On
December 1, 1911, the US Post Office Department introduced the only
registration stamp ever issued. It prepaid registration fees and
guaranteed special care and handling of a letter or package. The stamp
was valid towards the registration fee only, and could not be used as
postage.
The new stamps were intended to simplify the
registration process, but ended up confusing customers and postal
clerks. People mistook the stamp for regular postage. As a result,
further printing was discontinued in 1913, while the remaining stock was
still used. Though often overlooked by collectors, the expertly
engraved US #F1 is one of the most beautifully designed Back-of-the-Book
stamps!
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