforate Issues were a significant part of these historical changes. The reduction of
rates in 1851 and growing demand for postage necessitated the production of a new set of stamps to
replace the first 1847 Issue. Six years after the 1845 postal reform lowered U.S. postage rates, the Act of
3 March 1851 further reduced rates, effective 1 July. The new basic letter rate was 3¢ per half-ounce up
to 3,000 miles and 6¢ over 3,000 miles. The city drop-letter rate and postage on printed matter were
also reduced. To give the public an incentive to prepay postage and use stamps, unpaid letters were
charged 5¢ and 10¢, a 67% premium over the prepaid 3¢ and 6¢ rates. In April 1855 the rate for over

3,000 was increased to 10¢, and prepayment was made compulsory on domestic mail.

Production

Three stamps were issued in 1851: 1¢, 3¢, and 12¢ values. The 10¢ was issued in 1855, and the 5¢ followed
in 1856. The stamps were engraved and produced by the firm of Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.
Sheets were printed from steel plates of 200 stamps, consisting of two side-by-side panes of 100. The
original issue was imperforate. In 1857 stamps were produced with perforations for separation. The
stamps were valid for postage from 1 July 1851 until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. During this
period, stamp production increased from a few million to over one hundred million per year. The 1¢
and 3¢ stamps were the work horses of the issue, while the 12¢ stamp was used less frequently. The 5¢
and 10¢ stamps were issued imperforate only for a brief period of one or two years before perforation

were introduced, thus they are scarcer in imperforate form.

Exhibit Organization

Section One: Archival & Production Section Four: Waterways & Railroads

Essays and proofs followed by stamps in the order they Transportation taking advantage of new technology to
were issued. Major types, varieties, color variations and move mail faster and more efficiently.
typical or intended postal uses.
Section Five: International Mails
Section Two: Domestic Rates & Postal Markings
Mail to international locations meeting business and
Rates, Hawaiian mails, and uses from territories, fancy private needs.
cancels, forwarding, and illustrated covers.
Section Six: Perforations and Demonetization
Section Three: Carriers, Locals & Expresses
Application of official perforations and the
Shows local delivery both by the post office and by local demonetization of the stamps due to the Civil War.
private companies including western expresses.

Items accompanied by certificates from expert committees are indicated with a lower case ‘e’.
Items of exceptional importance are framed in red. Blue text is used for population data.

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