1983-2009 U.S. Officials – Mint Set of 35 Stamps

Missing from Many Collections!

Official Mail stamps are genuine postage stamps, although they were never available at any post office. These unique stamps are called Officials because their use was strictly limited to government mail.  Before 1873, government agencies had franking privileges. This mean...  more

1983-2009 U.S. Officials – Mint Set of 35 Stamps

Missing from Many Collections!

Official Mail stamps are genuine postage stamps, although they were never available at any post office. These unique stamps are called Officials because their use was strictly limited to government mail.  Before 1873, government agencies had franking privileges. This meant that government mail could be sent free of postage as long as it bore an authorized signature on the envelope. As of July 1, 1873, franking privileges were discontinued and special official stamps were put into circulation for use on government mail.

In 1983, the problem of government postage accountability came up once again.  As a result, the USPS issued six new Official stamps on January 12 of that year.  The new stamps weren’t department-specific and didn’t duplicate previous designs.  Instead, they pictured the Great Seal of the United States and the words, “Penalty for private use $300.”  These modern Official stamps remained in use until 2009.  Get them in your collection today!