History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America

This work opens a window onto the surprisingly informal world of early American postage. Because the United States Post Office never kept a dedicated stamp bureau, the designs, paper types, water‑marks and perforations were decided by the Postmaster General through private contracts. The result was a patchwork of issues whose origins are often hidden in verbal orders rather than official decrees, leaving modern researchers to piece together the story from scattered records.

Drawing on the diligent observations of generations of collectors, the author reconstructs the first era of U.S. stamps with meticulous detail. By examining surviving specimens, contemporary newspaper notices, and the occasional government report, the narrative reveals how each denomination came to be, why certain colors were chosen, and what quirks arose from the competitive bidding process. Listeners will gain a clear picture of the foundations of American philately, all without venturing beyond the formative years that set the stage for later developments.