Telegraph stamps were used by private companies for use on their own telegrams.  The stamps showed payment for the telegraph service fee had been collected.  Customers filled out a form, submitted it with payment, and the clerk applied the stamp and cancelled it to show payment had been received.

 

Like U.S. postage stamps,Telegraph stamps feature high-quality engraving and printing to deter counterfeiters.  In fact, the American Rapid Telegraph Co. stamps were printed by the American Bank Note Company and the Western Union Telegraph Co. stamps were printed by the National Bank Note Co.

 

Communication has always been vital to economic growth and development.  The telegraph played an essential role in building our nation.  Telegraph communication was revolutionary and was directly responsible for the demise of the short-lived Pony Express.  News and information could be sent from the East to the West faster than ever before... and the nation entered a more modern age.