Types of Stamps: Commemorative Issues

Commemorative Stamps are issued in remembrance of an event or as a tribute to an individual and only for a limited time; usually one year. This stamp was issued in 1978 to honor Harriet Tubman and was the first stamp in the Black Heritage Series.

There is a difference of opinion as to which issue constitutes the first U.S. commemorative stamp. Many collectors consider the 1869 issue to be the first real commemoratives because they contain pictures of a ship, post rider, landing of Columbus, and the Declaration of Independence.  However, since they were issued through 1975, they do not qualify as a true commemorative. 

The first true U. S. commemorative stamp issue was the Columbian Exposition issue of 1893, issued to celebrate the World Columbian Exposition  held in Chicago, Illinois.