This is one of the most famous postage stamps in American history. It's one of two stamps issued on 1 July 1847 - America's first-ever postage stamps. Britain was the first country to issue postage stamps, in 1840. America's 1847 stamps were a 5 cents Benjamin Franklin, the "father" of the postal system, and a 10 cents George Washington, the first president. The 5 cents Franklin is Scott Catalogue # 1.
Early stamps were imperforate. The 1847 and 1851 issues were produced without perforations. Stamps were separated using scissors.
This example has a Detroit town datestamp cancel - most have Boston or New York cancels.
Tags: Scott Catalogue 1 1847 5 cent cents 5c Benjamin Franklin postage stamp stamps America America's first ever issued issue issues imperforate Detroit Michigan cancel canceled cancelled cancellation
This is a "classic" American cover with two blue, ungrilled, 1 cent Benjamin Franklin postage stamps (= Scott Catalogue # 63) used in summer 1863. The envelope was postmarked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 11 July 1863 and addressed to Hector Orr, a well-known Philadelphia printer in the 1800s.
The 1 cent stamp was part of a set of 9 definitives issued from 1861 to 1866 and denominated 1 to 90 cents. The set replaced previous postage stamps that were declared invalid for postage at the onset of the American Civil War in the 1860s. This was done to prevent southern states from making money by selling older stamps.
The 1 cent blue Franklin was issued in August 1861. Varieties with grills (= a grid of tiny punctures in the paper) were produced and issued in later years. The original 1861 issue has no grills.
Tags: 1 cent cents Benjamin Franklin blue postage stamp stamps 1861 issue ungrilled no grill 1863 cover Philadelphia Pennsylvania covers Scott Catalog 63 envelope envelopes
This is part of a "classic" American cover with two blue, ungrilled, 1 cent Benjamin Franklin postage stamps (= Scott Catalogue # 63) used in summer 1863. The envelope was postmarked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 11 July 1863.
The 1 cent stamp was part of a set of 9 definitives issued from 1861 to 1866 and denominated 1 to 90 cents. The set replaced previous postage stamps that were declared invalid for postage at the onset of the American Civil War in the 1860s. This was done to prevent southern states from making money by selling older stamps.
The 1 cent blue Franklin was issued in August 1861. Varieties with grills (= a grid of tiny punctures in the paper) were produced and issued in later years. The original 1861 issue has no grills.
Unlike most modern postage stamps, classic stamps were engraved - they look better when magnified. Modern stamps look worse when magnified.
Tags: 1 cent cents Benjamin Franklin blue postage stamp stamps 1861 issue ungrilled no grill 1863 cover Philadelphia Pennsylvania covers Scott Catalog 63
This 30 cents Benjamin Franklin postage stamp was issued by America in 1861 (= Scott Catalogue # 71). It is part of a set of 9 definitives issued from 1861 to 1866 and denominated 1 to 90 cents. The set replaced previous postage stamps that were declared invalid for postage at the onset of the American Civil War in the 1860s. This was done to prevent southern states from making money by selling older stamps.
Varieties with grills (= a grid of tiny punctures in the paper) were produced and issued in later years. The original 1861 issue has no grills.
Unlike most modern postage stamps, classic stamps were engraved - they look better when magnified. Modern stamps look worse when magnified.
Tags: 30 cent cents 30c Benjamin Franklin postage stamp stamps no grill 1861 classic classics Scott Catalogue 71
This 30 cents Benjamin Franklin postage stamp (with a face-free cancellation) was issued by America in 1861 (= Scott Catalogue # 71). It is part of a set of 9 definitives issued from 1861 to 1866 and denominated 1 to 90 cents. The set replaced previous postage stamps that were declared invalid for postage at the onset of the American Civil War in the 1860s. This was done to prevent southern states from making money by selling older stamps.
Varieties with grills (= a grid of tiny punctures in the paper) were produced and issued in later years. The original 1861 issue has no grills.
Unlike most modern postage stamps, classic stamps were engraved - they look better when magnified. Modern stamps look worse when magnified.
Tags: 30 cent cents 30c Benjamin Franklin postage stamp stamps no grill 1861 classic classics Scott Catalogue 71