# O58-60 - 1873 2c-6c U.S. Officials (3)
U.S. Stamps Over 130 Years Old â
Never Available at the Post Office!
These classic U.S. Official Stamps were created specifically for use by the Department of State. They were never sold in at any Post Office... in fact, private use was strictly illegal! As a result, even many experienced collectors have never seen these Official Stamps.
Department Of State EstablishedÂ
When the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, it specified that the President would be responsible for the countryâs foreign relations. President George Washington soon realized heâd need help and requested the creation of a new executive department to help handle foreign affairs.
The House of Representatives and Senate agreed and approved legislation creating such a department on July 21, 1789. President Washington then signed the legislation on July 27, 1789, officially creating the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was the first department established under the U.S. Constitution. As the officeâs responsibilities expanded to cover domestic duties as well as foreign, the agencyâs name was changed to the Department of State.
Over time, many of the Secretary of Stateâs domestic responsibilities were turned over to other departments as they were developed, though the secretary of state is still the keeper of the Great Seal. Another duty the secretary has is receiving the written document if a President or Vice President decides to resign.
Many U.S. Secretaries of State have been honored on postage, including:
 |
Official MailÂ
Each department was issued its own set of stamps. Many of the designs were taken from the current series of regular postage stamps being printed at that time â the so-called âBank Note Issues.â The department names were inscribed on the stamps instead of the usual âU.S. Postageâ and each set was printed in its own distinct color. Only the Post Office Department had its own unique design â a numeral in an oval frame.
In 1884, the Officials were declared obsolete and were replaced with the âpenaltyâ envelope. These envelopes were imprinted with an official emblem and carried a warning against unauthorized use by private individuals.
U.S. Stamps Over 130 Years Old â
Never Available at the Post Office!
These classic U.S. Official Stamps were created specifically for use by the Department of State. They were never sold in at any Post Office... in fact, private use was strictly illegal! As a result, even many experienced collectors have never seen these Official Stamps.
Department Of State EstablishedÂ
When the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, it specified that the President would be responsible for the countryâs foreign relations. President George Washington soon realized heâd need help and requested the creation of a new executive department to help handle foreign affairs.
The House of Representatives and Senate agreed and approved legislation creating such a department on July 21, 1789. President Washington then signed the legislation on July 27, 1789, officially creating the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was the first department established under the U.S. Constitution. As the officeâs responsibilities expanded to cover domestic duties as well as foreign, the agencyâs name was changed to the Department of State.
Over time, many of the Secretary of Stateâs domestic responsibilities were turned over to other departments as they were developed, though the secretary of state is still the keeper of the Great Seal. Another duty the secretary has is receiving the written document if a President or Vice President decides to resign.
Many U.S. Secretaries of State have been honored on postage, including:
 |
Official MailÂ
Each department was issued its own set of stamps. Many of the designs were taken from the current series of regular postage stamps being printed at that time â the so-called âBank Note Issues.â The department names were inscribed on the stamps instead of the usual âU.S. Postageâ and each set was printed in its own distinct color. Only the Post Office Department had its own unique design â a numeral in an oval frame.
In 1884, the Officials were declared obsolete and were replaced with the âpenaltyâ envelope. These envelopes were imprinted with an official emblem and carried a warning against unauthorized use by private individuals.