First U.S.postage stamps - Happy Anniversary!

On this date in 1847, the first federal United States postage stamps were issued in New York City- a five-cent stamp honoring Benjamin Franklin and a ten-cent stamp honoring George Washington.

According to the National Postal Museum, "Before 1847, only privately-produced postage stamps were available in the United States. Issued by postmasters in cities such as New York and Providence, Rhode Island, these stamps are known today as "postmaster provisionals."

"While no cover is known to have been posted at New York on July 1, the first day of issue, the new stamps were probably available for sale by that afternoon. The earliest known cover bearing one of these stamps was postmarked at New York City on July 2, 1847, although the stamps were probably purchased on the first day of issue. "

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