The controversial first commemorative stamps were the Columbian Exposition Issue. Printed by the American Bank Note Company, the stamps were issued to commemorate the World Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois, from May 1 to October 30, 1893. The stamps celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus\'s voyage to the New World. The series consisted of 15 stamps with face values ranging from one cent to five dollars. Each bore the dates 1492 and 1892. Postmaster General Wanamaker added a 16th, eight-cent stamp to the series when the fee for registering a letter was reduced from 10 cents.

Like commemorative stamps today, these stamps were immensely popular with collectors a

7. Wilson, Randall. "Let the Kids Stamp All They Want." Linns Stamp News February 1998: 10-11.

2. Wildflowers (1992/50 designs), 76.2.

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