When does the United States began producing its own postage stamps?

 The United States began producing its own postage stamps on July 1, 1847. The first two stamps issued by the U.S. Post Office were:

1. 5-cent stamp featuring Benjamin Franklin – the first Postmaster General of the U.S.
2. 10-cent stamp featuring George Washington – the first President of the U.S.

Before 1847, postage was typically paid in cash at the post office, and letters were often marked with hand stamps or manuscript notations indicating payment. The introduction of adhesive stamps streamlined mail processing and aligned the U.S. with other nations that had already adopted stamp systems, such as Great Britain, which issued the world’s first stamp, the Penny Black, in 1840.

Would you like details on how stamp production evolved after that?

After the first U.S. stamps were issued in 1847, the postal system evolved rapidly. Here’s a timeline detailing key developments in U.S. stamp production:

1847-1860s: The First Stamps and Expansion

• July 1, 1847: The U.S. Post Office issued its first postage stamps—5-cent Franklin and 10-cent Washington—printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson in New York.
• 1851: A new series of stamps was issued, including different denominations (1¢, 3¢, 5¢, 10¢, 12¢).
• 1855: Prepayment of postage using stamps became mandatory.
• 1861: New stamps were issued due to the outbreak of the Civil War. To prevent Confederates from using U.S. postage, older issues were demonetized.

1860s-1890s: New Designs and Innovations

• 1869: The first U.S. pictorial stamps were introduced, featuring scenes like a steam locomotive and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
• 1870s-1880s: The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) began producing stamps in 1894, taking over from private contractors.
• 1893: The Columbian Exposition stamps were issued to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage. The $1, $2, $3, and $5 denominations were among the largest and most expensive issued at the time.

1900s-1950s: Regular Issues & Commemoratives

• 1907: The first printed coil stamps were introduced for use in vending machines.
• 1918: The famous "Inverted Jenny" airmail stamp was issued with an error—an upside-down airplane—making it one of the most valuable stamps in history.
• 1930s: The National Parks series and the first Presidential series featuring all U.S. Presidents up to Herbert Hoover were released.
• 1940s: World War II-era stamps included themes of patriotism, war bonds, and national defense.

1960s-1980s: Self-Adhesive & Rate Changes

• 1964: The first Christmas stamp was introduced.
• 1974: The U.S. began testing self-adhesive stamps to replace lick-and-stick varieties, officially adopting them in 1992.
• 1980s: Stamps continued evolving with express mail services, non-denominated stamps, and "Forever" stamps concepts.

1990s-Present: Digital Printing & Forever Stamps

• 1993: The first computer-vended stamp was issued.
• 2007: The Forever Stamp was introduced, locking in the current first-class rate for future use.
• 2020s: Stamps now feature QR codes, security features, and limited-edition holograms.