U.S. #1686-89

1976 American Bicentennial 

Issue Date: May 29, 1976

City: Philadelphia, PA

Quantity: 1,990,000

Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Printing Method: Lithographed

Perforations: 11

Color: Multicolored

On May 29, 1976, the Postal Service issued four lithograph souvenir sheets to commemorate INTERPHIL ‘76 (Seventh International Philatelic Exhibition) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Since the U.S. was celebrating its 200th anniversary of Independence, four famous Revolutionary War paintings were chosen as design subjects for the sheets.

 

1.  "Washington Reviewing His Ragged Army at Valley Forge" from a painting by William T. Trego - USA 31¢ 

2.  "Washington Crossing the Delaware" from a painting by Emanual Leutze/Eastman Johnson - USA 24¢ 

3.  "The Declaration of Independence, 4th July 1776 Philadelphia" from a painting by John Trumbull - USA 18¢ 

4.  "The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown" from a painting by John Trumbull - USA 13¢ 

The U.S. Bicentennial lithograph stamp sheets are a series of celebrations during the mid-1970s that commemorated the historic events leading to America’s independence from Great Britain. The official events began on April 1, 1975, when the American Freedom Train departed Delaware to begin a 21-month, 25,338-mile tour of the 48 contiguous states. For more than a year, a wave of patriotism swept the nation as elaborate firework displays lit up skies across the U.S., an international fleet of tall-mast sailing ships gathered in New York City and Boston, and Queen Elizabeth made a state visit. The celebration culminated on July 4, 1976, with the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

The stamp sheets measure 6”H x 8”W and are a "must have" for stamp collectors and enthusiasts. The sheets are new in mint condition.