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

REGISTRY STAMP (IO-CENT)-ISSUE OF 1911

This stamp, of 10-cent denomination, was originated by the Postmaster General to prepay registry fees. It is of special design, in order to identify mail to which it is attached as registered matter and entitled to all the benefits and safeguards of the system. A description follows:

The registry stamp is a rectangle on end; the size of the design is approximately 3/4 by 7/8 inch; the color is light blue. The design shows an eagle with extended wings, perched upon a rock, within a circle set in a panel of plain lines. Above the circle and following its curve the words "United States registry" appear in two lines; and in the two lower corners the denomination "10" appearswithin small circles, with the word "Cents" between.

A supply of the registry stamps was placed on sale in post offices December I, I911, in time for use in connection with holiday mailings.

It was later found that the slight advantage of the distinctive registry stamp was out weighed by the confusion arising from its attempted use for prepayment of postage by persons unfamiliar with its true function. Moreover, ordinary stamps are valid for payment of registry fees, so that the registry stamp is not essential. Such a stamp is not required by law; it was issued by Executive order.

The Postmaster General, in Order No. 7136, dated May 28, 1913, directed the discontinuance of the issuance of the registry stamps when the manufactured supply on hand was exhausted. They continue, however, to be valid for registry fees so long as any of the stamps remain unused.