U.S. Presidents on U.S. postage stamps

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For more than 160 years the one subject that has appeared most frequently on the face of U.S. Postage stamps is American Presidents. When the U.S. Post Office released its first two Postage stamps in 1847, George Washington, along with Benjamin Franklin, were the ones depicted on these premier issues. The presidential theme on U.S. Postage stamps is so prevalent that entire series of stamp issues have been released in their honor. From 1847 until 1869, with the exception of Benjamin Franklin, only the engravings of U.S. Presidents could be found inscribed on the face of U.S. Postage. Then in 1869, 22 years after the first postage issues were released,^[4] the Post Office issued a series of postage stamps that were considered at the time to be a less than favorable choice when it released its first non-presidential stamp issues. Though Washington was to be found once on this series most of the other issues displayed various scenes instead which featured among other subjects a ship and a locomotive. Considered a radical departure from the tradition of honoring U.S. Presidents on U.S. postage stamps, this pictographic series was met with general disdain by the American public. Even the portrayal of Washington in this series, with its checkered background and less than flattering framework, was met with much disfavor. So unpopular was the break from the tradition of employing only Presidential portraits on U.S. Postage that these non-presidential stamps, including the one of Washington, were sold for only one year and were then pulled from post offices across the United States. ^{[5] [6] [7]} In 1870 the U.S. Post Office resumed its tradition of printing postage with the portraits of U.S. Presidents, along with Franklin, the only non-president whose image was deemed acceptable at the time to grace U.S. postage.

Contents 1 First appearances 2 George Washington 2.1 Classic period 2.2 Latter 19th century 2.3 Turn of the 19th-20th century 2.4 The Washington - Franklin Issues 2.5 Washington on commemorative issues 2.6 Washington's 200th anniversary 2.7 Washington issues, middle 20th century 2.8 Washington, recent issues 3 John Adams 4 Thomas Jefferson 4.1 Jefferson on commemorative issue 5 James Madison 6 James Monroe 7 John Quincy Adams 8 Andrew Jackson 8.1 Andrew Jackson on commemorative issues 9 Martin Van Buren 10 William Henry Harrison 11 John Tyler 12 James K. Polk 13 Zachary Taylor 14 Millard Filmore 15 Franklin Pierce 16 James Buchanan 17 Abraham Lincoln 17.1 Lincoln on commemorative Issues 18 Andrew Johnson 19 Ulysses S. Grant 19.1 Grant on commemorative issues 20 Rutherford B. Hayes 21 James Garfield 22 Chester A. Arthur 23 Grover Cleveland 24 Benjamin Harrison 25 William McKinley 26 Theodore Roosevelt 27 William Howard Taft 28 Woodrow Wilson 29 Warren G. Harding 30 Calvin Coolidge 31 Herbert Hoover 32 Franklin D. Roosevelt 33 Harry S. Truman 34 Dwight D. Eisenhower 35 John F. Kennedy 36 Lyndon B. Johnson 37 Richard M. Nixon 38 Gerald Ford 39 Ronald Reagan 40 See also 41 References 42 External links

[edit] First appearances

The engraved portrayals of American Presidents first appeared on the face of U.S. postage at different times for different reasons. Among the most definitive is George Washington, who along with Benjamin Franklin, appeared on the first U.S. Postage stamps released by the U.S. Post Office, on July 1st of 1847. Thomas Jefferson first appeared on U.S. postage in March of 1856, nine years after the first issues were released. Fifteen years of stamp issuance would pass before Andrew Jackson would appear on U.S. Postage. Abraham Lincoln appeared for the first time on a U.S. postage stamp with the issue of 1866, released by the U.S. Post Office on April 14, 1866, the first anniversary of his death. ^[8] Up until this time only the portrayals of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson and Jackson were found on U.S. Postage. ^[8]

George Washington Issue of 1847

Thomas Jefferson Issue of 1856

Andrew Jackson Issue of 1863

Abraham Lincoln Issue of 1866

• The First Washington postage stamp. The 5-cent Franklin and the 10-cent Washington stamps issued in 1847 were the first postage stamps issued and authorized for postal duty by the U.S. Post Office. The firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Edson of New York City were given a four year contract to print the first U.S. Postage stamps in 1847. The initials: "RWH&E" are clearly engraved at the bottom of both stamps. The engraving of Washington is identical to the one by the portrait engraver Asher Brown Durand on a Bank-Note issued by Fairfield County Bank of Connecticut, during a period when many banks issued their own forms of currency. ^[9] Both the Washington and Franklin issues were reprinted in 1875 with subtle variations in the engravings. ^[6]

• In March of 1856 the Post Office issued the first postage stamp to feature Thomas Jefferson. The exact date of issue is not clear. Scott's U.S. postage stamp catalog establishes the release date with the first known use of this issue, March 24th of 1856. The first printing of this stamp was in imperforate form, engraved and printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. The Jefferson issue saw postal duty from the spring of 1856 to the summer of 1857. The engraving is modeled after a portrait of Jefferson by Gilbert Stuart. By mid-1857 the stamps were issued with the top and bottom design projections omitted and with perforations. This printing was issued in at least six major color variations. ^[10]

• On July 1st of 1863 the Post Office issued the 2 cent Jackson stamp, commonly referred to as the 'Black-Jack' stamp, on the same day the new drop letter rate of 3 cents went into effect the fee for mail delivered within city limits became two cents. ^[11] Printed by the National Bank Note Company, Jackson is the third U.S. president to be honored on a U.S. postage issue. ^[6]

• On April 14, 1866, exactly one year after Lincoln's assassination in 1865, the U.S. Post Office issued its first postage stamp honoring the fallen President. The engraving of Lincoln was rendered by Joseph Ourdan after a photograph by C.S.German. ^[12]

[edit] George Washington

George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797, and before this served as the commander of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. The Electoral College elected Washington unanimously in 1789, and again in the 1792 election; and to this day George Washington remains the only American president to have received 100 percent of the electoral votes. Washington took his oath of office while standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York. ^{[13] [14]}

George Washington appears on the face of U.S. postage more than any other American president. The early engraved images of Washington found on U.S. Postage set the precedent that all U.S. Postage issues would follow in the following decades. Since the first U.S. postage stamp was issued by the U.S. Post Office there have been more examples of George Washington appearing on U.S. postage than all other American Presidents combined, including Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and even the frequently honored Benjamin Franklin (who was not President). ^[8] Examples of all Washington types are too numerous to include in this section, as many of the issues are very similar with only differences in color and denomination, such as the Washington-Franklin issues. Featured below are the issues that are unique in their designs and the most definitive.

[edit] Classic period

Postage stamp designs of this period were typically taken from paintings and other works by famous artists, and set the precedent for stamp designs in the ensuing years of American stamp production. Engravers from this period typically used the works of John Trumbull, Gilbert Stuart and Jean Antoine Houdon as models for their engravings. ^[10]

Issue of 1851

Issue of 1851

Issue of 1855

Issue of 1860

• On July 1, 1851, the U.S. Post Office issued a 3-cent Postage stamp. Because of die recuts, double transfers from die to plate and different paper used for its printing, this issue comes in numerous varieties. The authoritative book on the issue, 'Classic U.S. Stamps 1845-1869' was written by Carroll Chase, published in 1962. Image taken from sculpture by Jean Antoine Houdon

• The Post Office released the 12-cent Washington of August 4th of 1851. The engraving of Washington is modeled after a portrait by Gilbert Stuart. When the 12c issue was printed the stamp was the highest U.S. denomination ever issued. The issue was printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co.

• In 1855 postage for mail bound for destinations over 3,000 miles increased the cost of Postage from 6-cents to 10-cents and prompted the issue of the 1855 10c Washington stamp. This 10c green issue was printed by Toppan, Carpenter, Casilear & Co. who reused the engraving of Washington (the vignette) of the 12-cent Washington 1851 Issue for this 10-cent postage stamp. Engraving was modeled after Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Washington.

• On August 13th of 1860 the Post Office issued the Washington 90c issue. Washington's engraving was modeled after a portrait by John Trumbull, named 'George Washington Before the Battle of Trenton', painted in 1792. It was only issued in the year 1860 and because of its high denomination only 29,000 copies were made and surviving examples are scarce. There were very few occasions where the amount of postage required to mail an item cost as much as 90c and as such genuinely postally used examples of this issue are worth about twice as much as unused specimens. ^{[8] [6]}

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Abraham Lincoln assumed office in March of 1861 and just one month later the Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter which marked the beginning of the American Civil War. Issued only months after the Battle of fort Sumter, no other series of stamps issued during the Classic Period has such an important connection to American history as the 1861 National Bank Note Company Issue. Washington occurs five times in this series, Franklin occurs twice and Jefferson once.

Issue of 1861

Issue of 1861

• The Post Office released the 10c Washington green issue on August 20th of 1861. Washington's portrayal was engraved by William Marshall who employed Gilbert Stuart's unfinished portrait of the first American president for his model. ^[15]

• The 3c Washington of this series was issued on August 19, 1861. The engraved imagery was modeled after a bust of Washington by Jean Antoine Houdon.

