1998 2c Trans-Mississippi: Mississippi River Bridge

U.S. #3209b
1998 2¢ Mississippi River Bridge

First Day Cover

Issue Date: June 18, 1998
City: Anaheim, CA

This first day cover features the 2¢ Mississippi River Bridge stamp from the Trans-Mississippi souvenir sheet issued to honor the 100th anniversary of the original commemoratives

On the original 1898 commemoratives, the Mississippi River Bridge stamp was a $2 stamp. It was originally planned for the 2¢ stamp but was switched with the “Farming in the West” stamp. Since the farming scene represented life in the West, the Postal Committee thought it should have the lower denomination and be used more often. The 1998 sheet shows the denominations as they were planned. The stamp pictures Eads Bridge, a 1,500-foot span built in 1874, and the city of St. Louis.

The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was held in Omaha, Nebraska, June 1 through November 1, 1898. Its goal was to further the progress and development of resources west of the Mississippi.

To publicize this event, a set of nine commemorative stamps was issued. Each was printed in a single color and featured an engraving depicting a different Western scene.

The original intent for the 1898 issues was to print them in two colors. However, due to the Spanish-American War and the increased demand for revenue stamps, resources were re-allocated and the stamps were printed in one color. The 1998 issues have been printed in two colors, using the only existing original bi-color dies.