US #3209
1998 Trans-Mississippi Exposition

Souvenir Sheet of Re-Issued 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamps
Contains stamps with nine different denominations
Printed in two colors as the original stamps were intended to be

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Trans-Mississippi Exposition
Value: from 1¢ to $2
First Day of Issue: June 18, 1998
First Day City: Anaheim, California
Quantity Issued: 19,800,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved
Format: Souvenir Pane of 9
Perforations: 12.2 X 12.4

Why the stamp was issued: The stamps were issued to honor the 100^th anniversary of the issuance of the first Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamps.

About the stamp design: The same designs used on the 1898 stamps were used on these, with some changes. The designs for the 2¢ and $2 stamps were switched. A small 1998 was added to each stamp. The center images don’t fill the whole space like they did in the originals. This is because some space is needed in bi-color stamps in case the vignette and frame don’t line up exactly. The vignettes on the stamps are all in black, while the colors of the frames are similar to the original stamps

About the printing process: The Banknote Corporation of America used the dies made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing when they intended to produce the 1898 stamps in two colors. The stamps were sent through the printing presses three times, first for the borders, then the black vignettes, and the final pass was for the frame colors.

First Day City: The stamps were dedicated during the Stamp Mega-Event held in Anaheim, California.

Unusual fact about this stamp: The USPS sold 12,500 uncut press sheets. The Stamp Fulfillment Services sold out the day before the official first day of issue of the stamps.

About the Trans-Mississippi Exposition set: The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was held in Omaha, Nebraska, June 1 through November 1, 1898. Its goal was to further the progress and development of resources west of the Mississippi.
To publicize this event, a set of nine commemorative stamps was issued. Each was printed in a single color and featured an engraving depicting a different western scene.
The original intent for the 1898 issues was to print them in two colors. However, due to the Spanish-American War and the increased demand for revenue stamps, resources were re-allocated and the stamps were printed in one color. The 1998 issues have been printed in two colors, using the only existing original bi-color dies.
One of these stamps, Western Cattle in Storm, is still considered one of the most beautiful, finely engraved stamps ever issued.

US #3209
1998 Trans-Mississippi Exposition

Souvenir Sheet of Re-Issued 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamps
Contains stamps with nine different denominations
Printed in two colors as the original stamps were intended to be

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Trans-Mississippi Exposition
Value: from 1¢ to $2
First Day of Issue: June 18, 1998
First Day City: Anaheim, California
Quantity Issued: 19,800,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved
Format: Souvenir Pane of 9
Perforations: 12.2 X 12.4

Why the stamp was issued: The stamps were issued to honor the 100^th anniversary of the issuance of the first Trans-Mississippi Exposition stamps.

About the stamp design: The same designs used on the 1898 stamps were used on these, with some changes. The designs for the 2¢ and $2 stamps were switched. A small 1998 was added to each stamp. The center images don’t fill the whole space like they did in the originals. This is because some space is needed in bi-color stamps in case the vignette and frame don’t line up exactly. The vignettes on the stamps are all in black, while the colors of the frames are similar to the original stamps

About the printing process: The Banknote Corporation of America used the dies made by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing when they intended to produce the 1898 stamps in two colors. The stamps were sent through the printing presses three times, first for the borders, then the black vignettes, and the final pass was for the frame colors.

First Day City: The stamps were dedicated during the Stamp Mega-Event held in Anaheim, California.

Unusual fact about this stamp: The USPS sold 12,500 uncut press sheets. The Stamp Fulfillment Services sold out the day before the official first day of issue of the stamps.

About the Trans-Mississippi Exposition set: The Trans-Mississippi Exposition was held in Omaha, Nebraska, June 1 through November 1, 1898. Its goal was to further the progress and development of resources west of the Mississippi.
To publicize this event, a set of nine commemorative stamps was issued. Each was printed in a single color and featured an engraving depicting a different western scene.
The original intent for the 1898 issues was to print them in two colors. However, due to the Spanish-American War and the increased demand for revenue stamps, resources were re-allocated and the stamps were printed in one color. The 1998 issues have been printed in two colors, using the only existing original bi-color dies.
One of these stamps, Western Cattle in Storm, is still considered one of the most beautiful, finely engraved stamps ever issued.