History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America

A detailed chronological account of United States postage stamps, beginning with local postmaster and city-delivery issues and proceeding through successive national issues. The text describes designs, engraving and printing methods, plate and die varieties, paper and ink differences, cancellations, and reprints, and treats special categories such as stamped envelopes, postage-due, special-delivery, newspaper and official stamps and seals. It evaluates contemporary evidence and catalogue entries to address authenticity and attribution questions, offers technical observations and corrections, and supplies indexes and illustrative material aimed at collectors and researchers.