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
RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1938
The issuance of this special stamp was to commemorate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the ratification of the United States ConstitUtion.
The stamp is 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension, arranged horizontally. It was printed by the rotary method, in a purple color, and issued in sheets of 50.
The central design is a reproduction of a colonial type courthouse, with two horsemen in the foreground, one in the act of mounting and the other galloping away carrying news of the ratification. In the upper left half of the stamp is the wording "The States Ratify The Constitution 1788", arranged in three lines in dark Roman. In a similar position at the right is the wording "United States Postage 1938" in like lettering also arranged in three lines. In rectangular-shaped panels with dark ground, arranged vertically, in each lower corner is the large numeral "3" in white Gothic. In a narrow panel with dark ground at the center of the lower edge of the stamp is the wording "Three Cents" in white Gothic.
This commemorative issue was first placed on sale at Philadelphia, Pa., on June 21, 1938.
FIRST COLONY OF THE SWEDES AND FINNS COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1938
This special postage stamp commemorated the tercentenary anniversary of the first colony of Swedish and Finnish settlers in America.
The stamp is square in form, 92/100 inch in dimension. It was printed in purple on flat plates and issued in sheets of 48.
The central design of the stamp is a reproduction of a painting by Stanley M. Arthurs, depicting the landing of the first Swedish and Finnish settlers in America. At the base of the picture is the wording "Landing of the Swedes and Finns" in dark Gothic. In a narrow panel with dark ground at the top of the stamp is the inscription reading ". 1638 U.S. Postage. 1938.," the words in white Roman and the dates in Gothic. In square panels with dark ground and ornamental borders in each lower corner of the stamp is the large numeral "3" in white Gothic. In a narrow panel with dark ground along the lower edge of the stamp is the wording "Cents" in white Roman. The borders at the right and left are of ornamental design.
The stamp was first placed on sale June 27, 1938, at Wilmington, Del.,
near the site of the first settlement.
NORTHWEST TERRITORY COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1938
The Department issued this special stamp to commemorate the sesquicentennial anniversary of the settlement of the Northwest Territory under the Ordinance of 1787.
The stamp is 75/100 by 87/100 inch in dimension. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 100.
The central design of this stamp depicts the memorial statue by Gutzon Borglum, symbolizing the colonization of the West, located at Marietta, Ohio. At the base of the statue in raised Gothic letters is the wording "Northwest Territory Sesquicentennial", arranged in two lines. The stamp has a single line frame, and is without background. In the upper left corner in dark Gothic is the denomination "3c" In a corresponding position in the upper right corner in dark Gothic, is the date "1788," with "1938" underneath. In a narrow panel with dark ground along the base of the stamp is the inscription "U.S. Postage" in white Roman.
The stamp was first sold on July 15, 1938, at Marietta, Ohio, where the first civil government in the Northwest Territory was established.
IOWA TERRITORY COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1938
This stamp was furnished to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the establishment of Iowa Territory.
The stamp is arranged horizontally and is 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 50.
The central subject is a reproduction of the Old Capitol Building. In a small panel with dark ground at the center of the upper edge of the stamp is the name "Iowa" in white Roman, below which, arranged in two curved lines, is the wording "Territorial Centennial" and "1838" "1938", in dark Gothic. In a straight line below the central subject is the wording "The Old Capitol Building" in white Gothic. The denomination numeral "3" in white is enclosed in square-shaped panels with dark ground and curved upper edges in each lower corner, between which, in a narrow panel with dark ground, is the wording "U.S. Postage-Three Cents", in white Roman. Ornamental panels depicting stalks of corn rise from each side of the stamp and form an arch-like effect for the central subject.
The stamp was first sold at Des Moines, Iowa, on August 24, 1938.
ORDINARY POSTAGE STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1938
This series of ordinary postage stamps replaces that known as the issue of 1922-23. All but the three highest denominations were printed on rotary presses and issued in sheets of 100. The $1, $2, and $5, being bicolored, were supplied from 100 subject flat plates, both border and vignette, and issued in sheets of that size.
