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Postage Stamps of USA - 1869 Pictorial issues

USA 1869 PICTORIAL STAMPS

  • The portrait for this stamp is taken from a bust by Houdon. This series, whilst popular with the philatelic press at the time, was highly unpopular with the public and as a result were only in print for one year. Like the series before them, the stamps were embossed with a grill which decreased the effectiveness of the gum, with such a small stamp this was a disaster. The public complained so loud about not being able to affix these stamps to the envelopes that post office clerks took to having a wet sponge handy at the counter. Another complaint was the small size of the stamps, cartoon appeared in the press showing folks using a magnifying glass to locate them in their pocket book. With so much animosity shown against this stamp it became a past time to deride it and soon the initial compliments on the design was overwhelmed with derision. The designs were un American, Particularly the 3c, too most it was a celebration on how members of the congress had made money off the backs of the people through the railroads.
    The portrait for this stamp is taken from a bust by Houdon. This series, whilst popular with the philatelic press at the time, was highly unpopular with the public and as a result were only in print for one year. Like the series before them, the stamps were embossed with a grill which decreased the effectiveness of the gum, with such a small stamp this was a disaster. The public complained so loud about not being able to affix these stamps to the envelopes that post office clerks took to having a wet sponge handy at the counter. Another complaint was the small size of the stamps, cartoon appeared in the press showing folks using a magnifying glass to locate them in their pocket book. With so much animosity shown against this stamp it became a past time to deride it and soon the initial compliments on the design was overwhelmed with derision. The designs were un American, Particularly the 3c, too most it was a celebration on how members of the congress had made money off the backs of the people through the railroads.
  • This stamp was severely criticized for its design. The horse appears to be leaping rather than galloping. The first mounted courier service in this country was instituted in 1693, between Portsmouth, NH, and Philadelphia. Posts were extended to Annapolis, MD, in 1727; Williamsburg, VA, in 1732; and Montreal and Quebec in 1763. At that time all were under British control. The U.S. Constitution mandated the establishment of post offices and post roads, and Congress made the U.S. post office an organ of the federal government. Early mail principally was in the form of folded sheets of paper (envelopes were a later invention) and a post rider could carry many with ease. When Samuel Osgood was appointed Postmaster General by President George Washington in 1789, the 13 states had only about 75 post offices and 2,400 miles of post roads. Within a decade, both numbers had increased by more than 400 percent
    This stamp was severely criticized for its design. The horse appears to be leaping rather than galloping. The first mounted courier service in this country was instituted in 1693, between Portsmouth, NH, and Philadelphia. Posts were extended to Annapolis, MD, in 1727; Williamsburg, VA, in 1732; and Montreal and Quebec in 1763. At that time all were under British control. The U.S. Constitution mandated the establishment of post offices and post roads, and Congress made the U.S. post office an organ of the federal government. Early mail principally was in the form of folded sheets of paper (envelopes were a later invention) and a post rider could carry many with ease. When Samuel Osgood was appointed Postmaster General by President George Washington in 1789, the 13 states had only about 75 post offices and 2,400 miles of post roads. Within a decade, both numbers had increased by more than 400 percent
  • Generally used on one-ounce letters mailed within the U.S., this stamp is the most common of the 1869 series. It is also the most popular stamp in the series. Locomotives, vehicles that run on rails and are self-propelled by any of several forms of energy for the purpose of moving railroad cars, were developed early in the 19th century. The first steam locomotive was built in 1804 by Richard Trevithick for the Penydarren Iron Works in Wales. English locomotives played a role in early American railroad history. U.S. railroads imported more than 100 English locomotives between 1829 and 1841. By 1830, the development of American locomotive designs was well underway, including many innovations that guaranteed progress for the mode of transport of freight and passengers. John B. Jervis' Experiment of 1832 successfully demonstrated an engine with a single pair of drivers and a four-wheeled swivel truck under the front of the locomotive to allow the engine to negotiate most curves with ease and later proved capable of much higher speeds. In 1836, Henry Campbell designed an eight-wheeled engine, which dominated U.S. locomotive design for five decades. Three years later, Joseph Harrison's equalizing beam permitted equal pressure by each driver wheel, even on rough track. Isaac Dripps invented the "cowcatcher," placed first on the John Bull, which was necessary in America where few tracks were protected by fencing. In the half century between the Civil War and World War I, a new emphasis was placed on strength, bulk, and power in the manufacture of American locomotives. Improvements in U.S. steam locomotives continued during the first half of the 20th century. During World War I, the U.S. Railroad Administration purchased 1,930 locomotives, all built to standard specifications. This stamp was the workhorse of the Series of 1869.
