The Series of 1851-57
On July 1, 1851, several stamps from America’s second series of postage stamps were issued. These new stamps were issued to meet reduced postal rates that practically eliminated distance as a factor.
Postal History
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Start of V-Mail Service
On June 15, 1942, the Post Office Department inaugurated its V-Mail service. During World War II, letters bound for service personnel were photographed and transferred to microfilm. This special process enabled letters to take up a fraction of their usual space on planes going to war zones, allowing more room for crucial supplies.
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BEP Produces Its Last U.S. Stamp
On June 10, 2005, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) printed its last US stamp. The Bureau first began printing US postage stamps in 1894 and for 75 years, printed nearly all US stamps.
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End of the Pacific ’97 Stamp Show
On June 8, 1997, the ninth U.S. stamp show came to an end. Pacific ’97 was the first IPEX (International Philatelic Exhibition) held on the West Coast.
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U.S. Issues Its Only Certified Mail Stamp
On June 6, 1955, the US Post Office issued its first and only Certified Mail Stamp, US #FA1. The stamp gave mail special protection and provided the sender with proof of delivery.
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The First Telegraphic Message
On May 24, 1844, Samuel Morse sent the first message over telegraph. While in the Supreme Court chamber of the US Capitol, he sent the message “What hath God wrought!” over the telegraph to his assistant in Baltimore, Maryland.
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First Commissioned Female Airmail Pilot
On May 23, 1918, Katherine Stinson became the first woman hired by the post office to deliver airmail in the US. She had several other notable firsts and records in her short flying career.
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Butterfly Series
On May 17, 2010, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Butterfly Series. The stamps were created for use on envelopes that couldn’t be sorted on the USPS’s automated equipment, otherwise known as “nonmachinable.” They’re often used for greeting cards.
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BEP’s First Photogravure Stamp
On May 8, 1971, the USPS issued the first stamp printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) on its new Andreotti photogravure press. The press enabled the BEP to print stamps with more colors more affordably.
