This is the complete series of six stamps commemorating the Pan-American Exposition and World’s Fair held from May 1 through November 1, 1901, in Buffalo, New York. The Expo was a celebration of technology and its impact on America, and 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.

On May 1, 1901, the Post Office Department released the Pan American Exposition series of stamps, the first stamps of the 20th Century. The stamps were the first commemoratives of the 20th century,  the first bi-color stamps since the 1869 Pictorials, and the first bi-colored commemoratives issued by the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. The stamps featured modern transportation themes of the time, ornately illustrated, and printed using a bi-color printing process. The stamps were printed in two steps. In the first, the vignette (center design) was printed in black ink. The frame was then printed in a second color. This process made it very difficult for the printer to align the frame evenly. As a result, several stamps feature frames that aren’t aligned properly. Collectors nicknamed these varieties based on the relationship of the ship to the frame. Highly collectible, these stamps are known as the “fast,” “slow,” and “sinking” varieties. Immediately popular, the stamps remain darlings of United States collectors. 

The stamps were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, with the Flat plate method, and a Double line Watermark, and 12 Perforation.

The first in the set of 6 stamp, US #294,  1 CENT, depicts the Fast Lake Navigation Steamer City of Alpena - Quantity Issued  91,401,50, 0. US# 295, 2 CENTS, depicts the Fast Empire State Express Train - Quantity issued:  209,759,700.  US# 296, 4 CENTS, depicts the Automobile used for passenger service by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad - Quantity Issued: 5,737,100. US # 297, 5 CENTS, depicts the Bridge at Niagara Falls - Quantity issued: 7,201,300. US# 298, 8 CENTS (Gummed), depicts the Canal Lock at Sault Ste. Marie - Quantity issued: 4,921,700. US# 299, 10 CENTS, depicts the 553-foot American Liner Ocean steamship St. Paul - Quantity issued: 5,043,700.