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
FAMOUS AMERICANS COMMEMORATIVE SERIES-ISSUE OF 1940
The Famous Americans series is comprised of 35 stamps, issued in 7 groups of 5 stamps each, printed by the rotary process in sheets of 70. Each individual stamp is 85/100 by 98/100 inch in dimension, arranged vertically.
In the author's group the portraits are arranged in oval frames against a background of colonial design. At the base of the portraits are shown a closed book, scroll, quill pen, and inkwell symbolizing this group. In a narrow panel with white ground at the base of the stamp is the name of the author. The denomination designation, in two lines, the numeral above and the word "Cent" or "Cents" below, appears in an ornamental shield-shaped panel, partly bordered with laurel leaves, in the lower right corner.Across the top of the stamps is the wording "United States Postage." All lettering is solid Gothic in the color of the stamp.
The central subjects in the poet's group are enclosed in inner and outer frames of Georgian design, between which at the top is the inscription "United States Postage." Below the portrait frame is a horizontal tablet containing on a white ground the name of the poet, above which appears the denomination designation at each end with the word "Cent" or "Cents" between, separated by an ornamental shield-shaped panel in which is depicted in white, on a solid background, a reproduction of the winged horse Pegasus, which forms the symbol of this group. All lettering is in solid Gothic.
The stamps in the educators' group are bordered by ornamental frames within which the central portraits appear in a circular frame in the upper half of which on a light ground are the words "United States Postage" in dark Gothic lettering. The lower half of these frames is of ornamental design, over the center of which is superimposed a solid shield-shaped panel with dark ground supported by acanthus leaves on the sides, enclosing a reproduction of the "Lamp of Knowledge," the symbol for this group of stamps. In a narrow panel with white background at the base of the stamp is the name of the author, above which, at each end, appears the denomination designation, in white.
In the scientists' group the portraits appear in the upper part of the stamp in a square panel with solid ground, bordered at the top and sides in a frame of lighter shade. Below the portrait in a white ribbon with folded ends is the name of the subject in dark Gothic. Below the portrait on a shaded background is the wording "United States Postage" in white Roman, arranged in three lines. Within a shield-shaped panel at the right with dark ground is the denomination designation in white. In a similar panel at the left is the symbol of the science with which the subject was associated.
The central subjects of the composers' group appear in oval frames arranged vertically superimposed on a wide flat frame. Below the oval frame at the left is a spray of laurel leaves and at the right the Pipes of Pan, representing the symbol of this group of subjects. Across the top of the stamps is the inscription "United States Postage" in dark Gothic. The border frame at the bottom is obscured by a white panel enclosing at the left the denomination designation, with the name of the composer in the center in dark Gothic.
In the artists' group the portrait is enclosed in an oval frame of colonial design. Underneath this frame in a horizontal panel with white ground is the name of the subject in dark Gothic lettering. Across the top of the stamp is the inscription "United States Postage" also in dark Gothic lettering. In the lower left corner is shown the artist's palette with brushes, symbolizing the art of painting. On the palette is superimposed the denomination designation in color. In the lower right corner is depicted a stonecutter's maul with chisels, a symbol of sculpture.
The central subjects of the inventor's group are distinguished from the preceding issues by the use of larger portraits without frames. The portraits are placed to the right of the center of the stamp and extend from the bottom edge to the top of the stamp except for the narrow space required for the iuscription reading "United States Postage" in white Gothic. In the lower left corner of the stamp is a large rectangular panel arranged vertically with white ground, containing at the top the name of the inventor in dark Gothic lettering. At the bottom of the panel, arranged in the form of a monogram, is a reproduction of a cogwheel, uplifted wings, and lightning flash, symbols of power, flight, and electricity. Between the monogram and the name of the inventor appears the denomination numeral.
PONY EXPRESS COMMEMORATIVE STAMPISSUE OF 1940
This stamp was issued to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the introduction of the Pony Express Service.
The dimensions of the stamp are 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches, arranged horizontally. It was issued in sheets of 50 printed by the rotary process in red-brown ink.
The central design depicts a mounted Pony Express rider leaving a relay station with a consignment of mail. In the foreground at the right is the denomination designation in the form of a large numeral "3" with "Three Cents" below, in dark Roman lettering. In each upper corner is a vertical panel with dark ground containing at the left a repro. duction of a buffalo skull and a sheaf of wheat at the right in whiteo Immediately below are the dates "1860" and "1940," respectively, in dark lettering. In a horizontal panel with dark ground at the upper edge of the stamp is the inscription "United States Postage" in white Gothic. In a similar panel at the lower edge of the stamp is the wording "Pony Express 80th Anniversary" in white Gothic.
The stamp was first placed on sale at St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif., the eastern and western terminals, on April 3, 1940.
PAN-AMERICAN UNION COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1940
This stamp was issued to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Pan-American Union.
The dimensions of the stamp are 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches, arranged vertically. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 50.
