The New Columbian Stamps Debut in Seattle
A commemorative series featuring historical scenes marks a new era in American postal design, arriving at the Seattle Post Office on New Year's Day, 1893.
Postmaster Paries has received $18,000 worth of the new series of Columbian postage stamps, which will be placed on sale tomorrow. The series, issued in denominations from 1 cent up to $5, differs in size and form from current issues. Each stamp bears a design commemorating the discovery of America, executed from steel engravings. The scenes include Columbus in sight of land, the landing of Columbus, and the Santa Maria at sea. The reduction in the fee for registering letters also goes into effect tomorrow, dropping from 10 cents to 8 cents. Postmaster Griffith Paries reports that the business of the office has been 10 percent greater than the previous quarter, a steady growth occurring despite a lull in real estate speculation.
“This is remarkable as showing a steady growth of the city's business, and that at a time when no booming is being attempted the legitimate business of the office exceeds that done when the real estate boomers were flooding the mails.”
The 1893 Columbian Issue was a landmark in philatelic history, marking the first time the U.S. government used stamps as a deliberate tool for cultural education. Today, the Seattle Post Office remains a central civic hub, though the 'boomers' and speculators mentioned in the report have simply shifted their focus from property deeds to the digital marketplace.
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