Hobbies And Interests
Pre-American Postage
The first stamps became available in Great Britain in May of 1840. These stamps paid the one cent to send a half-ounce letter, and were known as Penny Blacks.
First American Stamps
A private postal carrier in New York, Alexander M. Greig's City Despatch Post, was the first to have adhesive stamps in the United States. The Post Office Department later bought this business and continued the use of these stamps.
Rate Standardization
The postage rate was standardized in 1845, and postmasters began using "provisionals," special stamps or markings showing prepayment.
Post Office Stamps
The first official stamps from the U.S. Post Office Department were issued on July 1, 1847.
Further Advances
The first perforated stamps became available in 1857, and in 1900 stamps started being issued in booklet form. The first self-adhesive stamps were issued in 1974, and self-adhesive stamps were produced in bulk beginning in 1992.