Steam Locomotive Stamps Appraisal

1994 United States Postal Service 'American Steam Locomotives' Stamp Booklet

This is a complete, mint condition United States Postal Service stamp booklet titled 'American Steam Locomotives,' issued in 1994. The booklet contains twenty 29-cent stamps with a total face value of $5.80. The cover art features a highly detailed, vintage-style illustration of a steam locomotive oriented vertically, primarily in black, grey, and gold tones with distinct red wheels. Text on the cover explicitly states 'American Steam Locomotives,' 'Five Different Designs,' and 'Twenty 29c Stamps'. The booklet is printed on cardstock with a smooth, semi-gloss finish. The interior contains two panes of ten stamps each, showcasing five different historic locomotive designs repeated. The condition appears to be 'Mint Never Hinged' (MNH), with sharp corners, no visible creasing, and no stains or toning. The printing quality is consistent with mid-90s USPS lithography, showing crisp typography and clear graphic lines. This item belongs to the popular thematic category of transportation in philately and represents the standard first-class postage rate of the early 1990s.