# O108//118 - 1879 3c-10c Officials Collection, Used with Small Imperfections, Set of 5 and Free Album Pages

 Get 5 Official U.S. Stamps Plus FREE Album Pages in One Easy, Money-Saving Order

Official Mail stamps are genuine postage stamp that were never available at any post office.  They're called "Official" because their use was strictly limited to government mail.  Before 1873, government agencies had "franking" privileges.  This meant that government mail could be sent free as long as it bore an authorized signature on the envelope.  As of July 1, 1873, "franking" privileges were discontinued and special stamps were put into circulation for use on government mail.

Each government department had its own set of stamps.  Many of the designs were taken from the then-current series of definitive postage stamps – the so-called "Bank Note" issues.  The department names were inscribed on the stamps instead of the usual "U.S. Postage" and department's set was printed in its own distinct color.  Only the Post Office Department had a different design from the rest – a numeral in an oval frame.

In 1884, Official stamps were decalred obsolete and replaced with "penalty" envelopes.  These were imprinted with an official emblem and carried a warning against unauthorized use by private individuals.

This is your chance to get scarce US Official stamps with neat history in your collection.  You'll receive one Post Office Department stamp, three Treasury Department stamps, and one War Department stamp.  Your FREE album pages will include more interesting stories about Official stamps and images of each stamp you'll receive.  This is a great value you won't want to miss.  Order now.

Includes:

#O108 – 3¢ Post Office Department, Black, Soft Paper 
#O109 – 3¢ Treasury Department, Washington, Brown, Soft Paper
#O110 – 6¢ Treasury Department, Lincoln, Brown, Soft Paper
#O111 – 10¢ Treasury Department, Jefferson, Brown, Soft Paper
#O118 – 10¢ War Department, Jefferson, Rose Red, Soft Paper