1890–93

The Large Bank Notes were in use for nearly two decades, but in 1890 the American Bank Note Company produced 10 designs in a smaller size that the United States still uses for definitive stamps today. The stamps ranged in value from 1¢ to 90¢, and in 1893, an 8¢ stamp picturing General William T. Sherman was added to the set.

The American Bank Note Company went on to print the 1893 Columbian Exposition stamps, but in 1894, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing took over the production of all U.S. postage stamps. The 1890–93 designs with some additional engraving would serve as the basis for the first Bureau issue.

Blue 1-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Benjamin Franklin — Benjamin Franklin

Red 2-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing George Washington — George Washington

Purple 3-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Andrew Jackson — Andrew Jackson

Brown 4-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Abraham Lincoln — Abraham Lincoln

Brown 5-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Ulysses S. Grant — Ulysses S. Grant

Brown red 6-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing James A. Garfield — James A. Garfield

Lilac 8-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing William T. Sherman — William T. Sherman

Green 10-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Daniel Webster — Daniel Webster

Blue 15-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Henry Clay — Henry Clay

Next: 1893 Columbian Exposition

Published 2018-06-18 Last updated 2018-06-19