SCOTT #2720 HAPPY NEW YEAR 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.

US #2720/3832

1992-2004 Chinese New Year Set Complete Set of 12 Stamps

SCOTT #348 FRANKLIN 1 CENT COIL

Did you know the first coil stamps were an experiment, sold only in a handful of American cities?  On December 29, 1908, the first-ever nationwide coil stamp (#348) went on sale?  It’s true!  The rest is fascinating stamp history…

I’m sure you know coil stamps are those which have two straight (imperforate) edges – either on top and bottom (horizontal coils) or opposite sides (vertical coils).  They were created to be used in vending machines.  That’s why they’re produced in rolls, with anywhere from 100 to 10,000 stamps in each.

US #348 – Americ

 

SCOTT #548-550 LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS 1 CENT TO 5 CENT

On December 21, 1920, three US stamps were issued to honor the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ landing.  Each one pictures a major step of America’s founding at Plymouth, Massachusetts, over 400 years ago.  Now, these stamps are miniature masterpieces.  I’m blown away by the incredible amount of detail the artists managed to squeeze on a little stamp.

US #548 1¢ Mayflower

US #549 2¢ Landing of Pilgrims

US #550

5 CENT SIGNING THE COMPACT

 

SCOTT #323-327 LOUISIANA PURCHASE ISSUE 1904

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the purchase of a parcel of land from France for $15 million that doubled the size of the US.  This continued America’s rise as a global power.  It helped France, too.  French leader Napoleon Bonaparte sold the land to raise money to fight the British in the Great French War.

Just over 100 years after the US acquired the land, five stamps were issued to commemorate the event.

The 1904 Louisiana Purchase commemoratives are among the first stamps released in the 20th century.  They’re packed with important US history and showcase expertly engraved design work collectors love.

US #323-27 1904 Louisiana Purchase Issue Complete Set of 6 Stamps

The Whole World Gathers to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Historic Louisiana Purchase

Discover the Major Players of the Historic Land Purchase…

US #323 1¢ – Robert R. Livingston US ambassador who negotiated the Purchase with France.  His most notable achievement! US #324 2¢ – Thomas Jefferson America’s third US president, who authorized the Purchase.

US #325 3¢ – James Monroe Secretary of state, participated in negotiations with the French. US #326 5¢ – William McKinley Involved with early plans for the Exposition, assassinated at the Pan-American Expo.

US #327 10¢ – Map of the Louisiana Purchase This stamp is neat because you can literally see how it doubled our country’s size.  The purchase included the whole or parts of 14 states and 2 Canadian territories.

More Stamps, Covers, and Coins Honoring the Louisiana Purchase

US #1020 1953 3¢ Louisiana Purchase 150th Anniversary US #3782 2003 37¢ Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial

US #3182 1998 32¢ Celebrate the Century: 1900s First Sheet in the Series Pictures the World’s Fair in St. Louis that the Louisiana Purchase Set was issued at. #CNLA25D 2002 Louisiana State Quarter Pictures the Purchase – Denver Mint

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