United States Postage Stamps
A History
Regular, Commementive, Memorial Issues
Introduction
~ Series of 1847
Series of 1851
Series of 1861
Series of 1869
Issues of 1870
Issues of 1890&3
Columbian Series of 1893
Isues of 1894
Trans-Mississippi Exposition Stamps of
1898
Pan-American Stamps of 1901
Series of 1902-3
Lousiana Purchase Commemorative Stamps of
1904
Jamestown Commemorative Stamps of
1907
Issues of 1908-9
Issues of 1909
Issues of 1912
Panama-Pacific
Commemorative Stamps of 1913
Issues of 1914-5
Issues of 1918
Issues of 1919
Pilgram Tercentenary Commemorative Stamps
of 1920
Issues of 1922-23
Issue of 1923
Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Stamps of
1924
Issues of 1925
Issues of 1926
Issues of 1927
Issues of 1928
Issues of 1929
Issues of 1930
Isues of 1931
Washington Bicentennal Commemorative Stamps
of 1932 & other Issues
Issues of 1933
Issues of 1934
Issues of 1935
Special
Souvenior sheets of 1935
Issues of 1936
Issues of 1937
Issues of 1938
Issues of 1939
Famous Americans Commem's of 1940 &
Others
Vnmont Statehood of 1941
Issues of 1942
Overrun Countries commem's of 1943-44 &
Others
Issues of 1944
Roosevelt and Armed Forces Series of 1945
& Others
Issues of 1946
Issues of 1947
Air Mail Stamps
Issues
of 1918-1947
Carriers' Stamps
Issues of 1851
Newspaper & Periodical Stamps
Issues
of 1865
Issues of 1875
Issues of 1895
Offical Postage Stamps
Issues
of 1873-1884
Parcel Post Stamps
Issues of 1912-1913
Postage Due Stamps
Issues of 1879-1930
Parcel Post Postage Due Stamps
Issues of 1912
Postal Savings Offical Stamps
Issues of 1910-1911
Postal Savings Stamps
Issue
of 1911
Registry Stamp
Issue of 1911
Special Delivery Air Mail Stamp
Issue of 1934-1936
Special Delivery Stamps
Issues
of 1885-1925
Special Handling Stamp
Issue of 1925
United States Postage Stamps
1847 through 1947 ~ The first 100 years
ORDINARY POSTAGE STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1922-23
This series of postage stamps was issued to replace the regular issue of stamps, known as the "Series of 1912."
There are 21 denominations in this series, each having a different subject as the central design and with larger numerals denoting the denominations.
The designs are most artistic and were selected with the view of giving historical and educational interest to the stamps.
Three different border designs were used for this series of stamps, which are the same size, 75/100 by 87/100 inch, as the 1912 issue.
The border design for the first 13 denominations (1-cent to 14-cent) is identical. A different border design was used for the 15cent denomination and still another border design for the remaining seven denominations (20-cent, 25-cent, 30-cent, 50-cent, $1, $2, and $5) .
One-cent.-Portrait of Franklin, from Roudon's bust, within an oval and partly enclosed in a panel which is supported on either side by acanthus scrolls. Above the portrait in a curved line appear the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters. On a ribbon below the oval is the name "Franklin" and under this, at the bottom of the stamp, appears the word "Cent." In both lower corners within ovals with dark backgrounds is the white numeral "1." The entire stamp is enclosed within a cross-line border with small triangular ornaments in both upper corners. Printed in green ink, the 1cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa., on Franklin's birthday, January 17, 1923.
Two-cent.-Portrait of Washington, from Roudon's bust, with the name "Washington" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surounding design is the same as the 1-cent stamp, with the necessary change of figures representing the denomination, and with the word "Cents" instead of "Cent." The stamp is printed in red ink. The 2-cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., January 15, 1923, in sheet form. This denomination was, however, first issued in coils January 8, 1923, and was placed on sale the following day.
Three-cent.-Portrait of Lincoln, from photograph, with the name "Lincoln" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of figures representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in purple ink. The 3-cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.c., and Hodgenville, Larue County, Ky., the birthplace of former President Lincoln, on February 12, 1923.
Four-cent.-Portrait of Martha Washington, after painting by Gilbert Stuart, with the name "Martha Washington" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in brown ink and was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., on January 15, 1923.
Five-cent.-Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt, from photograph, with the name "Roosevelt" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as tbe 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in blue ink. The 5-cent stamp was first placed on sale in 1922 at Washington, D.c., Oyster Bay, N.Y., and New York, N.Y., on October 27, the birthday of former President Roosevelt.
Six-cent.-Portrait of Garfield, from photograph, with the name "Garfield" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in orange ink and was placed on sale November 20,1922, at Washington, D.C.
Seven-cent.-Portrait of McKinley, from photograph, with the name "McKinley" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in black ink. The 7-cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., and Niles, Ohio, the birtbplace of former President McKinley, on May 1, 1923.
Eight-cent.-Portrait of Grant, from photograph, with the name "Grant" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in olive green ink and was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., May 1, 1923.
Nine-cent.-Portrait of Jefferson, after painting by Gilbert Stuart, with the name "J efferson" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of figures representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in pink ink and was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., on January 15, 1923.
Ten-cent.-Portrait of Monroe, after painting by J. Vanderlyn, with the name "Monroe" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in yellow ink and was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., January 15, 1923.
