Mail Delivery

1983 $9.35 Eagle and Full Moon
August 12, 1983

First U.S. Express Mail Stamp 

On August 12, 1983, the USPS issued its first Express mail stamp, though the service, and those like it, had been available for several years.

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1998 32¢ + 8¢ Breast Cancer Research Semi-Postal
July 29, 1998

First US Semipostal

On July 29, 1998, the USPS issued its first Semipostal stamp to fund breast cancer research. The stamp raised over $78 million and was the first of several US Semipostals to raise money for worthy causes.

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1847 5¢ Benjamin Franklin, red-brown, thin bluish wove paper, imperforate
July 26, 1775

Ben Franklin Appointed America’s First Postmaster General 

On July 26, 1775, former deputy postmaster general of the American colonies, Ben Franklin, was made the first postmaster general of the United States. He revolutionized mail service in the young nation at a crucial time in our history.

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2012 45¢ Ted Williams Imperforate
July 20, 2012

Modern Imperforates

On July 20, 2012, the USPS issued the first of several modern stamps in imperforate press sheets, which caused quite a stir in the stamp world!

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1894 6¢ Garfield
July 18, 1894

First BEP Postage Stamp

On July 18, 1894, the post office issued the first US postage stamp printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). for the next 75 years, the BEP produced nearly all US stamps.

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1934 1¢ National Parks: Yosemite, California
July 16, 1934

National Parks Issue

On July 16, 1934, the first stamp in the National Parks Series was issued, honoring Yosemite National Park. The series was issued to raise awareness of America’s national parks, and was part of the Infamous Farley’s Follies…

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1979 $1 Americana Series - Rush Lamp
July 2, 1979

Rush Lamp Stamp Issued 

On July 2, 1979, the USPS issued the $1 Rush stamp, which would lead to one of the most fascinating stamp controversies of the late 20th century.

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1845-46 Postmaster Provisional
July 1, 1845

Postmasters’ Provisionals  

On July 1, 1845, US Congress established uniform postal rates, giving rise to the creation of Postmaster Provisional stamps. These stamps produced for local mail, were precursors to America’s first postage stamps exactly two years later.

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1941 6¢ Twin-Motor Transport
June 25, 1941

Twin-Motored Transport Plane Airmails

On June 25, 1941, the US Post Office Department issued the first in a new series of Airmail stamps picturing a twin-motored transport plane.  These stamps would carry mail across the US and around the globe throughout World War II.

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