INTRODUCTION TO THE 1865 ISSUE

CHRONOLOGY

November 15 1865
Newfoundland changed from postage denominated in Pence to a decimal currency in cents. The contract for the design and production of these stamps was awarded to the American Bank Note Company. Stamps were issued in 6 demoninations; 2c,5c,10c,12c,13c, and 24c. Each denomination was printed from a single plate of 100 subjects laid out in the normal 10x10 fashion. There are two inscriptions in each of the four margins of the plates showing the ABN Co. name. The 2c-13c were printed on a thin hard yellowish wove paper. The 24c was printed on a thin transparent paper. 1000 sheets of each denomination were printed and were perforated 12x12.


November 1868
There was a second printing of the 5c from the same plate. This time it was printed in Black on thick white paper
A new 1c value was also printed on thin yellowish paper. The 1c was designed and printed by the National Bank Note Company.
Once again 1000 sheets of each value were printed and were perforated 12x12.


July 1870
There was a second printing of the 2c, 10c, 12c, and 24c values. The same plates were used and the colors remained the same. The only difference was that a thick white paper was now used. Two new values were also issued a 3c and a 6c. The 3 cent was issued in Vermillion and the six cent in Dull Rose. Both were printed on white wove paper.


May 1871
When a new supply of the 1c value was needed, The American Bank Note Company was contracted to copy the existing design. The re-engraved design was once again printed in sheets of 100 on white paper.



POSTAL RATES

Rate
Usage
1c
newspapers and circulars beginning in 1868 and for local letters beginning in 1873
2c
local letters 1865 to 1872
3c
domestic(inland) letters after 1870
5c
domestic(inland) letters from 1865 to 1870
6c
letters to Canada 1872 to 1875
letters to Great Britain and the United States 1873 to 1875
10c
letters to the United States 1865 to 1873
12c
letters to Great Britain 1865 to 1872
13c
for letters to Canada 1865 to 1872
24c
double weight letters to Great Britain 1865 to 1872


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