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Official stamps

In the 1870s, government departments lost the franking privilege.  Separate series of stamps were issued for each department's use.  Except for the issues of the Post Office Department, which feature only numerals, the stamps were patterned on the then-current "banknote" issues.

1879 issues, American Bank Note Company

Scott O94, 1¢ Agriculture Department, Plate Number 65 T

Scott O95, 3¢ Agriculture Department, Plate Number 37 T

Scott O96, 1¢ Department of the Interior, Plate Number 52 T

Scott O97, 2¢ Department of the Interior, Plate Number 45 T

Scott O98, 3¢ Department of the Interior, Plate Number 27 T

Scott O99, 6¢ Department of the Interior, Plate Number 56 B

Scott O100, 10¢ Department of the Interior, Plate Number 109 B

Scott O103, 24¢ Department of the Interior, Plate Number 104 T

Scott O108, 3¢ Post Office Department, bottom pair with plate number 41

Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland

Scott O109, 3¢ Treasury Department, bottom pair with plate number 29

Scott O114, 1¢ War Department, Plate Number 48 B

Scott O115, 2¢ War Department, Plate Number 35 B

Scott O116, 3¢ War Department, with partial plate number 32

Scott O117, 6¢ War Department, plate number 60 T

Scott O118, 10¢ War Department, plate number 79 T

Scott O120, 30¢ War Department, Plate Number 81 T

After a few years, the franking privilege was restored, and government departments were not required to use stamps for another 100 years.

1918 Postal Savings Official issues

Printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Scott O121, 2¢ Postal Savings Official, Plate number 5501 R

Scott O122, 50¢ Postal Savings Official, Plate number 5614 B

Scott O123, $1 Postal Savings Official, Plate number 5615 T

Scott O124, 1¢ Postal Savings Official, Plate number 5646 T

Scott O125, 2¢ Postal Savings Official, Plate number 5501 T

Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland

Scott O126, 10¢ Postal Savings Official, Plate number 5613 T

Image courtesy of Wallace Cleland

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This page last updated April 19, 2009.

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