    Generally used on one-ounce letters mailed within the U.S., this stamp is the most common of the 1869 series. It is also the most popular stamp in the series. Locomotives, vehicles that run on rails and are self-propelled by any of several forms of energy for the purpose of moving railroad cars, were developed early in the 19th century. The first steam locomotive was built in 1804 by Richard Trevithick for the Penydarren Iron Works in Wales. English locomotives played a role in early American railroad history. U.S. railroads imported more than 100 English locomotives between 1829 and 1841. By 1830, the development of American locomotive designs was well underway, including many innovations that guaranteed progress for the mode of transport of freight and passengers. John B. Jervis' Experiment of 1832 successfully demonstrated an engine with a single pair of drivers and a four-wheeled swivel truck under the front of the locomotive to allow the engine to negotiate most curves with ease and later proved capable of much higher speeds. In 1836, Henry Campbell designed an eight-wheeled engine, which dominated U.S. locomotive design for five decades. Three years later, Joseph Harrison's equalizing beam permitted equal pressure by each driver wheel, even on rough track. Isaac Dripps invented the "cowcatcher," placed first on the John Bull, which was necessary in America where few tracks were protected by fencing. In the half century between the Civil War and World War I, a new emphasis was placed on strength, bulk, and power in the manufacture of American locomotives. Improvements in U.S. steam locomotives continued during the first half of the 20th century. During World War I, the U.S. Railroad Administration purchased 1,930 locomotives, all built to standard specifications. This stamp was the workhorse of the Series of 1869.
  • The George Washington portrait used on this stamp comes from a Gilbert Stuart painting.
    The George Washington portrait used on this stamp comes from a Gilbert Stuart painting.
  • The bald eagle in concert with a shield has been used on many U.S. stamps, dating from this early issue. The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is the national emblem of the United States. It is protected by law, but even then some large eagles are killed by farmers and gamekeepers or captured for use in falconry. As with other birds, the bald eagle has been affected by the widespread use of pesticides that, when ingested, can weaken eggs. Eagles are predatory birds that historically have been the symbol of courage, immortality, and power since ancient times. All eagles have large, heavy, hooked bills and strong, sharp claws called talons. The bald eagle is not really bald, but is so named because of its white head. Eagles prey on small creatures: birds, fish, rabbits, other rodents, and snakes. They have very keen eyesight and hunt while soaring high in the air or watching from a high perch. An eagle's nest normally is high in a tree or on a rocky ledge where it cannot be reached easily by other animals or man. This precaution is important because young eagles remain helpless for a long period.
    The bald eagle in concert with a shield has been used on many U.S. stamps, dating from this early issue. The bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is the national emblem of the United States. It is protected by law, but even then some large eagles are killed by farmers and gamekeepers or captured for use in falconry. As with other birds, the bald eagle has been affected by the widespread use of pesticides that, when ingested, can weaken eggs. Eagles are predatory birds that historically have been the symbol of courage, immortality, and power since ancient times. All eagles have large, heavy, hooked bills and strong, sharp claws called talons. The bald eagle is not really bald, but is so named because of its white head. Eagles prey on small creatures: birds, fish, rabbits, other rodents, and snakes. They have very keen eyesight and hunt while soaring high in the air or watching from a high perch. An eagle's nest normally is high in a tree or on a rocky ledge where it cannot be reached easily by other animals or man. This precaution is important because young eagles remain helpless for a long period.
  • Picturing the famous S.S. Adriatic, a wooden paddle liner, this stamp is considered to have the best design. This series of stamps, known as the nation's first pictorial issue, was square in design. For some reason now difficult to understand, this series was not popular and was replaced with a new series in about a year. As the first series to depict anything but deceased patriots and other statesmen, the range of designs utilized was quite wide.
    Picturing the famous S.S. Adriatic, a wooden paddle liner, this stamp is considered to have the best design. This series of stamps, known as the nation's first pictorial issue, was square in design. For some reason now difficult to understand, this series was not popular and was replaced with a new series in about a year. As the first series to depict anything but deceased patriots and other statesmen, the range of designs utilized was quite wide.
  • Type I. This stamp was issued for a short period of time before Type II was put into use. For this reason, it is the more difficult of the two varieties to locate. Very costly for the time, Queen Isabella of Spain "invested" the equivalent of $14,000 to finance Christopher Columbus's first expedition in search of a shorter trade route to India. Columbus came nowhere near the North American coast. However, the Columbian Exposition in Chicago and this series of stamps were the first to celebrate his landing on the island of San Salvador. Columbus was helped at the Spanish royal court by four influential members: Fr. Diego de Deza of Salamanca (later Archbishop of Seville); Juan Cabrero, royal chamberlain; Luis de Santangel, King Ferdinand's keeper of the privy purse; and Raphael Sanchez, royal treasurer. Cabrero received Columbus's first letter announcing his discovery of a new world.