Issue of 1861

Issue of 1861

Issue of 1862

• 12c Washington issue of 1861. The National Bank Note Company was founded in 1859, and William Marshall was one of the first portrait engravers hired. By early 1860, Marshall was given the task of engraving Washington's portrayal for the 1861 Issue. He was sent to Boston to use Gilbert Stuart’s portrait painting of George Washington as his model for the new engraving. ^[16]

• The 1832 24c lilac was issued January 7, 1862. The engraving was taken from same Gilbert Stuart painting that the 1861 issue was modeled after.

• The 90c Washington issue was issued in the last two weeks in August of 1861 to only several post offices. The earliest known use on cover is November 27, 1861. The engraving of Washington was taken from the same John Trumbull portrait as was the issue of 1861.

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• In 1869 the ill-fated 'pictorial issue' was released. Most of the the stamp issues from this series featured scenes of various sorts. The Washington stamp of this series was criticized as much as the others but for its plain graphic features, like the checker background in the vigenette. The stamp format was designed by E. Pitcher while the engraving was modeled after a Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington. ^[12]

[edit] Latter 19th century

1870's

The postage issued during this time was printed by the National Bank Note Company (NBNC) on white wove paper. The first printing was issued with 'grills', tiny cuts in the paper to absorb ink. Later reprintings were issued without grilling. The National Bank Note Company’s contract expired in 1873, and the Continental Bank Note Company (CBNC) won the contract to continue printing the series and took over some of the dies and plates used by NBNC. The new printer employed secret marks to distinguish their work from the first printing.^{[8] [10]} The green variety was printed in such large quantities that postally used examples remain inexpensive to this day, from pennies to a few dollars, depending on type of cancellation and condition. (The green variety was reprinted again by the American Bank Note Company (AmBNC), also in very large quantities, and issued on July 16, 1881.) The 3-cent Washington design was printed yet a fourth time, in vermillion, in 1887. The 3-cent issues paid the domestic letter rate for a half-ounce letter. ^[8]

The profile image of George Washington found on various postage issues of the late 1800's and early 1900's is modeled after a bust of Washington by renown sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. Several engravers of presidential portraits on US Postage have modeled their engravings after Houdon's sculptures.

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~ Large Bank Notes of the 1870's ~ Image taken from bust by Jean Antoine Houdon

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Issue of 1870 NBNC

Jean Antoine Houdon's portrait sculpture of Washington was the result of a specific invitation from Benjamin Franklin to come to the United States so that Washington could model for him. Washington sat for wet clay life models and a plaster life mask in 1785. [17] These models served for many commissions of Washington and eventually were used as models for the engravings of Washington on several U.S. Postage issues of the 1870's, 1880's and 1890's.

Issue of 1887 (reprint of 1870 issue)

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1880's

In 1883 the U.S. Post Office reduced the first-class letter rate from 3 cents to 2 cents for a half-ounce letter mailed within the continental United States, which the U.S. Congress approved on March 3, 1883, effective October 1, 1883. ^[18]

~ American Bank Note Company ~ Image taken from bust by Jean Antoine Houdon

Issue of 1883

Issue of 1883

Issue of 1887

1890's

Stamp issues during the 1890s were first printed by the American Bank Note Company in 1890 and then by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1894. The image for both issues was produced by an engraving that was modeled after a bust of Washington by sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. ^[12]

Issue of 1890

Issue of 1895

• The American Bank Note 1890 issue, 2c, lake variety, Washington stamp (left) was issued on February 22, 1890, becoming the first stamp to be issued on a president's birthday.

• Bureau of Engraving and Printing issues, struck from the same dies as the ABN 1890 issues with minor changes in the frame work, three different styled triangles, known to collectors as the 'Bureau Triangles'. The 2c Washington paid the letter domestic letter rate and was printed in such large quantities that numerous color variations exist. ^{[10] [12]}

[edit] Turn of the 19th-20th century

At the turn of the century, George Washington continued to be the most prominent subject depicted on the face of U.S. postage stamps. Washington would remain the most prevalent figure on U.S. Postage for most of the 20th century. Only Benjamin Franklin whose image also appears on numerous U.S. postage is second to Washington for the simple reason that Franklin is depicted on the numerous denominations of the Washington-Franklin series almost as often as Washington. ^[19] Ironically, George Washington does not appear on a Commemorative issue until 1925 where he is featured on a stamp commemorating another historical event.

• Issued on January 17, 1903 the 2c carmine red Washington postage stamp was issued by the U.S. Post Office. The engraving of Washington was inspired and modeled after a painting by Gilbert Stuart which features a one quarter left image of Washington. R. Ostrander Smith designed the stamp. The vignette with its two American flags is often referred to as the Washington 'Flag' stamp. Washington's portrait was engraved by George F. C. Smillie who has engraved a variety of stamp images for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The 1903 issue is one among the second series of stamp issues that were produced that year by the Bureau.

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• On November 12th of 1903 the Post Office, because of public dissatisfaction with the 1903 2-cent Washington 'Flag' stamp, a new 2-cent stamp was issued featuring Washington’s portrait within a shield of stars and stripes. Often referred to as the 2-cent Washington 'Shield' stamp, this issue was released on November the 12th of 1903. Along with the shield background, the left numeral is enclosed with laurel leaves while the number on the right is surrounded with oak leaves, symbolizing Washington’s role as president in peace time and as general in times of war. Like the first 2c stamp of 1903 this issues was designed by Clair Aubrey Huston from a painting by Gilbert Stuart. ^[12] The engraving of Washington was done by George F. C. Smillie. The Washington 'Shield' stamp is recognized for its many shade varieties, as collectors have distinguished over a hundred shades of this particular issue. ^[8]

[edit] The Washington - Franklin Issues

If one can't get enough of George Washington into their collection then pursing the Washington Franklin issues would be the suitable undertaking. Beginning in 1908 the Washington Franklin definitive stamps were issued over a twelve year period in many denominations that occurred from One-Cent to Five-Dollars, with different colors for each denomination, all with the same engraved profile of Washington or Franklin. ^[19] During this time dozens of different Washington stamps were issued. There are simply too many varieties to enumerate here in a topographical capacity, nor is it necessary. The few examples exhibited here are largely representative of this greater series. Franklin is displayed once here for general reference to the Washington - Franklin issues.

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Issue of 1908

Issue of 1917

Issue of 1909

• On January 29, 1909, the U.S. Post Office issued the 1-dollar Washington Head stamp. It was the last of the first issue of Washington-Franklin stamps to appear. The stamp remained on sale at Post Offices for more than three years before being replaced by a Franklin head 1-dollar stamp in 1916. ^[19] The One-Dollar stamp is the highest denomination Washington is depicted with. The Two and Five Dollar denominations are on stamps that honor Franklin. ^[20]

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[edit] Washington on commemorative issues

While George Washington dominated as the subject of U.S. postage issues from the beginning, he did not appear on a commemorative issue until 1925, some 21 years after the U.S. Post office issued the first presidential commemorative stamp honoring Thomas Jefferson. ^[21]

Washington at Cambridge, Issue of 1925

Washington at Prayer, Issue of 1928

Washington at Brooklyn, Issue of 1951

Washington takes Oath, Issue of 1939

• On the 1-cent stamp portraying the Lexington - Concord issue of 1925, Washington is shown leading the Massachusetts Militia at Cambridge against General Gage and the British regulars. This series was the first of many commemoratives celebrating the 150th anniversary of important events of the American Revolution. Like most issues of this period, this issue was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

• This '2-cent red' postage stamp was issued on May 26, 1928. This commemorative honored the 150th anniversary of George Washington at Valley Forge and depicts him kneeling in prayer before the battle.

• The U.S. Post Office issued a 3-cent commemorative stamp, first issued at Brooklyn, New York, on December 10, 1951, to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Brooklyn. The stamp portrays the evacuation of General Washington's troops from Brooklyn at the site of the Fulton Ferry House, with an accurate depiction of the house and the flat-bottomed ferries used to cross the East River.

• On April 30th, 1789, President Washington took the oath of President of the united states. On the 150th anniversary of of his inauguration, April 30th 1939, the US Post Office issued a 3c commemorative stamp celebrating this landmark historical event. The engraving depicts Washington standing on the balcony of the Federal Hall in New York reciting the oath of office. ^[13]

Issue of 1931

Issue of 1937

Christmas Issue 1977

• The 2-cent stamp issued on October 19, 1931, marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown (1781). This issue depicts Washington with Count de Rochambeau and Count de Grasse at his right and left, leaders of the French forces that aided in the victory of the American Revolution.

• The 1-cent Army Issue of December 15, 1936, features George Washington's home at Mount Vernon as its central design. Portraits of Washington and Nathanael Greene appear on either side of the image of Mount Vernon. Greene was one of Washington's most valued generals in the Revolutionary War.

