1863 - 1867 Issues
Watermark Varieties

The paper used by Perkins, Bacon & Company for the printing of the 1863 - 1867 issues included a watermark composed of 240 stars (in a double high sheet) surrounded by five parallel lines. The word "POSTAGE" appears between the lines in six places, twice on each side and once at top and bottom. The spacing of the stars is such that one should appear on each stamp.

Full double high sheets of paper were cut in half before the stamps were printed. After cutting these half sheets were 259mm high by 265 mm wide. Since this is nearly square, the sheets were occasionally fed sideways into the press. The result is that the star watermark shows with two stars up rather than one. 

Stamps from positions along the top or  bottom rows of sheets fed into press incorrectly will show portions of the parallel line watermark. See illustrations below.

All stamps from these issue may be found with watermark sideways.