SCOTT #1331-32 ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SPACE 5 CENT

We often say stamps are “miniature masterpieces,” but sometimes they’re just pieces of one big masterpiece.  This idea first began on September 29, 1967, with the Accomplishments in Space issue picturing astronaut Ed White and his spacecraft on the famous Gemini 4 mission.  The two stamps were later nicknamed the “Space Twins” since they were the first twin stamps ever issued by the US, with one design continuing across both stamps…

US #1331-32

1967 5¢ Accomplishments in Space Stamp
First U.S. Seten with Continuous Design

 

SCOTT #500 WASHINGTON 2 CENT

 

In 1917, variations in the plates used to print US #499 produced this scarce variety of the 2¢ George Washington design of 1912-1921 – #500 type Ia.  (#499 is type I.)

Both US #499 and #500 are engraved, perforated 11, unwatermarked, and produced by flat press.  But, #500 has strong, even hatch lines and the top front line of the toga rope and button are clearly defined.  On #499, the lines are thin and weak along the top-front edge of the toga’s rope, including the top of its button.  Also, the slanted vertical hatch lines on the front edge vary in thickness (thinner at the top than the bottom).

The expertly engraved #500 is desirable, 102 years old, and continually gets harder to find

US #500.S1

SCOTT #5524 MAYFLOWER IN PLYMOUTH HARBOR FOREVER STAMP

 

Last year, the USPS issued a commemorative stamp marking the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ voyage to America.  It features original artwork by Greg Harlin of Charlottesville, Virginia.  He illustrated the stamp using a combination of watercolor, gouache, acrylics, and digital refining…

US #5524 2020 U.S. Mayflower 400th Anniversary Single Stamp

US #5524

2020 U.S. Mayflower 400th Anniversary Sheet of 20 Stamps

SCOTT #1083 NASSAU HALL 3 CENT

 

On September 22, 1956, the USPS issued its first commemorative stamp on colored paper, the 200th anniversary of Nassau Hall stamp.

Some previous definitive stamps had been on rag paper with a bluish tint, but the Nassau Hall stamp was completely different.  The stamp featured black ink on orange paper – Princeton’s school colors.

Since then, we’ve seen stamps printed on a wide variety of interesting and unusual types of paper.  There has been granite paper (also known as Silurian paper) with red and/or blue silk fibers in it, stamps printed on plastic, and

US #1083 First U.S. Commemorative Stamp Printed on Colored Paper

more.  One of the most recent examples was the Moon Landing 50th Anniversary issue stamps printed on chrome paper.  And, when it comes to other countries, some of the most unusual stamps I’ve seen are the Rock of Gibraltar issues.  They include actual powdered rock from the landmark!  

SCOTT #3168-72 MOVIE MONSTERS 32 CENT

Saturday Night at the Movies… with Bela and Boris…

One thing that couldn’t be beat when I was a kid was the rare treat of going to see a scary movie… the kind that raised the hair the back of your neck.  Who can forget sitting in the dark being scared to death by the bloodthirsty Dracula or the terrifying Mummy?  When I look at the Classic Movie Monsters stamps, I’m back there, reliving those thrills and chills.  Do you have the five most famous movie monsters of all time in your collection?

US #3168-72

1997 Classic Movie Monsters, Strip of 5

 

SCOTT #B4 SEMIPOSTAL STAMP

On September 20, 2011, the USPS issued its fourth Semipostal stamp, to raise money wildlife conservation.

The World Wildlife Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society first proposed a Semipostal stamp be created to help raise money for wildlife conservation.  Their efforts paid off ten years later when Congress passed the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010.  The Amur tiger stamp was issued the following year.  Also known as the Siberian tiger, the Amur once roamed Western and Central Asia.  Their organs and bones, used in Asian medicine, and their lush pelts made them a profitable target for poachers.

US #B4 2011 U.S. Save Vanishing Species Semipostal Stamp

The original law made the Amur tiger stamp available from September 2011 until December 2013.  During that time, over 25 million stamps were sold, raising over $2.75 million.  In 2014, President Obama signed a bill reauthorizing the Save Vanishing Species stamp to continue sales through 2018.  As of July 2018, the stamp raised over $5.2 million!  

 

SCOTT #1120 OVERLAND MAIL 4 CENT

On September 16, 1858, the first Overland Mail shipment left St. Louis.  It arrived in San Francisco on October 10.  The service was contracted to John Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company by the US Post Office, and required him to make deliveries to San Francisco in less than 25 days.

US #1120 pictures John Butterfield’s Overland Mail route

The Overland Mail route was used every week until it was discontinued due to the start of the Civil War.  Wells Fargo had taken over the company from Butterfield at this point and created a new northern route to provide service during the war.

 

IN REMEMBRANCE

Like you, and the rest of the world, I was shocked and saddened by the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America.  While twenty years have passed, I remember that day like it was yesterday… If any good came from the disaster, it’s the solidarity we felt as Americans.  And there are the inspiring stories of heroes who selflessly risked their own lives to rescue those caught in the twisted wreckage.

US #B2 – Features the most iconic photo from 9/11

I want to encourage you to spend some time with your collection, especially today.  Your stamps can be a wonderful escape.  I know they help me.  I hope you’ll let them give you a break from the world, too, and some much-deserved peace of mind.

 

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES SCOTT # 4406 BOB HOPE 44 CENT

 

Comedian and Honorary Veteran?

The first stamp I looked at celebrates funnyman Bob Hope.  The USPS honored this entertainer and patriot on a 20-stamp sheet with neat photos in the selvage.  Looking at them reminds me Bob was best-loved for bringing our troops a bit of comfort and home with his corny routines – often in the most dangerous places.  Bob was told when he tried to enlist during WWII that he could help more by continuing to entertain the troops.  And so he did – for the next 50 years!  Congress even made Bob an honorary veteran for his service “from World War II to the Persian Gulf War.”

US #4406 2009 U.S. Bob Hope Stamp Issued on His Birth Anniversary

SCOTT #559 McKINLEY 7 CENT

On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot twice by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition.  Only one bullet actually hit the president (the other ricocheted off one of his suit buttons and was later found in his clothes).  He went to the exposition’s hospital for treatment.  While surgeons couldn’t find the bullet, the president seemed stable.  However, McKinley took a turn for the worse and died on Sept. 14th. 

US #559

 

SCOTT #5523 WOMEN VOTE STAMP

The issue of a new US commemorative is always an event for us stamp collectors.  And last year, the 19th Amendment: Women Vote stamp was no exception.  The stamp honored the 100th anniversary of the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote.  The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920. 

Some women dedicated their entire lives to adding the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.  Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott were key figures in the beginning movement.

US #5523

2020 U.S. Women Vote Stamp

Buy Now