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

PARCEL POST STAMPS-ISSUE OF 1912-13

The Act of Congress approved August 24, 1912, making appropriations for the Postal Service for the fiscal year 1913, contains the following provisions as to parcel post stamps:

"That the rate of postage on fourth class matter weighing not more than 4 ounces shall be 1 cent for each ounce or fraction of an ounce; and on such matter in excess of 4 ounces in weight the rate shall be by the pound, as hereinafter provided, the postage in all cases to be prepaid by distinctive postage stamps affixed.

"Parcel-post equipment, 1913.-That the Postmaster General shall provide suc special equipment, maps, stamps, directorics, and printed instructions as may be necessary for the administration of this section ***."

Under this provision of law the Department prepared a set of 12 parcel post stamps and a set of 5 parcel post due stamps of distinctive designs. The designs were prepared in 3 groups of 4 stamps each, the working personnel of the Postal Service being represented by the first group, the transportation of the mail by the second group, and the manufaeturing and agricultural interests of the country by the third group.

The parcel post stamps are 875/1000 by 1 375/1000 inches in dimension. The color is red for all denominations. In a curved panel across the top, supported by a paneled perpendicular column at each end, appear the words "U. S. parcel post" in Roman capital letters. Triangular ornaments occupy both upper corners. The denomination in large numerals is in each lower corner, with the title of the subject and the word "Cents" (or "Dollar") between.

The stamps were  first placed on sale January 1, 1913, with the inauguration of the the parcel post law.