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
MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY COMMEMORATIVE STAMP (2-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1930
This special stamp commemorates the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
The stamp is an upright rectangle the same size as the 2-cent stamp of the regular series of 1922-23, and is printed in red ink. In a straight line across the top of the stamp are the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters, and directly beneath is a semicircular panel containing the words "Massachusetts Bay Colony." This panel is supported on either side by sman acanthus-leaf brackets. In both lower corners within ovals with dark background appear the white numeral "2" and these ovals are connected by a panel bearing the word "Cents" in white Roman letters. The central design is the colonial seal with the figure of an Indian holding a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right. On either side of the figure is a sman pine tree. The years "1630" and "1930" in dark numerals are shown outside the lower part of the seal fonowing the curve of the oval.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony stamp was first placed on sale April 8, 1930, at Boston and Salem, Mass.
CHARLESTON (S.C.) COMMEMORATIVE STAMP (2-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1930
This stamp was issued to commemorate the two hundred and sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Province of Carolina, as well as the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the original settlement near the site of the present city of Charleston, S.C.
This stamp is the same size as the 2-cent ordinary postage stamp of 1922-23, and is printed in red ink. In the upper half of the stamp is a semicircular ribbon bearing the words "United States postage" in dark Roman letters, while in a similar ribbon in the lower half are the words "Charleston, S. C." In the space between the central oval and the sides of the stamp are specimens of rice and indigo plants, with the names thereof indicated in dark Gothic letters on white ribbon panels. In the upper corners are the years "1680" at the left and "1930" at the right, in white numerals, and in both lower corners in sman ovals appears the white numeral "2." Connecting these ovals is a panel containing the word "Cents" in white Roman letters. The central design depicts the figures of a colonial governor and a friendly Indian standing on the beach, with two ships anchored in the bay. Under the figures in a straight line is the wording "250th anniversary."
The Charleston stamp was first placed on sale April 10, 1930, at Charleston, S.C.
NEW 4-CENT ORDINARY POSTAGE STAMP, PORTRAIT OF TAFT-ISSUE OF 1930
Following the death of William Howard Taft, the Department au thorized the issuance of a new 4-cent ordinary postage stamp bearing his likeness. This stamp replaced the stamp of the same denomination bearing the portrait of Martha Washington.
The central design is a portrait of the former President and late Chief Justice, with an open background. The name "Taft" appears on a ribbon scroll directly beneath the portrait. No change was made in the border design or in the color, which continued in brown.
The new stamp was first placed on sale June 4, 1930, at Cincinnati, Ohio, the former home of the subject of the stamp.
BATTlE OF BRADDOCK COMMEMORATIVE STAMP (2-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1930
This special issue of 2-cent stamps commemorates the one hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the Battle of Braddock.The stamp is the same shape and size as the regulN issue 75/100 by 87/100 inch, and is printed in red ink. In a straight line across the top of the stamp are the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters and directly beneath is a semicircular panel bearing the words "Battle of Braddock's Field." This panel is supported on either side by acanthus scrolls. In both lower corners within ovals with dark backgrounds appears the white numeral "2." These ovals are connected by a panel bearing the word "Cents" in white Roman letters.
The central design is a statue of Col. George Washington with the years "1755" and "1930" in white numerals on either side, and directly beneath the statue in a small panel are the words "Colonel George Washington" in white Gothic letters. Ornamental triangles appear on either side in the upper portion of the stamp.
This stamp was first placed on sale July 9, 1930, at Braddock, Pa.
GENERAL VON STEUBEN COMMEMORATIVE STAMP (2-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1930
This special stamp was issued in commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of General Von Steuben and in recognition of the exceptional services rendered the Colonial cause during the Revolutionary War in drilling and organizing the army.
The stamp conforms in shape and size to the regular issue and is printed in red ink. Across the top of the stamp, arranged in two lines in a curved panel, are the words "United States postage" in white Roman letters. Extending below the panel is a vertically striped background, the upper border of which is composed of narrow acanthus scrolls.
In both lower corners in circles with dark backgrounds appears the white numeral "2." In a dark panel connecting the circles is the word "Cents" in white Roman letters. Arising from each circle on the right and left is an acanthus leaf scroll which lends support to the large circular medallion in the central portion of the stamp bearing the raised head and bust of Von Steuben modeled from a medal. In a semicircle along the upper edge of the central medallion is the wording "1730-General Von Steuben-1930" in Roman type.
This stamp was first placed on sale September 17, 1930, at New York, N.Y.
CHANGE IN DESIGN OF 1 1/2-CENT POSTAGE STAMP, PORTRAIT OF HARDINGISSUE OF 1930
This issue of Fh-cent stamps contains a full-face likeness of President Harding in lieu of the profile view originally used on this denomination. The border design of the new stamp was also changed to agree with the other stamps of the regular issue, series of 1922-23. The new stamp is of the same size as the regular issue and printed in brown ink.
The central design on the 1 1/2-cent stamp was reengraved in order to provide a more satisfactory likeness of the late President and to have the stamp conform in general style and quality of workmanship with the other stamps of the presidential series.
The 1 1/2-cent Harding stamp was first placed on sale, in sheets and sidewise coils, at the post office in Marion, Ohio, on December 1, 1930.