context: The introduction of postage stamps in Great Britain in May 1840 aroused, as throughout the world, great interest in the United States. The pioneer in this matter was the private carrier Alexander (Alexander M. Greig) from the city of New York. Greig opened the City Despatch Post on February 1, 1842, and issued stamps with the portrait of George Washington printed in gravure printing.
question: How were the first US stamps issued?
answers.text: gravure printing