• The 13-cent stamp Christmas Issue commemorates the 200th anniversary of Washington's army at Valley Forge, and was based on the J. C. Leyendecker painting “George Washington at Valley Forge.” Leyendecker's painting first appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on February 23, 1935. The stamp was designed by Steven Dohanos. The stamp was first available on October 21, 1977, at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. ^[10]

[edit] Washington's 200th anniversary

On January 1, 1932, in celebration of George Washington's 200th anniversary of birth, the U.S. Post Office released its Washington Bicentennial Issue, a series of twelve postage stamps each with a different portrait of Washington. Each engraved portrayal was modeled from a different painting by an early American artist who portrayed Washington at different periods in his life. ^{[10] [8]} Engravings of Washington often depict his profile. In the 1932 Bi-Centennial anniversary series there are two issues that show Washington in profile, one depicting either sides of Washington's face. Information regarding quantities issued can be found on the Washington Bicentennial Issue page.

The Washington Bicentennial issues of 1932 are the first commemorative postage stamps ever issued by the U.S. Post Office that honor and depict George Washington by himself, and not in conjunction with other people, places and events as is the case with the three commemoratives with Washington's image issued before 1932. ^[6]

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[edit] Washington issues, middle 20th century

Issue of 1923

Issue of 1938

Issue of 1954

Issue of 1962

Issue of 1966

• On January 15th of 1923 the U.S. Post Office issued another 2c red Washington postage stamp thus keeping with the tradition of honoring Washington on every day use postage. An existing engraving of Washington made for use on the Washington-Franklin issue was used. That engraving, done by Marcus Baldwin, was modeled from a bust made by Clark Mills in 1853 which however was a reproduction of a bust sculpted by Jean Antoine Houdon at Washington’s Mount Vernon, Virginia, home in 1785. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the stamp's frame, which was engraved by Edward M. Hall and Joachim C. Benzing. ^[12]

• On April 25th of 1938 the U.S. Post Office issued a green 1-cent George Washington stamp. It was the first stamp of the famous Presidential Series of 1938. This Washington issue saw postal duty carrying postcards and letters through the late 1950s. The 1938 Presidential issue was Franklin Roosevelt's idea. An avid stamp collector, Roosevelt suggested a set of stamps that would pay tribute to the various past American presidents. In 1937, after much debate, a new definitive series was issued using Roosevelt's ideas. A national contest was held, with over 1200 entries submitted, a young New York City art student's entry was chosen for the Washington stamp design. The student's name was Elaine Rawlinson. ^[10]

• The U.S. Post Office released the 1-cent Washington stamp on August 26th of 1954 at the Post Office in Chicago, Illinois. The engraving of George Washington was modeled from a portrait by Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828). It was designed by Charles R. Chickering, who produced his own drawing from a photograph he obtained from the National Gallery. The portrait of Washington was engraved by Richard M. Bower of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

• On November 23, 1962 the Post office issued the 5-cent Washington stamp, first issued through the New York, New York, post office . Designed by William K. Schrage, the engraving of Washington, like several other engravings of this president, is based on a bust of Washington sculptured in 1785 by Jean Houdon.

[edit] Washington, recent issues

Occurrences of Washington on U.S. Postage stamps in recent times is much less than what it was in the 19th and early 20th century. In the beginning of postage stamp issuance new issues were few and only presidents were found on U.S. Postage, with the well liked exception of Ben Franklin. In recent days, issues are many and a whole array of various individuals are now found on US Postage stamps. The Post Office has been both admired and criticized for this practice.

Issue of 1982

Issue of 2001

• The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by George Washington then the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army on August 7, 1782.^[22] The actual order includes the phrase, "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen." It is Washington's profile that adorns the Purple Heart, and the US Postage issue that honors honors them both. -- On April 28, 2009, in Washington, DC, the US Postal Service reissued the Purple Heart definitive stamp in a denomination of forty-four cents. Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, California, designed the stamp. The stamp had been previously issued in the following years: 2008, 42-cent: 2007, 41-cent: 2006, 39-cent: 2003, 37-cent. The stamp was designed by Carl T. Herrman.^[23]

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[edit] John Adams

John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was the second President of the United States serving from 1797 to 1801, after being the first Vice President of the United States (1789–1797) for two terms. He was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. Adams came to prominence in the early stages of the American Revolution. As a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, he played a leading role in convincing Congress to declare independence, and assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. Adams and Jefferson died on the same day, Thursday, July 4, 1826.

• The engraved portrayal of Adams (1735-1826) appears on the 2-cent value of the 1938 Presidential Series, issued on June 3, 1938. Daniel Chester French's marble 1889 bust of Adams displayed in the U.S. Capitol's Senate Gallery was the model used for the engraving of Adams.

[edit] Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States Serving from 1801 to 1809, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was one of the most prominent amd influential Founding Fathers. As president he oversaw major events that included the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the Lewis and Clark Expeditions in 1804 - 1806.

Thomas Jefferson's likeness over the years has been finely depicted on the various postage issues that honor him. The first US Postage stamp to depict Thomas Jefferson was issued in 1856, (displayed above) nine years after the Post Office issued its first two stamps of Washington and Franklin in 1847. (Before this time hand-stamps were used to mark and confirm payment of postage.) Almost as popular and famous as George Washington, Jefferson appears comparatively less often on U.S. postage issues, and unlike Washington and Franklin, appears on just one commemorative issue of 1904, displayed below). All others occurrences depict him on regular issues.^[21]

• On August 19, 1861, while the American Civil War was wreaking havoc across Virginia and elsewhere, the U.S. Post office issued a 5c Postage stamp that honored Thomas Jefferson. The engraving used to produce the image was modeled after the famous portrait artist Gilbert Stuart.

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Issue of 1861

Issue of 1870

Issue of 1890

Issue of 1894

• On April 12 of 1870, the third Postage stamp issued by the U.S. Post Office to honor Thomas Jefferson was issued. The 10c stamp issue was printed by the National Bank Note Company. In 1859 the renown sculptor Hiram Powers was commissioned by the U.S. government to create two life-size marble statues to be placed in the United States Capitol building. One was of Benjamin Franklin the other was of Thomas Jefferson, completed in 1863. This was the image Powers used to model his engraving of Jefferson on the 10c issue of 1870. ^[24]

• Issued on February 22, 1890 the U.S. Post office released a 30c postage stamp that once again honored Thomas Jefferson. The engraver and artist Alfred Jones (1819-1900) created the image of Jefferson that appears on the issue. Jones was noted for his engraved portraits and historic scenes during his time at American Bank Note Company.

• On November 1st, 1894, the first 50c Postage stamp was issued. It was among a series of issues that was first printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Its design is based on that of the 30c black issue of 1890 that depicts the same engraved image of Thomas Jefferson by Alfred Jones. Almost identical in design, it is readily distinguished by its orange color.

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1823

Issue of 1838

• The second 50-cent orange stamp depicting Thomas Jefferson was issued March 23, 1903. The stamp was designed by R. Ostrander Smith from the 1805 a portrait of Jefferson by Gilbert Stuart. Jefferson's portrait was engraved by George F. C. Smillie. ^[12]

• Jefferson first appearance on a U.S. postage occurred in 1856. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the new Jefferson stamp. For the engraving of Jefferson Huston used George F.C. Simille’s engraving of Jefferson that appeared on the 2-cent value of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Series. Simille used a portrait of Jefferson painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1805 as the model for his engraving. Simille’s engraving was then transferred to a new die and restored by Bureau engravers John Eissler and Leo Kauffmann for use on the 1923 Jefferson issue.

Issue of 1954

Issue of 1968

Issue of 1993

• On September 15, 1954, 2-cent Liberty, was first issued at Post Offices in San Francisco, California. The postcard rate went to 2 cents on the day of this issue was released so the stamp was very common among the mail for that reason. The engraving of Jefferson was taken from a portrait by Gilbert Stuart which hangs in the Bowdoin College Museum of Fine Arts in Brunswick, Maine.

• The 1-cent green stamp was issued January 12, 1968, at Jeffersonville, Indiana. The issue was designed by Robert Geissmann, modeled after a 1800 portrait of Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale which now hangs in the Blue Room of the White House. Edward R. Felver crafted the engraving of Jefferson. ^[12]

• The U.S. Post office issued the 29-cent Thomas Jefferson definitive stamp on April 13, 1993, in Charlottesville, Virginia. The stamp engraving features a portrait of Jefferson and is part of the Great Americans Series. The stamp issue was desgined by Christopher Calle while the die for the stamp was engraved by Stamp Venturers, Inc.

