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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SCOTT #785-94 ARMY AND NAVY SET

 

On December 15, 1936, the first of 10 stamps in the Army/Navy Set was issued – #785.  This set is packed with important American history.  And did you know stamp-collecting President Franklin Roosevelt pushed for it to be created?  The stamps honor notable military leaders from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish American War.  Five honor the Army, five commemorate the Navy.  

US #785-94

 

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!