Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative Stamps of 1920

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548 - 550 Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative Stamps of 1920


Cat. # 548
Design # A151
Perf 11
Unwatermarked
Denomination: 1c
Color: green
Date of Issue: Dec. 21, 1920

Prices:
Stamp Single:MNH - 6.75
Mint - 4.50Used - 2.25
Blk of 4 - Mint - 19.00
Used - 12.50
PB#6 - 45.00
NH - 65.00
On cover - 3.50
Dark green - Same
Double transfer - ---

Essay - 548-E1 - 1,500.00 1c Die on India, die sunk on card, green Design 26 x 19mm Incomplete engraving of entire design; sky is blank and sails are unshaded.

Proofs:
548P (1) Large Die 1c green - 1,250.00
548P (2) Small Die 1c green - 1,000.00

First Day Cities: Plymouth, Mass./Any City
Quantity Issued:
Stamps 137,978,207
FDC's (??? )

Purpose: These stamps commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass. in 1620 and the signing of the Mayflower Compact.

FDC Prices: [ ] _______ single [ ] 800.00 pair
[ ] ___ block of 4 [ ] _____ Plate Block of 4
Complete Set of 548-550 on one cover, any city - 2,000.00
Washington, DC - 2,500.00

Stamp Size: 0.74 inches x 0.95 inches horiz.
Designed by Clair A. Huston
Subject: The "Mayflower"

Text: "Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative 1620 - 1920 The Mayflower"

Flat Press Printing Plates of 280 subjects in four panes of 70
Plate numbers used =

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Cat. # 549
Design # A152
Perf 11
Unwatermarked
Denomination: 2c
Colors: carmine rose
Date of Issue: Dec. 21, 1920

Prices: Stamp
Single:MNH - 10.00
Mint - 6.50
Used - 1.60
Blk of 4 - Mint - 27.50
Used - 8.00
PB#6 - 65.00
NH - 90.00
On cover - 2.50
Carmine - same
Rose - same
China Cancellation - ---- rare

Essay - 549-E1 - black - 1,500.00, green - 1,500.00 2c Die on India, die sunk on card, black or green Design 26 x 19mm Incomplete engraving of frame only; "CENTS" engraved, but the numeral circles are blank. This was probably an essay for both the 2c and 5c values.

Proofs:
549P (1) Large Die 2c carmine rose - 1,250.00
549P (2) Small Die 2c carmine rose - 1,000.00

First Day Cities: Plymouth, Mass./Any City
Quantity Issued:
Stamps 196,037,327
FDC's (???)

Purpose: These stamps commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass. in 1620 and the signing of the Mayflower Compact.

FDC Prices: [ ] 650.00 single, Any city
[ ] 900.00 single, Plymouth, Mass.
[ ] _____ pair [ ] _____block of 4
[ ] ______Plate Block of 4

Stamp Size: 0.74 inches x 0.95 inches horiz.
Designed by Clair A. Huston

Subject: Landing of the Pilgrims
Text: "Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative 1620 - 1920 Landing of the Pilgrims"

Flat Press Printing Plates of 280 subjects in four panes of 70
Plate numbers used =

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Cat. # 550
Design # A153
Perf 11
Unwatermarked
Denomination: 5c
Colors: deep blue
Date of Issue: Dec. 21, 1920

Prices: Stamp
Single:MNH - 65.00
Mint - 42.50
Used - 12.50
Blk of 4 - mint - 175.00
Used - 60.00
PB#6 - 475.00
NH - 625.00
On cover - 22.50

Set of 3 - 548-550:MNH - 81.75
Mint - 53.50
Used - 16.35

Proofs:
550P (1) Large Die 5c deep blue - 1,250.00
550P (2) Small Die 5c deep blue - 1,000.00

First Day Cities: Plymouth, Mass./Any city
Quantity Issued:
Stamps 11,321,207
FDC's (???)

Purpose: These stamps commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Mass. in 1620 and the signing of the Mayflower Compact.

FDC Prices: [ ] _______ single (rare)
Stamp Size: 0.74 inches x 0.95 inches horiz.
Designed by Clair A. Huston

Subject: Signing the Compact
Text: "Pilgrim Tercentenary Commemorative 1620 - 1920 Signing the Compact"

Flat Press Printing Plates of 280 subjects in four panes of 70
Plate numbers used =

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© StampMatters 2005

Stamp Designs:

The Mayflower: 1 Cent Green.

The U.S. Post Office issued 3 stamps to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims. Many critics complained that the stamp designs were too small and that caused the designs appear too crowded. They were also the first postage stamps issued which did not have their country of origin engraved. Many stamp collectors thought the stamps were going to be recalled. The 1 cent value shows the ship "Mayflower". On it's voyage, it carried 102 people that were originally traveling to Virginia. The group made landfall at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. They orginally founded the Plymouth Plantation.

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Landing of the Pilgrims: 2 Cent Carmine Rose.

The second issue depicts the Pilgrims historic landing at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Though some complaints were heard in 1920, many stamp experts believe this set of stamps illustrates very fine detail and required extreme skill from the engraver. Philatelists rank this set as one of the outstanding U.S. stamp sets of the 20th century.

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Signing of the Compact: 5 Cent Deep Blue.

The Mayflower Compact united the Pilgrims into a civil unity. It was dedicated to the principle of relighous freedom. The Compact allowed the colony to use a democratic form of government. It was originally headed by John Carver.
While celebrating the Thanksgiving tradition, the impact that the Mayflower Compact had on the shape of world history is often overlooked. In this great historical document lay the seeds of the American Constitution. It symbolized the equality and freedom of expression and religious belief that are the cherished hallmarks of American democracy.

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© StampMatters 2005