United States of America

The United States emerged as an independent nation in 1776 following the American Revolution against British rule. Over the following centuries it expanded across the North American continent and developed into one of the world’s largest political and economic powers. As the federal government grew, the postal system became a vital institution linking a vast and rapidly expanding country, carrying correspondence, commerce, and news across great distances.The United States has produced one of the most extensive and influential bodies of postage stamps in the world. The first federal issues appeared in 1847, featuring portraits of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Early stamps were typographic issues printed by private security printers such as Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, while later production was handled primarily by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. U.S. stamps are particularly known for their finely engraved designs, portraying presidents, historical figures, national monuments, and events central to American history.The United States used the Dollar currency system, divided into 100 Cents, which appears on the denominations of its stamps.

1898 - USA 2 Cents - Battleship Revenue

First issued in 18982 American CentsBattleship War Revenue Stamp
This is a United States Internal Revenue Service stamp used to raise funds during the Spanish American War of 1898. These were used to prove that war tax had been paid on transactions such as insurance policies, stock transfers, bills of sale, etc. The ship depicted is the USS Maine, the sinking of which in Havana Harbour was one of the triggers of the 1898 war with Spain. "Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!" became a rallying cry for action within the United States. Nevertheless, the war tax was unpopular with the American public who jokingly referred to these stamps as "tax stickers for breathng".Unlike, postage stamps, these revenue stamps were cancelled by hand (also known as manuscript cancels) - in this case, carrying initials of the officer and the handwritten date 2 December 1898.

1908 - USA 1 Cent - Green Franklin

First issued in 19081 American CentWashington - Franklin Definitive SeriesBureau of Engraving & Printing, Designed by Clair Aubrey Huston | Edward McClellan Hall | Marcus Wickliffe Baldwin (E) | Robert F. Ponickau (E) SG US 338
First introduced in 1908, this stamp from the Washington - Franklin issue, became the definitive series used in the US for about 14 years. It features Benjamin Franklin, who was Postmaster General for the American colonies in 1753, and later for the US in 1775. The 1 cent was typically used for postcards, printed matter and bulk mail. Over 14 years, this stamp was issued with several variations in watermarks, perforations, and paper types, resulting in the stamp variants becoing a collector's favourite. The intaglio engraving of Franklin was based on a sculpture of him by French artist Jean Antoine Houdon.

1908 - USA 5 Cents - Blue Washington

First issued in 19085 American CentsWashington - Franklin Definitive SeriesBureau of Engraving & Printing, Designed by Clair Aubrey Huston | Edward McClellan Hall | Marcus Wickliffe Baldwin (E) | Robert F. Ponickau (E) SG US 342
While Benjamin Franklin was featured on 1 cent stamps, the higher denomination stamps usually featured George Washington. The blue 5 cents stamp was used for international postcards, foreign letters and heavier domestic letters. Like the Green 1 cent, this stamp was also printed over 14 years with many varied techniques resulting hundreds of varieties in printing, perforations, paper type, etc. Like the Green Franklin, this side profile of Washington is also based on a sculpture by French artist Jean Antoine Houdon.

1932 - USA 5 Cents - Blue Washington Bicentennial

First issued in 19325 American CentsWashington Bicentennial IssueBureau of Engraving & PrintingSG US 710
This stamp was issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington (1732–1932). The Washington Bicentennial series was one of the largest commemorative sets produced by the United States up to that time, with multiple denominations depicting different portraits of Washington at various stages of his life.The portrait on this stamp was drawn by Charles Wilson Peale in 1777. The series replaced the long-running Washington–Franklin definitive stamps and reflected a shift toward commemorative issues celebrating important moments in American history.The series had 12 denominations - all showing Washington in varying poses and ages.

1924 - USA 3 Cents - Violet Lincoln

First issued 10 May 19243 American CentsFourth Bureau Definitive SeriesBureau of Engraving & Printing SG US 338
This stamp is part of the Fourth Bureau Issue, a long-running definitive series produced by the United States Post Office during the 1920s. The portrait depicts Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who led the country through the Civil War and abolished slavery.The design is based on a well-known photograph of Lincoln taken in the 1860s and engraved in fine detail using the intaglio printing method. Like most U.S. stamps of the period, it was printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, the same institution responsible for producing American banknotes.The 3-cent denomination paid the standard domestic first-class letter rate in the United States for many years, making this one of the most widely used and recognizable stamps of the early twentieth century.

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