Stamps
1894
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) officially took over production of postage stamps in July 1894. The first of the works printed by the BEP was placed on sale on July 18, 1894 and by the end of the first year of stamp production, the BEP had printed and delivered more than 2.1 billion stamps.
Today
111 years of printing stamps at the BEP came to an end in 2005 when the BEP ceased stamp production. Throughout this 104 year relationship, the BEP continued to improve and update its creation of well crafted, high quality postage stamps.
Over a century of quality could not have been done without the skill, talent, craftsmanship and care that BEP employees put into designing and executing U.S. postage stamps. We are proud of the artistry, skill and dedication that went into each postage stamp. The BEP produced the best stamps possible, assuring that stamps remained secure against counterfeiting as well as aesthetically attractive. Postage stamps were produced by the intaglio and the gravure processes and by a combination of offset and intaglio methods.
The Making of A Stamp
The United States Postal Service gave the BEP orders of stamps to be produced each year. A model was created by the designer using manual and/or computerized techniques. The stamp design, lettering and denominations were manually engraved on a steel master die. Engraved printing sleeves were produced by sidereography. Gravure printing cylinders were electronically engraved, and chromed to protect surface wear during printing. Offset lithographic plates were manufactured by photographic processes. Plate printers printed stamps on intaglio, intaglio/offset, and gravure web presses. Examiners inspected the work for printing defects. Bookbinders perforated and processed into books, sheets, or coils. Production Support Operatives packaged, labeled and verified all products for delivery to vaults. The vaults and shipping department maintained accountability, storage and shipping of stamps to post offices across the nation.
Philatelic Web Sites
www.si.edu/postal/development/postalmuseums.html
