SCOTT #1953-2002 STATE BIRDS AND FLOWERS 20 CENT

    On April 14, 1982, the United States Postal Service issued its second fifty-stamp sheet with different designs.This series is the first series of its size to display original artwork for each different stamp. Each state is represented by an original watercolor painting
    Interesting fact: Each watercolor was created by a father and son artist by the names of Arthur and Alan Singer. Arthur created the birds, and son Alan painted the flowers.
    Interesting fact #2: At the time of their issue, these stamps were the most popular in U.S. Postal history.
   



        

SCOTT #179 ZACHARY TAYLOR 5 CENT BLUE

    A new international rate was established in 1875 by the Universal Postal Union that rendered the existing 7 cent, 12 cent, and 24 cent stamps useless. This also created a need for a new 5 cent stamp. In June 1875 a 5 cent stamp with a portrait of Zachary Taylor was created.
    This stamp met the new international rate of 5 cents, which became effective July 1st, and often was used for postage to Europe.





                              

SCOTT #210 WASHINGTON 2 CENT RED BROWN

    On October 1, 1883, the U.S. Congress reduced the First Class Mail rate from 3 cent per 1/2 ounce to 2 cent per 1/2 ounce. A new 2 cent red brown stamp picturing George Washington was issued. And the new lower rate increased the volume of mail handled by the Postal Service.



                                       

SCOTT #73 ANDREW JACKSON 2 CENT BLACK

    With the introduction of home delivery in 1862, a 2 cent stamp was needed. The #73 design picturing our 7th President Andrew Jackson, was put into use. The famous stamp known to collectors as "Black Jack" or "Big Head", since the portrait takes up so much space.
    Curious fact: An 1863 Confederate 2 cent stamp uses the same portrait. So the U.S.A. and the C.S.A. had 2 cent stamps with the same portrait.


                                

1861 SCOTT #63 FRANKLIN 1 CENT BLUE

                   

1866  SCOTT#77 LINCOLN MOURNING STAMP 15 CENT BLACK

   One year after President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at the Ford Theater in Washington, a 15 cent black stamp was issued to honor Lincoln's memory. 

   The stamp, which is Scott #77, has been hailed as the first mourning stamp ever produced.

     SCOTT #1  FIRST U S STAMP PRINTED FOR POSTAGE!

    U S honored Benjamin Franklin to be on the first U S Stamp. Franklin known as a statesman, politician, and inventor and he was first Post Master General of The United States. This stamp went on sale July 1, 1847 so is now 168 years old. Because of their age they have become rare and have become a collectors treasure.
     These stamps were printed in sheets without perforations, so each stamp had to be cut out by hand, so we find this stamp in many different shapes and forms.