[edit] Jefferson on commemorative issue

Another oddity of U.S. Postage is the fact that Thomas Jefferson only appears on one U.S. commemorative issue, which was released in 1904. ^[8] Unlike with the regular issues Jefferson was the first American President to be honored on a commemorative postage issue, even before Washington was when the U.S. Post Office 21 years later finally issued its first commemorative issue featuring Washington in its Lexington-Concord issue of 1925. ^[21]

The First Presidential Commemorative

[edit] James Madison

James Madison, 4th President of the United States, served from 1809–1817) and is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and also the "Father of the Constitution" as Madison was the principal author of the U.S. Constitution. In 1788, he wrote over a third of the Federalist Papers, still the most influential commentary on the Constitution.^[25] Madison appears on three Definitive Issues. ^[21]

Issue of 1894

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1938

• On December 10th of 1894 the Post Office issued a 2-dollars Madison stamp. The engraving of Madison was modeled after his portrayal by Gilbert Stuart, who painted a total of four portraits of the president. The painting used to model the engraving is now owned by the Colonial Williamsburg Association ^[26]

• The dark blue 2-dollar stamp was issued June 5, 1903. The stamp image was designed by R. Ostrander Smith from a painting by an unknown artist and Madisons portrayal was engraved by George F. C. Smillie. Both the 1894 amd 1903 2-dollar stamps were often used by the Post Office for internal transferring of funds. ^[27]

• The Post Office issued a 4c Madison stamp on July 1, 1938, part of the Presidential series that was being issued that year. The engraving of Madison on this issues was modeled after a bust by Frederick Williams Sievers on display in the State Capital building in Richmond, Virginia. ^[28]

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Until recently James Madison has never appeared on a U.S. commemorative postage stamp. His 200th anniversary of birth in 1951 was even overlooked by the other seven commemoartives postage stamps that were issued that year. In 2001 the U.S. Post Office finally issued the James Madison 250th anniversary commemorative stamp, first released in New York, N.Y., on October 18, 2001. The stamp was designed and illustrated by John Thompson. ^[10]

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[edit] James Monroe

James Monroe, (April 28, 1758 – July 4, 1831) 5th President of the United States, served two terms from 1817 to 1825. Monroe fought in the American Revolution. He is most noted for his Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the United States would not tolerate further European intervention in the Americas. Monroe was considered the last Founding Father of the United States.

Issue of 1925

~ First Monroe Postage stamp ~ Issue of 1904

Issue of 1938

• The first U.S. Postage stamp to honor Monroe was the Louisiana Purchase Expedition commemorative 3c issue of 1904. From a series of five issues these stamps were only sold during the seven months of the Exposition. ^[6]

• The 10c 'orange' (yellow) regular issue was printed and issued in 1923, 1925 and 1927. Clair Aubrey Houston designed the Monroe stamp after a painting by John Vanderlyn which now hangs in City Hall, New York City. ^[12]

• For the vignette of the 3c value of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Series he used an engraving done by George F.C. Simille. Edward J. Hein transferred the engraving to a new die and restored it for the new stamp, the first definitive issue to honor Monroe. ^[10]

• The 5c Presidential issue of 1938 depicts Monroe in profile, as do all of the images of that series. The engraving of Monroe was modeled after a Congressional Medal designed by Mortz Furst and struck by the U.S. Mint. ^[12]

Issue of 1958

Issue of 1954

• On April 28, 1958 the Post Office issued a 3-cent stamp to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of James Monroe, first issued through the Montross, Virginia, post office. The issue was designed by Frank Conley and was modeled after a portrait of Monroe by renown American artist Gilbert Stuart who has also painted the portraits of Washington and other notables.

• The image of the 5c 1958 issue was modeled after a portrait by Rembrandt Peale displayed at James Monroe Law Office and Museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the building in which James Monroe practiced law. ^[10]

[edit] John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848) was the sixth President of the United States from March 4, 1825, to March 4, 1829. Adams was the son of the second U.S. president, John Adams. When President George Washington appointed him minister to the Netherlands John Quincy Adams began his career in American politics beginning his political journey at the age of twenty-seven years. Adams later served as Secretary of State in the Cabinet of President James Monroe from 1817 until 1825.

• The engraved image of Adams appears on the orange 6-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. The engraving was modeled after a bust of Adams displayed in the U.S. Capitol. ^[10] This is the first U.S. Postage stamp that John Quincy Adams appeared. The next postage stamp Adams appeared on was with the Ameripex '86 issue, honoring all past (and deceased) American Presidents. ^[8]

[edit] Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States, served from 1829–1837. He was the commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Jackson died in 1845, however the U.S. Post Office did not release a stamp in his honor until 18 years after his death, with the issue of 1863 (displayed in First appearances) above). ^[8]

~ Regular issues of the 19th century ~

Issue of 1873

Issue of 1883

Issue of 1894

• Hiram Powers (1805-1873) was considered one of the greatest American-born neoclassical sculptors. In 1834, Andrew Jackson posed many times for Powers as he sculpted a bust of the president. The bust was completed in January 1835. Thirty-five years later, it inspired the image of the 2-cent Jackson stamp from the National Bank Note Company 1870-1871 Issue.

• The 3c issue of 1894 features a similar image of Jackson as the issues of 1873 and 1883, taken from a bust by Hiram Powers.

~ Regular issues of the 20th century ~

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1938

Issue of 1963

Issue of 1967

• The 3c issue of 1903 was engraved by A. Sealey who modeled his image after a portrait of Jackson by renown American artist Thomas Sully. In 1824 Sully painted a study portrait from life of Andrew Jackson. By this time Jackson was a U.S. senator and a Democratic nominee for coming presidential election of 1824. Two decades later, Jackson’s ill health prompted Sully to repaint his 1824 study portrait Jackson's portrait from this image. The painting was completed shortly before Jackson’s death in April 1845. The Sully portrait was the model for the engravings used on the postage issues of 1903 and 1967. The Sully painting is currently hanging in the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. ^[12]

• The 7-cent 1938 Presidential issue features Jackson's profile. The image of Jackson's was modeled after the Belle Kinney and Leopold F. Scholz bronze statue of Jackson which stands in the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda.

• The 1c 1963 issue of Jackson was designed by William K. Schrange. Jackson's image was modeled after a medal by Mortz Furst in 1829. ^[12]

• The engraving of Jackson on the 10c issue of 1967 is taken from the same Thomas Sully painting that was used to model the engraving in the 1903 issue. Lester Beal designed the overall stamp image. ^[12]

[edit] Andrew Jackson on commemorative issues

Andrew Jackson appears on three commemorative issues: The Army Issue of 1937, the Tennessee Statehood issue of 1946 and the Battle of New Orleans issue of 1961. ^[8]

Jackson ~ Scott Issue of 1937

Tennessee Statehood Issue of 1946

Battle of New Orleans Issue of 1961

• The 2-cent Army issue, released on January 15, 1937, features portraits of Andrew Jackson and Winfield Scott on either side with Jackson's home, the Hermitage, depicted in the background. Jackson was a hero of the War of 1812, his troops having defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. Scott served as a General in the U.S. Army longer than any other man in American history.

• Issued on June 1, 1946, the 150th anniversary of Tennessee statehood was commemorated by a 3-cent purple stamp depicting Andrew Jackson on the left with John Sevier on the right with the image of the Tennessee State Capitol in the center of the design. Jackson was the first U. S. President from Tennessee.

• On the 5c 'Battle of New Orleans' issue depicts then General Jackson defeating an invading British Army which was intent on seizing and taking control of New Orleans and the vast territory America had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase. ^[29]

• On August 19th of 1994 the Post Office issued a 5-dollar Washington-Jackson stamp in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the American Philatelic Society's annual stamp exposition. The stamp was modeled after a design created in 1869 by the National Bank Note Co. It was originally prepared but never was used for the 1869 US postage series. The central image or vignette features a portrait of George Washington and Andrew Jackson. The portrayals of Washington and Jackson were engraved through the intaglio process by Stamp Venturers, Inc., and issued in small sheets of twenty stamps. ^[10]

[edit] Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was the eighth President of the United States from 1837 to 1841. Before his presidency, he served as the eighth Vice President (1833–1837) and the 10th Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson. Van Buren was the first U.S. President to be born an American citizen. ^[30]

• Van Buren appears on the 1938 issue, the 8-cent olive green denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series, a series of stamps whose denominations corresponded with the number of the given President's term. A bust on display in the U.S. Capitol's Senate Gallery was used as the model for the engraving of the image of Van Buren.

[edit] William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773 – April 4, 1841) was the ninth President of the United States, and served in the U.S. Army as an officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. The oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the United States Declaration of Independence, Harrison a hero in the War of 1812, died on his thirty-second day in office. ^[31] Harrison's grandson, Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, was the 23rd president, from 1889 to 1893, making them the only grandparent–grandchild pair of presidents. ^[32]

Issue of 1938

Issue of 1950

• Harrison appears on the 9-cent pink 1938 Presidential Series issue. Image of Harrison is taken from a bust displayed in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol building. ^[10] This issues was designed by William Schrage and the engraver was C. A. Brooks.^[33]

• On July 4th, 1950 the U.S. Post Office issued a 3 cent Indiana territory commemorative celebrating the 150th anniversary if Indiana statehood. First day of issue took place at Vincennes, Indiana., Post office. The central design of the stamp is a portrait of William Henry Harrison who was the first governor of Indiana Territory. Behind him is depicted the First State Capitol building. ^[10]

[edit] John Tyler

John Tyler, Jr. (March 29, 1790 – January 18, 1862) was the tenth President of the United States (1841–1845) and the first to succeed to the office following the death of a predecessor. Tyler assumed office when President William H.Harrison died only thirty days into his term.

