United States Postage Stamps
A History
Regular, Commementive, Memorial Issues
Introduction
~ Series of 1847
Series of 1851
Series of 1861
Series of 1869
Issues of 1870
Issues of 1890&3
Columbian Series of 1893
Isues of 1894
Trans-Mississippi Exposition Stamps of
1898
Pan-American Stamps of 1901
Series of 1902-3
Lousiana Purchase Commemorative Stamps of
1904
Jamestown Commemorative Stamps of
1907
Issues of 1908-9
Issues of 1909
Issues of 1912
Panama-Pacific
Commemorative Stamps of 1913
Issues of 1914-5
Issues of 1918
Issues of 1919
Pilgram Tercentenary Commemorative Stamps
of 1920
Issues of 1922-23
Issue of 1923
Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Stamps of
1924
Issues of 1925
Issues of 1926
Issues of 1927
Issues of 1928
Issues of 1929
Issues of 1930
Isues of 1931
Washington Bicentennal Commemorative Stamps
of 1932 & other Issues
Issues of 1933
Issues of 1934
Issues of 1935
Special
Souvenior sheets of 1935
Issues of 1936
Issues of 1937
Issues of 1938
Issues of 1939
Famous Americans Commem's of 1940 &
Others
Vnmont Statehood of 1941
Issues of 1942
Overrun Countries commem's of 1943-44 &
Others
Issues of 1944
Roosevelt and Armed Forces Series of 1945
& Others
Issues of 1946
Issues of 1947
Air Mail Stamps
Issues
of 1918-1947
Carriers' Stamps
Issues of 1851
Newspaper & Periodical Stamps
Issues
of 1865
Issues of 1875
Issues of 1895
Offical Postage Stamps
Issues
of 1873-1884
Parcel Post Stamps
Issues of 1912-1913
Postage Due Stamps
Issues of 1879-1930
Parcel Post Postage Due Stamps
Issues of 1912
Postal Savings Offical Stamps
Issues of 1910-1911
Postal Savings Stamps
Issue
of 1911
Registry Stamp
Issue of 1911
Special Delivery Air Mail Stamp
Issue of 1934-1936
Special Delivery Stamps
Issues
of 1885-1925
Special Handling Stamp
Issue of 1925
United States Postage Stamps
1847 through 1947 ~ The first 100 years
Series of 1902-3
This series of postage stamps, known as the 1902 series, was issued to replace the series of 1894. After the new 2-cent stamp was issued it was decided that a more artistic design could be made, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was requested to prepare one. This improved design was first issued to postmasters November 12, 1903.
To add historical and educational interest to the series, the name of the person whose portrait is presented appears on each stamp, and the years of birth and death. The words "Series 1902" appear in small type upon each of the stamps, with the legend "United States of America", "Postage", and the denomination in words in bold.faced white letters as well as in Arabic numerals.
One-cent. -Portrait of Franklin, on each side of which is a child's figure, nude, except for flowing drapery about the loins, holding aloft in the upper corners of the stamp an electric light bulb.
Two-cent. -The portrait of Washington, by Stuart, is in an elliptical opening 6/16 of an inch axis, on each side of which a U.S. flag is draped; the Arabic numeral "2" appears in the lower corners in scroll and leaf surroundings.
Two-cent (revised design) .-The Stuart portrait of Washington is employed as the subject, but the head is larger than in the first 2-cent stamp of the 1902 series. The opening is an oblong on end, the top line curving upward; the background is a U.S. shield; the numeral "2" on the lower left side of the portrait is surrounded by a laurel wreath; that on the right side by an oak wreath.
Three-cent. - The portrait of Jackson, whose shoulders are cloaked, has on each side the upper half a bearded man with naked front. The waist is encircled by a belt with a shield-shaped buckle. One arm is bent above the head and the other forearm flexed upward from the elbow, the hands supporting a robe over the head, back, and sides. The portrait opening is formed by the sides of these figures, and the numerals of value cover the lower limbs of the figure; an arched line above and a straight horizontal line below.
Four-cent. -Portrait of Grant. The distinctive features of the border are eagles' heads looking outward in the upper corners, with a well defined arch, including perpendicular haunches extending slightly below the half circle, as the enclosing line of the portrait. Wreaths of oak leaves surround the numerals near the lower corners, and above each of these numerals are two small flags whose staffs lean outward.
Five-cent. -Portrait of Lincoln. Female figures full robed, except the arms, are resting against the portrait line, and crossing wands of palm over the vignette, with flags floating behind their heads. The numerals are in the lower corners.
Six-cent. -Portrait of Garfield. The border of this stamp is architectural, consisting, as a main feature, of a fluted pilaster on each side, midway of which is a fancy tablet bearing the numeral "6."
Eight-cent. -Martha Washington. The vignette-enclosing line, bearing the words "United States of America" on the upper half, is bordered by a laurel wreath on the sides, leaving an unconnected space above, which is filled with the words "Series 1902." The face is after the painting by Stuart.
Ten-cent. -Portrait of Webster. The ornamental frame consists principally of lateral fasces with battle axes projecting from their tops, edges outward.
Thirteen-cent. -Portrait of Harrison. Resting on each side of the upper half of the elliptical opening for the portrait is a seminude female figure, the lower limbs being draped. That on the right holds a mallet in her right hand, while the left rests on a carved head. That on the left supports with her right hand a book resting on her knee, and the left pushes back the mantle covering her head. The bases supporting these figures and partly hidden columns carry the numerals "13."
Fifteen-cent. -Portrait of Clay. The border consists essentially of portions of an oak wreath showing on the sides, and outside of that appears a short bead line on each side curved with the wreath.
Fifty-cent. -Portrait of Jefferson. The upper corners between the frame of the stamp and the ellipse (which is broken at the bottom by a straight horizontal line) surrounding the vignette are filled by foliate ornaments Perched eagles with their beaks outward fiIl the lower corners; upon these are placed the denomination numerals "50." The original painting of Jefferson is by Gilbert Stuart.
One-dollar. -Portrait of Farragut. The superior border line of the portrait is a haft circle. The denomination numerals and the dollar sign appear in the upper corners. A marine holding a musket sits in the lower left-hand corner and a sailor supporting, boat hook in the right.
Two-dollar. -Portrait of Madison, after the painting by Gilbert Stuart, looking from acircular opening. The border is noticeable from the sprays of palm on the sides, the stems extending behind and below a sharp pointed shield on each lower corner, upon which the denomination in an Arabic numeral is placed.
Five-dollar. -Portrait of vignette is enclosed above Marshall. The vignett is enclosed above by a line describing a half ellipse cut through its lower minor axis. Architectural design predominates in the border; fluted columns form the sides, and on either end of the entablature, immediately above the pillars upon which it rests, are the mythological heads of Liberty and Justice facing each other on the left and right, respectively. The numerals are on scrolled backgrounds near the lower corners.