Hobbies And Interests
The Beginning
In 1847, the U.S. issued its first two stamps, a 5-cent stamp featuring the portrait of Benjamin Franklin and a 10-cent stamp bearing the likeness of President Washington. Thus, our first postmaster general and first president were honored on the nation's first two stamps. The 5-cent denomination paid the first-class postage rate for a one-ounce letter traveling less than 300 miles. The 10-cent stamp paid the first-class rate for any one-ounce letter traveling beyond that distance. Since 1847, images of Franklin and Washington have been used on dozens of stamp denominations, more than any other individuals or subjects.
The First-Class Rate Changes
By 1851, significantly improved operations at the post office allowed for the first-class rate to be cut to 3 cents per ounce. This created the need for new stamps which were printed in 1-, 3-, 5-, 10- and 12-cent denominations. Like the 1847 issues, these stamps also were issued without perforations. If you purchased several stamps, you cut them apart with scissors. In 1857, the post office began issuing perforated sheets of stamps.
Fluctuating First-Class Rates
In 1885, the first-class rate fell to 2 cents per ounce, where it remained until 1917, when it was increased to 3 cents. In 1919, it reverted back to 2 cents. To accommodate these rate changes, as well as charging the first-class rate for half-ounce letters, fractional denominations of stamps also were issued. In 1932, the first-class rate again became 3 cents, where it remained until 1958 when it was increased to 4 cents. Since 1958, postal patrons have seen rates gradually climb 11-fold to the 44-cent first-class rate instituted in 2009.
Counterfeit Postage
During the 1800s, there were attempts to counterfeit stamps. The designs were identical to valid U.S. postage, but their print quality, paper and inks were inferior and easily detected. The post office also began using paper with special embossing and watermarks as methods to deter counterfeiters. At that time, most people only purchased a stamp when they mailed a letter at the post office, so stamp counterfeiting was not often seen in rural areas. If counterfeit stamp operations were discovered in larger cities, the "stamps" were immediately burned by law enforcement.
Special Rates for Special Parcels
In 1925, the post office began issuing special handling stamps. Their use was mandatory and was added on to the normal parcel post rate for packages containing perishable goods, such as baby chicks. Affixing one to a package elevated it to first-class mail status, ensuring special handling and faster delivery. In this somewhat limited circumstance, special handling stamps became first-class stamps, because they elevated the status of the parcel to the first-class postage rate. They were discontinued during the 1950s.
Other Special Postage Rates
In addition to stamps issued to pay for postage, the post office/postal service issued many stamps to pay for unique levels of service, such as air mail, special delivery and certified mail. All paid for services above the normal first-class rate. With the exception of air mail stamps for overseas delivery, all have been phased out over time. They are still valid U.S. postage, but are much more valuable to collectors than their face values.
First-Class Mail Stamps
With the exception of air mail, special delivery, certified mail and postage-due stamps, which only the post office is authorized to affix to a letter, all U.S. stamps are first-class mail stamps. First-class is a monetary rate based on the weight of an envelope. As an example, in 1976, the first-class rate was 13 cents for a one-ounce letter. Any combination of stamps whose face value totaled 13 cents paid the first-class rate. In the eyes of the postal service, one 13-cent stamp was no different than 13 one-cent stamps. The same stamps also can be used to pay the third-class rate, and until it was abolished, the fourth-class "book rate." Whether printed on your computer, or purchased at the local post office, a postage stamp is simply a way to signify the prepayment of money for the various classes of postal service.