The World of Stamps Before July 1, 1845

There is a common misconception that the United States lagged behind other countries in issuing stamps for prepayment of postage. It is true that the first stamps issued for general distribution and use in the U.S. were not released until July 1, 1847. It is also true that stamps were issued earlier in Great Britain, Brazil and Switzerland. However, the more significant fact is that prior to July 1, 1845, the day when major American postal reforms took effect, 49 of the 64 stamps issued worldwide originated in the United States. They were issued both by the government and by private mail-carrying firms. Their appearance on mail delivered throughout this country must have aroused the public’s interest and satisfied some of the demand for a simple means to send prepaid letters.

Great Britain issued the Penny Black and Two-Pence Blue in May 1840. Just 21 months later, in February 1842, the privately-owned City Despatch Post issued the first stamp in the United States and, from a broader perspective, the entire Western hemisphere. This 3c stamp, printed in black on grayish paper with a portrait of George Washington, is listed as 40L1 in the Local Post issues in the Scott Catalogue. In August 1842 the post was bought by the Post Office Department and re-established as the U.S. City Despatch Post carrier department. The same 3c stamp was then accepted by the U.S. government for prepayment of the carrier fee in New York City, thus becoming the first government-sanctioned postage stamp in the U.S. (Scott 6LB1) Within the first month of operation, the U.S. City Despatch Post issued its own newly-engraved stamp (Scott 6LB3 and separately-listed paper varieties).

The Act of March 3, 1845, which became law on July 1, paved the way for the U.S. government to issue stamps for general distribution and use. The effective date of this major postal reform is the logical demarkation point for this collection. Before July 1, stamps were issued exclusively by private enterprises and the New York City carrier department. Beginning July 1, postmasters in various cities issued their own stamps provisionally until two years later when the U.S. government released the first issue, the 5c Franklin and 10c Washington.

The impact of the United States as a stamp-issuing entity prior to July 1, 1845, can be seen from another perspective. Imagine you are a stamp collector in the 1840’s, eagerly awaiting the arrival of “new issues” for your stamp album. In 1840 there would be only three stamps: Great Britain’s Penny Black, Two-Pence Blue and the “VR”Official. In 1841 two more stamps from Great Britain would arrive: the Penny Red and Two-Pence with Lines. By the end of 1842, six of the earliest U.S. stamps would find places in the album: the City Despatch Post 3c (40L1 and 6LB1), U.S. City Despatch Post 3c (6LB2, 6LB3, 6LB4) and the Philadelphia Despatch Post 3c Black (15L2).

During the next year, 1843, six new stamps from Zurich, Geneva and Brazil would take their place alongside seven new U.S. issues from Philadelphia and New York City. In 1844 the rise of the Independent Mails would add no less than 28 of the 31 new U.S. issues to the album (along with three more from Brazil). By June 30, 1845, the album would contain spaces for 64 Scott-listed stamps, and 49 of those — 77% of the world’s total — would have come from the United States.

The concept of collecting Pre-July 1, 1845 stamps was the inspiration of a philatelist whose nom-de-album is Gordon N. John. It is this sort of fresh approach that makes stamp collecting so fascinating.
                                                                                                                    —SCOTT R. TREPEL

This Web Site is Copyright © Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. - All Rights Reserved