Postal History

On May 24, 1919, the US issued stamps for use in Shanghai, China. The stamps were produced in limited quantities and only remained in use for a few years.

On May 22, 1978, the USPS issued its first in a long series of Alphabet rate change stamps. These stamps were used with existing postage until new stamps were released to meet changing rates.

On May 20, 1939, the US Post Office inaugurated its official trans-Atlantic airmail service to Europe. The new Yankee Clipper service flew from New York to France in 26 hours.

On May 18, 1981, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Transportation Series picturing the Surrey, a doorless four-wheeled carriage. The series would span 15 years and become the largest definitive series at the time.

On May 17, 1947, doors opened on the Centenary International Philatelic Exhibition in New York City. It celebrated the 100th anniversary of America’s first postage stamps with reproductions of America’s first two stamps.

William Henry Seward was born on May 16, 1801 in Florida, New York. Seward served as Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of state during the Civil War and later acquired Alaska for the United States.

On May 15, 1993, the USPS issued the first installment in the Garden Flower Series, which would honor flowers that bloom in each of the four seasons. The series was inspired by the popular Wildflowers 50-stamp se-tenant issued a year earlier.

On May 13, 1918, the United States issued its first airmail stamp – US #C3. It carried America’s first airmail two days later, and sparked one of the world’s most famous stamp rarities.

On May 11, 1863, representatives from 15 nations met in Paris to discuss postal issues.  That first International Postal Conference would eventually lead to the creation of the Universal Postal Union.