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
Columbian Series of 1893 Commemorative Issues
The Department placed upon sale on Monday, January 2, 1893, at post offices through out the country, a new series of postage stamps (not including the 8-cent denomination issued later) and stamped envelopes known as the Columbian series. The issue of these stamps ceased April 12, 1894.
The Columbian stamps were issued in the denominations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 30, and 50 cents, and of $1, $2, $3, $4 and $5. These stamps differ in size and from those of the 1890 series, the engraved space being 7/8 by 1 1/32 inches, each stamp bearing a design commemorative of the discovery of America by Columbus.
The stamps are executed from line engravings on steel, the general design of the upper portion of all of them being snbstantially the same. The details of this design are, first, a white-faced imprint of the years "1492" and "1892", in the upper left and right-hand corners, respectively; then in white-shaded capitals beneath, in a waved line, the words "United States of America", below which, in a narrow tablet conforming to the curved frame of the picture under it, are the words of denomination; for example, "Postage, two cents", "Postage, two dollars", etc. These words end on either side of the stamp in a space of circular form with ornamental surroundings, within which are Arabic numerals of value-standing alone in the case of denominations under $1, but accompanied by the dollar mark in denominations of $1 and upward, as "2" (meaning cents), $2, etc. Underneath all this is the scene represented. enclosed in a plain white frame with arched top, extending nearly the entire length of the stamp, and taking up in every case probably three-fourths of its whole face, the appropriate designation of the picture being given in small white capitals at the bottom. The scenes represented are these:
One-cent. -Columbus in Sight of Land, after the paintiug by William H. Powell.This reproduction is enclosed in a circle. Onthe left is an Indian woman with her child, and on the right an Indian chief with headdress of feathers-each figure in a sitting posture. Color, Antwerp blue.
Two-cent. -Landing of Columbus, after the painting by Vanderlyn in the Rotunda of the Capitol at Washington. Color, purple maroon.
Three-cent. -Flagship of Columbus, the Santa Maria, in mid-ocean, from a Spanish engraving. Color, medium shade of green.
Four-cent. -Fleet of Columbus, the three caravels, Santa Maria, Nina, and Pinta, from a Spanish engraving. Color, ultramarine blue.
Five-cent. -Columbus Soliciting Aid of Isabella, after the painting by Brozik. Color, chocolate brown.
Six-ccnt. -Colnmbus Welcomed at Barcelona, scene from one of the panels of the bronze doors by Randolph Rogers in the Capitol at Washington. On each side of the scene represented is a niche, in one of which is a statue of Ferdinand and in the other a statue of Balboa. Color, royal purple.
Eight-cent. -Columbus Restored to Favor, after a painting by lover. Color, magenta red. Issued March 1, 1893.
Ten-cent. -Columbns Presenting Natives, after the painting by Luigi Gregori, at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. Color, Vandyke brown.
Fifteen-cent. -Columbus Announcing His Discovery, after the painting by R. Balaca, now in Madrid. Color, dark green.
Thirty-cent. -Columbus at La Rabida, after the painting by R. Maso. Color, sienna brown.
Fifty.cent. -Recall of Columbus, after the painting by A. G. Heaton, now in the Capitol at Washington. Color, slate blue.
One-dollar. -Isabella Pledging Her Jewels, after the painting by Munoz Degrain, now in Madrid. Color, rose salmon.
Two-dollar. -Columbus in Chains, after the painting by Luetze, now in Germantown, Pa. Color, toned mineral red.
Three-dollar. -Columbus Describing Third Voyage, after the painting by Francisco Jover. Color, light yellow green.
Four-dollar. -Portraits in circles, separated by an ornate device, of IsabeUa and Columbus, the portrait of Isabella after the well-known painting in Madrid, and that of Columbus after the Lotto painting. Color, carmine.
Five-dollar. -Profile of head of Columbus, after a cast provided by the Treasury Department for the souvenir 50-cent silver piece authorized by Act of Congress. The profile is in a circle, on the riight of which is the figure of America, represented by an Indian woman with a crown of feathers, and on the left a figure of Liberty, both figures being in a sitting posture. Color, black.
