Who Were the First Two Men on Stamps?

Postage stamps in the United States were not issued until the mid-1800s. The first two men honored by appearing on the face of a United States postage stamp were George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, two of the most notable figures of the American Revolution. There are enough of these stamps around today that collectors are still able to find them. The first two men on stamps were followed by many other people, from Presidents like Jackson and Lincoln to Abbott and Costello, a comic team.

History

Stamps had first been introduced in England in 1840 with the advent of what was called the "Penny Black" stamp, costing 1 penny and featuring a likeness of Queen Victoria on a black background. Mail in England and the United States previously would be delivered often only if the recipient paid the postage due when it arrived at its destination. In 1842 a private postal carrier from New York City named Alexander Greig issued his own stamps, featuring Washington, and delivered mail using this system. The government purchased Grieg's business months later and in 1845 settled on uniform postal rates for the entire country, such as 5 cents for mail that was delivered within a 300-mile limit.

Time Frame

The U.S. Congress passed an act on March 3, 1847, for stamps to be issued, and Postmaster-General Cave Johnson of Tennessee forged a contract with the engraving firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson to make them. The first stamps were sold on July 1, 1847, in New York City, followed by cities such as Boston and Philadelphia.

Significance

Benjamin Franklin had been named the postmaster of Philadelphia as early as 1737, and King George III had made him the Co-Deputy Postmaster General for America in 1753. The Continental Congress entrusted him with the job in 1775, when he was 68 years old. It was natural that Franklin appears on the first stamps, but the honor almost went to former president Andrew Jackson. Only Washington has appeared on more stamps than Franklin over the years.

Size

These first stamps were quite successful. They were imperforate, meaning that they had to be cut off of the sheet they came on to be used. Almost 4 million of the 5 cent variety with Franklin on it were sold, with Washington's 10 cent stamp selling 865,000. Today one of the used 5 cent stamps can sell among collectors for $500, and the 10 cent type for $1,400. Unused stamps can go as high as $6,000 for Franklin's and almost $30,000 for Washington's, but only if these rare finds are in good condition.

Types

By the year 1851, the post office had done so well that postal rates could actually be reduced. They were dropped to 3 cents and new stamps were reissued. Franklin was featured on a penny stamp, Washington on a 3 cent stamp, and Thomas Jefferson honored with a nickel stamp, making him the third man on American stamps.