Postage stamps were invented in the 19th century in Great Britain. English schoolmaster and government employee Rowland Hill suggested the postage stamp as a means of taxing newspapers and collecting prepaid mail fees based on weight. In 1840, Great Britain issued what has come to be known as the “Penny Black,” the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, showing the image of Queen Victoria portrayed against a black background.
The first U.S. stamps were issued in 1847: one featuring George Washington cost 10 cents, and the one with a picture of Benjamin Franklin cost five cents. To date, they both appear on the most stamps issued.
Who decides the stamp subjects and designs? For almost all stamp subjects, the process begins with Americans who submit written proposals to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee c/o Stamp Development, USPS, 1735 North Lynn Street, Suite 5013, Arlington VA 22209-6432.
The committee, whose members represent a wide range of educational, artistic, historical and professional expertise, reviews up to 50,000 proposals each year. Stamp suggestions must adhere to general policies that postage stamps primarily feature American or American-related subjects; that no living person be portrayed on U.S. postage; that only events, persons and themes of widespread national appeal and significance will be considered; and that no stamp shall be considered if one treating the same subject has been issued in the past 50 years.
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