The World's Columbian Exposition Postal ENVELOPES.

A total issued 61,366,250 Columbian envelopes were supplied to Postmasters during the period of their issue, from March 1, 1893, to January 19, 1894. These Columbian envelopes were sold in eight sizes with different values: 1, 2, 4, 5, and 10 cent. Below: the Circular sent to Postmasters dated Dec.5, 1892. (collected by Lauzon)

The stamped envelopes to be issued will all be made of specially watermarked cream tinted paper, of equivalent quality and weight to the first quality envelopes of the regular series, and they will comprise eight different sizes, viz.: A, G, H, I, and N, each being of the same dimensions as the envelopes of the same designations now in use, and the three new sizes, viz.: P, five and seven-eights by three and five-eights inches; Q, three and three-fourths by six and three-fourths inches; and R, four and three-eights by five and five-eights inches. The series will embrace the following denominations, viz.: A, N, P, 1 and 2 cent only; G, H and I, 2, 4, 5, and 10 cent; Q, 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10 cent; R, 1, 2 and 5 cent.

The design consists of an embossed circular stamp, considerably larger than the stamps on the current series of envelopes, bearing as the principal features, profiles of Columbus and Liberty above the figure of an Eagle with outstretched wings and surmounted by a shield similar to that used in the arms of the United States.

The colors of the stamps correspond to those of the same denominations in the series of Columbian adhesive stamps hereinbefore described...

Left: Design of the stamps of the envelopes: profiles of Christopher Columbus (from the model cast for the fifty-cent piece which was also a souvenir of the Chicago Fair and for the five-dollars stamps) and the Liberty. Above the figure of an eagle. To add to the description of the circular sent to postmasters, mention might be made that running around the rim from the left appears "United States of America" on the top half, below to the left "Postage", and to the right denomination.

Below: A special watermark was applied to the cream tinted paper: click right to enlarge.

Specimen die 96(B), type B1 size G (Piniella collection)

Circulated Columbian Envelopes: II Part.