Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-22
The ANNIVERSARY
OF The POSTAGE
S I AM P
DOUBLE EVENT IN OBSERVANCE
OF FRANkLlN's BIRTHDAY
Washington Bureau of
The Ottumwa Courier
Washington, D. G., jpn IL.

Washington Bureau of
The Ottumwa Courier
Washington, D. G., jpn IL.
The observance Of the birthday an
niversary of Benjamin Franklin today,
January II, also marks the sixtieth
anniversary of the use of the United
States postage stamps.
1t is interesting to note in this con-
nection, that Benjamin Franklin has
been accorded recognition by the post
office authorities not given to any
other citizen Of the republic. His
face adorned the first adhesive stamp
ever issued-the stamp of smallest
enomination-and it has never been
displaced upon a regular issue to this
day. While 1t is true that the portrait
of George Washington has also appear
ed upon stamp of every regular issue
1t has not always appeared upon the
same denomination. Uncle George"
has been shifted for one reason or
another more than once.
First Stamps in 1847.
The first regular issue of United
States stamps appeared in 1847, con-
sisting of but two denominations, the
cents. bearing the likeness of Frank
lin, and the 10 cents with portrait Of
Washington. Used copies Of the five
cent stamp are now worth rs cents;
unused $780, A used copy of the 10
cent stamp is worth $500; the same
stamp unused, $500. Half Of Used
10 cent stamp, on the original letter,
used in place Of a cent stamp, Is
worth $4,000. Counterfeits Of these
stamps are in existence and the only
way they may be determined from the
originals is that in the counterfeit
Washington's eyes have dreamy, far
away look. On the Scent counterfeit
the ruffie on Franklin's short bosom
Is trifie too far to the right.
This 1S47 issue was superseded in
1851 by a series of eight combinations,
from cent to 80 cents. Franklin's
head appeared on the / and 80 cents,
Jefferson on the cents and
"a and 80 cents. The issue of
1857 was similar to that of 1851 except
that the stamps were perforated,
whereas the two preceding issues re.
CURED knife or scissors to cut them
apart.
jackson and Lincoln.
In 1866 two new subjects appear on
the stamps. Jackson on the 2 cent
denomination-said to be the ugliest
stamp ever issued by this government
and Lincoln on the 15 cent; both de-
nominations being new.
Up to this time Washington's por-
trait has always adorned the stamp
commonly used for frankiug letter por-
tage, as it does today In the issue
Of 1869 Washington gave way to the
picture of a locomotive on the 3 cent
stamp; a most primitive engine that
would today be swallowed in the Are
box of mogul. Washington was
shifted to the 6 cent denomination and
appeared upon no other stamp of the
series.
In 1871 complete new issue, includ
! ing new denominations, was brought
out Lincoln was transferred to the
6 cent, a new value, and Stanton, for
mer secretary of war; was given a
place on the cent, also a new de
nomination created to conform to the
ruling Of the international postal con
gress, which reduced the rate of for
eign postage to cents. Henry Clay's
| portrait appeared on the J2 cent
Winfield Scott on the "a cent, Alex
ander Hamilton on the 30 and Perry
the hero Of Lake Erie, on the 81
cent.
| No important change occurred unit
1875, when the cent denomination
which had been dropped in 1869, was
| added and Zachary Taylor's portrait
appeared upon it. In 1882 Taylor was
superseded by the Likeness nf car
| field.
Letter Postage Reduced In 1882.
In 1882 letter postage was reduced
from to 2 cents, and Washington anc
Jackson changed places, Washington
going on the cent stamp. The issue
of 1890 added the cent denomination
bust Of Lincoln, and 3 cent, bust o.
William T. Sherman, Garfield givint
was to Grant on the cent value
Denominations Of 81 and IS were ad
ded in 1894 and Madison and Marshal
enter the postal gallery.
The series know as 1902, now in use
added the 13 cent value for the pur
pose of franking a foreign registered
letter, and BENJAMIN Harrison's face
appeared upon 1t. In this issue the
most startling innovation since stamp.
were issued, occurred; the likeness q
a woman-Martha Washington -ador
ned the 8 cent denomination and w
T. Sherman disappeared
Since the first issue, however, il
1847, Franklin's rotund face has oc
cupied the center Of the stamp o.
smallest denomination, the 1 CEN
stamp. since 1851, the cent STAMP
prior to that date, and it has always
been the same face surrounded by long
locks McKnley's face has been de
picted on the st. Louis commemora
tive cent stamp and on the curren
postal card, but has never been hon
ored by place on regular issue O
a postage stamp.
The great majority Of United
States stamps may be bought at {
small outlay. in fact many of them arr