History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America

"History of the Postage Stamps of the United States of America" by John K. Tiffany is a chronicle from the late 1800s, recounting the captivating story of postage stamps in America, from their humble beginnings as simple hand-stamps and unofficial postmaster creations to their rise as formal government-issued stamps. The book highlights the difficulties in tracking the early history of American postage due to a lack of official records. A detailed look is given into how postmasters could design their own stamps, because the Postmaster General had vast authority, resulting in a patchwork of local stamps across the country. By looking at the historical background and postal habits of the time, the book provides a framework for a thorough study of each stamp type. It demonstrates the social and political events that influenced how postage developed in America and is great for history buffs and stamp collectors.