• The image of John Tyler (1790-1862), appears on the orange-brown 10-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. The image of Tyler was modeled after a bust by John Keck on display in the Rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol. ^[12] This issue was the first and is the only U.S. Postage stamp that honors John Tyler. ^[8] The Tyler postage issue of 1932 was used primarily in combination with other denominations. Finding examples of solo usage are most often found on outgoing international mail. ^[10]

[edit] James K. Polk

James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th President of the United States (1845–1849). Polk was born in North Carolina. He later lived in and became Governor of the state of Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as Speaker of the House (1835–1839) and Governor of Tennessee (1839–1841) before becoming president. Polk was an ardent supporter of Andrew Jackson. Polk was considered the last strong pre-Civil War president.

• The image of Polk appears on the 11-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. Polk's profile on the stamp was modeled after a medal struck by the U.S. Mint. ^[12] This issue was printed in ultramarine and was printed only as a sheet stamp, first issued in Washington DC on September 8, 1938. ^[8]

• The U.S. Post Office honored the eleventh President on the 200th anniversary of Polk's birth with the 1995 issue of a 32-cent commemorative stamp, first issued on November 2, in Columbia, Tennessee, where Polk spent his adult life. The issue was engraved by the intaglio process, printed in red-brown by the Banknote Corporation of America. This is one of the few modern day issues that still spells out the full title, 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE' as did most U.S. postage stamps up until around the 1950's when the shortened title 'US Postage' slowly began to replace the original title. It is also one of the very few modern day regular issues that honor famous Americans which has the years of birth and death of the subject inscribed on the face. ^[34]

[edit] Zachary Taylor

Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Taylor ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass and becoming the first man elected to the Presidency without having held any previous elected office. He served in the U.S. Army for over forty years and as 'Old Rough and Ready' had a reputation for never losing a battle. During the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) Taylor became a national hero, and with this fame he was elected to the presidency.

• Zachary Taylor is honored on three U.S. postage stamps, regular issues. The first Taylor stamp was issued in 1875. This first issue was printed by the Continental Bank Note Co on yellowish wove paper. When the American Bank Note Company received the federal contract to print postage stamps in 1879 it printed the second Taylor issue (identical in appearance to the 1875 issue) on soft porous paper, using the original dies of Continental.

• Taylor also 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 depicted on this issue. ^[10] There are no commemorative issues of Taylor. ^[21]

[edit] Millard Filmore

Millard Fillmore (January 7, 1800 – March 8, 1874) was the 13th President of the United States, serving from 1850 until 1853. He became the second Vice President to assume the presidency after the death of a sitting president when he succeeded Zachary Taylor, who died in Office in July of 1850. Fillmore was never actually elected president, and was the last member of the Whig Party to hold that office.

• Millard Filmore appears on the 1938 Presidential issue as the 13c denomination in that series. The engraved image of Filmore was modeled after a bust by Robert Cushing ^[12] displayed in the Senate Gallery of the U.S. Capitol. This is Millard Fillmore's first appearance on a U.S. postage stamp. ^[8]

[edit] Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce (November 23, 1804 – October 8, 1869), an American politician and lawyer, was the 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857, and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce enlisted in the volunteer U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War and rose to the rank of colonel. In March 1847, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers and took command of a brigade of reinforcements for Winfield Scott's army marching on Mexico City.

• Pierce appears on the 14c issue of the 1938 Presidential Series. A medal struck by the U.S. Mint served as the model for the engraved image of Pierce. The stamp was issued by the U.S. Post Office on October 6, 1938. Pierce doesn't appear on a commemorative issues until 1986. (Pierce '86 stamp image forth coming.)

[edit] James Buchanan

James Buchanan, Jr. (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the 15th President of the United States serving from 1857 until 1861 and the last President to be born in the 18th century. Buchanan served as a congressman (1821-1831), Senator (1834-1845), Minister to Russia (1832-1834), Secretary of State (1845-1849) before ascending to the presidency in 1857. Opinions by historians of Buchanan's presidency vary, as some credit him for keeping a divided nation together for so long while others fault him for failing to avert a civil war. To date he is the only president from the state of Pennsylvania and the only one to have never married.

• The engraved portrayal of James Buchanan appears on the 15-cent issue of the 1938 Presidential Series. The image was modeled after a sculpted bust by Henry Dexter which is now on display in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. ^[12] This was James Buchanan's first appearance on a U.S. Postage stamp. He appears once again on the AMERIPEX issue of 1986. ^[35]

[edit] Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 to 1865. He successfully led the United States through its Civil War, thus preserving the Union and bringing an end to slavery. Lincoln was the first Republican president, elected in 1860. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoted the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Second only to the number of times George Washington has appeared on U.S. Postage, Abraham Lincoln appears more than all other presidents on the face of U.S. Postage stamps.

Issue of 1869

Issue of 1870

• The first Postage stamp to honor Lincoln was issued on April 14, 1866, one year to the day after his death in 1865, displayed above. The engraving of this image was modeled after a photograph taken by Matthew Brady.

• The 90c issue of 1869 displays an engraving of Lincoln that was fashioned after the same photograph taken by Matthew Brady used to model for the 1866 issue. A total of only 47,460 stamps were printed by the National Bank Note Company.

• The 6c 1870 issue depicts an engraving of Lincoln that was modeled after a sculpture by Lenoard Wells Volk. ^[12]

Issue of 1890

Issue of 1898

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1909

• There are several other prominent artists behind the designs of Lincoln stamps. The 1890 Issue was printed by the American bank Note Company. The engraving was modeled after a photo of lincoln taken by Matthew Brady, arguably the most important photographer of the Civil War era. Among the most notable is Clair Aburey Huston who designed the Bureau stamps using an existing engraving for the vignette.

• The 4c issue of 1898 was engraved by George F.C. Smillie, an engraver at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, who had made the earlier engraving in 1898. Smillie also based his work on a photograph of Lincoln taken in 1864 by Matthew Brady.

• The 5-cent blue stamp was designed by R. Ostrander Smith. The engraving was done by Marcus W. Baldwin also taken from the photograph by Matthew Brady. ^{[10] [12]}

• The 2-cent Lincoln stamp of 1909 had the same dimensions as a definitive stamp, but it was the first U.S. single stamp commemorative issue. Lincoln had appeared on at least one denomination of every regular issue since 1866. When the definitive issues of 1908 featured only the portraits of Washington and Franklin, there was considerable public disappointment. The 100th anniversary issue of Lincoln’s birth created an opportunity to correct the situation. The engraving of Lincoln on this issue is modeled after a statue by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Issue of 1926

Issue of 1938

Airmail Issue of 1960

Issue of 1965

• The 3c issues of 1923, 1925 and 1927 depict Abraham Lincoln. Clair Aubrey Houston designed the stamp using an existing engraving for the vignette. George Smillie, an engraver at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, had made the earlier engraving in 1898. Smillie based his work on a photograph of Lincoln taken in 1864 by Matthew Brady. ^[12] The stamp was first issued on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 1923, in Washington, D.C., and in Hodgenville, Kentucky, near Lincoln’s birthplace. ^[10]

• Oddly enough, Abraham Lincoln is the only American President to ever appear on the face of a U.S. Airmail Postage stamp, it being first issued on April 22, 1960 in San Francisco. ^[36]

• Lincoln appears on the 16c issue of the 1938 Presidential Series. A bust displayed in the Senate Gallery, sculpted by Sarah Fisher Ames, was the model that inspired Lincoln's likeness on the engraving for this issue. ^[12] First issued in Washington DC on October 20, 1938.

• On November 17, 1965 the U.S. Post Office issued the 4-cent black stamp featuring Lincoln’s profile with the 'log cabin' background, first issued in New York City. It is the first issue among the Prominent Americans series. Though Lincoln had very little formal education, his speeches and writings are today considered masterpieces. This is the theme of the design with the log-cabin which has become synonymous with Lincoln's humble beginnings. ^[10]

[edit] Lincoln on commemorative Issues

Abraham Lincoln did not appear on a commemorative issue until the U.S. Post office issued the Chinese resistance issue in 1942. ^[21] The first president to appear on a U.S. commemorative Postage stamp was Thomas Jefferson.

• On July 7, 1942, the U.S. Post Office issued a 5c postage stamp commemorating the fifth anniversary of Chinese resistance to Japanese oppression as a tribute to China and its struggle to preserve a free government. The design of this issue depicts a map of China with an image of the sun, national symbol of China, superimposed on the map. Portraits of Abraham Lincoln and Sun Yat-sen, first president of the Republic of China, are on either side of the stamp.

• On November 19, 1948, eighty-five years to the day after President Abraham Lincoln delivered his most famous speech, the U.S. Post Office released the commemorative Gettysburg Address issue. Lincoln delivered the "Gettysburg Address" at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, November 19, 1863, four and a half months after Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg, the turn of the American Civil War.

