United States of America |
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Founder member of the UPU.
In May 1886 ‘Three complete collections of postage stamps, post cards, stamped wrappers and envelopes currently in use’ were distributed by the UPU.
Each collection is described in French in the covering International Bureau Circular as containing ‘43 different postage stamps, 2 post cards (1 and 2 cents), two stamped wrappers (1 and 2 cents) and 46 stamped envelopes which differ in their value and format.’
The stamps were all overprinted "SPECIMEN." in small upper case letters. This overprint measures 11˝ mm excluding the full point, or 12 mm overall. The Scott Specialized Catalogue classifies this as Type D but continues to illustrate it without a stop and with a length of 12mm. Type D as illustrated by Scott is to be found only on the 1875 special printings of Official stamps.
It has not yet been determined which particular items of postal stationery were included in this distribution, nor whether or not they bore a specimen overprint.
International Bureau Circular No. 3069/210, dated 11 May 1886.
Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers. Scott Publishing Co., Sidney, OH.
Last updated 28 June 2008
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