On March 11, 1977, the United States Postal Service issued its first se-tenant stamps in booklet form. Released at New York City’s INTERPEX stamp show, the unusual booklet combined two postal rates in a single pane and introduced the first multicolor US booklet stamp.
The booklet was issued at the INTERPEX stamp show in New York City. It was the 19th annual exhibition, and it marked the first time in several years that the US and United Nations issued stamps at the show.
The se-tenant booklet was one of the most significant issues. The booklet was produced especially for vending machines that couldn’t accept more than $1. The $1 booklet contained seven 13¢ stamps and one 9¢ stamp. The unusual combination ensured the booklet totaled exactly one dollar—the maximum amount many postal vending machines could accept at the time. At the time, 9¢ was the postcard rate and 13¢ was the first-class letter rate, allowing the booklet to conveniently meet two common postal needs.
The 9¢ stamp design was the same as US #1591, except while the earlier issue was printed on grayish paper, the new one was on white paper. The 13¢ stamp was a new design and was also the first multicolor stamp issued in booklet form, reflecting improvements in printing technology at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
People attending the show could purchase the booklets or loose panes so they could prepare First Day Covers. Interestingly, the loose panes were perforated 10 × 10. Previous booklet stamps were perforated 11 × 10½, as were the full booklets available at the exhibition.
After the exhibition ended, booklets were discovered with a different perforation – 10 × 9¾. The variety likely resulted from a short-lived adjustment in the perforating equipment during production. Because the difference was not immediately noticed, a small number of booklets reached collectors before the change was corrected.
When Scott Catalogue assigned these booklets a major number, speculators quickly drove the price to nearly $300, though values later settled as more examples were identified.
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Never heard of this designation. Fascinating.
“This day in History†makes my day today and everyday !
Not sure which I enjoy more, the articles on history, or those on the history of particular stamps such as this one. In either case, well done to Mystic’s researchers.
Can’t beat old Glory flying over the Capitol. It never gets old and neither do these stories.
I remember it all – especially the excitement of a “modern” day variety with the perfs.
thy shalt not kill
Great article. I love the history, but the history of the stamp is even better because I may not be able to find it online. I probably wouldn’t even think to look it up. Thanks.