Pan-American Exposition Issues

Issued in 1901, the 1-cent Fast Lake Navigation stamp was the first denomination of the Pan-American Exposition Issue. It was also the first 1-cent stamp printed in more than one color (green and black). Not until the American kestrel of the Flora and Fauna of the Series of 1991 was another multicolored 1-cent stamp issued. The engraved design featured the steamer ‘City of Alpena’.

The 917-ton CITY OF ALPENA steamer, built 1880 and owned by the D. & C. S. N. Co., collided with the Tecumseh on May 2, 1887. Its home port was Detroit, and the collision occurred on Lake Huron. Neither ship sank.

The six stamps of the Pan-American Issue were the first multicolored stamps since the 1869 Pictorial Issue. Like that issue, the first three denominations of the Pan American produced inverts.

This 1-cent stamp typically paid the one-cent card rate or, when used in combination with other denominations, it paid the large weight and foreign destination rates. One of the most recognizable U.S. stamps of the twentieth century, it was printed in large numbers, and it is consequently very affordable for beginning stamp collectors. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced 91,401,500 1-cent Fast Lake Navigation stamps.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

The New York Empire Express inspired the engraving for the 2-cent stamp of the Pan American Issue. The engine was a logical choice since the Exposition was taking place in New York State and the train was one of the era's most modern. The carmine and black stamp was the first 2-cent denomination printed in more than one color. Another multicolored 2-cent stamp did not appear until the 2-cent Sloop from the Norse-American Issue of 1925. It should also be noted that the 2-cent denomination saw the greatest use of the entire Pan American Issue.

The Pan American Issue's six stamps were the first multicolored stamps since the 1869 Pictorial Issue. Like that issue, the first three denominations of the Pan American produced inverts.

This 2-cent stamp typically paid the first-class domestic rate. In combination with other denominations, it fulfilled large weight and foreign destination rates. It is probably one of the most recognizable twentieth century US stamps. It was printed in great quantities and is, therefore, very affordable for beginning stamp collectors. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced 209,759,700 of these stamps.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

The electric car pictured on the 4-cent Pan American Issue stamp displayed the real technological advancements being made in the United States. The car was owned and operated by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Washington, D.C., explaining the Capitol building shown in the foreground.

It was the first four-cent stamp printed in more than one color (deep red brown and black). There would not be another multicolored four-cent stamp for over another fifty years. That stamp would be the 4-cent Flag Issue stamp that was released in 1957. The six stamps of the Pan American Issue were the first multicolored stamps since the Pictorial Issue of 1869. And like that Issue, the first three denominations of the Pan American would produce inverts.

The 4-cent stamp typically paid the double two-cent first-class domestic rate; or when used with other denominations, it fulfilled large-weight and foreign destination rates. A total of 5,737,100 stamps were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

The Upper Steel Arch Bridge, also known as the Honeymoon Bridge or Falls View Bridge, is the subject of the 5-cent Pan American Issue stamp. The bridge was completed in 1898 and was the largest single-span steel bridge in the world. It crossed Niagara from the United States to Canada until late January 1938, when a massive ice storm raised the river and stacked so much ice against the bottom bridge supports that the entire structure collapsed.

The ultramarine and black stamp was the first five-cent denomination printed in more than one color. There would not be another multicolored five-cent stamp for another quarter century, and that would be the 5-cent Viking Ship stamp from the Norse-American Issue of 1925.

The 5-cent Pan American stamp typically paid the single-weight Universal Postal Union international rate. When used with other denominations, it fulfilled large weight and foreign destination rates. A total of 7,201,300 stamps were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

The 8-cent Pan American Issue stamp features an image of the Sault Sainte Marie Canal Locks. Completed in 1895, they were the largest and first electrically operated locks in the world.

The brown violet and black stamp was the first eight-cent denomination printed in more than one color. Another multicolored eight-cent denomination was not printed again until the 8-cent Statue of Liberty stamp of the 1954 Liberty Issue.

The 8-cent stamp of the Pan American Issue typically paid the domestic registered mail fee. When used with other denominations, it fulfilled large weight and foreign destination rates. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced 4,921,700 of these stamps.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

While the 1-cent stamp of the Pan American Issue salutes America's technological advances in lake navigation, the Issue's 10-cent stamp heralds America's technological advances in ocean navigation. It bears an image of the steamship ‘St. Paul’, owned at the time by the International Navigation Company. Completed in 1895, the ship saw action with the U.S. Navy during the Spanish American War.

The yellow brown and black stamp was the first ten-cent denomination printed in more than one color. Another multicolored ten-cent stamp - the Pan American Gamers Issue - did not appear until 1959.

The 10-cent stamp of the Pan American Issue most often paid the domestic registered mail fee and the domestic first class rate or double the UPU rate. Patrons also used it with other denominations to fulfill large weight and destination rates. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced 5,043,700 of these stamps.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum