Front:
Dome ANGTOstic USA
Earth
Earth
Domestic USAN GTOstic USA
22
1988
20066
Back:
MAIL TRAIN – E COIL STAMP
First Day of Issue: March 22, 1988
First Issue Location: Washington, D.C.
The steam engine brought many changes, offering sturdy
reliable transportation across America's vast wilderness.
Communication from the frontier had always been a
problem, and now, the railroads came to solve it. Chug-
ging onward, the “Iron Horse" quickly proved its worth.
And, in 1864, the Railway Mail Service was instituted to
provide fast local service. Trains with specially designed
Postal Cars were attached to rugged engines. Agents
sorted as the trains traveled, and they transferred mail
sacks as the trains slowed at designated pick-up spots.
Later, special cranes facilitated more exact mail swaps.
On into the 20th century, Mail Trains delivered mail over
some 586 million miles per year. Today, instead of
crossing continents, the mail must span a globe. Thus, the
fifth non-denominated stamp ever issued by the U.S.
Postal Service takes on a global perspective. A view of
Earth from outer space features an “E for Earth” theme.
The stamp on this Maximum Card is part of the E stamp
series issued in 1988.
No. 88-15
©1988 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by John Swatsley
