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Champion of Liberty commemorative stamps

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       Champion of Liberty series

— Printed by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing
— Issued between 1957 and 1961

Champion of Liberty commemorative stamps, also known as the Champion of Liberty series, were a series of nineteen commemorative stamps issued periodically by the United States Post Office between 1957 and 1961 in honor of the men who fought for the cause of freedom and independence in their home countries. The stamp issues also served as a political and social statement against the perceived totalitarianism of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The First day covers were postmarked in Washington D.C. with specially made "First Day of Issue" cancellations that often included a symbol related to the man commemorated on the given issues.[1][2]

Champion of Liberty series

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With one exception, each subject depicted on the Champion of Liberty stamps were printed in 4-cent and 8-cent denominations, and were first issued on the same date in the same city. The Magsaysay 8-cent issue of 1957 was only issued in an 8-cent denomination and perforated 11 gauge, while all the other issues were issued in 4-cent and 8-cent denominations and were perforated 10½ by 11 gauge. The 4-cent stamps were printed in one color, while the 8-cent stamps were printed with three colors. All issues were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the Giori Press. The Champion of Liberty series of stamps were all first issued in Washington DC, on their respective dates of issue.[1][3]

1957 issue

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Magsaysay, 8c, 1958 issue

Ramon Magsaysay was a Filipino statesman who served as the seventh president of the Philippines, from December 30, 1953, until his death in an aircraft disaster on March 17, 1957.[4][5][a] An oversized stamp issue compared to the others in the series, this is the only Champion of Liberty stamp that was first issued in the year 1957, in Washington DC on August 31 of that year.[6]

Magsaysay, FDC cancellation, August 31, 1957

1958 issues

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Lajos Kossuth,1958 issues

Lajos Kossuth, or Louis Kossuth, was a leader of the Hungarian Revolution, and supported a war for independence from the Austrian Empire. Kossuth became Regent-President of Hungary in 1849. The war ended later that year when the Hungarian forces surrendered to Russia and Austria. Kossuth went into exile, visiting and speaking with officials in the United Kingdom and the United States. He died in exile in Italy.[7][8] The Lajos Kossuth issue was first Issued in Washington D.C, on September 19, 1958.[9]

Lagos Kossuth FDC cancellation, September 19, 1958   (detail)

Simon Bolivar, 1958 issues

Simon Bolivar was one of the most influential leaders in the several South American struggles for Independence. Bolivar rallied the different races and ethnic groups together and led Columbia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire, which led to the ultimate transformation of the governments and social structures of South America.[10] The Bolivar issues were first released in Washington DC on July 24, 1958.[11]

Simon Bolivar, FDC cancellation, July 24, 1958  (detail)

1959 issues

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Ernst Reuter, 1959 issues

Ernst Reuter was the Mayor of West Berlin from 1948-1953. He was captured and imprisoned by the Nazis in 1933 and release in 1935, after which he went into exile in Turkey, where he remained until the end to the war. He returned to Germany to help rebuild the country. He actively promoted the idea of a unified Berlin and was active in the effort to unify the western sectors. He, assisted with the Berlin Airlift and politically opposed the Soviet Union government. Reuter was the fifth person featured in the Champions of Liberty series.First issued in Washington DC, September 29, 1959.[12]

Ernst Reuter "First Day of Issue" cancellation, September 29, 1959  (detail)

José de San Martín, 1959 issues

Jose de San Martin was a South American soldier and statesman who played a central role in many South American countries’ ability to gain independence from Spain. San Martin was born in 1778 in what is present day Argentina. He attended school and served in the Spanish Army Spain and later returned to his native South American homeland to participate in the spreading liberation movement. He assisted the Argentinian army against Spanish forces and helped Chile and Peru to gain their independence.[13][14] The Jose de San Martin commemorative postage stamps were first issued in Washington DC, February 25, 1959.[15]

Jose de San Martin "First Day of issue" cancellation, February 25, 1959  (detail)

1960 issues

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Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, 1960 issues