The central design portrays three feminine figures with clasped hands, copied from the allegorical painting of "Spring" by Botticelli, typifying the bonds of friendship and good will that exist between the countries of the Pan-American Union. In a horizontal panel at the top of the stamp is the wording "United States Postage" and in smaller type directly underneath, "Fiftieth Anniversary Pan-American Union." Below the central group is the denomination designation "3 cents" in two lines. At the lower edge of the stamp, also arranged in two lines, is the wording "A Hemisphere of Good Neighbors North, Central and South America." All lettering on the stamp is in white of the old English style in use during the fourteenth century.
The stamp was first placed on sale at the Washington, D.C., post office on April 14. 1940.
IDAHO STATEHOOD COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1940
This stamp was issued to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the admission of Idaho to the Union.
The dimensions of this stamp are 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches, arranged horizontally. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 50.
The central design is a reproduction of the State Capitol at Boise, which occupies the entire space in the lower half of the stamp with the dome extending close to the upper edge at the center. In the upper left corner is the wording "50th Anniversary Idaho 18901940," arranged in three lines. In a similar position at the right is the inscription "U. S. Postage," underneath which is the denomination designation. All lettering is in dark Gothic.
The stamp was first placed on sale at the Boise, Idaho, post office on July 3, 1940.
WYOMING STATEHOOD COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1940
This stamp was issued to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the admission of Wyoming to the Union.
The dimensions of this stamp are 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches, arranged vertically. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 50.
The central design is a reproduction of the State Seal of Wyoming, extending the full width of the stamp. In a curved panel with dark ground forming an arch above the central design is the wording "State of Wyoming 50th Anniversary" in white Roman arranged in two lines. In a horizontal panel with dark ground at the top of the stamp is the inscription "U. S. Postage" in white Roman. In a similar panel, at the lower edge of the stamp in white Roman lettering, are the words "Three" at the left and "Cents" at the right, separated by a large circular panel with dark ground containing the numeral "3" in white. In the space between the lower panel and the central design are the words "1890" at the left and "1940" at the right in large white numerals.
The stamp was first placed on sale at the Cheyenne, Wyo., post office on July 10, 1940.
CORONADO CUARTO CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1940
This stamp was issued to commemorate the four hundredth anniversary of the Coronado Expedition through the Southwestern States.
The dimensions of this stamp are 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches, arranged horizontally. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 50.
The central design, arranged in the form of an oval, was reproduced from the painting "Coronado and His Captains," by Gerald Cassidy, the title of which is shown in white Gothic lettering in a narrow panel with solid background at the base of the picture. In a horizontal panel with dark ground at the lower edge of the stamp is the wording "1540-Coronado Cuarto Centennial-1940" in white architectural Roman lettering. In a similar arrangement at the top of the stamp, partly obscured by the central design, is the wording "u. S. Postage" at the left, and "Three Cents" at the right. In the space below these inscriptions are white shields ornamented by laurel branches. The shield at the left contains the denomination designation "3 " and the one at the right incorporates the Coronado coat of arms.
The stamp was first placed on sale at the Albuquerque, N. Mex., post office on September 7, 1940.
NATIONAL DEFENSE STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1940
This series of postage stamps, temporarily replacing the regular issues, was provided to create a general consciousness of the existing threat to our security and focus attention upon the necessity for developing an adequate national defense.
The dimensions of these stamps are 75/100 by 87/100 inch, arranged vertically. They are printed in the regulation colors for these denominations by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 100.
The central design for the 1-cent denomination is a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty, above which, in dark Gothic, are the words "Industry Agriculture." Below the design is the wording "For Defense" in white Gothic. In a horizontal panel with dark background at the upper edge of the stamp is the inscription "United States of America" in white Roman lettering. In like lettering in a similar panel at the base of the stamp is the wording "Postage 1 Cent."
The 2-cent stamp has for its central subject a reproduction of a 90-millimeter antiaircraft gun, above which in dark Gothic lettering is the wording "Army and Navy." Except for the change in the denomination numeral and the substitution of the word "Cents" for "Cent," the remaining inscriptions are the same as on the 1-cent value.
The 3-cent stamp has for the central design an uplifted torch symbolizing enlightenment, above which, arranged in two lines, are the words "Security Education Conservation Health" in dark Gothic. Other than the change in the denomination numeral, the remaining wording on the stamp conforms to that on the 2-cent stamp.
The stamps were first placed on sale in the Washington, D.C., post office on October 16, 1940.
THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT COMMEMORATIVE STAMP-ISSUE OF 1940
This stamp was issued in commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution.
The dimensions of this stamp are 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches, arranged vertically. It was printed in purple by the rotary process and issued in sheets of 50.
The central design is a reproduction of the statue entitled "Emancipation" by Thomas Ball in Lincoln Park, Washington, D.c., portraying Abraham Lincoln and a slave. The base of the statue is partly obscured by a panel with white background, containing the inscription "75th Anniversary of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution" in dark lettering arranged in three lines. Across the top of the stamp is the wording "United States of America" in dark color. At the base of the stamp on a dark background is the denomination designation: "Postage 3 Cents" in white. The numeral is enclosed in an oval frame with scroll-like ornaments on each side. All lettering on the stamp is in architectural Roman.
The stamp was first placed on sale at the WorId's Fair, New York, post office on October 20, 1940.