Eleven-cent.-Portrait of Hayes, from photograph, with the names "Hayes" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in light blue ink. The 11-cent stamp was the first denomination of the new series issued. It was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., and Fremont, Ohio, October 4, 1922, in connection with the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of former President Hayes' birth.
Twelve-cent.-Portrait of Cleveland, from photograph, with the name "Cleveland" on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in purplish brown ink. The 12-cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., and Caldwell, N.J., the birthplace of former President Cleveland, March 20, 1923.
Fourteen-cent.-American Indian, from photograph of "Hollow Horn Bear", a Brule Sioux chief. The words "American Indian" appear on the ribbon below the portrait. The surrounding design is the same as the 2-cent stamp except that the numeral "14" appears in the ovals in both lower corners. The stamp is printed in indigo ink. The 14. cent stamp was first placed on sale at Wash. ington, D.C., and Muskogee, Okla., the headquarters of the Five Civilized Indian Tribes, May 1, 1923.
Fifteen-cent.-Liberty, from a photograph and drawing of Statue of Liberty with view of New York Harbor in the background. The central design is partly enclosed in a spread horseshoe panel supported at the base by acanthus scrolls. Within the panel and above the design appear the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters. On a ribbon below the design is the word "Liberty" and under this, at the bottom of the stamp, in a white-edged panel, appears the word "Cents." In both lower corners, within circles with dark backgrounds, is the white numeral "15." The entire stamp is enclosed within a single white-line border, with small panels supported by acanthus scrolls in both upper corners. Printed in dark gray ink, it was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., November 11, 1922.
Twenty-cent.-Golden Gate, after painting by W. A. Coulter. The design is within a semicircle surrounded by a panel which is supported on either side by acanthus scrolls. Within this panel and above the design appear the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters. On a ribbon below the design are the words "Golden Gate" and under this, at the bottom of the stamp, in a white-edged panel, appears the word "Cents." In both lower corners within circles with dark backgrounds is the white numeral "20." The entire stamp is enclosed within a single white-line border with triangular white-line ornaments in both upper corners and is printed in crimson ink. The 20-cent stamp was first placed on sale at Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, Calif., May 1, 1923.
Twenty-five-cent.-Niagara, from photo. graph of Niagara Falls, taken from Goat Island. The word "Niagara" appears on the ribbon below the central design. The surrounding design is the same as the 20-cent stamp except that the numeral "25" appears in the circ]es in both lower corners. Printed in dark-green ink, it was placed on sale .at Washington, D.c., November 11, 1922.
Thirty-cent.-Buffalo, from photograph. The surrounding design is the same as the 20-cent stamp except that there is no ribbon below the central design bearing the name of the subject. The numeral "30" appears in the circles in both lower corners. Printed in sepia ink, it was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., March 20, 1923.
Fifty-cent.-Arlington Amphitheatre, with Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the foreground, from photograph and drawing, with the words "Arlington Amphitheatre" on the ribbon below the central design. The surrounding design is the same as the 20-cent stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the denomination. The stamp is printed in lavender ink. The 50-cent stamp was first placed on sale at the post office at Washington, D.c., November 11, 1922, Armistice Day.
One-dollar.-Lincoln Memorial, from photograph and drawing, with the words "Lincoln Memorial" on the ribbon below the central, design. The surrounding design is the same, as the 20-cent stamp except that the numeral "1" appears in the circles in both lower corners, with the word "Dollar" insteadof "Cents" at the bottom of the stamp. The stamp is printed in brown ink. The $1 stamp was first placed on sale in 1923 at Washington, D.C., and Springfield, Ill., on Lincoln's birthday, February 12.
Two-dollar.-United States Capitol, from photograph and drawing, with the words "U. S. Capitol" on the ribbon below the central design. The surrounding design is the same as the 20-cent stamp except that the numeral "2" appears in the circles in both lower corners, with the words "Dollars" instead of "Cents" at the bottom of the stamp. The stamp is printed in blue ink and was placed on sale at Washington, D.c., on March 20, 1923.
Five-dollar.-America, from photograph of replica of Statue of Freedom surmounting the United States Capitol, with the word "America" on the ribbon below the central design. The surrounding design is the same as the 20-cent stamp except that the numeral "5" appears in the circles in both lower corners and the word "Dollars" appears at the bottom of the stamp instead of "Cents." This is the only stamp of the series printed in two colors. The central design is printed in blue ink, with the border design printed in red, and was placed on sale at Washington, D.C., on March 20, 1923.
PRECANCELED POSTAGE STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1923
Owing to the increased demand for precanceled postage stamps for use at the larger post offices, the Department decided to issue such stamps which could be printed and precanceled in one operation on the rotary presses at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, at a reduction in cost over the former method of precanceling in post offices
The 1-cent stamp, issue of 1923, was the first denomination precanceled by the new method at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. These stamps were for the Postmaster, New York, N.Y., and were first issued April 21, 1923. The precanceling was done in black ink, as follows:
Other postmasters were later furnished with the 1-cent stamp precanceled with the name of their post office.
It was later decided to issue precanceled postage stamps in coils, and on January 7, 1924, the 1-cent denomination, series of 1923, was first issued in that form to the Postmaster New York, N.Y., in coils of 500 and 1,000 stamps each, precanceled with the name of his office.
The 2-cent denomination precanceled in coils was first issued to the Postmaster, Chicago, Ill., January 31, 1924, precanceled with the name of his office.