Scotts #714 US stamps

#714 1932 Washington Bicentennial 9¢

9¢ Pale pink, pink, deep pink

Printing Method: Rotary Press
Subject: George Washington
Perforations: 11 x 10½
Number issued: 53,537,400
Scott #: 714
Issued: January 1st, 1932

Value

Used
20¢ - 25¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
30¢ - 40¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
50¢ - $1.25

First Day Covers

A first day cover, dated January 1st, 1932

Plate #'s

#714 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
20640-41

The Story Behind the Stamp

Washington's Tomb at Mount Vernon

The 200th anniversary of George Washington's birthday was considered by the Post Office a big event. The original proposal was to issue a series of bi-color stamps featuring the life of the president. An example is shown above. That was changed when a portrait of Washington by Robert Peel was discovered. This gave the Postmaster General the idea of featuring various portraits of Washington on the series.

The design inspiration

The vignette was based on the above 1794 pastel of George Washington by William J. Williams. George Washington is in his Masonic Lodge regalia, however it was petitioned that the regalia should not be shown in the stamps vignette, resulting in the removal of the ribbon.