Stamps of the Worcester Postmaster.
In the National Aegis, published at Worcester, Mass., September 2nd, 1846, may be found the following item:
"Post Office Stamps. The postmaster has issued postage stamps of the denomination of five cents and ten cents. They are very convenient, and will save the trouble of making change at the post office, and will enable people to send prepaid letters at times when the office is closed. To cover the expense of engraving and printing, these stamps are sold at five per cent advance upon the regular rates of postage."
Maturin L. Fisher was postmaster at Worcester, from 1839 to 1849, and Andrew A. Williams was his chief clerk in 1846. The above item was recently found by the present author in searching old files of newspapers, for information about the various postmaster's stamps. No other Worcester paper seems to have noticed the matter, and no further information has so far rewarded the limited inquiry and search possible since the discovery. Both of the gentlemen in the office at the time are now deceased.