Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-24
TWO STAMPS FOR JAMESTOWN
Handsome Shady TWO
POstOf6Os Department Decides TO Allow
the Exposition an Issue.
IoR SMITH AND PockHENTAs NOT on
Episode VIII Net Ne ImmortaliEed
By BeinE MasoBed On n steel
EnEravinE and sold
for Tive Cents.

The bureau OF engraving and printing, IN
Washington. is preparing to print The new
series Of postage stamps 10 commemorate
the so0lh anniversary with the settlement
at jamestown. which is TO be issued con-
temIoraneuuE with the opening Of the
exposition at Norfolk May J. The
striking feature Of these stamps viii be n
negative oue-none Of the stamps VIII
| portray either Captain John Smith whose
life was saved by the Indian maiden.
Pocahontas or Pocahontas herself. Such
a condition Of Affairs seems almost as in
congruous 10 tire 500 COO stamp collectors
In the United stntes, as would the omission
OF Hamlet in the Shakespearean tragedy
Of thai name TO the theater-goer, and yet
II is true
| When the Postofhce department after hav-
| ing previously turned down cold the Lewis
and Clark people. who in accordance with
| previous custom. asked for special series
| uf stamps for the Portland exposition.
yielded 90 strong pressure and finally
| agreed that the jamestown show should
have special stamps. It was regarded as a
foreEone conclusion that either Pocahontas
or Captain John Smith, and probably both.
| would be pictured on the stamps. The de-
partnent officials charged with the issue
Of stamps indicated TO the public thar
sketches and ideas for the new stamps
would be welcomed and given consideration.
j John smith and POcAhOntas.
i AS a result OF this announcement the
department received great numbers Of sug-
Eestions and as might be supposed the great
majority favored depicting Captain John
Smith and Pocahontas on the stamps This
was in harmony with previous ideas OF the
officials Of the stamp division and con-
frrned them in their determination 20
picture the famous couple on these special
stamps, and they at once set about secur-
ing suitable photographs for the purpose.
After searching the entire country for
likenesses Of Pocahontas. the officials were
compelled. absolutely. TO abandon the idea
Of portrBying the Indian maiden upon a
postage stamp that should circulate ex-
tensfvelv among civilized people. Even
the photograph Of Pocahontas which Rp-
peared TO present her at her best depicted
a female. 30 ugly that the stamp experts
simply threw up their hands in despair
end declared that Pocahontas was inpoe-
sble.
Fairly good portraits OF Captain John
Smith were found, but It was not deemed
advisable to honor the gallant captain with
out showing equal courtesy TO the dashing
red-slin in petticoats who had saves his
life at a time when his life was very dear
, 10 him. Thus the hero OF jamestown
; suffers because Of the lack OF personHi
charms OF his dusly savior.
After eliminating Captain Smith and
PocahontRs from the list OF eighties the
: department experts were completely at
sea 70 what 10 DO. 1t was proposed by
many that a picture OF the first church
, erected in America, at jamestown. should
! adorn one OF the stamps. This church
! was in fact simply four long poles stuck
] In the ground, over which was spread q
ships san as protection against sun ana
E rain. The engravers OF the bureau OF en-
? craving and printing did not seem to think
!, this subject could be worked up into q
u satisfactory design and II also was aban-
doned.
One winter Scene.
II has, however. been decided that onG
q OF the stamps shall depict water scene,
group Of people by the sea welcoming
or bidding adieu fleet OF vessels stand
= ing out from the land. This design has
been approved and the engravers are now
. az work making the plate The design for
the other stamp has not been selected
The series. II indeed It can be termed a
SERIES" win consist OF but two stamps
: OF the dernnomination OF ] and 2 cents
!. A strong effort was made TO increase this
number 70 three to include a scent
= value for foreign postage. but the depart
= ment adhered 70 its original purpose TO re-
. strict the issue 10 two denominations.
The jamestown stamps Will be the hfth
commemorative series issued by this gov
- eminent. First came the Columbian
. stamps IN 1898, comprising sixteen denom-
. nations. from ] cent TO So generally re-
. garded as among the most beautiful stamps
!. ever printed. The Omaha or Transmissis-
; sippi series followed in 1895, with nine de-
nominations from j cent to s. Next APP
a peared the Buffalo or Pan-American series,
famous because OF their two colors ana
b. errors" with the central figure upside
down. q copy OF the Scent denomination
q Of which sells for about $3.50 This series
,e was issued in 1901 and consisted only Of
the /. 2 4. 6. s and 1O-cent denominations
II In 1900 the department issued the Louisiana
II Purchase or St. Louis stamps, still fur
e Their reducing the number Of values TO fve.
is the !. 2. g. and 10 cents
\ The department was strongly OPPOSED
E 20 giving the jamestown people more than
single stamp. the 2-eent denuminatio
N but finally consented TO include the ] cent
+ With only two values three stamps viii
ID be required 70 frank letter TO foreign
is country and a parcel requiring Is cents
1r postage win need sight stamps
u The stamps for jamestown will be about
the size of the Pan-Amsrioan slightly
n smaller than the current stamps. lonKe,
1t horizontally than VERTICALLY and viii be
8. printed in only one color each red for the
2-cent and green for the J. These stamps
d win be sale during the life of the ex.
n position only but viii be good for post.
Of age for all time, are all the oommem.
a orsttve stamps. They win be supplied e
o. all postmaHters making requisition fol
~ them but II IL understood the regular L.
sue will be supplied unless the specia.
~ stamps are specifically requested.
III Several millions OF collectors throughou,
re the world are eagerly awaiting the appear,
ne hnce OF the new stamps and suffiuisul
H. numbers will be sold 10 foreign collector.
he TO pay the entire cost Of production.
y.
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