American mail stamp

A classic topic!

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a rich history of issuing stamps, and I'd be happy to provide some information on American mail stamps.

Early Years (1847-1869)

The first postage stamps in the United States were issued in 1847, featuring George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. These stamps were used to prepay postage on letters and packages. The first stamps were printed in black ink and had a value of 5 cents and 10 cents.

Civil War Era (1869-1870)

During the Civil War, the USPS issued stamps with patriotic themes, such as the "Patriotic Issue" of 1869, which featured a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Classic Issues (1870-1920)

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the introduction of many iconic American stamps, including:

  1. The 1869 Pictorial Issue, featuring famous Americans like Washington, Franklin, and Lincoln.
  2. The 1875 Bank Note Issue, which featured portraits of American statesmen and women.
  3. The 1893 Columbian Exposition Issue, commemorating the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
  4. The 1913 Panama-Pacific Exposition Issue, celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal.

Modern Issues (1920-Present)

In the 20th century, the USPS continued to issue stamps with a wide range of themes, including:

  1. Famous Americans, such as Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks.
  2. Landmarks and monuments, like the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Grand Canyon.
  3. Events and anniversaries, such as the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the Civil Rights Movement, and the 50th Anniversary of the United States Postal Service.
  4. Animals, like the Bald Eagle, the American Bison, and the Monarch Butterfly.

Collecting American Mail Stamps

If you're interested in collecting American mail stamps, there are many resources available to help you get started:

  1. The United States Postal Service (USPS) website offers a wealth of information on stamp history, design, and collecting.
  2. The American Philatelic Society (APS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting philately (stamp collecting) and offers resources, publications, and events for collectors.
  3. Online marketplaces like eBay and specialized stamp dealers can help you find rare and hard-to-find stamps.

I hope this brief overview of American mail stamps has been informative and interesting!