Show F STORIES STORIES- IN FrS Fr- Fr S STAMPS l B 13 By I. I S S. S Klein J ww WORLD V S FIRST FIns COMMEMORATIVE Co M STAMP C- C MP I. I 1 i Mv I 1 I ij i L J J. J i w. n II ONE NE hundred years and the thel Untied States had passed thee the test of a bitter civil war The Thc population was was growing fast new states were being added railroads rail rail- i roads were spreading farms and homes beyond the Mississippi The year 1876 was the occasion to celebrate the lOOth anniversary of ot American independence On May 10 that year the great centennial exposition was opened in Philadelphia President Grant entered the grounds with a military military military mili mili- tary escort of People were present from rom all parts Darts of the world That same y year ar commemorating ing the signing of the Declaration of Independence the United States printed a new kind of stamp on some of its envelopes envelopes- a three-cent three value in both red and green It was the first com eom e commemorative m- m mI I emor tive stamp ever issued It pictures a mail train and a post I a aboy boy I 5 y I 1 t A xa U. U S. 1876 5 1575 t envelope a Centennial Issue li 3 cents i I. I gyred ed or pree j I r c I. I tr |