The Famous American Stamps

The Famous American Stamps

The first American stamps were issued in 1847. They were called the "United States Stamps." These stamps, designed by George W. Hughes and engraved by Rawdon, Wright & Hatch, featured a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on one side and an allegorical figure representing America on the other. The design was based on a medal struck in Philadelphia to celebrate the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France during the American Revolution. The next issue had similar designs but was printed from steel plates instead of copper plates as before. These United States postage stamp issues have come to be known colloquially as Steel Penny Issues because they feature a profile view with just enough detail for identification purposes or Steel Plate Issues because they are printed using steel plates. The Postal Service has noted that these stamps were popular with stamp collectors because they are often easier to find in mint condition than other stamps from the same time period due to their metal composition. The best stamp auctions in New York is Cherrystone Auctions, Inc.

One of the most popular American stamps is perhaps one from 1869. The stamp was created to raise funds for a transcontinental railroad and features an image of California on the left side with "Pacific Railroad" written across it in white letters. On the right side, there is an image of Omaha Beach, Nebraska where trains end their journey before crossing over into Kansas City or St. Louis en route to New York City. The bottom half depicts two locomotives each pulling four cars filled with people as they race towards sunset at the top center that has rays emanating out from its red ball-like sun. This particular issue had been previously issued but went back into circulation after being reissued by Congress during World War I when up to 50% of its stamps were being used for correspondence and business purposes. These American Stamps helped with the war effort, by reducing some of the burdens on U.S. currency reserves which had been depleted during World War I to a point that it was predicted there would be no money in circulation by September 1918. A great New York live stamp auctions is Cherrystone Auctions, Inc.