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United States Special Delivery |
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1922 - 1997 |
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The United States commenced special delivery service on October 1, 1885, and issued eleven collector recognized stamps during its first 37 years. Only 12 additional stamps were issued during the final 75 years of this service. Special delivery mail was squeezed out by Express Mail on June 7, 1997, significantly ending on the last day of the Pacific 1997 International Stamp Show in San Francisco, California. |
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Beginning on July 12, 1922, modern transporation methods were shown on special delivery stamps. The design included a messenger making his rounds on what is believed to be a Harley-Davidson motorcycle paying the same 10c rate that had been in effect on first class special delivery mail since the beginning of the service in 1885. It was not until November 1, 1944, that the rate increased to 13c and subsequently escalated dramatically. Shortly after this stamp was issued, changes occured in special delivery service. Additional rates based on weight were put into effect in 1925 and again in 1928. Special delivery treaties were entered into with Canada on January 1, 1923, codifying an informal arrangement which lasted 23 years. Treaties with other countries soon followed. |
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A stamp with a new rate and design appeared in 1925 picturing a parcel post mail truck parked in front of the Washington, D.C. Post Office. This stamp was mainly issued to pay the 20c foreign treaty rates then being negotiated and published. From 1922 to 1951 motorcycle and truck design stamps were issued. On September 8, 1941, the rotary presses replaced the flat bed presses at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing where these stamps were produced. |
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From 1934-1936 three special stamps for combined airmail and special delivery rates( 16c face value) were issued picturing the presidential seal prepared from a sketch by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. |
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Thereafter, the basic motorcycle and truck designs were re-used as the rates increased both for first class special delivery fees under two pounds and for fees on parcel post special delivery mail. When new stamps were issued in 1954 and 1957, the first class rates advanced substantially. A new design showing a messenger handing a special delivery letter to a customer was adopted. |
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In 1969 the Giori press was used to print what has been dubbed the 45c "Spearmint" stamp since it appeared to be similar in design to the Wrigley Company chewing gum wrapper. Again in 1971 a new stamp was needed to meet the 60c rate. Thereafter, with rates changing dramatically upward, the United States did not again issue special delivery stamps, but allowed those in circulation to be used prior to their demonitization as well as meters or other stamps. |
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In 1979 more than 40.9 pieces of special delivery mail were delivered; by 1986 only 10.2 million pieces requested and received that service. Nevertheless, the government program continued until June 7, 1997. |
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This collection is built in the traditional manner. Trial color proofs, large and small die proofs where known, mint and used stamps, varieties and various postal history usages (domestic and foreign) where applicable are included. When available, the various rate changes are illustrated by covers or package pieces. As the rates escalated and the service could not compete with Express Mail delivery, virtually no special delivery mail was used. Several rates cannot be shown by example simply because none are recorded in either the literature or by the collectors of modern postal history. |
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Bibliography pdf-596k |
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e-mail: bob markovits |
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copyright © 2000-04 fran adams |
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