Tomáš Masaryk, founder and first president of Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1935. Following the outbreak of the World War I, Masaryk sought for a separate country for Czechs and Slovaks, independent from the Austria-Hungary Empire. [16] The Masaryk issues were first released in Washington D.C. on the 110th anniversary of his birth, February 25, 1959.[17]

Masaryk, FDC cancellation, February 25, 1959  (detail)

Marshal Mannerheim, 1960 issue

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim served as military leader during the Finnish Civil War and World War II. He was promoted to the honorary rank of Field Marshal for his distinguished service as general. He went on to serve as the sixth President of Finland.[18] The Carl Gustaf issues were first released in Washington, DC on October 26.1960.[19]

Gustaf Karl Mannerheim, FDC cancellation, October 26, 1960

Giuseppe Garibaldi, 1960 issues

Giuseppe Garibaldi, was an Italian patriot, known for assisting with the reunification of Italy in the 19th century. He participated in revolutionary struggles of Brazil and Uruguay while in exile in South America. Garibaldi returned to Italy in 1848 to fight in its war of independence. He served in military campaigns against Austria and France. Issue in Washington DC, November 2, 1960.[20]

Giuseppe Garibald, FDC cancellation, November 2, 1960

Ignacy Jan Paderewski,1960 issues

Ignacy Jan Paderewski, was an accomplished composer and pianist. . As an active member of the Polish National Committee he served as a representative to Washington who met with President Woodrow Wilson. After the First World War ended, he was appointed Prime Minister of Poland and later served as Polish Ambassador to the League of Nations. During World War II when German forces invaded and occupation Poland in 1939, he became the leader of the Polish National Council, which functioned as a Polish parliament while in exile in London. Paderewski ultimately "welded together" a new Poland.[21] The Paderewski issues were first released in Washington DC on October 8, 1960.[22]

Ignacy Jan Paderewski, FDC cancellation, October 8, 1960

1961 issues

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In 1961 the U.S. government issued two commemorative stamps in honor of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi spend the earlier part of his life advocating for the rights of native Africans in South Africa from 1893 to 1914, where he formed many pf his social and political views. In 1915 he began fighting for India's independence through non-violent activism.. Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi on January 30,1948, by Nathuram Godse. At the time of his death he had no belongings other than some clothing and a few other menial items.[23] The Gandhi commemorative stamps were first issued January 26, 1961, and were the last two stamps issued in the Champion of Liberty Series. They were first issued in the Postmaster General's Reception Room in the Post Office Building in Washington, DC[19]

Gandhi, FDC cancellation, October 26, 1961

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ General Cabal said metal fatigue had broken a drive shaft that caused power failure aboard the twin-engine C-47 after takeoff from Cebu City on the Island of Cebu on a flight to Manila.", resulting in the crash.[5]

Citations

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  1. ^ a b Houseman, 2013, pp. details of stamps are listed from 1957-1960
  2. ^ Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Champion of liberty series, outline
  3. ^ Stamp Collecting World essay and outline.
  4. ^ Rabasa & Gordon, 2011, pp. 9-40
  5. ^ a b United Press International (April 27, 1957). "Magsaysay Death Clue (pay site)". New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
  6. ^ Hosueman, 2016, pp. 104-105
  7. ^ Shanor, 2001, p. 425
  8. ^ Sperber, 2005, p. 281
  9. ^ Houseman, 2013, p.106
  10. ^ Arna, 2013, pp. 4-8
  11. ^ Houseman, 2013, pp. 105-106
  12. ^ Houseman, 2013, p. 107
  13. ^ Robert, 2000, pp. x, xvi, 193-197
  14. ^ Lynch, 2009, pp. xi=xiii
  15. ^ Houseman, 2013, pp.106-107
  16. ^ Newman, 1960, pp. 109, 189-190, 218
  17. ^ Houseman, 2016, p. 108
  18. ^ Clements, 2012, pp. 202, 226, 234, 240,
  19. ^ a b Houseman, 2016, p. 110
  20. ^ Hibbert, 1966, pp. vii-ix
  21. ^ Phillips,1934, p. ix
  22. ^ Houseman, 2016, pp. 108, 426
  23. ^ Brown, 2004, pp. 372-378

Bibliography

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Books:

Online sources: