This is the first in a series of six stamps commemorating the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York. The Pan-American Exposition and World’s Fair was a celebration of technology and its impact on America. The expo was held from May 1 through November 1, 1901. The Pan-American commemoratives salute the marvel of the mechanical age. The stamps are so popular among modern collectors that all six denominations were selected to be included in 100 Greatest American Stamps – and each ranked in the top 50.

 

The 1¢ denomination emphasizes speed of travel with the design of a lake steamer, City of Alpena. Well-suited for inland waters, steamer boats replaced sailing ships on the water route during the mid-1800s. Steamers carried commercial freight and passengers throughout the 1,555-mile Great Lakes system, contributing to the growth of Buffalo and several other major cities along the route.

 

Pan-American Exposition & Stamps 

The Pan-American Exposition opened to the public on May 1, 1901, in Buffalo, New York. That same day the set of six Pan-American stamps went on sale. They were the first commemoratives and bi-color stamps of the 20th century. They also produced several highly sought-after inverts.

The 1901 Pan-American Exposition is remembered in the history books for many reasons. First, it was a salute to the engineering achievements that had taken place in America and the New World. It was the dawn of a new century, the beginning of an industrial age, and people were dazzled and excited about all the wonderful inventions that were coming into their lives.