United States — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the federal agency responsible for postal services in the United States, an independent agency of the executive branch. The USPS issues stamps through its Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), which recommends subjects for commemorative stamps. The United States has one of the world’s richest and most complex philatelic traditions, with stamps issued since 1847 and a vast collector community supported by the American Philatelic Society — the largest national philatelic organisation in the world.

Notable Stamp Issues

America’s first stamps, issued 1 July 1847, depicted Benjamin Franklin (5¢) and George Washington (10¢) — establishing a portrait tradition that continues today. The 1869 Pictorial issue was revolutionary in introducing scenic subjects. The 1893 Columbian Exposition stamps were the first US commemoratives, controversial for their high face values. The 1918 Inverted Jenny — a 24¢ airmail stamp with the biplane printed upside down — is one of philately’s most famous errors, with the single known pane of 100 selling for $1.35 million in 2005. Pan American airmail stamps (1901) are classic turn-of-century Americana.

Collecting Tips

The Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers is the standard reference — an annual publication covering every US stamp in exhaustive detail. US classic stamps (1847–1900) exist in many colour, grill, and perforation varieties. Plate number coil strips (multiple stamps from coil rolls with the plate number visible) are a popular modern US collecting specialty. First-day covers with authorised first-day-of-issue cancellations are widely collected. The US Duck Stamps (federal hunting licences with stamp-quality production) are a popular related collecting area.

Part of the Americas Postal Directory.