About This Stamp
Cable cars transformed city travel in the late 19th century. Largely an American institution, they moved quickly at eight to nine miles per hour, much faster than horse-drawn carriages. The first cable car system intended to carry passengers was designed by Andrew Smith Hallidie for Clay Street in San Francisco in 1873. The city of San Francisco soon developed a cable car system, and the California Street Line still operates. Other cities also developed cable car systems.
The 20-cent Cable Car stamp debuted in San Francisco on October 28, 1988. It was intended to pay additional ounces of the first-class rate and was issued only in tagged form.
The stamp was initially printed on the C press with block tagging using plate numbers 1 and 2. Later it was reprinted on the D Press with overall tagging. A tagging break occurs every twenty-four stamps at either 12R or 12L position. Stamps from both presses were issued in coils of 100, 500, 3,000 stamps with a plate number every 48 stamps.
Dan Romano of Kentfield CA designed the stamp, which was engraved by Edwin Archer and Michael Ryan, both of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.