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US STAMP COLLECTIONS
Part 1

Third Bureau Issue

1-cent Washington SL watermark single
The winter of 1912 saw the first printing of the 1-cent Washington, a single-line "USPS" watermark. This 1-cent stamp marked the first time in American philatelic history that Franklin and Washington appeared on the same denomination.

2-cent carmine Washington Type I SL watermark single
The "2 Cents 2" Washington underwent a remarkable thirty-four renditions between February 1912 and May 1921. It is referred to as "2 Cents 2" because the previous two-cent denomination, the Washington of the Third Bureau Issue, displayed the denomination at the bottom of the stamp as "Two Cents." A variety of papers, coils, watermarks, and perforations differentiate the varieties. Engravers also used a wide variety of fonts for the "2 Cents 2" Washington over the course of its many printings.

5-cent Washington DL watermark single
Blue with a double line "USPS" watermark, the first 5-cent Washington was printed in 1908. Over time it underwent seventeen renditions, differentiated by a variety of papers, coils, watermarks, and perforations. The two rarest 5-cent Washington stamps are the Bluish Paper issue, released in 1910, and the Compound Perforations stamps of 1914. Also rare, two 5-cent Washington renditions were printed in error with the 2-cent Washington stamps in 1917.
Presidential Issue

1-cent Washington single
This green 1-cent George Washington stamp was the first stamp of the Presidential Series of 1938 issued. Millions of these stamps were issued, and they were seen on everyday mail through the late 1950s.

1 1/2c Martha Washington single
Bearing one of three non-presidential subjects and the only woman portrayed on the 1938 Presidential Series, the 1.5-cent yellow brown Martha Washington stamp saw extensive use from its debut in 1938 through the late 1950s. The likeness of Martha Washington comes from a bust on display in the Memorial Continental Hall Museum.

2-cent John Adams horizontal coil single
A portrait of John Adams (1735-1826) appears on the rose carmine 2-cent value of the 1938 Presidential Series. Daniel Chester French's marble bust of Adams, executed in 1889 and displayed in the U.S. Capitol's Senate Gallery, inspired the portrait. Adams, a Federalist, served two terms as vice president under George Washington and narrowly defeated his arch-rival Thomas Jefferson to become the second president of the United States. He and Jefferson died on the same day, July 4, 1826. During his term, the capital of the U.S. was moved from Philadelphia to Washington.

3-cent Thomas Jefferson single
The purple 3-cent value of the 1938 Presidential Series features an image of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), one of the most influential founders of the United States and the nation's third president (1801-09). A bust on display in the Congressional Library inspired the stamp's vignette. A genius and an enigma, it was Jefferson who wrote the Declaration of Independence but also owned slaves.

4-cent James Madison single
James Madison (1751-1836), the nation's fourth president, appears on the red-violet 4-cent value of the 1938 Presidential Series. Madison is generally regarded as the 'Father of the Constitution' because he planned the system of 'checks and balances' so important to the success of the U.S. government.

5-cent James Monroe single
An image of James Monroe (1758-1831), the fifth president of the United States (1817-1825) and a prominent leader in the War for Independence, appears on the 5-cent blue stamp issued as part of the 1938 Presidential Series. Monroe's likeness was taken from a medal furnished by the U.S. Mint.

6-cent John Quincy Adams single
The portrait of John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the sixth U.S. president, appears on the orange 6-cent value of the 1938 Presidential Series. The likeness was taken from a bust on display in the U.S. Capitol.

8-cent Martin Van Buren single
Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), the eighth president of the Unites States, appears on the 8-cent olive green denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. A bust on display in the U.S. Capitol's Senate Gallery inspired the image of Van Buren.
(this is the only Presidential series stamp I have that is not in good condition)

10-cent John Tyler single
The likeness of John Tyler (1790-1862), the tenth president of the United States, appears on the orange-brown 10-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. A bust of Tyler displayed in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol inspired the image. Tyler had not previously appeared on a postage stamp.

12-cent Zachary Taylor single
Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), the twelfth president of the United States, appears on the 12-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. A bust displayed in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol inspired the image. The Postal Service issued the violet stamp in sheet form on September 14, 1938.

15-cent James Buchanan single
The likeness of James Buchanan (1791-1868), the fifteenth president of the United States, appears on the 15-cent issue of the 1938 Presidential Series. The image was inspired by a bust displayed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, District of Columbia.

20-cent Garfield single
The likeness of James A. Garfield (1831-1881), the twentieth president of the United States, appears on the 20-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. Garfield's image was inspired by a medal created by the U.S. Mint.

