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Official stamps

In the 1870s, government departments lost the franking privilege. Separate series of stamps were issued for each department's use. Except for the issues of the Post Office Department, which feature only numerals, the stamps were patterned on the then-current "banknote" issues.

1873 issues, Continental Bank Note Company

Printed on thin hard paper.

Department of the Navy

Offices of the Department of the Navy were required to use these stamps on official mailings. High-value stamps saw service on communications with ship captains and squadrons stationed in far corners of the world.

Scott O35, 1¢ Navy Department, plate number 80

Scott O35P3, 1¢ Navy Department proof on india paper, plate number 80

Scott O35S var, 1¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 80

Scott O35S var, 1¢ Navy, unlisted specimen overprint on soft paper, plate number 80

Image courtesy of Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries

Scott O36, 2¢ Navy Department, ultramarine, plate number 50

Scott O36a, 2¢ Navy Department, dull blue, plate number 50

Scott O36P3, 2¢ Navy Department proof on india paper, plate number 50

Scott O36S var, 2¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 50

Scott O37S var, 3¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 4

Scott O38, 6¢ Navy Department, plate number 53

Scott O38S var, 6¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 53

Scott O39S var, 7¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 119

Scott O40, 10¢ Navy Department, plate number 101

Scott O40P3, 10¢ Navy Department proof, bottom imprint pair

Scott O40S var, 10¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 101

Scott O41S var, 12¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 92

Scott O42S var, 15¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 94

Scott O43S var, 24¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 107

Scott O44P3, 30¢ Navy Department proof, bottom imprint single

Scott O44S var, 30¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 96

Scott O45S var, 90¢ Navy, specimen overprint on imperf proof, plate number 106

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This page last updated November 27, 2019.