Longfellow
The Commemorative Stamps issued in January and February of 1940 included 2 designs in the “Famous Authors” series; one for authors and one for poets. The stamps were further divided by denomination; one cent, two cent, three cent, five cent, and ten cent.
Five postage stamps honored famous poets; Longfellow, Whittier, Lowell, Whitman, and Riley. The individual portraits are in square frames. Below the frame is a panel with an image of the winged horse, Pegasus. Pegasus is believed to inspire the writing of verse.
Irving
During 1940, President Roosevelt and his Postmaster general, Jame Farley, worked closely and produced commemorative stamps of great appeal and significance. These efforts culminated in the release of the “Famous Americans” issue.
Farley’s concept called for postage stamp tribute to men and women in 7 fields of endeavor. William Roach of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was chosen to do the design work. Roach created a unique design for each of the seven categories.
The series opened with 5 authors: Irving, Cooper, Emerson, Alcott, and Clemens. The postage stamps featured a portrait of the individual in an oval frame. Under the frame are symbols of a closed book, scroll, pen, and ink well.
In order to maximize your stamp collection, you have to be creative. Ask friends and relatives if they have old change, and then, ask if you can have it or offer to buy it, depending on what feels appropriate. Expand your collection by going to stamp expos.
Understanding the valuation and stamp collecting prices criteria is crucial. Grading stamps is often difficult and there is a tendency for people to over-grade their stamps. Stamp collecting can be a good investment; if you buy and sell carefully, there is money to be made.
Panama Canal
Stamp Collecting had an exciting event during 1939. It was the first time a First Day Issue occurred aboard a Navy ship, the U.S.S. Charlston. The stamp was the Panama Canal Anniversary and the Charlston was in the Panama Canal Zone on the 25th Anniversary date.
There were seven commemorative stamps issued during 1939. Two issues promoted the Golden Gate Expo and the New York Wolds Fair. The Baseball Centennial and the Printing Press Tercentenary were honored during 1939. On April 30th, the U.S. Postal Service issued the Washington Inauguration stamp denoting the 150th anniversary of Pres. George Washington’s inauguration in 1789.
Stamp Collecting in the United States has benefited greatly from the postal service continuing emphasis on Commemorative Stamps. 1940 saw the release of the “Famous Americans” issue. 35 stamps honored Americans like James Fenimore Cooper, Louisa May Alcott, and James Whitcomb Riley.
Louisa May Alcott was born in 1832 in Concord, Massachusetts. An American novelist, she is best known for her novel “Little Women.” She used events with her three sisters as the ground work for this novel. Ms. Alcott also wrote fiery, passionate novels under the nom de plume of A. M. Barnard.
Commemorative Stamps tell an interesting story about American History. They contribute greatly to the understanding of our heritage.
In 1939, Stamp Collectors had an ardent collector as President of the United States. Franklin D. Roosevelt was an enthusiastic philatelist. He often suggested topics for new stamps to the Postmaster General James Farley.
There were seven commemorative stamps issued in 1939. This year was the first with more than one official First Day of Issue. The stamp was the Statehood Commemorative that honored 4 states entrance into the Union in 1889. The stamp was released on 4 different days during November in the capitals of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington.
Starting in 1939, U.S. Stamp Collectors have enjoyed an extraordinary summary of American events via Commemorative Stamps. These stamps have chronicled the events that have shaped the people, the scientific accomplishments, and sociological issues of the U.S.
The subjects tell a story of American life equal to or better than that found in the daily newspapers. The U.S. Postal Service has a unique ability to honor individuals and events that are worthy of being remembered. Stamp collecting has blossomed a a result.
Don’t assume that all old stamps will be in very poor condition. If you are buying old stamps, you can expect them to be respectable condition, even if it is a few decades old years old. Of course, as the age of the stamp increases, the condition, if very good, will add more value.
Find something to hold your stamps. This does not mean that you have to buy fancy stamp holders (although this would keep them in better condition). Stamp collecting albums can be fairly cheap, or you can use plastic sleeves.
Always store your stamps in a safe place. If you are buying expensive stamps, invest in a safe-deposit box and containers that will not destroy the numismatic value of your stamps.
Scott 2010 Postage Stamp Catalog
Stamp Collecting can be a tedious process without a good postage stamp catalog. Scott’s 2010 Postage Stamp Catalog contains a wealth of information regarding postage stamps from around the world. Volume 1 contains information on U.S. Postage stamps as well as countries A – B.
The 2010 edition has color images of almost all U.S. stamps. Stamp values have been updated. The catalog contains valuable information regarding individual stamps such as: color, perforation, printing process, and year of issue. Some stamps are issued for more than one year. The catalog has information regarding variations in the printing process especially regarding stamps that were printed by multiple suppliers.
The postal service is one of the oldest and most time-tested conveyances of information that is still in use today. Because of this storied tradition, there are countless styles, designs and editions of postage marks for collectors to choose from. While seasoned collectors probably have their favorites and rarities that they seek out at every opportunity, stamp collecting for beginners can be daunting.
With so many countries and eras to choose from, one of the most difficult tasks is choosing where to begin. When I first started collecting stamps over 10 years ago, I decided to focus on my passion: music. Instead of conducting a wide search for every postage mark I could find, I began by seeking out music-themed stamps and broadened my collection from there.