The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-03-20
WASHINGTON s
Picture on the Two Gen,
Stamps Said to
be Bum
DOESN'T LOOK GOOD

Washington's portrait has been
borne by many Of the regular United
States postage stamps from the very
first year of their issue down TO the
present time, and yet II Is an open
question whether single one Of these
representations Is faithful likeness
Of the Father OF His Country.
The first United States stamp to
bear the bust of Washington was the
ten cent black of the 1S47 issue. which
showed three-quarters face Of Wash
ington, looking TO the right; the por.
trait was taken from Stuart's painting.
OF the 1876 issue the three cent
brick red stamps bore profile bust or
Washington, facing to the left.
The ten cent dark green and the
twelve cent black stamp of the same
issue show a three-quarters face also
being taken from Stuart's painting.
The twenty-four cent dark lilac stamp
OF the 1857-G0 issue showed q three
quarters face to the right, from Stu
arts painting, while the ninety cent
indigo blue stamp Of the same issue
showed portrait Of Washington in
Generals uniform, after the paining
by Trumbull.
The three cent stamp OF the 1870
issue showed the bust OF Washington,
after Houdon's statue, the bust being
on a shield which rested on a dimly
lined ground. OF the issue OF 1890 the
two cent stamp showed profile OF tho
bust OF Washington; after Houdon.
Many of the other stamps have
borne designs similar to those de-
scribed. but the portraits have almost
invariably been taken from the works
OF the three artists-Stuart, Trumbull
and Houdon.
The widely known Stuart represen-
tatlon OF Washington shows him with
a broad face bearing a dignifed. bene-
violent expression. This may be said
to be the favorite portrait of Wash.
ington. the one carried in the mind Of
the average American. Yet II has
been contended that II is defective as
likeness.
Washington, say those who fnd
fault with the Stuart portrait, had
rather thin face, and in proof OF this
they point to Houdon's statue OF
Washington In the Capitol at Rich
mond, Va. The French sculptor was
commissioned In 1885 by the State AS
sembly OF Virginia TO execute a statue
OF Washington In marble.
He visited Washington at his home
at Mount Vernon In 1855 and took a
plaster cast OF his face. Later he
made many minute measurements OF
his height, costume, &C., and endeav.
ored TO show him just as he was at
that time. The result was the statue
which by some is regarded as the
best representation In marble OF Wash
ington ever executed.
When Congress commissioned the
French medallist Du Vivier to execute
a medal to commemorate Washing
toms services leading up to the evac'
uation of Boston by the British he fol
lowed the portrait In the Houdon stat
ne. That medal, experts say, Is the
most faithful metallic likeness OF
Washington ever produced. American
artists time and again in executing
medals of Washington have selected
as their model the work OF Du Vivier.
Both Charles and Rembrandt Peale
painted portraits OF Washington. and a
distinguishing feature Of their like
nesses is the invariable thinness of
face. II 10 related that Rembrandt
Peale, not thoroughly satisfied with
his previous efforts. resolved to at
tempt the painting Of still more
faithful likeness Of Washington. Aft.
er finishing his work, which he paint
ed from memory, he called In Col.
Lawrence Washington to pass tudg'
ment.
Col. Washington paced Up and down
before the painting. pleased TO GER
tain extent. and yet not seemingly
completely satisfied. After an inter
val Of scrutiny he said; 'Pesie. that
is very good reproduction. but there
10 something lacking" and he left. to
come back next day.
Psaie In Q letter 10 a friend at the
time says the idea suddenly occurred \