My USA

Scott 551 Nathan Hale This was the first half-cent stamp issued by the U.S. Post Office and was issued to accommodate the new postal rates established in 1925. Hale was selected for the subject of this issue by Postmaster General Harry New. The stamp was designed by Clair Aubrey Huston who modelled the image of Hale from a photograph of a clay model of a statue of Hale located at Yale University. The Hale issue was printed once with the Flat-plate printing press only.

 Benjamin Franklin The engraving of Franklin in this issue was the same one used in the previous, Washington-Franklin Issue  engraved by Marcus Baldwin of the Bureau in Washington, who modeled his work after a photograph of a plaster bust of Franklin created by Jean Jacques Caffieri's in 1777. This issue is one of the few in the series that was issued in sheets, in coils and in booklet form

 The 2¢ stamp paid first class postage on ordinary mail for the first ounce until July 6, 1932 at which time the rate was increased to 3¢. The drop letter rate for letters at a Post Office with carrier service was 2¢ for most of the life of this stamp. On July 6, 1932 this drop letter rate increased to 3¢, but was lowered back again to 2¢ on July 1, 1933. It remained 1¢ per ounce for drop letters at Post Offices with no carrier service throughout the era. A 2¢ treaty rate with the Pan American states was in effect until April 1, 1932, when it was raised to 3¢. The treaty rate for Great Britain and Canada remained at 2¢ until Sept. 1, 1931, at which time the British rate went to the UPU rate and the to-Canada rate went to 3¢.

Initially the 3¢ stamp did not have a specific usage but as of Oct. 1, 1925 the UPU, government printed, post card rate was raised to 3¢. It paid for the second ounce on UPU letters. On July 6, 1932 the first class rate went to three cents, at which time this stamp became the workhorse of the era.

 The 4-cent issue typically paid the postage on a double-weight first class letter. Like many of the other regular issues, Clair Aubrey Huston designed the Martha Washington stamp. The engraving of Martha Washington was performed by Leo C. Kauffmann, who based his work on a drawing done by the French artist Charles Francois Jalabert, who in turn based his drawing, in part, on Gilbert Stuart's portrayal of the George and Martha Washington. Martha's first appearance on U.S. Postage occurred in the Regular Issues of 1902-1903

 In 1930 two new stamp designs were issued by the the U.S. Post Office for two of the existing denominations and were printed with the rotary press. Issued on June 4, the new design replaced the portrait of Martha Washington on the 4-cent issue with that of William Howard Taft who had recently passed away in March of that year

 This is the first postage stamp to honour Roosevelt which was issued on his birthday, October 27, 1922 in Washington D.C. and in his home town of Oysrer Bay, New York. The stamp was commonly used on letters to foreign destinations with its blue color conforming to Universal Postal Union regulations for stamps used on foreign mail. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the stamp. The image of Roosevelt was engraved by John Eissler who modeled his engraving after a photograph taken of Roosevelt in 1907 by the Harris & Ewing firm in Washington, D.C

 The release of the 6-cents Garfield stamp marked the sixth time Garfield would appear on U.S. Postage. Slated for release on Garfield's birthday on November 19, a Sunday, when Post offices were closed, the Garfield issue was instead released on the 20th in Washington, D.C. only, as there was no post office in Garfield's hometown of Orange, Ohio at the time of its issue. Like all of the Garfield stamps issued previously the Regular Issue Garfield stamp was also based on a photograph of Garfield taken by New York photographer Edward Bierstadt. The image of Garfield was engraved by John Eissler

 This issue marks McKinley’s second appearance on U.S. Postage, first appearing on the 5-cent issue of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Issue. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the 7-cent McKinley stamp. The engraving of Mckinley's image was performed by Louis Schofield of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, who modeled his image after a photograph of the president by George Rockwood taken in 1898. The stamp was first issued on May 1, 1923 in Niles, Ohio, McKinley’s birthplace and in Washington, D.C.

 On May 1, 1923 the U.S. Post Office issued an 8c definitive issue honoring Ulysses S. Grant. Clair Aubrey Houston designed the stamp image. A photograph of Grant taken by renowned Civil War photographer Mathew Brady served as the model for Huston’s vignette. The die for the vignette was engraved by Louis Schofield.^[

 Jefferson's appearance is not new to U.S. Postage, appearing for the first time in 1856. The engraving of Jefferson's image in this issue was performed by George F.C. Simille’s whose image of Jefferson first appeared on the 2-cent value of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Series. The engraving was modeled after a portrait of Jefferson painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1805. Simille’s engraving of Jefferson was transferred to a new die and restored by John Eissler and Leo Kauffmann for use in the printing of this stamp issue.

