This striking 24-cent official stamp was issued by the United States in 1873 exclusively for the Navy Department. Printed in deep blue, it features a finely engraved portrait of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, the celebrated naval commander of the U.S. Civil War, remembered for his famous order at the Battle of Mobile Bay: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”.

The stamp belongs to the 1873 Official Issue, produced by the Continental Bank Note Company, and was used strictly for government correspondence, never for general postal use. Its large format, sharp engraving, and the clear inscription “NAVY DEPT” make it highly recognizable among U.S. officials.

Scarcer than lower denominations, the 24¢ Navy Department Official holds a special place in American philatelic history. Well-centered, unused examples—particularly in mint condition—are highly sought after by collectors of classic U.S. officials and Civil War–related material.