Quantity issued:
Estimates are based on available information, primarily from Brookman, "The United States Postage Stamps of the 19th Century- Volume I", and "Linn's U.S. Stamp Facts 19th Century", published by Linn's Stamp News. These numbers are simply estimates based on the best information available and are subject to revision. This issue was prepared because of the large number of stamps in the hands of the states in rebellion. Based on the research of Elliott Perry, the first shipments of this new series was Friday, 8/16/61 from New York City. It is almost certain that the First Day Of Sale of at least eight values of this series (Scott Nos. 63, 64b, 67, 68, 69, 70c, 71 and 72) was 8/17/61 at Baltimore, Md. Perry reports that the Baltimore newspaper of 8/17/61 carried an ad announcing the new stamps were available for exchange. Perry also quotes an article in the Baltimore American And Commercial Advertiser of 8/19/61 describing the sale of the new stamps in Baltimore on Saturday, August 17, 1861 Please report any updates or corrections via email. The design dimensions are from Luff unless otherwise noted.

Bisects on the 2¢ Jackson of the 1861 Series:
Scott 73a - Diagonal half used with another full 2¢ stamp to pay the 3¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 73b - Diagonal half used alone to pay the 1¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 73c - Horizontal half used with another full 2¢ stamp to pay the 3¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 73d - Vertical half used with another full 2¢ stamp to pay the 3¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 73e - Vertical half used alone to pay the 1¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 87a - Diagonal half used alone to pay the 1¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 87b - Vertical half used alone to pay the 1¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 93a - Vertical half used with another full 2¢ stamp to pay the 3¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 93b - Diagonal half used with another full 2¢ stamp to pay the 3¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 93c - Horizontal half used alone to pay the 1¢ rate (on cover)
Scott 93d - Diagonal half used alone to pay the 1¢ rate (on cover)

24¢ colors:
Of all the issues of the 1861 Series, the 24¢ stamp may prove the most difficult to determine the exact number since all stamps of the two major listings, Number 70 and Number 78, are variations of the lilac and violet color themes, with the possible exception of the "steel blue". Even that stamp is thought by some to be merely a color "changeling" of the violet stamp. According to Brookman, there was only one issue of the 24¢ 1861 stamp, with all of the printings made from a single plate, Plate 6. To be sure, the ink was modified over the years this stamp was produced, but the reasoning for a separate listing for Number 70 and Number 78 is somewhat muddled.

The stamps illustrated are 70P4, whose color is listed as red lilac, and 78P4, whose color is listed as lilac. These stamps are in the possession of the author and the illustrations are fairly accurate representations of the color of the actual stamps. Note that the 78P4 illustrated appears grayer than the actual stamp. The actual proof does have a fair amount of purplish (lilac) undertone.

Premieres Gravures:
Although the Premieres Gravures, sometimes written as Premiere Gravures, are now considered essays they are included here for completeness. Note that on the 1¢, 3¢, 5¢, 10¢, 12¢ and 90¢ stamps there are small design differences. On the 24¢ and 30¢ stamps there is no design difference, the only way to distinguish these from the ordinary issued stamp is by color. Fortunately the red orange of the 30¢ and the black violet of the 24¢ are very distinctive, making these trial colors relatively easy to distinguish from the regularly issued stamps.

Special Printings:
The following information applies to all of the 1861 re-issues. The Special Printings were issued to showcase a complete set of the U.S. issues for the first World's Fair officially held in the U.S., at the Centennial International Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia and also to provide stamps for collectors and others to satisfy numerous requests. Reissued stamps were valid for postage. The 1861 reissues can be distinguished from the ordinary issue by their extremely white paper, absolutely white gum and very deep clear color (Brookman).

Bibliography and suggested additional reading:
The Postage Stamps of the 19th Century, Volume 2, by Lester Brookman (1966)
The 2011 Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers, Scott Publishing Co. 2010
The United States 1¢ Franklin 1861-1867, by Don L. Evans (1997)
The Harry F. Allen Collection of Black Jacks - A Study of the Stamp and Its Use, by Maryette B. Lane (1969)
The PAID Markings on the 3¢ U.S. Stamp 1861, by George W. Linn (1955)
United States Letter Rates to Foreign Destinations 1847 to GPU-UPU, by Charles J. Starnes
History of Letter Post Communication between the United States and Europe, by George E. Hargest
The U.S. Issue of 1869 Preceded by Some Additional Notes on "The Premieres Gravures of 1861", by S. Ashbrook (1943-44)

Design dimensions:
The Postage Stamps of the United States, John Luff (1902 and 1937)

Colors:
The Encyclopedia of the Colors of United States Postage Stamps - Volume 1: Issues of 1847-1868, by Roy H. White (1981)