1873 $2 Green and Black, Department of State, Seward, Hard Paper

U.S. #O68
1873 $2 Seward
Official Stamp – Department of State

Printed By: Continental Bank Note Co.
Printing Method: Engraved
Perforations: 12
Color: Dark green

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.

Each department was issued its own set of stamps.  Many of the designs were taken from the current series of regular postage stamps being printed at that time - the so-called “Bank Note Issues.”  The department names were inscribed on the stamps instead of the usual “U.S. Postage” and each set was printed in its own distinct color.  Only the Post Office Department had its own unique design - a numeral in an oval frame.

In 1884, the Officials were declared obsolete and were replaced with the “penalty” envelope.  These envelopes were imprinted with an official emblem and carried a warning against unauthorized use by private individuals.

Birth Of William H. Seward

William Henry Seward was born on May 16, 1801 in Florida, New York.

Seward was a bright child that enjoyed school (it was reported that instead of running away from school to go home, he’d run away from home to go to school).   He went on to attend Union College, taking time off to teach in Georgia before returning and graduating with high honors in 1820.

Seward then studied law, passed the bar, and moved to Auburn, New York, where he met newspaper publisher and political boss Thurlow Weed, who would remain a close ally for many years.  It was during his time in Auburn that Seward became increasingly interested in politics.  With Weed’s support, Seward was elected to the New York State Senate in 1830 with the Anti-Masonic Party.  In the coming years, he emerged as a leader of the Whig Party, but lost both his senate seat and a run for the governorship in 1834.

With his political prospects gone, Seward followed his family’s wishes and returned to practicing law.  He also worked for the Holland Land Company, a group of Dutch investors that bought large tracts of land in western New York.

Seward’s break from politics was brief.  In 1838, Weed convinced him to run for governor of New York again, and this time he won.  Seward served two terms as governor and focused much of his attention on prison reform and improving education.  Seward left the governorship in 1842 in considerable debt and had to return to practicing law once again.