1865-95 Newspaper & Periodical Stamps, Collection of 6

SAVE on Scarce U.S. Newspaper & Periodical Stamps
Beautiful and Hard to Find

Here’s an exciting opportunity for you to get old Newspaper and Periodical stamps that are missing from most collections.  They’re over 160 years old and you’ll save time and money

Mystic’s Tough Grading Standards Save You Hundreds!

Our experts detected tiny imperfections – as you might expect of unused stamps this old.  These small flaws don’t detract from the stamps’ beauty or collectibility, but allow us to offer them at a lower price.  You’ll save time and hundreds of dollars off Mystic’s regular prices for these six stamps. 

Read on for the intriguing history behind these stamps...

Scandal at Post Office Creates Need for New Stamps

Initially, publishers used private express companies to deliver their newspapers and periodicals because it was more affordable.  Eventually, the Post Office Department lowered its rates to stay competitive.  In 1863, Congress passed an act allowing postal employees on trains or ships to transport newspapers and periodicals without going through a post office.  The employees were then responsible for collecting transportation fees in cash.  Postal officials soon realized that most of the money their employees collected wasn’t being turned in. 

In 1865, the Post Office introduced Newspaper and Periodical stamps to address the scandal.  The stamps were an accounting system created to keep employees honest and improve profits.  The first stamps were large and colorful so they could be easily spotted on bundles of printed materials.  They also had elaborate designs to prevent forgery.  Because of this, many experts consider Newspaper and Periodical stamps among the most beautiful US stamps ever issued.

These Stamps Were Never Sold to the Public!

After just three years, Newspaper and Periodical stamps fell by the wayside and the Post Office returned to the old cash system.  However, within five years, the postmaster general found that employees were, once again, failing to turn in money. 

Newspaper and Periodical stamps were re-introduced in 1875 with new designs picturing female allegorical figures.  The women, with names like Freedom and Justice, were symbols of American values.  They highlighted the importance of newspapers and periodicals in having an informed public and stronger democracy.

On July 1, 1898, Newspaper and Periodical stamps were retired once and for all.  The stamps were only ever sold to publishers.  Early stamps were attached to the newspaper or periodical’s wrapping and thrown away after use.  Later issues were affixed to post office receipts for accounting purposes and later destroyed. So, few collectors ever got their hands on these stamps.

Few Newspaper and Periodical stamps exist today.  They’re even hard to come by for Mystic.  This is a wonderful opportunity to add scarce and desirable old US stamps to your collection.  Take advantage of it now.