1895 Double Line Watermark "USPS"

Twelve 1895 Bureau Issue Stamps

Get our special collector’s set of 1895 “Bureau Issue” stamps – it’s a great way to capture history and build your collection fast.

For over 45 years, U.S. postage stamps were produced by private printing companies.  In 1894, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing entered to lowest bid and won the contract.  The first “Bureau Issue” was marred by the fear of counterfeiting, so the B.E.P. used the same designs on double line watermarked paper in 1895.  The faint “USPS” watermark is a neat piece of history and fun to detect.