5c red brown Franklin on folded letter

Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson · April 6, 1849

In 1847 the United States followed the example of postal reform set by Great Britain in 1840. To facilitate the prepayment of postage by the sender, the Post Office Department issued adhesive stamps to be affixed to mail pieces. Unlike Britain, the United States did not require prepayment at first; it remained optional until 1855.