Scotts #707 US stamps

#707 1932 Washington Bicentennial 2¢

2¢ Rose carmine, bright rose carmine, deep rose carmine, carmine

Printing Method: Rotary Press
Subject: George Washington
Perforations: 11 x 10½
Number issued: 4,222,207,900
Scott #: 707
Issued: January 1st, 1932

Value

Used
10¢ - 25¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
25¢ - 40¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
40¢ - $1

First Day Covers

A first day cover, dated January 1st, 1932

Plate #'s

#707 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
20555-56, 77-78, 83-84
20630-31, 44-45, 84-85, 96-97
20706-07, 16-17, 26-27, 33-34, 49-50, 51-56, 59-64, 67-68, 71-74, 81-84, 89-96
20801-06

Two plates were created for booklet panes, as well as plates for sideways and endways coils, however none were issued.

The Story Behind the Stamp

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.