As the special-delivery stamp closely resembled the 1-cent and 4-cent Columbian stamps, giving rise to mistakes in the payment of postage and the treatment of mail matter, its color was changed from blue to orange January 24, 1893, and so continued to January 5, 1894, when the printing in blue was resumed.
The issue of the orange-colored special-delivery stamp was not discontinued until May 19, 1894, when the stock on hand at the manufactory was exhausted.
There were 5,099.500 special-delivery stamps of the orange color issued to postmasters.
Columbian series of postage stamps – the issue of 1983
We found only photos of 3 from 16 postage Columbian series stamps
The Department placed upon sale on Monday, January 2, 1893, at post offices throughout the country, a new series of postage stamps (not including the 8-cent denomination, issued later) and stamped envelopes known as the Columbian series. The issue of these stamps ceased April 12, 1894.
The Columbian stamps were issued in the denominations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 30, and 50 cents, and of $1, $2, $3, $4 and $5. These stamps bearing a design commemorative of the discovery of America by Columbus.
The stamps are executed from line engravings on steel, the general design of the upper portion of all of them being substantially the same. The details of this design are, first, a white-faced imprint of the years “1492” and “1892”‘, in the upper left- and right-hand corners, respectively; then in white-shaded capitals beneath, in a waved line, the words “United States of America”, below which, in a narrow tablet conforming to the curved frame of the picture under it, are the words of denomination; for example, “Postage, two cents”, “Postage, two dollars”, etc. These words end on either side of the stamp in a space of circular form with ornamental surroundings, within which are Arabic numerals of value — standing alone in the case of denominations under $1, but accompanied by the dollar mark in denominations of SI and upward, as “2” (meaning cents), S2, etc. Underneath all this is the scene represented, enclosed in a plain white frame with an arched top, extending nearly the entire length of the stamp, and taking up in every case probably three-fourths of its whole face, the appropriate designation of the picture being given in small white capitals at the bottom. The scenes represented are these:
One-cent. — Columbus in Sight of Land, after the painting by William H. Powell. This reproduction is enclosed in a circle. On the left of it is represented an Indian woman with her child and on the right an Indian chief with the headdress of feathers — each figure in a sitting posture. Color, Antwerp blue.
Two-cent. — The landing of Columbus, after the painting by Vanderlyn, in the Rotunda of the Capitol at Washington. Color, purple maroon.
Three-cent. — The flagship of Columbus, the Santa Maria, in mid-ocean, from a Spanish engraving. Color, medium shade of green.
Four-cent. — The fleet of Columbus, the three caravels, Santa Maria, Nina, and Pinta, from a Spanish engraving. Color, ultramarine blue.
Five-cent. — Columbus Soliciting Aid of Isabella, after the painting by Brozik. Color, chocolate brown.
Six-cent. — Columbus Welcomed at Barcelona, the scene from one of the panels of the bronze doors by Randolph Rogers in the Capitol at Washington. On each side of the scene represented is a niche, in one of which is a statue of Ferdinand and in the other a statue of Balboa. Color, royal purple.
Eight-cent. — Columbus Restored to Favor, after a painting by Jover. Color, magenta red. Issued March 1. 1893.
Ten-cent. — Columbus Presenting Natives. after the painting by Luigi Gregori, at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. Color, Vandyke brown.
Fifteen-cent. — Columbus Announcing His Discovery, after the painting by R. Balaca. now in Madrid. Color, dark green.
Thirty-cent. — Columbus at La Rabida, after the painting by R. Maso. Color, sienna brown.
Fifty-cent. — Recall of Columbus, after the painting by A. G. Heaton, now in the Capitol at Washington. Color, slate blue.
One-dollar. — Isabella Pledging Her Jewels, after the painting by Munoz Degrain, now in Madrid. Color, rose salmon.
Two-dollar. — Columbus in Chains, after the plainting by Luetze, now in Germantown, Pa. Color, toned mineral red.
Three-dollar. — Columbus Describing Third Voyage, after the painting by Francisco Jover. Color, light yellow-green.
Four-dollar. — Portraits in circles, separated by an ornate device, of Isabella and Columbus, the portrait of Isabella after the well-known painting in Madrid, and that of Columbus after the Lotto painting. Color, carmine.
Five-dollar. — Profile of head of Columbus, after a cast provided by the Treasury Department for the souvenir 50-cent silver piece authorized by act of Congress. The profile is in a circle, on the right of which is the figure of America, represented by an Indian woman with a crown of feathers, and on the left a figure of Liberty, both figures being in a sitting posture. Color, black.
Published by John Jr. Paperly