Great Americans series

Great Americans series. The Great Americans series was a definitive postage stamp program issued by the United States Postal Service from 1980 to 1999. It succeeded the Prominent Americans series and was designed to honor a wide array of influential figures from American history. Over its two-decade run, it became one of the longest-running and most comprehensive definitive series in U.S. philatelic history.

Overview

The series was conceived by the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to provide a broader and more diverse representation of national heroes than previous definitive issues. It was launched during the tenure of Postmaster General William F. Bolger and coincided with a period of increased interest in American biography and heritage. Unlike commemorative stamps, which are printed in limited quantities, these stamps were produced for many years to meet everyday postal needs, featuring a standard bust or portrait design. The program aimed to educate the public about contributions from fields such as science, literature, social reform, and the arts.

Design and production

All stamps in the series shared a uniform, horizontal format and were printed primarily via the intaglio process by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The standard design featured a detailed engraved portrait of the subject, often based on historical photographs or paintings, positioned to the right. The left side consistently displayed the subject's name in bold type, the denomination, and the words "USA" and "Great Americans". Notable engravers and designers involved included Bradbury Thompson and Thomas Hipschen, who worked from source material like the portraits held by the Smithsonian Institution or the Library of Congress. The paper used often included phosphor tagging for automated mail processing, and stamps were issued in panes of 200 or coils for vending machines.

Stamps in the series

The series comprised over 60 distinct stamps, each issued at the prevailing first-class mail rate over time, beginning with the 15-cent denomination. Early issues honored presidents like John Adams and James Monroe, alongside inventors such as Eli Whitney and Samuel F. B. Morse. Subsequent releases expanded to include figures like author Willa Cather, jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., and nurse Clara Barton. Significant inclusions were activists like Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, scientists like Linus Pauling and Rachel Carson, and artists like Winslow Homer and Frank Lloyd Wright. The final stamps issued in the 1990s featured individuals such as John Muir and Alexander Graham Bell, with the last issuance believed to be the stamp honoring Hyman G. Rickover.

Legacy and impact

The series is highly regarded by collectors for its cohesive design and educational value, forming a core part of modern United States stamp collections. It influenced subsequent definitive series, including the Distinguished Americans series which followed it. The widespread and prolonged use of these stamps made the visages of many lesser-known historical figures a common sight across the United States, arguably raising public awareness. The program's end coincided with the increased use of definitives featuring flags and non-portrait themes, but it remains a benchmark for biographical stamp issues. Today, complete sets are sought after in philately, and the stamps are frequently used in educational displays at institutions like the National Postal Museum.

Category:Postage stamps of the United States Category:Definitive postage stamp series