SCOTT #2720 YEAR OF THE ROOSTER 29 CENT

 On December 30, 1992, the USPS issued its first Chinese New Year stamp (#2720) honoring the start of the Year of the Rooster.

The stamp was designed by first-time stamp designer, Clarence Lee, who used an airbrush to produce the artwork.  It was the last US stamp of 1992, and was extremely popular.  Many post offices sold out in just a few days and the stamp was in high demand in Asia.

The 1992 Chinese New Year stamp marked several “firsts.”  In addition to being the first Lunar New Year stamp, it was also the first Happy New Year stamp AND the first non-high-value stamp issued in panes of 20 rather than 50.

                                                         

SCOTT #348 FRANKLIN 1 CENT GREEN

 Did you know the first coil stamps were an experiment, sold only in a handful of American cities?  And that 112 years ago  in 1908, the first nationwide coil stamp (#348) went on sale?  It’s true!  The rest is fascinating stamp history…

HISTORY OF LATVIA STAMPS

 Germany and Russia battled for control of Latvia during WWI.  The country finally claimed its independence on November 18, 1918.  As a new nation, Latvia knew it was important to print its own stamps, but the war left them with a severe paper shortage.  However, one source of top-quality paper was found: WWI military maps left behind by the German army.  So just one month after claiming independence, Latvia released its very first postage stamps – with the military maps on the back!  

SCOTT #3355 MADONNA AND CHILD 33 CENT

Madonna  and Child  by B. Vivini

                                                    

SCOTT #3176 MADONNA AND CHILD 32 CENT

Madonna and Child by Sano di Pletro

                                     

SCOTT #3107 MADONNA AND CHILD 32 CENT

 Madonna and Child by Matteis-paolo de

                                                 

SCOTT #3003 MADONNA AND CHILD 32 CENT

 Madonna and Child by Giotto di Bondone

                                       

SCOTT #2871 MADONNA AND CHILD 29 CENT

 Madonna and Child by Elebetta  Sirani.

                                               

SCOTT #2789 MADONNA AND CHILD 29 CENT

 Madonna  and  child  by Giovanni Cima

                                         

SCOTT #2578 MADONNA AND CHILD 29 CENT

 Madonna and Child by A. Romano