Background Information About Scott #1585

Hi- I'm seeking historical information about this particular stamp (Scott 1585) from 1975 that features the following text "A Public That Reads - A Root of Democracy." In particular I want to know 1) what was the occasion for this stamp, 2) what are the books featured in the stamp (if not generic), and 3) who designed the stamp. I will be grateful for this information. If you know of another web source that has details (not just technical) about this stamp, I'll appreciate the information, too. -Amy

4 cent, books and eyeglasses, "A Public That Reads * A Root of Democracy", St. Louis MO, Dec. 8, 1977

The Americana series was a series of United States definitive postage stamps issued between 1975 and 1981. Denominations ranged from one cent to five dollars. It superseded the Prominent Americans series, and was in turn superseded by the Great Americans series and the Transportation coils.

The issue was notable for its distinctive style, with text (generally relating to American history or freedoms) along two sides of the stamp. While the stamps were not part of the Bicentennial Series of stamps issued from 1971-1983, the historical theme fit in well. The twenty sheet stamps, placed in denomination order in blocks of four, form five blocks of four all with text entirely on the outside. Three of the blocks have themes: The first, "Roots of Democracy", the second and third lack themes, the fourth, "Pioneer America", and the fifth, "America's Light".

Among philatelists, the series is most famous for the CIA invert. An invert error of the $1 lamp stamp, it was so named because the original sheet was bought by a CIA employee who had gone to the post office to buy some stamps.
1 cent, 1977

The 16 cent and the 29 cent were issued for a proposed, but never implemented "business rate" for first class mail, which was to be higher than the personal rate (only letters with handwritten addresses would be eligible for the lower rate). The proposed rate was rejected by the Postal Rate Commission which chose instead a 15 cent rate (for two ounces, 28 cents) for all mail. Since the 16 and 29 cent stamps satisfied no rate, and were not a convenient round number, they saw little use.

The design for the 1 cent stamp was originally designated for a never-issued 26 cent stamp.

Many of the stamps were issued in mid-November in New York City. At the time, it was usual to have a stamp issuance during the annual stamp show for the American Stamp Dealers Association, which was then held in mid-November in New York City. The March stamps issued in New York were issued at the ASDA-sponsored INTERPEX show.

The series was the first omnibus definitive series in U.S. history not to include a five cent stamp

To respond to Item #3 (who designed the stamp), the detail is as follows:

Red Crayon. Thanks for coming to the Forum.




In a sense, this is propaganda, if you are not from The West!

It means that a strong basis for Democracy is an educated citizenship and infers that this is possible because of Freedom of the Press.

Today we have a public that texts and checks its email.

Thank you, everyone! It's great to get an enthusiastic bunch. As it must be obvious by now, I'm newbie and doing background research for a client's personal stamp collection. I may be back with more questions for other stamps, especially those from overseas. It's an interesting but laborious job.

cool job how do we get that one?

welcome. I hope the research pays off. You will be amazed at the historical and geographical information you will learn from stamps. Stamp collecting is known as the hobby of kings.

Edwin, I created this job, alas without funding. But, I'm doing it for the learning experience. Looks good on my resume.

Stamerdude, you must be right. I have no intention of becoming a stamp collector but these stamps do draw you in. It's been frustrating to find so little information about some of them. Maybe, I haven't looked in the right places. I'll know soon enough.

And in the interest of education, if not Democracy ...



The person who hints or suggests IMPLIES; the one who assumes or draws a conclusion INFERS


KirkS

Today we have a public that texts and checks its email.

A lot of emails I receive have links to news stories. A lot of my texts have breaking news that gets to me faster than a paper -- or even website -- can. It all depends on whether it's used as an auxiliary or a replacement. {shrug}