USA Stamp Cover Question

Just wondering if this is actually a stamp. It is raised on the paper.

This is postal stationery. A convenience to customers - one does not need a stamp


These envelopes are listed in the Scott catalog


Peter

Embossed stamp on "postal stationary."

Your question opens a can of worms and you may find it easier to collect what you like and not get worried about this term.
It does not help that "stamp" is both a noun and a verb.

There tend to be two broad camps without much middle ground.
1. Those who adamantly believe it must be an adhesive to be a stamp.
2. Those who adamantly believe virtually anything which represents payment of postage or a revenue tax/fee can be a stamp (adhesives, embossed envelopes, meter stamps, revenue stamped paper, special tax stamps, etc., etc.)

I would note the USPOD referred to these as "stamped envelopes" as seen here on this July 1, 1875 order form:


Also consider the England's variious Stamp Acts of the 1700s paid by a revenue stamp printed onto the paper/document.

As you may guess, I fall strongly toward category 2, and this post will no doubt serve as a lightning rod for those who want to tell me that I am wrong, but I don't care.

The United States has produced stamped envelopes since 1853. They remain available today from USPS. SCOTT catalogs assign the "U" prefix to these. A similar product is the vintage stamped wrapper, which was assigned the "W" prefix.

Postal cards are also in this stamp family, which are assigned the "UX" prefix. Though first issued back in 1873, postal cards remain available from USPS.

It used to be that the postal rate stayed the same long enough that companies could get postal stationary printed with their logo or return address.