U.S. #1897A
1983 2¢ Locomotive
Transportation Series
Issue Date: May 20, 1982
City: Chicago, IL
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Perforations: 10 vertically
Color: Black
Invented by Englishman Richard Trevithick in 1804, the steam locomotive pulled most early railroad trains. In the late 1800s, the electric locomotive, which had been recently introduced, gradually began to replace the steam-powered version. Today, the majority of locomotives are diesel-powered.
The Transportation Series
A ground-breaking stamp was quietly issued on May 18, 1981. For the first time in U.S. history, a coil stamp featured its own unique design rather than simply copying that of the current definitive stamp. Fifty more coil stamps would be issued over the course of the next 15 years, each picturing a different mode of transportation.
The various denominations provided face values to exactly match the rates for several categories of Third Class mail (bulk rate and quanity-discounted mail). As the rates changed, new stamps with new values were added. Never before had a stamp series included so many fractional cent values.
Most of the stamps in the Transportation Series were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, although a few were printed by private contractors. All but a few of the later stamps were produced by engraved intaglio. Differences in precancels, tagging, paper and gum provide a large number of varieties.