This series is distinctive for its simplicity, number of denominations involved, and subject matter. The stamps are all 75/100 by 87/100 inch in dimension, arranged vertically. Incorporated in the designs are likenesses of all Presidents from Washington to Coolidge arranged in accordance with their tenure of office. In addition, Benjamin Franklin on the 1/2-cent value, Martha Washington on 11/2-cent, and a view of the White Rouse on the 4 1/2-cent are shown.
Except for the three stamps mentioned above, each shows a Presidential bust facing to the right and located at the left of the center of the stamp. In the upper right corner are the words "United States Postage," arranged in three lines, in white modernized Gothic. Below, in like lettering of smaller size is the name of the President with dates to indicate the years of his administration. Denomination numerals appear in both lower corners with the word "Cent" or "Cents" between, in white lettering. All but the three highest values have flat backgrounds in color. Denominations of 1/2-cent to 9-cent are without borders, the 10-cent to 19-cent have single-line borders, and the 20-cent to 50-cent have double-line borders.
The profile busts appearing on the $1, $2, and $5 values are slightly larger than the others. They are centrally located and printed in black. The name of the President and the dates of his service appear directly below the likeness, corresponding in position with the word "Cents" in the lower values. Large denomination numerals appear in each of the lower corners preceded by the dollar sign. The color of all printing, other than the portrait itself, is that of the respective border.
The 32 stamps comprising this series are described as follows:
All stamps of this issue, except the 1/2-cent Franklin, were first sold at the Washington, D.C., post office. The 1/2-cent stamp was first offered for sale at the Benjamin Franklin Memorial Station, Philadelphia, Pa.
The subject matter for the series was secured from the following sources:
One-half-cent.-Photograph of statue by James Earle Fraser, in Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.
One-cent.-Photograph of bust by Roudon. One and one-half-cent.-Photograph of bust by Mrs.. Lola MacDonald Sleeth in Memorial Continental Hall, Washington, D.C.
Two-cent.-Photograph of bust by Daniel Chester French, in the Senate Gallery, U.s. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Three-cent.-Photograph of Houdon reproduction in the Congressional Library, Washington, D.C.
Four-cent.-Photograph of bust by F. William Sievers, in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Va.
Four and one-half-cent.-Photograph made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Five-cent.-Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Six-cent.-Photograph of bust by John Cruckshanks King, in the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Seven-cent.-Revised sketch influenced by the bronze statue by Belle Kinney Sholz in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Eight-cent.-Photograph of bust by U. S. J. Dunbar, in the Senate Gallery of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Nine-cent.-Photograph of bust by Chester Beach, in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Va.
Ten-cent.-Photograph of bust by Charles Keck, in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Va.
Eleven-cent.-Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Twelve-cent.-Photograph of bust by F. William Sievers, in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Va.
Thirteen-cent.-Photograph of bust by Robert Cushing, in the Senate Gallery, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Fourteen-cent.-Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Fifteen-cent.-Photograph of bust by Henry Dexter, in the National Gallery of Art, National Museum, Washington, D.C.
Sixteen-cent.-Photograph of bust by Sarah Fisher Ames, in the Senate Gallery of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
8eventeen-cent.-Photograph of bust by William C. McCauslen, in the Senate Gallery, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Eighteen-cent.--Photograph of statue by Franklin Simmons, in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Nineteen-cent.-Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Twenty-cent.-Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Twenty-one-cent.-Photograph of bust by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, in the Senate Gallery, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Twenty-two-cent.--Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Twenty-four-cent.-Photograph of bust by Adolph Weinman, in possession of the John Herron Art Institute, Indianapolis, Ind.
Twenty-five-cent.-Photograph of medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.
Thirty-cent.-Photograph of bust by James E. Fraser, in the South Wing, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
Fifty-cent.-Photograph of portrait by Harris & Ewing.
One-dollar.-Photograph of medal furnished by U.S. Mint.
Two-dollar.-Photograph of medal furnished by U.S. Mint.
Five-dollar.-Photograph of medal furnished by U.S. Mint.