U.S. Postal Service® Issues another Archival Stamp from 125 Years Ago
By Syd Kronish, For AP Special Features
Published: Monday, June 6 1994 12:00 a.m. MDT
Out of the old archives comes another new U.S. stamp that originally was scheduled for release 125 years ago. This one is a high value ($5) stamp featuring Presidents George Washington and Andrew Jackson.
The adhesive is the second of two stamps based on “essays” from the 19th century. “Essays” are stamps designed for issue but never produced. A few weeks ago the U.S. Postal Service® announced the issuance of a $1 definitive stamp depicting the John Turnbull painting of “The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga.”
The new $5 stamp with the pair of presidents is diamond-shaped. The design shows Washington and Jackson in a dual portrait setting.
The Washington head is based on a Gilbert Stuart painting, while the Jackson face is from an original by John Wood Dodge. The Washington head had to be reversed to make him face right instead of left.
The USPS says “after exhaustive research, the exact source of the design remains a mystery. It is speculated that the original design – a 3¢ stamp – was prepared by one of the security printing firms interested in bidding on the 1869 stamp printing contract.”
Efforts to locate the Washington and Jackson essay were not successful and therefore the U.S. Postal Service® relied on published accounts by Kenneth Brazer, who wrote extensively about 19th century U.S. stamp essays.
The Washington and Jackson stamp will be dedicated on Aug. 19 in Pittsburgh at the American Philatelic Society’s annual stamp show. The deadline for mailing first-day cancellation orders is Sept. 18.
You may purchase the new stamps from your local post office (after Aug. 19), affix the stamp to your envelope, address the envelope and place in a larger envelope addressed to: Customer Affixed Stamps, $5 Washington and Jackson, Postmaster, Pittsburgh, PA 15290-9991.
USPS® Philatelic Archive 