The United States Postal Service is responsible for issuing postage stamps and that includes choosing the subjects. In 1957, the process was opened to the American public. The Postmaster General appoints members of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. Members come from a broad span of public life, including art, science, education, history, sports, and politics.
More than thirty thousand suggestions come in every year. The committee meets four times a year to review submissions and decide on the finalists. Committee member Justin Bua says, “A lot of stuff comes across the table. We like to give voice to what’s relevant and going on in the world.” The committee passes its recommendations to the Postmaster General, who makes the final decisions.
In one unusual case, the public was invited to vote on the Elvis stamp, whether it should feature the younger or the older Elvis. The overwhelming winner was young Elvis.
A first day cover is an envelope with the postage stamp canceled on the stamp’s first day of issue. A small piece of artwork, called a cachet, is often added to the envelope. First day covers are a mix of history, stamp collecting, and artwork and they’re prized among collectors.
Abraham Lincoln has appeared on more United States postage stamps than any other individual. There have been more than thirty Lincoln stamps. The first was issued in 1865, commemorating his assassination. He appeared again in 1909, in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth and again in 2009 for the 200th.
President Lincoln also appeared on a three-cent stamp issued in 1932. After twenty-six years, the price increased to four cents, and the stamp was reissued. Charles R. Chickering of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing designed it.
The Postal Service gave careful thought to the location for the official release of the stamp. Washington, D.C., was a logical choice, as was Lincoln’s birthplace of Springfield, Illinois. But the final choice turned out to be Mandan, North Dakota, the site of Fort Abraham Lincoln.
The stamp was released on this date in 1958. Today, you can purchase a mint-condition four-cent Lincoln stamp for the bargain price of $500, plus $4.51 for delivery.
Dakota Datebook written by Dr. Carole Butcher
Sources:
- United States Postal Service. “Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee.” https://about.usps.com/who/csac/ Accessed 7/9/2025.
- How Stuff Works. “Who Decides What Goes on Postage Stamps?” https://people.howstuffworks.com/who-decides-what-goes-on-postage-stamps.htm Accessed 7/9/2025.
- History Tools. “The Ultimate Guide to USPS First Day Cover Stamps.” https://www.historytools.org/consumer/what-are-first-day-cover-stamps Accessed 7/9/2025.
- eBay. “Lincoln Stamp.” https://www.ebay.com/
- Mystic Stamp Company. “Everything You Need to Know About First Day Covers.” https://info.mysticstamp.com/learn/everything-you-need-to-know-about-first-day-covers-and-how-to-collect-them/ Accessed 7/9/2025.
