Stamps -> Topic & Specialty -> War

The United Postal Service issued a sheet of 20 stamps in 1995 with the theme of the US Civil War. The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history, resulting in the death of 620,000 soldiers and an untold number of civilians. The war served to hold the Union together, solidify the role of the federal government in the workings of the United States, and ended slavery. It lasted from 1861 to 1865 and was also called the “War Between the States” and the “War Between Brothers,” as it was not uncommon for family members, even brothers to be fighting on opposite sides, depending on their beliefs toward slavery and states seceding from the Union.

Jefferson Davis headed the movement for 11 Southern states whose economies depended on the slave trade to secede from the Union and form the Confederacy. When Lincoln was elected in 1860, 7 of those states had already declared that would secede before Lincoln even got to take office in March 1861. Only a month later, the fighting began when the Confederates attacked Fort Sumter in South Carolina, starting the US Civil War. Lincoln called for volunteers from the states who supported the Union, and they were able to take control of the border states and gained the upper hand. Lincoln’s 1862 Emancipation Proclamation made one main focus of the war abolishing slavery in the South, while the South believed they were fighting to keep their way of life. Confederate commander Robert E. Lee, after many early victories, was turned back at Gettysburg and the South lost momentum. He surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865.

The US Civil War stamps released by the Postal Service in 1995 come in a colorful sheet designed for collecting, with even the top bar above the stamps featuring artwork and making it a valuable part of the stamp sheet. Each stamp has its own subject that was in some way important to the Civil War. The gummed side of each stamp bears a short description of the subject of that stamp. The stamps feature 16 individuals of importance, and 4 key Civil War battles.

The US Civil War stamps weren’t released on any important date relating to the Civil war, as commemorative stamps usually are, but instead were second in a US Postal Service series called the Classics Collection, in which all 20 stamps relate to a theme and feature historical information printed on the back of each stamp.

eBay is an excellent source for these US Civil War stamps, as well as many others, and it’s not unusual to find them in an intact sheet. If you can find a first day of issue cancellation, you’ll have a great addition to your collection, as well. First day ceremonies for this stamp were held at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania where the Civil War turned and began heading toward its end. The pictorial cancellation given there was a cannon, but the stamps were also released nationwide so a variety of cancellations are possible.

Originally posted 2008-11-02 14:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• 1909 Lincoln Stamp Set Stamps -> United States -> Collections, Lots The 1909 Lincoln stamp set represents the first time the United States Post Office had issued stamps that didn't promote or commemorate a current event. The public complained about the change in stamps in 1908 to Washing and Franklin stamps, because Lincoln had......
• Guide to Selling Stamps and Stamp Collections Often people ask me for advice on what to do with their newly inherited or given stamp collection, usually with a bent on selling it. These are a few pointers I have slapped together. Number one: do not get your hopes up. Most people see albums or boxes full of......
• Stamp Collector Stamps -> Worldwide -> Collections, Lots Few types of collectors get more excited and enthusiastic about a new acquisition than a stamp collector. Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world, enjoyed by young children, the elderly, and every age in between. Over 20 million people......
• Monroe Stamp Stamps -> Topical-and-Specialty -> Famous People The Marilyn Monroe stamp was released on June 1, 1995, on what would have been Marilyn’s 69th birthday. It joined the ranks of what the United States Postal Service calls “blockbuster” stamps, like the Elvis stamp, and some commemorative stamps like those honoring Civil......
• Valuable Stamps Stamps -> Worldwide -> Postal History If you are interested in stamp collecting as more than just a hobby, it is important to focus on finding valuable stamps. These are the ones that will enhance your personal collection and provide you with a solid investment that you can count on.......

• A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Coins There are plenty of people out there looking for a great hobby they can get started in. More people have started turning to coin collecting. This is because it appeals to two different collectors. It appeals to those who simply enjoy the look of certain coins to those who see......
• Coin Collecting 101 Coin collecting is an industry that has grown to encompass billions of dollars in sales. The earliest hobby of coin collecting is capable of being traced as far back as 1300 AD, which is when an Italian scholar known by the name of Fracesco Petrarca began to save coins and......
• What's the Purpose of a Concrete Stamp A concrete stamp gives poured concrete the appearance of almost any type of surface you can imagine will from cobblestone to brick to wood, depending on the design of the stamp. A sidewalk, patio or driveway can be poured and made to look like something else with a concrete stamp.......
• Starting a State Quarters Collection If you have an interest in coins or coin collecting, but you are not really sure where the place is to get started, why not consider starting your own unique state quarters collection? Collecting coins, especially starting a state quarters collection is a hot topic right now, at least as......
• What You Need to Know about Civil War Old Coins Old coins from the Civil War are highly valued and widely collected for several reasons. One reason is because they represent such an important time in the history of America. Another reason is because these old coins offer us an incredible insight to the loves of those who lived during......

• Warner Brothers Cartoon Characters Current Pez Pez, Keychains, Promo Glasses Collectibles
• Lincoln Wheat (1909-1958) Small Cents Coins: US Coins & Paper Money
• National Weather Service Rain Gauges Garden Decor Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• South Bend Lures Vintage Fishing Fishing
• Air Mail Back of Book United States Stamps