1922 10c Flat Plate Perf 11, deep ultra

U.S. #E12a
1922 10¢ Motorcycle Messenger
Special Delivery

Issue Date: July 12, 1922
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 332,299,906
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Perforations: 11
...  more

U.S. #E12a
1922 10¢ Motorcycle Messenger
Special Delivery

Issue Date: July 12, 1922
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 332,299,906
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Perforations: 11
Color: Deep Ultramarine

This stamp is a variety of E12.  The standard stamp was printed in gray violet, while this variety is a deep ultramarine.

With the advancement in transportation used by the Special Delivery service came a change in stamp design.  This stamp features the messenger using a motorcycle to deliver a letter.   The motorcycle pictured is a 1920 Hindu Manufacturing Indian Chief.

Special Delivery stamps were pre-payments added to the regular “lawful postage” for an extra service – immediate delivery of a letter within one mile of any special delivery post office.  These special post offices were those with free routine delivery service or in larger communities with 4,000 or more people. 
First available in 1885, the Special Delivery service was extremely popular.  At first, the service was available from 7 a.m. to midnight.  The following year, the hours changed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The service was so successful that in 1886, every U.S. post office began to offer Special Delivery.