1927 10c Rotary Press

U.S. #E15
1927 10¢ Motorcycle Delivery
Special Delivery

Issue Date: November 29, 1927
City: Washington, DC
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary press
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Gray violet

Special Delivery stamps were pre-payments added to the ...  more

U.S. #E15
1927 10¢ Motorcycle Delivery
Special Delivery

Issue Date: November 29, 1927
City: Washington, DC
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary press
Perforations: 11 x 10 ½
Color: Gray violet

Special Delivery stamps were pre-payments added to the regular “lawful postage” for an extra service – immediate delivery of a letter within one mile of any special delivery post office.  These special post offices were those with free routine delivery service or in larger communities with 4,000 or more people. 

First available in 1885, the Special Delivery service was extremely popular.  At first, the service was available from 7 a.m. to midnight.  The following year, the hours changed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The service was so successful that in 1886, every U.S. post office began to offer Special Delivery.