The first order for this stamp was for 200,000, the requisition being
dated 26th April, 1865, and the delivery made Aug. 31st, 1865. A further
requisition for 150,000 was made on May 30th, 1866, and delivered by the engravers
on Aug. 16th of the same year. From that time up to the year 1890,
no further orders were forwarded, and the necessity of a further supply was
evidently unecessary, the 5 cent light blue having taking the place (in 1882)
of the former very deep shade. However, the postal authorities continued
the reformation (?) of the stamp department, and sent on May 3rd, 1890, a
fresh order for the re-issuance of 62,500 of the darker blue, which were delivered
in due form on Sept. 17th of the same year.
The lapse of 24 years between the issues of the first and second lots, naturally caused differences in both paper and printing, which can be readily distinguished by placing both stamps alongside each other. It is evident that this stamp became obsolete upon the advent of the 5 cent light blue in 1882; as a number of the original issue overprinted with the word "specimen".
