1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition

The stamps issued to complement the Trans-Mississippi Exposition were originally intended to be the first bicolored United States stamps issued since the 1860s. With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War and the accompanying demands on manpower and resources, however, officials decided to print each stamp in a single color only.

The Trans-Mississippi Exposition series included nine stamps ranging in value from 1¢ to $1. It was an expensive set, but not so pricey as the larger 1893 Columbian Exposition issue.

Dark red 2-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing horses and plow — Farming in the West

Orange 4-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing Native American hunting buffalo — Indian Hunting Buffalo

Blue 5-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing John Fremont on Rocky Mountains — Frémont on Rocky Mountains

Magenta 8-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing troops guarding train — Troops Guarding Train

Black 10-cent U.S. postage stamp picturing emigrants with covered wagon — Hardships of Emigration

Next: 1901 Pan-American Exposition

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