Issue Date: March 21, 1983
City: Memphis, TN

Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Printing Method: Engraved

Perforations: 10 vertically

Color: Carmine

 

The antique sleigh pictured on this stamp was popular throughout the U.S. in the late 19th century. A thing of the past in America, it's still used in those parts of the world that almost constantly have snow, such as Siberia and Lapland.

 

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 quantity-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.