First U.S. Commemorative on Colored Paper
On September 22, 1956, the U.S. Post Office issued its first commemorative stamp on colored paper.
In 1956, the U.S. Post Office began work on a stamp to honor the 200th anniversary of Nassau Hall. The hall is the oldest building on the Princeton University campus and was the largest building in New Jersey at the time it was built.
To mark this special occasion, postal officials decided to try something different with this stamp. For the first time ever with a commemorative, they used colored paper. Some previous definitives had been on rag paper that gave them a bluish tint, but the Nassau Hall stamp was quite different. The stamp featured black ink on orange paper – the school’s colors.
The First Day ceremony for the stamp was held at Nassau Hall and the building’s basement was turned into a temporary postal station to cancel thousands of First Day Covers.
More about Nassau Hall
Princeton University was originally founded as the College of New Jersey in 1746. Over the next 10 years, classes were held in Elizabeth and Newark before construction on Nassau Hall was completed. The building was designed by Robert Smith and later remodeled by notable architects Benjamin Latrobe and John Norman.
During the American Revolutionary War, Nassau Hall was occupied by both British and Colonial forces. General George Washington captured Nassau Hall, bringing the battle of Princeton to a successful conclusion for the Colonial Army. This victory marked a major turning point in the Revolutionary War.
From July to October in 1783, the Hall hosted the U.S. government, as the Congress of the Confederation met on the second floor. Princeton University notes, “Here Congress congratulated George Washington on his successful termination of the war, received the news of the definitive treaty of peace with Great Britain, and welcomed the first foreign minister – from the Netherlands – accredited to the United States.”
In 1960, Nassau Hall was designated a National Historic Landmark for “its importance in the Revolutionary War and in the history of the United States.” Today, the hall contains the administrative offices of Princeton University.
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A great lesson in history.
This is a strange looking stamp and stands out. I often wondered why orange and black but never considered school colors.
I look forward to each days new posting. The information you provide for each stamp presented adds to the enjoyment of stamp collecting. Thank you.
I love the look of 50’s era stamps — and so inexpensive.
I as kid growing up in the 50’s this was my most favorite stamp and the one that stood out.
As it turns out, I visited Princeton University when my son did his post Doctorate there and my daughter in law did her Masters program there.
Keep it coming ! I love your history and background-informing explanations about U.S. postage produced and made available. Reading your daily “This Day in History” articles is outstanding !!
Thank you!
I love my TDIH posts. I check it every morning with my coffee.
This stamp stood out for me also. I had just started collecting but I never knew until today that it was done in school colors.