# CZC6 - 1949 4c Canal Zone Airmail - Gaillard Cut, red violet
First Canal Zone Stamps Issued
With military assistance from the United States, Panama declared its independence from Columbia on November 3, 1903. The Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty was negotiated, then ratified in Panama on December 2, 1903. The United States followed suit on February 23, 1904, clearing the way for a long-anticipated canal project across the Panama isthmus.
On June 24, 1904, postal service was established as part of the US Department of Revenue under the supervision of the treasurer of the Canal Zone, Paymaster E. C. Tobey. On this day, post offices were opened in Ancon, Cristóbal, Gatun, Culebra, and Balboa. Railroad station agents operated as postmasters.
Overprinted Panama stamps were in use for less than a month. On July 18, 1904, they were replaced by US postage stamps overprinted “Canal Zone.” However, US stamps with images of famous Americans like Washington and Franklin weren’t popular with Panamanians in the Canal Zone. As a result of protests from officials and businesses, the Taft Agreement went into effect. It required Canal Zone stamps to be overprinted Panama issues, with 40% of the face value paid to Panama’s government. The US overprints were removed from sale in December 1904. All remaining quantities (almost 99%) were destroyed in 1906. Taft’s executive order was reversed in 1924, when overprinted US stamps were placed in use again.
On October 1, 1928, the first permanent-issue Canal Zone stamp was issued. The 2¢ stamp featured Lt. Col. George W. Goethals, the canal project’s chief engineer and first Canal Zone governor.
Need an album for you Canal Zone stamps? Click here for Mystic’s Heritage Collection of Canal Zone Stamps Album.
First Canal Zone Stamps Issued
With military assistance from the United States, Panama declared its independence from Columbia on November 3, 1903. The Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty was negotiated, then ratified in Panama on December 2, 1903. The United States followed suit on February 23, 1904, clearing the way for a long-anticipated canal project across the Panama isthmus.
On June 24, 1904, postal service was established as part of the US Department of Revenue under the supervision of the treasurer of the Canal Zone, Paymaster E. C. Tobey. On this day, post offices were opened in Ancon, Cristóbal, Gatun, Culebra, and Balboa. Railroad station agents operated as postmasters.
Overprinted Panama stamps were in use for less than a month. On July 18, 1904, they were replaced by US postage stamps overprinted “Canal Zone.” However, US stamps with images of famous Americans like Washington and Franklin weren’t popular with Panamanians in the Canal Zone. As a result of protests from officials and businesses, the Taft Agreement went into effect. It required Canal Zone stamps to be overprinted Panama issues, with 40% of the face value paid to Panama’s government. The US overprints were removed from sale in December 1904. All remaining quantities (almost 99%) were destroyed in 1906. Taft’s executive order was reversed in 1924, when overprinted US stamps were placed in use again.
On October 1, 1928, the first permanent-issue Canal Zone stamp was issued. The 2¢ stamp featured Lt. Col. George W. Goethals, the canal project’s chief engineer and first Canal Zone governor.
Need an album for you Canal Zone stamps? Click here for Mystic’s Heritage Collection of Canal Zone Stamps Album.