1950–1999 US Stamp Sets & Series

Love Series

The USPS introduced the Love series in 1973. The Love stamps are usually issued in time for Valentine mailing and feature designs filled with “hearts, roses, swans, and more, celebrating every splendor of that many-splendored thing.” Designed by American artist Robert Indiana, this stamp was issued for special occasion uses such as weddings or valentines. … Read more

Kwanzaa Series

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that begins on December 26 and lasts for seven days. It is based on the traditional African harvest festival; the name Kwanzaa is taken from a phrase meaning “first fruits” in Swahili, an East African language.

Lighthouses Stamp Series

Since ancient times light has been used as a navigational aid for ships. The Egyptian King Ptolemy I ordered the creation of what was probably the world’s first lighthouse, which was completed in 285 B.C. This structure was about four hundred feet tall, and had an open fire as its light source. It was located on the Island … Read more

Garden Flowers Series

Issued from 1993-96, the Garden Flowers stamp series brings a burst of color to your stamp album. These colorful flowers blossomed into a booklet of stamps in mid-June. Featuring one continuous se-tenant design, the stamps pictured five favorite garden flowers, including the lilac, daffodil, tulip, iris, and hyacinth.

Traditional Christmas Series

The fifth U.S. Christmas stamp (and first traditional design) illustrates the “Madonna and Child With Angels” by painter Hans Memling, which hangs in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Legends of Hollywood

In 1995, the USPS introduced a new stamp series honoring “famous Golden-Age film stars whose performances electrified the big screen and enamored the public.” Monroe starred in such box office hits as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot, and The Seven Year Itch. Not content to be seen as merely a typical blonde however, she … Read more

National Parks Centennial

In 1972, a stamp series was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of America’s National Parks program. This issue was unique in that it combined four stamps in a block that contained one overall design (U.S. #1448-51). Cape Hatteras National Seashore is pictured. That area contains some of the earliest sites of English colonial settlement. … Read more

H Rate Change Stamps – and a Modern Rarity!

Due to pending postal rate increases in 1998, the U.S. Postal Service issued a set of non-denominational stamps that feature “Uncle Sam’s hat.” The new postal rate was set at 33¢. Seven different varieties were produced… and one surprise that surfaced later!

Legends of American Music

The Legends of American Music stamp series debuted on January 8, 1993. More than 70 artists are included from all styles of music. “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” was featured. The public was allowed to vote for a “young” or “old” Elvis image. America voted overwhelmingly for the younger version. It became the best-selling stamp in U.S. … Read more