Modern adhesive postage began with Great Britain’s Penny Black in May 1840. The United States followed with its first federal general issues—the 5-cent Franklin and 10-cent Washington—on July 1, 1847. Later milestones changed not just stamp design, but how mail was priced and transported.
A verified short timeline
| Date | Milestone | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| May 1840 | Penny Black placed on sale in Great Britain | Widely recognized as the world’s first adhesive postage stamp. |
| July 1, 1847 | First U.S. federal general-issue stamps | Separate from earlier local and private-carrier provisionals. |
| May 15, 1918 | Scheduled U.S. airmail service began | Experimental flights existed earlier. |
| October 1975 | Separate domestic airmail fee ended for First-Class Mail | Historical airmail stamps are not required for modern ordinary air transport. |
| April 12, 2007 | First U.S. Forever stamp issued | The Liberty Bell issue introduced non-denominated rate protection for a 1-ounce First-Class letter. |
Why stamps changed postal systems
A prepaid adhesive stamp shifted payment evidence onto the mailpiece. Standard issues made rates easier to recognize, while cancellations helped prevent reuse. Over time, commemorative subjects also turned stamps into small public records of people, events, art and national identity.
How to use a stamp timeline responsibly
An issue date does not tell you whether a stamp is rare, genuine or currently in stock. A historical record should identify the issuing authority, exact issue, denomination, format and source. A collection-value claim needs separate condition, scarcity, provenance and comparable-sale evidence.
Related guides
Sources and verification
Facts on this page were checked on August 31, 2026. Dynamic inventory, prices and USPS rules can change.
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