US Postage Stamp

US Postage Stamp

In 1902, 65 years after Queen Victoria appeared on an English postage stamp, and 55 years after the first US postage stamp was issued, the 8-cent Martha Washington was the first US stamp to feature a woman.

The year before, the Post Office Department had enjoyed a successful run of the commemorative Pan-American Exposition stamps. But, at more than a decade old, all its regular-issue designs were becoming a bit dated. In an attempt to jazz up its offerings, the Postal Department commissioned new stamps for 1902, giving artists and engravers free rein to show off their intricate handiwork.

Mrs. Washington's stamp was introduced at a time when Americans began recognizing the importance of women's contributions to society. Although women had not yet earned the right to vote, the suffrage movement was a major topic of conversation. Legend has it that after much squabbling over which prominent woman should be the first to grace a US stamp, Mrs. Washington -- the first first lady -- evoked the least controversy.

Here are another US Postage Stamps
(source: http://www.vwoa.org/SBStamps.htm)

1983 US Stamp honoring American inventors including Charles Steinmetz, Edwin Armstrong, Philo T. Farnsworth, and Nikola Tesla

America has never honored Marconi on a postage stamp, but it has showcased his actual invention in this 1973 stamp part of the "Progress in Electronics" series.


1965 US stamp honoring the centenary of the International Telecommunications Union


DeForest's Audion was also part of the 1973 "Progress in Electronics" series


1958 US stamp honoring the centennial of the Atlantic Cable.



1967 US stamp honoring the 25th anniversary of the Voice of America


US stamp honoring Herbert Hoover, President of the United States and Honorary President of the VWOA

US Postage Stamp