The Early Postage Stamps of British Guiana. 385 
(c) Variety of the 12c., with large figure 2 with straight foot, 
instead of the normal curved 2: 
(d) There are also varieties of the texture of the paper 
employed—The 4c. yellow is shown on a thin transparent 
paper known as “ pelure.” 
The diameter of the circles used were roughly one inch ; they vary, 
however, by very small fractions of an inch. 
The raison d'étre of these values was the prepayment of postage 
by distance, the rates of postage being as follows :— 
To Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Buxton, Victoria, and 
Mahaica, on the East Coast, Demerara, and to 
Hague, Pln. Edinburgh, Boerasirie and Vergen- 
oegen on the West Coast, Demerara :— 4c. per oz, 
To De Kinderen, Mahaicony, Belladrum, Fort SWiellineton: 
Ferry, Leguan, Wakenaam, ... ‘ 8c. per oz. 
To New Amsterdam, Spring Garden, Tiere W “ieee? Town, 
Henrietta oat 508 noe 30 Sod 12c. per oz, 
The famous rarity, the 2c. rose, was not issued until 1st March, 1851. 
Some twenty-six years elapsed before philatelists knew of the existence 
of this stamp. The first copy was chronicled in England in 1877; and 
it was not until about forty years after issue that the purport of its 
existence became known. ‘This is best explained by quoting the notice 
in the “ Official Gazette ” of 22nd February, 1851, tirst unearthed by Mr. 
James Rodway, F.L.S. :— 
NOTICE. 
“ By order of His Excellency the Governor, and upon the request of 
several of the Merchants of Georgetown, it is proposed to establish 
delivery of Letters twice each day through the principal streets of 
this city, viz ;—Water St., Main St., their intermediate Streets, and the 
Brick Dam, as far as the Roman Catholic Chapel. 
“The following gentlemen have consented to receive Letters for 
delivery at their respective stores, that is to say—Mr. Carpenter and 
Mr. Richardson in Water St.; Mr. B, L, Watson and Mr, F. H. Stewart 
in Main St,; Mr. Torres in Brick Dam. 
“Kach letter must bear a stamp, for which two cents will be charged, 
or it will not be delivered, and when called for will be subject to the 
usual postage of eight cents. 
“The deliveries will take place at 10 a.m, and 2 p.m, every lawful 
day. 
“Stamps may be obtained at the Post Office or at any of the 
receiving offices. 
“This delivery to commence on Ist March, 1851. 
(Signed) KE. ‘IT. E. Dauron, 
Post Office, Georgetown, 22nd February 18¢ 1. 
