What Was the First Postage Stamp in the United States?

The world’s first postage stamps appeared in England in 1840, but the first U.S. stamps didn’t appear until 1847.

There were two stamps issued at that time: a five-cent and a ten-cent. The five-cent stamp had a picture of Benjamin Franklin, who had been in charge of the mails during the American Revolution. The ten- cent stamp bore a picture of George Washington. Some of these stamps still exist today!

Each year, about 410 pieces of mail are sent to every person in the United States!