U.S. Special Delivery (postal service)

The U.S. Post Office in conjunction with the Universal Postal Union established a basis for a special service for speedier delivery of mail for an extra fee beginning in 1885.

"[1] The first Special delivery stamp was printed by the American Bank Note Company and issued on October 1, 1885.

The revised stamp was identical to the first issue of 1885 but instead bore the statement "Secures immediate delivery at any post office."

The release of the revised stamp was delayed by the Post Office until 1888, however, allowing supplies of the first issue to be sold beforehand.

[3] In 1908 a helmet of the god Mercury was briefly used for the design, with the stamp often called the Merry Widow issue after a popular opera in which the lead singer wore a large hat.

In the following years the truck and motorcycle pictures reappeared as rates changed and various color, printing and perforation varieties were created.