On April 9, 1954, the USPS introduced a new set of stamps, the Liberty Series, with the issue of an 8¢ red, white, and blue Statue of Liberty stamp.
The Liberty Series was first announced in late 1953, as a replacement for the popular Presidential Series (also known as the Prexies), which had been in use for 15 years. The new series took its name from the first stamp to be issued, picturing the Statue of Liberty.
The Liberty Series would mark a significant departure from the Prexies. It would include “warm portraits” rather than “hard profile busts.” It would also make use of the work of a variety of artists and photographers. Plus, presidents would only make up a small portion of the featured subjects (7 out of 25 denominations).
Additionally, the Liberty Series was only planned to utilize 18 different denominations, whereas the Prexies had 32. It turned out that many of the Presidential denominations were rarely used. So the new series would ensure that no more than two stamps would be needed to pay 60¢ in postage and no more than three for up to $1.60.
The first stamp in the Liberty Series was issued on April 9, 1954. President Dwight D. Eisenhower presided over a special televised ceremony debuting the stamp, which was the first definitive stamp to include the motto, “In God We Trust.”
The Liberty Series was issued from 1954-61. It included definitive stamps with denominations ranging from 1/2¢ to $5. It would be the last 1/2¢ definitive stamp issued by the US.
Eighteenth century America was represented by Revolutionary War heroes and statesmen such as Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, Henry, Jay, and Revere. Leaders of the 19th century including Monroe, Lincoln, Lee, Harrison, and Susan B. Anthony made an appearance. Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and General Pershing represented the 20th century. The Liberty Series also featured famous locations important to America’s democratic history, such as Bunker Hill, Independence Hall, and the Alamo.
US #1053 (Alexander Hamilton) is the key stamp in the series. Due to its high face value it was used primarily on registered mail, typically to mail money between small post offices and Federal Reserve Banks. It is relatively scarce in mint condition.
These stamps were also part of a Bureau of Engraving and Printing experiment that began in 1954. In previous “wet” printings, the paper had a moisture content of 15 to 35 percent. In the experimental “dry” printings, the paper had a moisture content of 5 to 10 percent. This process required stiffer, thicker paper, special inks, and greater pressure to force the paper through the plates.
Stamps produced by dry printing can be distinguished by whiter paper and higher surface sheen. The stamps feel thicker and the designs are more pronounced than on wet printings. So the dry printing experiment was a success, and all US postage stamps have been printed by this method since the late 1950s.
The Liberty Series was generally replaced by the Prominent Americans Series beginning in 1965. However, the 2¢ Jefferson and 25¢ Revere coil stamps were reprinted many times and sold well into the ’80s.
Click here to see all the Liberty Series stamps.
Click here for a brief video about Eisenhower’s presentation and click here for Eisenhower’s remarks on the first stamp’s message.
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I love the look of these modern classic stamps. What is it that makes them so much more attractive than current modern multicolored non-engraved issues?
You already said it. It is the engraving. Some modern stamps are attractive but engraved stamps have a certain detail in their design. It is also noticeable it in the British and French Colonies stamps that I used to collect.
Ironies abound in our history, but here’s one. #1049, a $.30 stamp issued in 1955 contains an image of Robert E. Lee and bears the inscription, “U.S. Postage.” Of course the irony is that Lee served as a general in the Confederate army that fought to destroy the United States.