 Clair Aubrey Huston designed the Monroe stamp. For Monroe's image he used an engraving done by George F.C. Simille previously used to produce the 3-cent issue of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Series. Edward J. Hein transferred Simille’s engraving to a new die and restored it for the new stamp. Simille’s engraving was probably based on an engraving by Asher Durand, which itself seems to have been based on a painting by John Vanderlyn which now hangs in City Hall, New York City

 An 11c Postage stamp was issued on the 100th anniversary of Hayes’ birth, October 4, 1922, in Washington, D.C., and in Hayes’ hometown, Fremont, Ohio and marked the beginning of the regular issues in 1922. This is the first U.S. postage stamp to honor Hayes. The issue was designed by Clair Aubrey Houston. The engraving of Hayes is modeled after a photograph taken by prominent Civil War photographer Mathew Brady. John Eissler engraved Rutherford's image on the die for the vignette

This was the first postage stamp to honor Cleveland. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the stamp and John Eissler engraved the image of Cleveland using a photo that is listed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as “unknown.” This issue was released on March 20, 1923, two days after Cleveland's birthday, the 18th, which fell on a Sunday that year. As post offices were closed on Sunday the stamp was released the following Tuesday, in Cleveland’s hometown of Caldwell, New Jersey, and in Washington, D.C 

 The engraving of Harrison was designed by Clair Aubrey Huston using the same photograph of Harrison that was the source of the 1902 stamp, provided by Harrison's widow. John Eissler engraved the image of Harrison on the printing die. This would be Harrison's second appearance on U.S. Postage

 This was the first 14-cent stamp issued by the U.S. post office. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the stamp who drew his inspiration from De Lancey Gill's photograph of Hollow Horn Bear (1850–1913), a Brule Sioux. The photograph was taken in March 1905 when Hollow Horn Bear was in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt. The Smithsonian Institution is now the owner of the photo. The die which produced the image of Hollow Horn Bear was engraved by Louis Schofield.

 This is the first U.S. Postage stamp to feature the Statue of liberty. The design for this issue is unlike any other in the series with its arrangement of lettering and ornaments. Clair Aubrey Houston designed the stamp taking his inspiration from an 1888 engraving by Charles Skinner, formally of the American Bank Note Company. Louis S. Schofield engraved the die for the image of Liberty. Edward Hall and Joachim Benzing engraved the frame, which is unique in the series

 This issue was the first 17-cent stamp to be issued by the U.S. Post Office. It was also the first issue to honor Woodrow Wilson who had died less than a year from the day this stamp was released on December 28, 1925. When a postage stamp is issued shortly after the passing of a President it is generally considered a memorial to that President. Clair Aubrey Houston designed the stamp image basing it on a photograph provided by the Late President's widow, while John Eissler of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing engraved Wilson's image on the steel die using the same photo as a model.

The stamp was issued at both Washington, D.C., and San Francisco on May 14, 1923. The engraving was performed by Louis S. Schofield who modeled it after a painting by W.A. Coulter. The sailing ship in the painting and on the stamp is the 'W.F. Babcock'. This was the last U.S. postage stamp to be approved by President Harding's outgoing postmaster general, Hubert Work

Clair Aubrey Huston designed the 25-cent issue, Charles Chalmers engraved the image of the Falls

 The 30-cent Buffalo issue is the only stamp of the series that does not have a ribbon-banner and title directly below the central image (vignette) of the stamp. This issue was also designed by Clair Aubrey Huston who used a drawing of a bison by artist Charles R. Knight in 1901, famous for his paintings of dinosaurs, while the actual engraving of the Buffalo was done by Louis Schofield of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

The 50-cent stamp depicts the Arlington Amphitheater. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the stamp after a photograph of the Amphitheater. The engraving of the Amphitheater was performed by Louis Schofield

 The first stamp to feature the lincoln memorial was issued in Springfield, Illinois and in Washington D.C, on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 1923. This 1-dollor issue was released only a few months after the completion and dedication of the memorial. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the image using a U.S. Army photograph taken of the memorial upon its completion. The engraving of the building was performed by by Louis S. Schofield

The stamp was designed by Clair Aubrey Huston and released in Washington, D.C., on March 20, 1923. The image of the U.S. capitol was engraved by Louis A. Schofield. U.S. Post Office. The issue was printed with the Flat-plate printing press only

 The 5-dollar and highest denomination of the series features the Head of Freedom Statue which stands atop of the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington, D.C.. The bi-colored stamp with its blue coloured vignette and red frame required the manufacture of two plates, one for the vignette and one for the frame and required two separate passes through the printing press. The image of 'America' was engraved by John Eissle and was modelled after the Statue of Freedom by Thomas Crawford which was erected on December 2, 1863, atop the Capitol building in Washington D.C.

 One cent paid the post card rate until 1952 and could also have solo use to pay the drop letter rate (for local or star route delivery). It also paid 

 One cent paid the post card rate until 1952 and could also have solo use to pay the drop letter rate (for local or star route delivery). It also paid 

1½¢ paid the 3rd class rate per oz., including unsealed Christmas cards, and the 2nd class (no ads) and 4th class book rate per lb. Non-profits used the stamp for up to 2 oz. from 1952-58. Non-philatelic usage of the vertical coils paying proper postage is extremely rare and even rarer with the Canal Zone overprint.

