1873 1c Black, Post Office Department, Hard Paper
# O47 - 1873 1c Black, Post Office Department, Hard Paper
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O47 - 1873 1c Black, Post Office Department, Hard Paper
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Mint Stamp(s)
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$ 25.00
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Used Single Stamp(s)
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$ 21.00 |
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Unused Stamp(s)
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Used Stamp(s)
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U.S. #O47
1873 1¢ Official Stamp
Post Office
1873 1¢ Official Stamp
Post Office
Official Mail stamps are genuine postage stamps, although they were never available at any post office. These unique stamps are called Officials 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 of postage as long as it bore an authorized signature on the envelope. As of July 1, 1873, “franking” privileges were discontinued and special official stamps were put into circulation for use on government mail.
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 - the so-called “Bank Note Issues.” The department names were inscribed on the stamps instead of the usual “U.S. Postage” and each set was printed in its own distinct color. Only the Post Office Department had its own unique design - a numeral in an oval frame.
In 1884, the Officials were declared obsolete and were replaced with the “penalty” envelope. These envelopes were imprinted with an official emblem and carried a warning against unauthorized use by private individuals.
Last Stamp Issued By The Post Office Department
On June 23, 1971, the Post Office issued its last commemorative stamp as a cabinet-level department.
America’s postal system was officially established on February 20, 1792. On that day President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, which created the United States Post Office. The act gave Congress the power to create official mail routes and allowed newspapers to be delivered in the mail, which more easily spread information across the nation. The act also deemed it illegal for postal officials to open people’s mail.
For several years, it was known as simply the Post Office. Then during his tenure in the 1820s, Postmaster General John McLean began calling it the Post Office Department. The name would remain in use for over a century.
In 1829, President Andrew Jackson invited his Postmaster General William T. Barry to join his Cabinet, giving the position an increase in prestige. And in 1872 it was officially elevated to Cabinet level.
Then a major shakeup came in 1970. American postal workers felt their wages were too low, they didn’t get enough benefits, and their working conditions were unsafe. They were further upset to learn that Congress was raising postal worker wages by just 4%, while Congress’ pay would increase by 41%.
Some of these workers then assembled at a meeting of the National Association of Letter Carriers on March 17, 1970. They voted to strike. The strike began just after midnight. While the strike initially only took place in New York City, it eventually spread around the country and involved more than 210,000 postal workers.
President Nixon then made a televised address ordering them back to work, but it only strengthened their resolve. It also led to more postal workers joining the strike and other government agencies threatening to strike if Nixon took legal action. Soon, America’s postal system ground to a halt and the stock market fell dramatically. Nixon once again addressed the nation asking the workers to come back. When they refused, the declared a state of emergency and activated 24,000 military personnel to take over distribution of the mail.
The strike ended after eight days and led to the creation of the Postal Reorganization Act. The Act abolished the U.S. Post Office Department and created the United States Postal Service, which would become a corporation-like independent agency of the federal government. Nixon signed the act into law on August 12, 1970, and it would go into effect on July 1, 1971. (You can read the act here.)
The last commemorative stamp to be issued under the former Post Office Department was U.S. #1431, honoring the 10-year anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. The first stamp issued under the USPS was #1432 on July 4, 1971, the first stamp of the U.S. Bicentennial series.
U.S. #O47
1873 1¢ Official Stamp
Post Office
1873 1¢ Official Stamp
Post Office
Official Mail stamps are genuine postage stamps, although they were never available at any post office. These unique stamps are called Officials 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 of postage as long as it bore an authorized signature on the envelope. As of July 1, 1873, “franking” privileges were discontinued and special official stamps were put into circulation for use on government mail.
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 - the so-called “Bank Note Issues.” The department names were inscribed on the stamps instead of the usual “U.S. Postage” and each set was printed in its own distinct color. Only the Post Office Department had its own unique design - a numeral in an oval frame.
In 1884, the Officials were declared obsolete and were replaced with the “penalty” envelope. These envelopes were imprinted with an official emblem and carried a warning against unauthorized use by private individuals.
Last Stamp Issued By The Post Office Department
On June 23, 1971, the Post Office issued its last commemorative stamp as a cabinet-level department.
America’s postal system was officially established on February 20, 1792. On that day President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, which created the United States Post Office. The act gave Congress the power to create official mail routes and allowed newspapers to be delivered in the mail, which more easily spread information across the nation. The act also deemed it illegal for postal officials to open people’s mail.
For several years, it was known as simply the Post Office. Then during his tenure in the 1820s, Postmaster General John McLean began calling it the Post Office Department. The name would remain in use for over a century.
In 1829, President Andrew Jackson invited his Postmaster General William T. Barry to join his Cabinet, giving the position an increase in prestige. And in 1872 it was officially elevated to Cabinet level.
Then a major shakeup came in 1970. American postal workers felt their wages were too low, they didn’t get enough benefits, and their working conditions were unsafe. They were further upset to learn that Congress was raising postal worker wages by just 4%, while Congress’ pay would increase by 41%.
Some of these workers then assembled at a meeting of the National Association of Letter Carriers on March 17, 1970. They voted to strike. The strike began just after midnight. While the strike initially only took place in New York City, it eventually spread around the country and involved more than 210,000 postal workers.
President Nixon then made a televised address ordering them back to work, but it only strengthened their resolve. It also led to more postal workers joining the strike and other government agencies threatening to strike if Nixon took legal action. Soon, America’s postal system ground to a halt and the stock market fell dramatically. Nixon once again addressed the nation asking the workers to come back. When they refused, the declared a state of emergency and activated 24,000 military personnel to take over distribution of the mail.
The strike ended after eight days and led to the creation of the Postal Reorganization Act. The Act abolished the U.S. Post Office Department and created the United States Postal Service, which would become a corporation-like independent agency of the federal government. Nixon signed the act into law on August 12, 1970, and it would go into effect on July 1, 1971. (You can read the act here.)
The last commemorative stamp to be issued under the former Post Office Department was U.S. #1431, honoring the 10-year anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty. The first stamp issued under the USPS was #1432 on July 4, 1971, the first stamp of the U.S. Bicentennial series.