Curated Canceled Set - Scott #QE1 #QE2 #QE3 #QE4 - U.S. Special Handling Stamp Grouping
Issued 1925–1955
$150.00
Out of stock
Scott #QE1–QE4 – 1925–1955 U.S. Special Handling Stamps – Complete Engraved Back-of-Book Series (Used/Canceled)
This curated four-stamp set (Scott #QE1–QE4) represents the complete Special Handling Issue — an important chapter in U.S. postal history and one of the most distinctive Back-of-Book engraved series ever produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Issued between 1925 and 1955, these green-label stamps were used to identify parcels receiving first-class handling treatment, ensuring priority transport and delivery at a time when the U.S. mail system was rapidly modernizing.
Set Overview
• Issue Name: Special Handling
• Scott Numbers: QE1–QE4
• Years of Issue: 1925–1955
• Purpose: Paid fees for fourth-class (parcel post) items requiring first-class handling
• Printer: Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
• Printing Method: Intaglio (engraved)
• Perforation: 11
• Color: Deep Green (slight shade variations by denomination)
• Status: Back-of-Book (BOB) postal issue
• Discontinued: 1955, following the restructuring of parcel post services
Design and Denominations
Each stamp shares a consistent horizontal design — the words “SPECIAL HANDLING” in bold lettering, flanked by wing-like scrollwork and classic engraved typography, varying only by denomination:
Scott #QE1 – 25¢ Deep Green (1925): The inaugural issue, released August 20, 1925.
Scott #QE2 – 10¢ Deep Green (1928): Introduced as rates were reduced to serve lighter parcels.
Scott #QE3 – 15¢ Deep Green (1928): Companion denomination for medium-weight items.
Scott #QE4 – 20¢ Deep Green (1928): Final engraved design in the series, in use through the early 1950s.
Condition
Used, lightly canceled collector-grade examples showing clear postal markings, strong color, and crisp engraving detail. Each stamp exhibits authentic period wear consistent with genuine postal use. The photograph shown is representative of the sets available; each is comparable in overall appearance and collector appeal.
Collectible Significance
This Special Handling series is prized among U.S. Back-of-Book specialists and postal history collectors for its unique purpose and uniform design. These stamps bridge the transition between the Parcel Post era (1912–1913) and modern First-Class Mail handling, embodying both functional and aesthetic value. Engraved by the BEP with remarkable precision, the QE1–QE4 issues remain a favorite study area in U.S. philately — celebrated for their balanced layout, deep intaglio impressions, and significance in mid-century postal operations.
More About This Item
The Special Handling service was created in response to growing commercial shipping needs — particularly for fragile or perishable items. It ensured such parcels were handled with the same care and speed as First-Class letters. The service was discontinued in 1955 as new postal classifications were introduced, leaving these stamps as a relic of a fascinating period of postal innovation.
Today, the QE1–QE4 series holds enduring appeal for collectors who appreciate engraved design, Back-of-Book issues, and postal rate history. This curated canceled set offers an accessible yet historically rich addition to any U.S. stamp collection or philatelic investment portfolio.
Multiple curated used sets available, each carefully selected for cancellation clarity, centering, and presentation, true to the examples pictured.