    Type I. This stamp was issued for a short period of time before Type II was put into use. For this reason, it is the more difficult of the two varieties to locate. Very costly for the time, Queen Isabella of Spain "invested" the equivalent of $14,000 to finance Christopher Columbus's first expedition in search of a shorter trade route to India. Columbus came nowhere near the North American coast. However, the Columbian Exposition in Chicago and this series of stamps were the first to celebrate his landing on the island of San Salvador. Columbus was helped at the Spanish royal court by four influential members: Fr. Diego de Deza of Salamanca (later Archbishop of Seville); Juan Cabrero, royal chamberlain; Luis de Santangel, King Ferdinand's keeper of the privy purse; and Raphael Sanchez, royal treasurer. Cabrero received Columbus's first letter announcing his discovery of a new world.
  • Type II. An additional line was cut in the frame around the vignette, thus distinguishing Type II from Type I. The famous invert, of which there are only three unused copies are of this variety.
    Type II. An additional line was cut in the frame around the vignette, thus distinguishing Type II from Type I. The famous invert, of which there are only three unused copies are of this variety.
  • One of the finest examples of engraving, the center of the stamp consists of a miniature masterpiece. James Smillie engraved 42 persons, and the six principal figures can be recognized under a magnifying glass! Son of the governor of Connecticut, John Trumbull was the first native-born American to dedicate himself to painting. He was an aide-de-camp to George Washington in the Revolutionary War. Trumbull's hopes of being the nation's official history painter were stymied until 1817, when the U.S. Congress commissioned him to paint four scenes from the war for the Capitol rotunda. In that same year, he was named director of the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York City.
    One of the finest examples of engraving, the center of the stamp consists of a miniature masterpiece. James Smillie engraved 42 persons, and the six principal figures can be recognized under a magnifying glass! Son of the governor of Connecticut, John Trumbull was the first native-born American to dedicate himself to painting. He was an aide-de-camp to George Washington in the Revolutionary War. Trumbull's hopes of being the nation's official history painter were stymied until 1817, when the U.S. Congress commissioned him to paint four scenes from the war for the Capitol rotunda. In that same year, he was named director of the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York City.
  • This is the first U.S. stamp where the U.S. flag was a significant part of the design. Although adopted June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress resolved that "the Flag of the united states be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation," the origin of the national flag is somewhat obscure. Legend has it that George Washington asked Betsy Ross to produce the first Stars and Stripes, although that is not documented. She is known to have supplied flags to the Continental Navy. Prior to the Stars and Stripes was the Continental Colors, which included 13 horizontal red and white stripes for the 13 colonies, and the British Union Jack as a depiction of the rebels' desire for the historic rights of British citizens. The how and why of the change from the Union Jack to stars is not known. Prior to that time, stars were uncommon on flags; since that time, they have become popular. After Kentucky and Vermont joined the Union, two stars and two stripes were added in 1795. Such a flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. The design of the flag again was changed in 1818, with the decision to keep the 13 stripes permanently and to add stars to indicate the current number of states in the Union. To date, the U.S. flag has been through 27 versions, the most recent introduced July 4, 1960, when Hawaii was admitted to statehood. Until 1912, no official pattern existed for the arrangement of the stars. Flags of the 19th century varied greatly in their star patterns, in the number of points on the stars, in the shades of red and blue, in the length-to-width ratio of the flag, and in other details. It was not until the 20th century that such factors were standardized.
    This is the first U.S. stamp where the U.S. flag was a significant part of the design. Although adopted June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress resolved that "the Flag of the united states be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation," the origin of the national flag is somewhat obscure. Legend has it that George Washington asked Betsy Ross to produce the first Stars and Stripes, although that is not documented. She is known to have supplied flags to the Continental Navy. Prior to the Stars and Stripes was the Continental Colors, which included 13 horizontal red and white stripes for the 13 colonies, and the British Union Jack as a depiction of the rebels' desire for the historic rights of British citizens. The how and why of the change from the Union Jack to stars is not known. Prior to that time, stars were uncommon on flags; since that time, they have become popular. After Kentucky and Vermont joined the Union, two stars and two stripes were added in 1795. Such a flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. The design of the flag again was changed in 1818, with the decision to keep the 13 stripes permanently and to add stars to indicate the current number of states in the Union. To date, the U.S. flag has been through 27 versions, the most recent introduced July 4, 1960, when Hawaii was admitted to statehood. Until 1912, no official pattern existed for the arrangement of the stars. Flags of the 19th century varied greatly in their star patterns, in the number of points on the stars, in the shades of red and blue, in the length-to-width ratio of the flag, and in other details. It was not until the 20th century that such factors were standardized.
  • The Lincoln portrait used on this stamp is taken from a photograph. There is only one cover known with the 90¢ 1869 Pictorial, the famed "Ice House" cover.
    The Lincoln portrait used on this stamp is taken from a photograph. There is only one cover known with the 90¢ 1869 Pictorial, the famed "Ice House" cover.
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