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

SOUVENIR SHEET OF LITTLE AMERICA STAMPS (3-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1934

These special sheets, each containing six Little America stamps, were authorized for printing on the postage stamp press included in the display of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing at the National Stamp Exhibi­tion of 1934 held at Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y., February 10-18.

The special sheet is approximately 3 3/8 by 3 5/8  inches in dimension, ungummed and unperforated. The following printing appears in small type in blue ink on the four sides of the sheets: "Printed by the Treasury Department, Bureau of Engraving and Print­ing, under authority of James A. Farley, Post­master General, New York, N.Y., February 10-18, 1934, in compliment to the National Stamp Exhibition of 1934."

The souvenir sheets of Little America stamps were first placed on sale February 10, 1934, at the branch Philatelic Agency operated in connection with the National Stamp Exhibition. In addition to these special sheets, the branch agency had available for sale stocks of the various commemorative stamps, from the William Penn issue to date.

To facilitate the dispatch of mail by visitors, a separate substation of the New York post office was established on the exhibition floor, where a special canceling stamp, reading as follows, was provided: "National Stamp Exhibition Sta., New York, N.Y." As the Little America stamp was issued primarily for use on mail dispatched on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, the special sheets of this stamp were not issued to and sold through post offices.

For the benefit of stamp collectors who did not attend the National Stamp Exhibition, the souvenir sheets of Little America stamps were placed on sale at the Philatelic Agency, Post Office Department, beginning February 19, 1934.

MARYLAND TERCENTENARY COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP (3-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1934

This special issue was authorized to com­memorate the three hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Maryland.

The stamp is of the same size and shape as the regular issue, 75/100 by 87/100 inch in dimension, arranged horizontally. It is enclosed in a narrow double line border. Within a narrow panel across the top of the stamp is the wording "MaryJand Tercentenary" in white Roman, on a solid background. In the widened ends of the panel are the dates "1634" at the left and "1934" at the right in white Gothic. The panel is supported by ornamental brackets at each end. The color of this stamp is red.

The central design is a representation of the two sailing vessels on which the first Maryland colonists came to America. On a curved ribbon at the left of the central design is the inscription "The Ark and the Dove" in dark Old English lettering. In a corresponding position at the right is the Maryland coat of arms. Within circular panels with white borders and solid background in both lower corners is the large denomination numeral "3." Between the circles along the bottom of the stamp in a narrow panel with white edges and solid background and arranged in two lines is the wording "D. S. postage" and "Three cents."

The Maryland Tercentenary stamp was first placed on sale on March 23, 1934, at the post office in St. Marys City, Md., where the first settlement was located.

COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP IN HONOR OF MOTHERS (3-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1934

This special stamp was issued as a tribute to the Mothers of America.

The stamp is in the form of a horizontal rectangle, 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension, inclosed in a narrow double line border. The color of the stamp is purple.

To the right of the center of the stamp facing the left is a reproduction of the painting by James Abbot McNeill Whistler, entitled "Portrait of My Mother." Along the top of the stamp at the left in solid Old English lettering are the words "U.S. postage." Directly below, arranged in four lines, in solid Gothic letters is the inscription "In Memory and in Honor of the Mothers of America." Underneath the inscription, in two lines, are the words "Three cents" in solid Gothic. In the lower left corner is a vase containing carnations.

The mothers' commemorative stamp was first placed on sale May 2, 1934, at Washington, D.C.

WISCONSIN TERCENTENARY COMMEMORATIVE STAMP (3-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1934

This stamp was issued to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the French explorer, Jean Nicolet, on the shores of Green Bay, who, according to his­torical records, was the first white man to

reach the territory now comprised in the State of Wisconsin.

The stamp is 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension, arranged horizontally, and is enclosed within a narrow double line border. It is printed in purple. Extending across the top of the stamp in a narrow panel with dark ground and white edges is the inscription "1634-Wisconsin Tercentenary-1934" in white Roman lettering. The central subject is reproduced from a painting depicting the arrival of the explorer. On a white ribbon panel at the base of the picture is the title "Nicolet's Landing on the shores of Green Bay" in solid Gothic lettering. In a narrow panel, with white border that extends along the lower edge of the stamp, are the words "United States postage" in white Roman with small ornaments at either end. Resting on the base panel in each lower corner are dark rectangular panels with white edges en­closing the denomination designation "31" in white. Panels of the same width composed of fan-shaped ornaments extend to the top panel on each side.

