The first postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service made their debut on this day in history, July 1, 1847. The stamps sold for five and 10 cents each.
The United States Postal Service issued its first-ever postage stamps on this day in history, July 1, 1847. The first postage stamps produced by the United States Postal Service were sold in New York City, according to the USPS website. The two stamps came in two designs, one for each denomination. The five-cent stamp featured a picture of Benjamin Franklin, while the ten-cent stamp depicted George Washington.
Prior to the invention of the postage stamp, a person mailing a letter would need to bring each letter to the post office and pay for it in person, said the USPS. The use of U.S. postage stamps did not become obligatory until Jan. 1, 1856. Rather than a set price, the postage rate was determined by the length of the letter and how far it was being sent, said USPS.
Since the postage stamp's beginnings in the mid-1800s, the material, delivery, and sale of the item has evolved over the years. For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle In 1893, the USPS issued the first U.S. commemorative stamps, which featured designs commemorating Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World, said the USPS website. These commemorative stamps were almost double the size of a normal stamp, and the concept proved to be quite popular.
In 2007, the USPS issued the 'forever' stamp, 'a nondenominated, nonexpiring stamp intended for customers mailing a piece of First-Class Mail.' These stamps are 'forever' good to mail a letter, regardless of the price of postage, the USPS said.
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