The USA was the real victor of World War II. Other important nations had fought on the winning side but they also paid a heavier price in men and treasure. The USA did less of the fighting and almost none of that on it’s own soil. So it came out on top. What better way than to revel in the new found power and prestige by cloaking the bragging with the uncontroversial postal service. So slip on your smoking jacket, fill your pipe, take your first sip of your adult beverage, and sit back in your most comfortable chair. Welcome to todays offering from The Philatelist.
A while back we did a surprising similar stamp from late 1970s Soviet Union. See, https://the-philatelist.com/2018/04/05/russia-1977-should-be-recruiting-for-the-kgb/ .The late 70s being perhaps when Soviet prospects in the cold war looked most promising. That stamp hinted more of intrigue while the Americans are showing off the then state of art hardware. 72 years later what was an impressive assortment looks more quaint and period. So I will give my nod to the Russian offering, realizing that on the date of issue the nod might have gone the other way.
Todays stamp is issue A394, a three cent stamp issued by the USA on May 17th 1947. It was a single stamp issue commemorating 100 years since the first American stamp. In addition to showing modern mail delivery equipment, it shows the same portraits of George Washington and Ben Franklin that were on the original American stamp issue from 1847. According to the Scott catalog, this stamp is worth 25 cents whether it is mint or used. Mint copies of the original George Washington issue of 1847 are worth $35,000 with Ben Franklin coming in at $6,750.
Ben Franklin was wealthy and had many accomplishments both before and after American independence. During the later stage of the British colonial period he was employed by them as a Postmaster. With revolutionary sympathies, he used his position to read the mail of Loyalists to the Crown. When this was found out, he was hauled before the House of Commons and mocked. A great man, a Man of Letters who then stooped to reading other peoples mail. Franklin was guilty but also humiliated and it is said the experience made him a much more militant revolutionary.
Well my drink is empty and I will pour another to celebrate tax day soon being over. The day is less important for those due a refund as they send their returns in early but those who wait for tax day usually owe. Come again tomorrow for another story that can be learned from stamp collecting.