RO72d E.P. Dunham Match Stamp, West Cheshire, CT

The sixth Rag Hollow stamp is an entirely new design and like all its pre decessors, except one, occurs only in green. It was engraved by the Bureau at Washington and all were printed there. That this handsome adhesive is a characteristic Bureau production is reflected in the lettering and other details of the design. During the currency of this stamp Mr. Dunham appears to have been in sole ownership, or control, at the Rag Hollow factory. The Connecticut Business Directories for 1882, 1883 and 1884 list E. P. Dunham & Company at West Cheshire, and perhaps his sister, Mrs. Ives, was at that time a silent partner in the business. There are two distinct shades of the shield stamp, the deep green with a slight yellowish cast usually found and a much darker blackish shade, which is a far cry scarcer. Nearly all of the copies seen were evidently used and there appears to have been few, if any, remainders.