2¢ paid the drop rate through 3/25/1944, as well as the 3rd class rate after 1/1/1949 (particularly Christmas cards), and the postcard rate from 

 3¢ paid the first class rate and for postcards with added messages. This was a very popular stamp and saw wide use in making up a variety of postal rates, both domestic and international, as well as special service rates.

 4¢ paid twice the local rate. In Aug. 1958, the 1st class rate was raised to 4¢. Although the new Liberty Series was out, the 4¢ Prexie stamp was still available and paid the single letter rate. Pre-1958 letters with a solo 4¢ stamp are overpayment of the 3¢ rate.

 The 4½¢ stamp paid three times the third class rate, as well as triple the book rate, in this case up to 3 pounds. It was generally used in multiples or with other stamps, often with another fractional stamp, to make up a postage rate.

5¢ paid the first ounce on international mail until late 1953 and the domestic air mail rate from 10/1/1946 through the end of 1948.

6¢ paid double the first class rate, that is for up to two ounces..6¢ also paid the air mail rate, per ½ ounce, until Oct. 1946 and for the full oz. rate from Jan.1949 until Aug.1958.

7¢ paid seven times the book rate (3rd class). After Oct. 1, 1946 it paid the rate for an air mail letter requiring surface transport overseas.

8¢ paid the temporary "war" air mail rate from Mar. 26, 1944 until Oct. 1, 1944, It also paid various international rates and a fourth-class book mail rate from 1949 to 1958.

9¢ paid triple the 1st class rate and the fourth class rate for books to various zones from 1944-1948.

 10¢ paid the international air mail rate to many destinations, particularly Latin America and several South Pacific island to island air mail routes.

11¢ paid triple the foreign mail rate (5¢ + 3¢ + 3¢). It also paid 4th class rates to various zones and the domestic special delivery postcard rate through most of 1944.

The 12¢ paid quadruple the 1st class rate and double the air mail rate for much of its life. Its single-rate usages were primarily fourth class, but there were other limited specialty usages as well, for example, a local special delivery letter and 3rd class mail with minimum insurance.

 13¢ paid the first class mail plus special delivery fee until Nov. 1944. There were other third and fourth class solo usage rates, usually combined with other services.

The 14¢ stamp had no specific use other than to pay a make-up rate for a combination of services that could have been paid by using several lower value stamps..

15¢ paid the air mail rate to various international destinations and to domestic territories. It paid the registry on what would have otherwise been free mail. There were also various 4th class uses and, of course, multiples of other rates.

Scarce on cover, the16¢ paid the air mail special delivery rate until 1944 and, from Nov.1944 to the end of 1948 it paid the special delivery plus 1st class letter rate. It had other 4th class, book and special service uses as well and of course could be used to make-up a combination of service or multiple rates.

17¢ paid the registry fee on local letters until 3/26/1944. Five oz. letters sent surface mail to UPU countries were also 17¢. There were other 3rd and 4th class solo usages, particularly in combination with insurance.

18¢ paid the1st class letter plus registry fee and the registry and return receipt fee on free official mail until 3/26/1944. Other uses include special delivery surface mail; certified mail; 4th class and insured 3rd class mail.

There was no specific use for this stamp. However, there were a few special delivery rates, including military mail from overseas from 11/1/1944 to 10/1/1946.

A common use was for mail to Hawaii and from Hawaii to Guam. There were foreign combination rates that totaled 20¢. The stamp paid several domestic registered mail combinations as well.

The 21¢ stamp could be used to pay the fees for combinations of postage and services, such as registered mail or air mail, special delivery air mail, and third and fourth class mail.

As with the 16¢ stamp the 22¢ stamp is scarce on cover. Solo rates could be made by combining the registry fee with a double local rate. This stamp was primarily used in combination with other stamps.

 Solo uses of the 24¢ stamp involve combinations of fees and services, primarily registration fees and often in combination with air mail fees.

The 25¢ stamp, like most of the higher denominations, was not issued to meet a specific postal need, but was rather a convenience stamp capable of making up combination rates. One specific use was air mail to the Pacific, Asia and Africa, in lieu of the air mail stamp.

30¢ paid the air mail rate to Europe for ½ oz. and this stamp was sometimes used in lieu of the air mail stamp. There were many registry and multiple rate uses as well, since it paid multiples of the five, six and ten-cent rates.

 50¢ paid the trans-pacific air mail rate for ½ oz. and this stamp was sometimes used in lieu of the air mail stamp for that rate.This stamp saw registry and special delivery use and, like the 30¢ stamp, was a convenient multiple to make-up higher rates.

There were no specific usage rates for this stamp, but there were many possible combinations of services and fees that resulted in exactly one dollar, particularly with registered and air mail services

Along with the 16¢ and 18¢ stamp, the $2 stamp is somewhat scarce on cover and quite scarce as a solo usage. Because of this scarcity, solo usages on even legal-sized envelopes are highly sought after.

Only one cover with solo usage is known, cut from a package wrapper and even with this cover it is uncertain if the stamp paid an actual $5 rate or was an overpayment of 20¢ on a $4.80 fee.