The Fast Ocean Navigation Postage Stamp Part II Of II

In continuation to the post on Monday…

These stamps were by far the most artistic stamps ever produced by the United States Postal Service at that time. Because they had two colors, they required 2 trips through the printing press.

Several of the stamps featured the word “Fast” on them in the title. “Fast” signified how increased delivery speed of goods would help drive the slow economy. The stamps were available for sale for the duration of the World’s Fair in Buffalo, New York. The Exposition ran from May 1st through October 31, 1901. The Pan American Exposition showcased technical achievements and how that technology would benefit others living in the 20th century.

Interestingly, in December of 1899, there was wide speculation that the Pan American Exposition postage stamps would not come to fruition. The public and the philatelic communities were against having these stamps made. The main complaint was that the stamps would take up to much room on an envelope just as the Trans Mississippi Exposition and the Columbian Exposition stamps did before them. Both of these series were widely rejected because there were smaller stamps available to purchase at the same time.

Here’s one more bit of history for you. President McKinley was a huge supporter of the Pan American Exposition. While waiting in the receiving line at the exposition, he was shot 2 times by an assassin. He died 8 days later.

If you would like to purchase this amazing historical stamp or other great stamps for your collection, check out this site.