The Wisconsin Tercentenary commemorative stamp was first offered for sale at the post office in Green Bay, Wis., on July 7, 1934.

NATIONAL PARKS POSTAGE STAMPS (1-CENT TO 10-CENTS, INCLUSIVE)-ISSUE OF 1934

This special issue of ten postage stamps in denominations of I-cent to 10-cents, inclusive, was the first series of stamps to be devoted en­tirely to scenic views from the national parks. The stamps were issued complimentary to the observance of 1934 as "National Parks Year."

The stamps of this series are of larger size, 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension, in order to better accommodate the subject matter incorporated thereon. The stamps are issued in sheets of 50. The stamps of the different denominations are described as follows:

The 1-cent stamp is arranged vertically and is printed in green ink. This denomination shows a scene in Yosemite National Park with the famous EI Capitan at the right. In a solid panel across the bottom of the stamp is the inscription "U.S. postage" in white Roman lettering. Resting on this base is a dark panel with curved top and ends, within which in a curved line along the upper edge is the title "Yosemite" in white Gothic. Below the tit]e is the denomination designation "lif" in white Roman flanked on either side by white line ornaments. The stamp is enclosed in a narrow double-line border.

The 2-cent stamp is arranged horizontally and is printed in red ink. The central subject of this stamp is a view of the Grand Canyon, depicting the temples of Deva, Brahma, and Zoroaster, and Bright Angel Canyon. On either side of the stamp are upright panels containing the words "U.S. postage" at the left and "Grand Canyon" at the right in white Gothic letters arranged vertically within an ornamental framework. Within circular panels with white borders and solid background in each lower corner is the denomination designation "2c" in white. The stamp is enclosed in a narrow double line border.

The 3-cent stamp of this series is arranged horizontally and is enclosed in a narrow double line border. A shadowed vertical panel at the right occupies approximately one fifth of the area of the stamp. Within this panel at the top are the words "United States postage" in shaded Gothic ll'ttering, arranged in three horizontal lines. Below this inscription and separated there from by a solid ]ine ornament are the words "Three cents" in shaded Gothic, printed in two lines. Resting on an acanthus ornament at the bottom of this panel is a white disk containing a narrow double line border within the outer circle. In the center of this disk is the solid Gothic numeral "3." The remaining space of the stamp at the left is a view of Mount Rainier with a reproduction of Mirror Lake in the foreground, in which the peak and surrounding trees are reflected. In a narrow panel at the base is the name "Mt. Rainier" in white Roman on a solid background. The stamp is printed in purpIe ink.

The 4-cent denomination is arranged horizontally and is printed in brown. The stamp is enclosed in a double line border which is widened at the top and bottom of the stamp to form a narrow panel containing small arrowlike ornaments in white on a dark ground. The central subject is a view of the "Cliff Palace", one of the more important ruins of the prehistoric cliff dwellers in Mesa Verde National Park, Colo. At the base of the picture in a narrow panel with white edges and dark background is the title "Mesa Verde" in white Roman. In each lower corner is a rectangular panel, arranged vertically, with dark edges and white ground enclosing the large, dark nu­meral "4." Panels of the same width, with durk ground, extend to the top of the stamp on either side in which, arranged verticany, in white Gothic lettering are the words "U.S. postage" at the left and "Four cents" at the right.

The 5-cent stamp, arranged vertically, is enclosed in a narrow double line border and is printed in blue ink. In a solid panel with white edges across the bottom of the stamp are the words "U.S. postage" in white Roman. Resting on this base is a lighter panel with curved top and ends, within which in a curved line near the top is the name "Yellowstone" in white Gothic. Below this title is the denomination designation "5c", also in white Gothic, on either side of which appears a white line ornament. The remaining space on the stamp is a reproduction of Old Faithful Geyser, one of the foremost scenic wonders of Yellowstone Park, with its column of hot water high in the air.

The 6-cent stamp, arranged horizontally, is enclosed in a narrow ruled panel border. A view of Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park, showing portions of the surrounding rim and Wizard Island, occupies the major part of the space within the border. In a horizontal line in the upper central part of the stamp are the words "U.S. postage" in solid modified Gothic. In rectangular panels with light background and double line borders in each lower corner is the denomination designation "6c" in solid Gothic. In a narrow horizontal panel with light ground at the base of the stamp is the title "Crater Lake" in small dark Gothic letters. The stamp is printed in blue ink to conform to the color of the water in Crater Lake.

