1929 2c Edison's First Lamp, flat plate

# 654 - 1929 2c Edison's First Lamp, flat plate

$1.00 - $225.00
Write a Review
Image Condition Price Qty
340634
Mint Plate Block Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 35.00
$ 35.00
0
340625
Mint Stamp(s) Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days. Free with 430 Points
$ 1.75
$ 1.75
1
340626
Mint Stamp(s) Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 2.00
$ 2.00
2
No Image
Mint Sheet(s) Usually ships within 30 days. Usually ships within 30 days.
$ 225.00
$ 225.00
3
340627
Mint Stamp(s) Fine, Never Hinged Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 2.50
$ 2.50
4
340630
Mint Stamp(s) Very Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 2.50
$ 2.50
5
340631
Mint Stamp(s) Very Fine, Never Hinged Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 3.00
$ 3.00
6
340636
Used Single Stamp(s) Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days. Free with 360 Points
$ 1.50
$ 1.50
7
No Image
Unused Stamp(s) small flaws Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days. Free with 145 Points
$ 1.20
$ 1.20
8
No Image
Used Stamp(s) small flaws Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days. Free with 250 Points
$ 1.00
$ 1.00
9
340623
Unused Plate Block small flaws Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 26.50
$ 26.50
10
Show More - Click Here
Mounts - Click Here
Mount Price Qty

 

 

U.S. #654
1929 2¢ Edison’s First Lamp
Flat Plate Printing

Issue Date:
June 5, 1929
First City: Menlo Park, NJ
Quantity Issued: 31,679,200
 
This stamp was issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first incandescent electric light, invented by Thomas Edison.  Because of the Post Office policy never to portray a living person on a United States stamp, Edison's picture could not be shown on the stamp that honored him.
 

Start Of The Electrical Age 

On September 4, 1882, Thomas Edison began providing electricity to a portion of New York City, an event often considered the start of the electrical age.

Electric arc lighting had existed since the early 1800s, but the frequent need to replace carbon tips and bright light meant these were best used outside or in very large rooms. Throughout the 1800s, inventors experimented with incandescent electric lighting for use indoors.

Though others had been exploring the idea for several years, Thomas Edison first grew interested in incandescent electric lighting in mid-1878. A little over a year later he successfully developed the first practical incandescent light. But he didn’t stop there. He then set to work developing an entire system to generate, deliver, and utilize electric energy. He developed a parallel circuit, constant voltage dynamo, junction boxes, an underground conduit system, and several other components to run the system.

From the beginning, Edison had planned to institute a full-scale central system in New York City to prove that his system was commercially viable. He then set to work on the Pearl Street station, which would become the first permanent central power station to supply incandescent lighting. Edison carefully chose the location of his station, so that it would cover a densely populated area of both commercial and residential properties. The one-quarter square mile area, which came to be known as the First District, was home to the downtown business district and many influential newspapers.

For the Pearl Street station, Edison developed six 27-ton constant-voltage dynamos that could each supply about 1,200 lamps. He also had to install 80,000 feet of underground conductors. Once the project was complete, Edison was ready to show it to the world. On September 4, 1882, he stood in the office of J. Pierpont Morgan of Drexel, Morgan & Company. He signaled his electrician at the station to close the switch, after which the power was delivered to the people in the First District. About 400 lamps were lit on that first day.

Though the event is now considered to a monumental moment in history, at the time it was largely uncelebrated. The New York Times briefly mentioned it in their Miscellaneous City News section. While the station wasn’t an instant financial success, it proved Edison’s system worked. It also expanded significantly – to 10,000 lamps serving 513 customers within a year. Edison then built more stations in other parts of New York City and licensed similar systems for installation throughout America, Europe, and Japan over the next decade.

 
Read More - Click Here

 

 

U.S. #654
1929 2¢ Edison’s First Lamp
Flat Plate Printing

Issue Date:
June 5, 1929
First City: Menlo Park, NJ
Quantity Issued: 31,679,200
 
This stamp was issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first incandescent electric light, invented by Thomas Edison.  Because of the Post Office policy never to portray a living person on a United States stamp, Edison's picture could not be shown on the stamp that honored him.
 

Start Of The Electrical Age 

On September 4, 1882, Thomas Edison began providing electricity to a portion of New York City, an event often considered the start of the electrical age.

Electric arc lighting had existed since the early 1800s, but the frequent need to replace carbon tips and bright light meant these were best used outside or in very large rooms. Throughout the 1800s, inventors experimented with incandescent electric lighting for use indoors.

Though others had been exploring the idea for several years, Thomas Edison first grew interested in incandescent electric lighting in mid-1878. A little over a year later he successfully developed the first practical incandescent light. But he didn’t stop there. He then set to work developing an entire system to generate, deliver, and utilize electric energy. He developed a parallel circuit, constant voltage dynamo, junction boxes, an underground conduit system, and several other components to run the system.

From the beginning, Edison had planned to institute a full-scale central system in New York City to prove that his system was commercially viable. He then set to work on the Pearl Street station, which would become the first permanent central power station to supply incandescent lighting. Edison carefully chose the location of his station, so that it would cover a densely populated area of both commercial and residential properties. The one-quarter square mile area, which came to be known as the First District, was home to the downtown business district and many influential newspapers.

For the Pearl Street station, Edison developed six 27-ton constant-voltage dynamos that could each supply about 1,200 lamps. He also had to install 80,000 feet of underground conductors. Once the project was complete, Edison was ready to show it to the world. On September 4, 1882, he stood in the office of J. Pierpont Morgan of Drexel, Morgan & Company. He signaled his electrician at the station to close the switch, after which the power was delivered to the people in the First District. About 400 lamps were lit on that first day.

Though the event is now considered to a monumental moment in history, at the time it was largely uncelebrated. The New York Times briefly mentioned it in their Miscellaneous City News section. While the station wasn’t an instant financial success, it proved Edison’s system worked. It also expanded significantly – to 10,000 lamps serving 513 customers within a year. Edison then built more stations in other parts of New York City and licensed similar systems for installation throughout America, Europe, and Japan over the next decade.