USA revisits classics for new stamps

The US Postal Service has issued a set of ‘Classics Forever’ stamps which recreate six famous USA stamps first issued in the 19th century.

The six self-adhesive stamps were issued during the New York world stamp show and feature die-cut simulated perforations. Three of the stamps recreate portraits of George Washington (based on the original 1851 12c, 1860 24c and 1860 90c stamps), while two show Benjamin Franklin (1851 1c and the very rare 1861 1c) and a final value shows Abraham Lincoln (1866 15c value).

A spokesperson for the USPS said: ‘The U.S. Postal Service issues this souvenir sheet in celebration of the long history of US postage stamps, and in appreciation of stamp collectors and philatelists everywhere. The elaborately designed sheet features handsome new versions of six stamps first issued in the mid-19th century. The stamps are printed using the intaglio printing method, as were the originals.’

‘America’s early stamps presented a new means of honoring the Revolution’s heroes. The 1851 George Washington and Benjamin Franklin stamps were issued when dramatically reduced rates made the mail more accessible to a growing, migrating population. (These are represented on the top row of the souvenir sheet.) The quick public appreciation of their beautifully engraved portraiture also made stamps a perfect mode of tribute to Abraham Lincoln, martyred just after guiding the Union to victory in the Civil War.’