#690 1931 2¢ Pulaski Issue
See below for details
Basic Info
2¢
Carmine rose, bright carmine rose, deep carmine rose, carmine lake
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Subject: Kazimierz Pułaski
Perforations: 11
Number issued: 96,559,400
Scott #: 693
Issued: January 15th, 1931
Value
Used
25¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
25¢ - 50¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
50¢ - $1
First Day Cover
A first day cover of #690, dated January 15th, 1931
Plate #'s
#690 was issued with the following plate #'s
Number only
20416-27
A full pane
A full pane of 100 of #690, there are four panes of 100 to a sheet of 400
The Story Behind the Stamp
Pułaski landed in America in June 1777. In Washington’s army he served at Brandywine, was made general and chief of cavalry by Congress, and fought at Germantown and in the winter campaign of 1777–78. The Pułaski Legion, a mixed corps he formed in 1778, exploited his experience in guerrilla warfare. In May 1779 he defended Charleston. Wounded at Savannah on October 9, 1779, he died aboard the Wasp.
The stamp was issued with the recognition of Poland's contribution to the American War of Independence. As can be seen from the designs shown below, it was decided to feature the polish flag (on the right of the design) and a sheet of the stamp was presented to the Polish ambassador with great ceremony.
The design inspiration
The vignette is a copy of a 1843 James Hopwood engraving of Kazimierz Pułaski which was based on the 1788 painting by Companeto. Shown above are the various stages of the design for the stamp.
Essay
690 -E
A photo essay of the unadopted frame design on card
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