_________ _ __________

The U.S. Post Office issued a series of four commemorative stamps during 1958 and 1959 in honor of the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth in 1809. The four stamps were modeled after various famous works of art.

~ Lincoln Sesquicentennial Issue ~

The Young Abe Lincoln, Issue of 1959

Lincoln Douglas debates of 1858, Issue of 1958

Lincoln Memorial, Issue of 1959

Issue of 1959

• The 1c green Lincoln issue was first released to the public on February 12, 1959, the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth in 1809, in Hodgenville, Kentucky, near the place of Lincoln's birth. The engraving is modeled after a painting by George Healy. Robert L. Miller of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing modeled the overall stamp design. The 1-cent Lincoln stamp features the famous "Beardless Lincoln" portrait painted by Healy from life in 1860 in Springfield, Illinois, shortly after Lincoln was elected president. ^[10]

• The 4c Lincoln-Douglas debate postage stamp was first issued on August 27, 1958 at Freeport, Illinois. This issue was the first in the series and was first released on the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln-Douglas debates. The engraved image is modeled after a painting by Joseph Boggs that portrays Lincoln addressing an outdoor crowd with Douglas standing behind him. Artist William K. Schrage of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing based the stamp design on work done by Ervine Metzl of New York City.

• The U.S. Post Office issued the 4-cent Lincoln stamp on May 30, 1959 It was one of four Lincoln Birth Sesquicentennial commemorative stamps first issued through the Washington, DC, Post Office. The issue features a portion of a famous statue sculpted by Daniel Chester French, which sits in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

• On February 27, 1959, the U.S. Post Office issued the 3c Lincoln Birth Sesquicentennial commemorative stamp, the third in the series of four, first issued through the New York, New York, post office. The stamp features a sculptured bust of Lincoln by Gutzon Borglum. Done in marble in 1906, it now stands in the rotunda of the Capitol in Washington, DC.

______________ _ _______________

Issue of 1984

Issue of 1995

• On October 16, 1984, the U.S. Post office issued its 20c commemorative postage stamp commemorating the theme "A Nation of Readers". The First Day Ceremony took place in in Washington, DC, in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library of Congress. The issue was designed by Bradbury Thompson of Riverside, Connecticut, who based the design on a photograph by renown Civil War photohrapher Mathew Brady which shows Abraham Lincoln reading from a book to his son Thomas.

• The Postal Service issued a 20 stamp sheet of 32-cent Civil War stamps on June 29, 1995 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Designed by Mark Hess of Katonah, New York, the stamps are the second installment of the Classic Collection. This issue depicts Lincoln with the Whitehouse under reconstruction in the background. Text about Lincoln is on the back this issue.

~ Lincoln 200th Anniversary of birth commemorative issues ~

On February 9, 2009, the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, the US Post office in Springfield, Illinois, first issued a set of four commemorative issues portraying Lincoln at different periods in his life. Lincoln's portrayal and stamp artwork was created by artist Mark Summers of Waterdown, Ontario, Canada. The background depicted in the stamps are taken from famous themes, ie. The Lincoln and Douglas debates. ^[37]

[edit] Andrew Johnson

Andrew Johnson (December 29, 1808 – July 31, 1875) was the 17th President of the United States serving from 1865 1869. As a Unionist, he was the only Southern senator who didn't give up his post upon secession. Johnson was the most prominent War Democrat from the South and supported Lincoln's military policies during the American Civil War of 1861–1865. Following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Johnson presided over the Reconstruction era of the United States in the four years after the American Civil War.

• This rose-red stamp was issued on October 27, 1938. It marks the first appearance of Andrew Johnson on a postage stamp. The engraving of Johnson's profile was modeled after by a bust displayed in the Senate Gallery in Washington, DC.

[edit] Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th president of the United States. A national hero of the American Civil War, Grant was elected president in 1868, the youngest man theretofore elected president. He was re-elected in 1872. Grant began his life long career as a soldier after graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1843. Fighting in the Mexican American War, he was a close observer of the techniques of Generals Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. During President Johnson's term Grant was appointed to be the Secretary of War.

As Ulysses S. Grant died in 1885, he did not appear on U.S. Postage until some five years later in 1890 when the American Bank Note Company first printed the postage stamps that depicted his portrait. ^[8] For a Civil War hero and a President this length of time was considerably longer that that of the first Abraham Lincoln issue of 1866 whose release was only one year after Lincoln's death in 1865.

Issue of 1890

Issue of 1894

Issue of 1898

• On June 2nd 1890 the U.S. Post Office issued a brown 5-cent Postage stamp honoring Ulysses S. Grant. It was the first U.S. Postage stamp to depict the former President and Civil War General. This issue was released exactly twenty-five years after Gen. Edmond Kirby Smith’s surrender of the last major Confederate army at Galveston, Texas, on June 2, 1865. The issue was printed by the American Bank Note Company.

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1923

Issue of 1938

• On February 10, 1903 the Brant 4-cent brown stamp was issue. The design is by R. Ostrander Smith and was based on a tintype by Kurtz. The stamp was engraved by George F.C.Smillie

• On March 1, 1922 the U.S.Post Office issued an 8c definitive issue honoring Ulysses S. Grant. Clair Aubrey Houston designed the stamp image. A photograph of Grant taken by renowned Civil War photographer Mathew Brady served as the model for Huston’s vignette. The die for the vignette was engraved by Louis Schofield. ^[12]

[edit] Grant on commemorative issues

Ulysses S. Grant while appearing on on a fair number of the regular (definitive) issues appears only twice on commemorative stamps.

• Grant (along with William T. Sherman and Philip H. Sheridan) appears on the 3-cent 1937 Army Issue commemorative stamp issue, one issue out of a set of five stamps among that issue.

• The next commemorative issue to honor Grant was issued in 1995. ^{[8] [21]} Designed by Mark Hess of Katona, the image of Grant was taken from a photo by Civil War photographer Matthew Brady.

_______ __ _______

[edit] Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford Birchard Hayes (October 4, 1822 – January 17, 1893) was the 19th President of the United States serving from March 4th, 1877 to March 4th, 1881. In the years before his presidency he was the Governor of Ohio for two separate terms. Serving in the Civil War as Brigadier General Hayes commanded the First Brigade of the Kanawha Division of the Army of West Virginia and turned back several Cconfederate advances. During his military service he was wounded five separate times.

• An 11c Postage stamp was issued on the 100th anniversary of Hayes’ birth, October 4, 1922, in Washington, D.C., and in Hayes’ hometown, Fremont, Ohio. The stamp was designed by Clair Aubrey Houston. The engraving of Hayes is modeled after a photograph taken by prominent Civil War photographer Matthew Brady. John Eissler engraved the die for the vignette. ^[12]

• The likeness of Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893), the nineteenth president of the United States, appears on the 19-cent denomination of the 1938 Presidential Series. Hayes's image was derived from a medal struck by George Morgan of the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. ^[12] This issue was first released to the public on November 10, 1938, along with the 20-cent Presidential issue of 1938. ^[8]

There are no commemorative issues of Hayes.

[edit] James Garfield

James Abram Garfield (November 19, 1831 – September 19, 1881) was the 20th President of the United States who had a distinguished military background. An assassin's bullet ended his life and presidency and cut his time in office after serving only 200 days. ^[38][39]. Garfield served in the United States Army as a Major General, as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives,^[40] and as a member of the highly controversial Electoral Commission of 1876. He was the second U.S. President to be assassinated.^[41] Garfield was the only sitting member of the House of Representatives to have been elected President.^[42]

Garfield appears on a variety of regular issues, the first one being issued in 1882, printed by the American Bank Note Company. The 5-cent Garfield was the second U.S. postage stamp to honor an assassinated president within the year following his death and is also considered a 'mourning stamp' by many. Unlike the first Lincoln issue, released after one whole year after his death the 5-cent Garfield stamp was released only seven months after his death in 1881. The 1882 issues were rgw first issues produced from engravings completed by the American Bank Note Company since it began producing postage stamps for the federal government. Before this time the A.B.N.C. used existing dies using slight changes to frames and portraits that were primarily the National Bank Note Company’s design. The re-engraved issues of 1881-1882 are an example. ^[10]

~ James A. Garfield Memorial Issue ~

Issue of 1882

Issue of 1882

Issues depicting Garfield released on and after 1894 were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. ^[8] There are no commemorative issues featuring Garfield. ^[21]

~ Late 19th century Issues ~

Issue of 1890

Issue of 1895

Issue of 1898

~ Early 20th century Issues ~

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1922

Issue of 1938

[edit] Chester A. Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886) served as the 21st President of the United States. As a member of the Republican Party Arthur worked as a lawyer before becoming the 20th Vice President under James Garfield. On July 2, 1881, President Garfield was mortally wounded by Charles J. Guiteau, but Garfield did not die until September 19 of that year, at which time Arthur was sworn in as President, serving until March 4, 1885.