25-cent William McKinley single
The likeness of William McKinley (1843-1901), the twenty-fifth president of the United States, appears on the 25-cent value of the 1938 Presidential. The image was taken from a medal produced by the U.S. Mint.

25-cent William McKinley single
The likeness of William McKinley (1843-1901), the twenty-fifth president of the United States, appears on the 25-cent value of the 1938 Presidential. The image was taken from a medal produced by the U.S. Mint.
3- Cent Washington Issue

3-cent Stuart "Washington" horizontal coil single
On June 16, 1932, in response to the increase to 3-cents postage for basic letters, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a new, violet 3-cent regular issue. Though identical to the design of the 2-cent Washington Bicentennial stamp, which was inspired by Gilbert Stuart's 'Athenaeum' portrait of Washington, it is not part of the 1932 commemorative issue.
Four Freedoms Issue

1-cent Four Freedoms single
On February 12, 1943, a 1-cent green stamp was issued to promote the spread of the Four Freedoms throughout the world. The design is an allegory of Liberty holding the Torch of Enlightenment, below which is inscribed "Freedom of Speech and Religion, from Want and Fear." Intended as a patriotic regular issue stamp, the stamp replaced the 1-cent National Defense stamp of 1940.
5 Cent Roosevelt and Four Freedoms Issues

5c Roosevelt and the Four Freedoms single
The last of the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial series, a 5-cent blue stamp, was issued on January 30, 1946. The design shows a three-quarter face portrait of Roosevelt on the left surrounded by clouds, with a globe oriented to show the Americas on the right. Written across the globe is an expression of the Four Freedoms—'Freedom of Speech and Religion, From Want and Fear'.
Veterans of WWII Issue

3-cent Honorable Discharge Emblem single
A 3-cent purple stamp was issued on May 9, 1946, to honor those who served in the armed forces during the World War II. The design shows the Honorable Discharge Emblem, an eagle with wings spread within a ring bearing thirteen stripes. The emblem appears on the Honorable Service lapel button worn by World War II veterans.
150th Anniversary of Tennessee Statehood Issue

3-cent Tennessee Sesquicentennial single
The 150th anniversary of Tennessee statehood was commemorated by a 3-cent purple stamp issued on June 1, 1946. The design features the Tennessee State Capitol in the center, flanked by portraits of President Andrew Jackson on the left and Governor John Sevier on the right. Jackson was the first U. S. President from Tennessee. Sevier was the first governor of Tennessee.
Thomas A. Edison Issue

3-cent Thomas A. Edison single
Born on February 11, 1847, just months before the first United States stamps were issued, Thomas A. Edison changed the world many times over with his inventions. He made over one thousand important discoveries. Some of these—the gramophone, the incandescent light system, the megaphone, an energy storage battery, the electric valve, and the talking motion picture—formed the foundation for modern American technology.
U.S. Frigate Constitution Issue

3-cent Frigate Constitution single
The Post Office Department issued a stamp honoring the 150th anniversary of the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") on October 21, 1947. Naval architect Andrew H. Hepburn of Boston designed the stamp after considerable historical research.
Progress of Women Issue

3-cent Progress of Women single
A 3-cent purple stamp was issued on July 19, 1948, to mark one hundred years of progress of American women. The design features portraits of three women—Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), an abolitionist who worked with Lucretia Mott to put forth a declaration of women's rights and with Susan B. Anthony toward women's suffrage; Carrie C. Catt (1859-1947), a leader in the temperance movement and in the women's suffrage movement who succeeding Anthony as president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association; and Lucretia Mott (1793-1880), abolitionist, pacifist, suffragist who, in 1848, presided over the historic Seneca Falls convention which issued the Declaration of Sentiments, a call for equal treatment of women.
Puerto Rico Election Issue

3-cent Puerto Rico Gubernatorial Election single
The United States Post Office Department issued this stamp to commemorate the first free election for governor of the US territory of Puerto Rico. Prior to January 2, 1949, the US president appointed Puerto Rico's governors. The stamp was first placed on sale on April 27, 1949, at San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Nato Issue

3-cent NATO single
A 3-cent stamp issued at the White House on April 4, 1952, honored the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). President Truman autographed panes of the stamp for presentation to the heads of state of countries belonging to NATO. The organization, a military alliance headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, was formed on April 4, 1949, to provide a system of common defense. Key to the compact, members agreed to regard an external attack on any member state as an attack on all.
But wait...there is more...stay tuned for more US stamp collections.
#oldpostage #collectibles #history #vintage #artsandcrafts
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