FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

 Today marks Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 139th birth anniversary.  Did you know he was a lifelong stamp collector?  He started at just 8 years old, building a collection of nearly 1 million stamps in his lifetime!  When he contracted polio in 1921, his collection helped settle his mind.  While governor of New York, Roosevelt became a member of the American Philatelic Society.  And throughout all four terms as president, he actively shared his love of stamps with the nation.

During WWII and the Great Depression, FDR used stamps as an outlet to raise spirits.  He also had a traveling exhibit (the “Philatelic Truck”) created to show America how stamps were made.  Roosevelt even sketched several designs himself AND personally approved every stamp issued during his presidency

SCOTT #716 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES 2 CENT

On January 25, 1932, the US Post Office Department issued its first stamp honoring the Olympic Games.  This year marked the third time the Winter Olympic Games were held – and it was the first time they took place in the United States.

The 1932 Winter Games were hosted by Lake Placid, New York, a small town in the Adirondack Mountains with less than 3,000 year-round residents.  The Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce asked the village postmaster to suggest a commemorative stamp for the event.  A New York congressman was able to persuade reluctant officials, and the stamp was approved.

US #716 1st U.S. Stamp to Honor the Olympics 1932 3rd Olympic Winter Games Shop Now

The 2¢ Winter Olympic Games stamp was issued just days before the opening ceremonies and sold only in Lake Placid and Washington, DC.  Stamps were in high demand from the moment the Lake Placid Post Office opened at 7 a.m.  The town’s entire supply of 400,000 stamps was completely sold out by mid-morning.  State police even had to be called in to control the crowd!

 

SCOTT #2724-30 LEGENDS OF AMERICAN MUSIC 29 CENT

 When Elvis died in 1977, fans around the nation immediately wanted a stamp honoring him.  After ten years, he was eligible to appear on a US stamp, and requests for it poured in.  A decade later, the postmaster general hinted at issuing a stamp to honor Elvis along with other major American music figures.  While many people liked the idea of an Elvis stamp, he was also a controversial subject due to his history of drug use.  However, after long debate, Elvis was chosen for the first stamp in the new Legends of American Music Series.