• The engraving of Chester A. Arthur appears on the 21-cent value of the 1938 Presidential Series, first issued on November 22nd of 1938. The likeness was modeled after a marble bust of Arthur by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1891, now displayed in the U.S. Senate Gallery. ^[12][43]

[edit] Grover Cleveland

Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837 – June 24, 1908) was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. Cleveland is the only president ever to have served two non-consecutive terms (1885–1889 and 1893–1897) as President and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents.

Issue of 1938

Issue of 1923

Issue of 1986

• On March 20, 1923, the U.S. Post Office issued the 12-cent Cleveland issue, first released both in Washington, D.C., and in Caldwell, New Jersey, Cleveland’s hometown. Clair Aubrey Huston designed the stamp and John Eissler engraved the portrayal of Cleveland. The model for the engravimg is listed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing as “unknown.”

• Cleveland appeared on a presidential Issue released on November 22, 1938, the same day as the 21-cent Garfield stamp of that series. The engraving of Cleveland's portrait was modeled after a medal struck by Charles Barber of the U.S. Mint. ^[12]

• The 22-cent Cleveland stamp was issued on May 22nd of 1986 as part of a series of stamps honoring U.S. Presidents, first issued during AMERIPEX '86, the international philatelic show held in Rosemont, Illinois. Artist Jerry Dadds of Baltimore, Maryland, designed the four sheets containing thirty-six stamps. Dadds also executed the designs in the woodcut style.

[edit] Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison (August 20, 1833 – March 13, 1901) was the 23rd President of the United States, serving one term from 1889 to 1893. Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio, and at the age of 21 moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he became a involved with Indiana state politics. During the American Civil War Harrison served as a Brigadier General in the XX Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. He saw action in the battles at Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and Nashvill. ^[10] After the war he was appointed to the U.S. Senate from that state. Harrison was a Republican and was elected Presidenct in 1888, defeating Grover Cleveland. He is the only U.S. president from Indiana. Harrison appears on four different regular issues.

Issue of 1903

Issue of 1926

Issue of 1938

Issue of 1959

• The 1903 issue depicting Harrison was the first 13-cent stamp issued by the U.S. Post Office, ^[8] the first of the 1903 series, and was designed by R. O. Smith from a photograph supplied by Mrs. Harrison. The image was engraved by Marcus W. Baldwin.

• The 1926 issue of Harrison was engraved by Clair Aubrey Houston who based the image design on the same photograph of Harrison that was used to model the 1902 stamp.

• The 24-cent issue of Harrison image was inspired by a bust on view at the John Herron Art Institute.

• The image on the 1959 issue was taken from a photograph taken by Charles Parker. ^[12]

[edit] William McKinley

William McKinley Jr. (January 29, 1843 – September 14, 1901) was the 25th President of the United States, and the last veteran of the American Civil War to be elected to the office of the President. He was the last American president to serve in the 19th century and was the first President to serve in the 20th century. He spent much of his adult life in politics and was a six-term congressman, and was also the governor of Ohio before wining over William J. Bryan for two terms in the White House (1897-1901). McKinley was assassinated early in his second term while attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901.

Issue of 1923

Issue of 1904

Issue of 1938

William McKinley appears on three definitive issues, 1923, 1926 and 1927, the design, color and denomination of which are the same, and on the 1938 Presidential issue, and also on one commemorative issue, the Louisiana Purchase issue of 1904.

McKinley was not even alive at the time of the Louisiana Purchase but is depicted on the Louisiana Purchase issue as he was the president who signed the legislation giving federal sanction to the Exposition and would have presided over the Exposition had he lived. This issue also served as a tribute and memorial to the assassinated leader, as it came out less than than three years after his death, in what would have been nearing the end of the second term to which he was elected in 1900.

[edit] Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was the 26th President of the United States. In 1901, President William McKinley was assassinated, and Roosevelt became president at the age of 42, taking office at the youngest age of any U.S. President in history at that time. Roosevelt was a hero of the Spanish-American War and the Battle of San Juan Hill for which received the Medal of Honor and was the commander of the infamous Rough Riders. He negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War which later won him the Nobel Peace Prize. ^[44] Roosevelt was the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

• Clair Aubrey Houston designed the 5c blue issue of 1922 and 1925 stamp issues (Identical except for perforations). The Roosevelt image was engraved by John Eissler, and was modeled after a photograph taken of Roosevelt by the firm of Harris & Ewing in Washington, D.C., in 1907.

• The 6c issue stamp was designed by Victor S. McCloskey, Jr., and Charles R. Chickering of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. ^[10]

• Roosevelt oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal and consequently he later appeared on two Canal Zone postage stamps, printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued by the U.S Government administration offices in the Canal Zone for domestic mail and for outgoing mail. The first Roosevelt stamp to depict the 26th president was issued in 1949.

• A U.S. Canal Zone stamp honoring Roosevelt was issued in November of 1958, the 100th anniversary of his birth. ^[45] Theodore Rooselvelt is the only American president to be honored on a Canal Zone postage stamp. ^[46]

[edit] William Howard Taft

William Howard Taft (September 15, 1857 – March 8, 1930) was the 27th President of the United States and later the 10th Chief Justice of the United States. Taft is the only person to have served in both offices. Born in 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio, into the powerful Taft family, Taft graduated from Yale College Phi Beta Kappa in 1878,[2] and from Cincinnati Law School in 1880.

• The 4c Taft stamp was issued on June 4th of 1930 in Tafdt's hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, less than three months after Taft's death that year on March 8th. This issue of Taft is based on the same design as are the regular issues of 1925-32, designed by Charles Aubrey Huston. The engraving of Taft is modeled after a photograph taken by Harris & Ewing. ^{[12] [47]}

• The 50c Taft on the Presidential issue of 1932 was released on December the 8th of 1938. The engraved profile of Taft was modeled after a bust sculpted especially for the stamp..

[edit] Woodrow Wilson

Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th President of the United States. First known by the slogan "he kept us out of the war", Wilson was finally pressured in to asking Congress to declare war on Germany who was attacking all US vessels at high sea.

• Less than a year after the death of Woodrow Wilson the U.S. Post Office on December 28th 1925 issued the 17-cent stamp in his honor. Issued in such a timely manner the 1925 issue can be considered a memorial to Wilson. President Wilson’s widow provided the photograph which designer Clair Aubrey Houston used for the overall stamp design and which John Eissler of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing used as the model for the engraving of Wilson.

• On August 29th 1938 the Post Office issued the 1 dollar presidential issue. The engraved image of Wilson was modeled after a medal struck by George Morgan of the U.S. Mint. ^[12]

[edit] Warren G. Harding

Warren Gamaliel Harding (November 2, 1865 – August 2, 1923) was the 29th President of the United States, serving from 1921 until his sudden death from a heart attack in 1923. A Republican from Ohio, Harding was once an influential newspaper publisher at the Marion Daily Star in Ohio. He served in the Ohio Senate (1899–1903) and later as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio (1903–1905) and as a U.S. Senator (1915–1921).

Issue of 1925

Issue of 1930

Issue of 1938

• Harding's unexpected death prompted the issue of 1923, 2c black, unofficially referred to as the Harding memorial Issue, which Clair Aubrey Houston managed to design in one day. The engraving of Harding was modeled after an etching by artist F. Pauling. ^[12] Amazingly the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was able to print over one and one half billion of these stamps in a three month period. ^[48]

• Two years later on May 19, 1925 the Post Office issued a similar Harding stamp, using the same die used for the 1923 Harding Memorial issue and whose color this time was brown and denomination now at 1-1/2 cents.

• In 1930, at the request of the widowed Mrs. Harding, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a new Harding 1-1/2c issue whose full faced portrait replaced the 1-1/2c issue with his profile. ^[6]

• The image of Harding also appears on the 2-dollar issue of the 1938 Presidential Series. The engraved image of Harding's likeness was modeled after a medal struck by George Morgan of the U.S. Mint. ^[10] Both issues with Harding's profile were also issued in imperforate form. ^[6]

[edit] Calvin Coolidge

John Calvin Coolidge, Jr. (July 4, 1872 – January 5, 1933) from Plymouth, Vermont, was the 30th President of the United States serving from 1923 to 1929. Coolidge became president upon the death of Warren G. Harding. Coolidge's inauguration was the first to be broadcast on radio. On February 22, 1924, he became the first President of the United States to deliver a political speech on radio.^[49] Known as "silent Cal" for being a man of few words in private while known for being an excellent orator at the pulpit.

• On November 17th 1938 the Post Office issued the 5 dollar value of the Presidential series of that year. Coolidge appearance on the 5-Dollar denomination was the only stamp he ever appeared on until 1986 when the Post Office releases a series of stamps, one hororing each deceased president at that time.^[8] The model for this engraving was taken from a medal struck by John R. Sinnock of the U.S. Mint. Among the Presidential Issues this stamp is the most difficult to find on cover. ^[10]

[edit] Herbert Hoover

Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was the 31st President of the United States serving from 1929 to 1933. Hoover was a professional mining engineer and author. A son of a Quaker blacksmith, Hoover brought to the Presidency an a new reputation for public service as a humanitarian. ^[50] After the Armistice, Hoover had massive shipments of food for starving millions in central Europe. He also provided much need aid to Soviet Russia in 1921 which was plagued with famine.