The 7-cent stamp is arranged horizontally, and has for the central design a view of Great Head, a rocky promontory on the shore of Acadia National Park, Maine. At the bottom of the picture is the title "Acadia" in white Gothic letters. At each end of the stamp, in narrow uprip:ht panels with dark background bordered by paneling of lighter shade on either side and with ornamental devices at the top and bottom, is the wording "U.S. postage" at the left and "Seven cents" at the right in white Gothic, arranged vertically. Within a circu]ar panel with white ground, bordered by several dark lines, in the upper right corner of the space reserved for the central subject, is the denomination designation "7c" in dark color. The stamp is printed in black ink.

The 8-cent denomination is arranged vertically and is enclosed in a narrow double line border. It is printed in gray-green ink. The central design of this stamp is a reproduction of the "Great White Throne", one of the out­standing examples of the peculiar rock formations in Zion National Park, Utah. Below the picture is the title "Zion" in dark Gothic. In a narrow panel with white edges and dark ground along the base of the stamp are the words "U.S. postage" in white Roman letter­ing. The denomination designation "8c" in dark color is shown in the upper right corner of the stamp.

The 9-cent stamp, arranged horizontaJly, is encIosed in a narrow double-line border and is printed in pink color. The central design depicts a scene from the Glacier National Park, showing lofty Mount Rockwell in the distance and Two Medicine Lake with border­ing forest trees in the foreground. Arranged vertically at either end are ruled panels in which are enclosed other panels of lighter shade, with indented ends containing, at the left, the wording "U.S. postage", and "Glacier" at the right, all in solid Roman lettering. In the lower right corner is a small square with light background and double­line border enclosing the denomination designation "9c" in dark color.

The 10-cent stamp is arranged vertically, and has for the central subject a view of Mount Le Conte, one of the outstanding points of interest in Smoky Mountain National Park. In a narrow panel across the top of the stamp, with dark ground, are the words "Great Smoky Mountains" in white Roman. In a similar panel at the base of the stamp are the words "United States postage" in white Roman. Resting on the base is a curved ribbon panel, in the central fold of which, on a light ground, is the word "Cents" in dark Roman. Immediately above, in a rectangular panel with dark ground, is the large numeral "10" in white Roman. The stamp is printed in slate-gray color.

The above stamps were first placed on sale as follows:

These stamps were also placed on sale the same dates at Washington, D.C.

SOUVENIR SHEET OF 3-CENT NATIONAL PARKS STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1934

The special sheet containing six stamps of the 3-cent Mount Rainier design of the National Parks series was authorized on behalf of the annual convention of the American Philatelic Society, held at Atlantic City, N.J., August 28 to September I, 1934.

The sheet is printed in purple ink without perforations, but with the usual gumming. Sheets of this design were printed on the stamp press operated at the convention exhibition by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. In the narrow margin on the four sides of the sheet in small Gothic lettering is the following wording: "Printed by the Treasury Department, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, under authority of James A­Farley, Postmaster General, in compliment to the American Philatelic Society for its convention and exhibition, Atlantic City, N.J., August 1934."

This special sheet of stamps was first placed on sale August 28, 1934, at the branch Philatelic Agency, Atlantic City, which was operated in connection with the convention. This souvenir sheet was not issued to post masters but it was made available for sale to collectors at the Philatelic Agency of the De­partment, beginning September 4, 1934.

SOUVENIR SHEET OF l-CENT NATIONAL PARKS STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1934

The Department authorized the printing of a special sheet containing six of the 1-cent Yosemite National Parks stamps as a souvenir of the Trans-Mississippi Philatelic Exposition and Convention held in Omaha, Nebr., October 8 to 14, 1934.

The stamps are arranged on the sheet in 2 rows of 3 each. Each sheet is approximately 3 5/8 inches wide by 3 3/4 inches high, and is gummed but not perforated. It is printed in green ink and with the following inscription on the four margins: "Printed by the Treasury Department, Bureau of Engraving and Print­ing, under authority of James A. Farley, Post master General, in compliment to the Trans­Mississippi Philatelic Exposition and Convention, Omaha, Nebraska, October 1934."

The special sheet of 1-cent Yosemite stamps was first placed on sale on October 10, 1934, at the temporary postal station of the Omaha post office operated in connection with the convention under the designation, "Trans-Mississippi Philatelic Convention Station."

For the benefit of other collectors, the souvenir sheet of 1-cent Yosemite stamps was placed on sale at the Philatelic Agency,

Post Office Department, beginning October 15, 1934. This special issue of stamps was not placed on sale in post offices other than Omaha.

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