In spite of Hoover's many humanitarian efforts, as a president, he is ranked less than favorably among many historians for his failure to bring the country out of the great depression that beset the country in 1929, the year Hoover assumed office.

• Issued on his birthday, the 5-cent commemorative issue honoring President Herbert Hoover was first placed on sale on August 10, 1965, at West Branch, Iowa, the place of Hoover's birth. The issue was released less than one year after Hoover's passing in 1964. This is the first U.S. Postage issue Herbert Hoover has appeared on. He appears again on the AMERIPEX series ^[35] of presidents issued in 1986 ^[21]

[edit] Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945) was the 32nd President of the United States and a leading figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war. FD' Roosevelt was the only American president elected President for more than two terms. He forged a durable coalition that realigned American politics for decades. In his first "Hundred Days" in office, beginning March 4, 1933, Roosevelt launched a variety of major social programs. In his first term (1933–36), FDR led Congress to enact the New Deal, a large, complex interlocking set of programs designed to produce relief.

Issue of 1982

Issue of 1966

Issue of 1998

• The 6c issue of 1966 was designed by Richard Lyon Clark and was modeled after a photograph of the Roosevelt taken with Winston Churchill during the signing of the Atlantic Charter. This gray brown 6-cent sheet stamp was issued on January 28, 1966, at the Post Office in Hyde Park, New York, the same town where the family home is located.

• On January 30, 1982 on the 100th anniversary of his birth a 20-cent commemorative stamp honoring Franklin Delano Roosevelt was issued, first released to the public at his birthplace, Hyde Park, New York. The First Day of Issue ceremony was held at the Roosevelt estate, where he and his wife, Eleanor, are buried.

• On September 10, 1998 a 32-cnet commemorative was issued in Roosevelt's honor. The issue depicts Roosevelt at a microphone during one of his 'fireside chats' which the President was famous for.

_____________________

Only two months after Roosevelt's passing the U.S. Post Office issued a series of four commemorative (or memorial) Postage stamps in honor and memory of the passing President.

• The 1-cent green Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial stamp was issued on July 26, 1945, at the Post Office at Hyde Park, New York. The design depicts an image of the Roosevelt home in Hyde Park, New York.

• The 2c red was issued on August 24, 1945, in Warm Springs, Georgia, the site of Roosevelt's favorite retreat, known as the 'Little White House'.

• Of the four issues in the Franklin memorial series it was the 3c value that was actually the first to be released. The 3c purple Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial stamp was issued on June 27, 1945. The design features the White House in the background.

• The 5c blue issue is the last of the Roosevelt memorial series, issued on January 30, 1946. The design depictsa a portrait of Roosevelt and on the left surrounded by clouds, a globe showing the Americas on the right. Inscribed across the globe is an expression of the Four Freedoms — 'Freedom of Speech and Religion, From Want and Fear'.

[edit] Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972) was the 33rd President of the United States serving from 1945 to 1953. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice-president and the 34th Vice President of the United States, he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his historic fourth term. Truman began his political career in politics as a county judge in 1922. He was Franklin D. Roosevelt's running mate in 1944.

• The 8-cent Harry S. Truman postage stamp was designed by Bradbury Thompson and first placed on sale at the Post Office at Independence, Missouri, on May 8, 1973.

• The 20-cent Truman definitive stamp was issued on January 26, 1984, in Washington, DC. The 1984 stamp issue honored the centennial of the birth of the 33rd U.S. president in 1884.

[edit] Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was a five-star general in the United States Army and the 34th President of the United States, serving from 1953 until 1961. During World War II, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe and planned the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944–45, from the Western Front. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO.

Issue of 1970

Issue of 1971

Issue of 1971

Issue of 1969

Issue of 1990

• On August 6, 1970 the Post Office began releasing the Regular issues of 1970-1974. Eisenhower is depicted on the 6c denomination of these issues. ^[8]

• On May 16, 1971 the domestic first-class letter rate increased to eight cents so the BEPthe 6-cent Eisenhower stamp was re-engraved with the new 8-cent denomination. The stamp was issued in sheet, coil, and booklet formats. The red and black stamp was the first and only multicolored stamp of the Prominent American Issue. The coil and booklet issues were mono-colored claret stamps printed on the Huck/Cottrell web mono-color intaglio presses. ^[10]

• In 1969 the U.S. Post Office issued a 6-cent commemorative stamp honoring President Dwight D. Eisenhower and was first placed on sale on October 14 of that year at Abilene, Kansas, where he spent his youth and where he is buried. Uncommonly larger than the standard commemorative sizes of 1-1/2" x 1" this issue's size was 2" x 1-1/4". The Eisenhower commemorative issue was designed by Robert J. Jones of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and was fashioned after a photograph taken by Bernie Noble of the Cleveland Press.

• The U.S. Post Office issued a 25c stamp on October 13, 1990, in Abilene, Kansas whose image is taken from the official White House portrait, while the background depicts then General Eisenhower speaking to Allied troops on the eve of D-Day, the Normandy invasion in 1944. The stamp was designed by Ken Hodges of the American Bank Note Company ^[10]

[edit] John F. Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963 on November 22nd. Few American Presidents have quotes that are remembered long after there deaths, and Kennedy was among those few for saying to the nation, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." He was the second-youngest President (after Theodore Roosevelt). Kennedy was faced with a number of important events during his term as President which include the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Space Race and the building of the Berlin Wall. Kennedy appears on two postage issues, one a commemorative, issued in 1964 the other a regular issue of 1967.

Issue of 1964

Issue of 1967

• On May 29, 1964 the U.S. Post Office released the 5c John F. Kennedy memorial stamp on what would have been Kennedy's 47th birthday. The issue was designed by Raymond Loewy/William Snaith, a New York firm, based on a sketch by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing artist Robert L. Miller. Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy made the final selection from the many Postage stamp designs that were submitted. ^[10]

• The 13 cent issue of 1967 was first Issued in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29 of that year. The issue was designed by Stevan Dohanos, modeled after a photograph by Jacques Loew in the book "The Kennedy Years." The 13-cent Kennedy postage stamp paid the rates for both foreign surface letters and air postcards.

[edit] Lyndon B. Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson (August 27, 1908 – January 22, 1973), served as vice-president during the Kennedy administration. When Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, Johnson assumed the presidency. He won re-election in 1964 with 61 percent of the vote and served until 1968.

• On August 27th of 1973 the U.S. Post Office issued the 8-cent Lyndon B. Johnson memorial postage stamp, first placed on sale at the Post Office in Austin, Texas, The stamp was designed by Bradbury Thompson.

[edit] Richard M. Nixon

Richard Milhous Nixon, (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) was the thirty-seventh president of the United States. Nixon's political career started as a California congressman. He was Dwight D. Eisenhower's vice president for two terms and was defeated in 1960 by John F. Kennedy for the presidential election. In 1968, Nixon won the presidency and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 1972. Nixon was the only person to be elected twice to both the Presidency and the Vice Presidency. He was also the only U.S. President to resign the office. Nixon was instrumental in ending US involvement in the Vietnam War and establishing US relations with communist China.

• On April 26, 1995, one year and four days after his death the U.S. Postal Service honored Richard Nixon with the issuance of a 32-cent commemorative stamp, first released in Yorba Linda, California, the place of his birth, to date the only stamp depicting Nixon. The issue was designed by Daniel Schwarz, and printed in combination offset-intaglio process by the Banknote Corporation of America. ^[10]

[edit] Gerald Ford

Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.; July 14, 1913 - December 26, 2006) was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974. Ford was the first person appointed to the vice-presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment, when he became President upon Richard Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974,.

• Ford Memorial Commemorative issued August 31, 2007.

[edit] Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan, born February 6, 1911, died June 5, 2004. Reagan was the 40th President of the United States and served two terms from 1981 to 1989, and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). Born in Tampico, Illinois. Among other things, Reagan is remembered for saying on June 12, 1987.. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

• The U.S. Postal Service issued a 37-cent Ronald Reagan commemorative stamp on February 9, 2005. The first day of issue occurred in Simi Valley, California. Stamp design is by Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, Virgina. The image of Reagan was modeled after a portrait painted by award-winning artist Michael J. Deas. To date there is only one postage stamp depicting Reagan. ^[8]

[edit] See also

• 1932 Washington Bicentennial
• Bicentennial Series
• Black Jack (stamp)
• Five cents John Kennedy
• Great Americans series
• Liberty Issue
• List of people on stamps of the United States
• List of Presidents of the United States
• Nixon invert
• Postage stamps and postal history of the United States
• Presidential Issue
• Prominent Americans series

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• American Topical Association
• LearnAboutStamps.com A resource for stamp collectors
• Topical worldwide stamps catalog