Issue Date: August 10, 1943
City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity: 19,999,646
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Printing Method: Flat-Plate
Perforations: 12
Color: Blue violet, dark rose, light blue, and black

 

U.S. #912 is part of the Overrun Countries Series, which honors each of the nations invaded by Axis powers during World War II. It pictures the flag of Luxembourg, which features red, white, and blue stripes, taken from the Grand Duke’s coat of arms from the 13th century. The flag was first used in the 1840s, but was not officially adopted until 1972.

 

Luxembourg is located in northwestern Europe where Germany, France, and Belgium meet. Siegfried, the Count of Ardennes (a plateau area just north of Luxembourg) built a castle in 963 at the present site of the city of Luxembourg, the nation’s capital city. In 1308, Henry VII, the Count of Luxembourg, became king of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1354, his grandson Charles IV established the Duchy of Luxembourg. Control of the Duchy passed to Burgundy in 1443, France in 1684, Spain in 1697, Austria in 1714, and then backs to France in 1795. After the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Congress of Vienna placed the king of the Netherlands, who was also the grand duke of Luxembourg, in charge of the country. When Wilhelmina became Queen in 1890, Luxembourg declared its independence, as its laws prohibited rule by a woman.

 

Luxembourg was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. Much of the fighting in the “Battle of the Bulge,” which took the lives of thousands of Americans, was fought in the northern portion of this nation. Luxembourg became a member of the United Nations in 1945, and is presently part of the European Community.

 

After receiving several designs from artists who felt the current U.S. postage stamps were unattractive, President Franklin Roosevelt began to consider the types of stamps he wanted to issue. He sought to show the world that America was in this war to achieve world peace, not military dominance. With this in mind, the President suggested the U.S. issue a series of stamps picturing the flags of all the overrun nations in Europe. 

 

After receiving several designs from artists who felt the current U.S. postage stamps were unattractive, President Franklin Roosevelt began to consider the types of stamps he wanted to issue that. He wanted to show the world that America was in this war to achieve world peace, not military dominance. With this in mind, the president suggested the U.S. issue a series of stamps picturing the flags of all the overrun nations in Europe. 

 

In the border surrounding each flag, Roosevelt suggested picturing the Phoenix – an ancient symbol of rebirth. He believed “It might tell those suffering victims in Europe that we are struggling for their own regeneration.” The other side of each flag pictured a kneeling woman “breaking the shackles of oppression.”  

 

When the time came to print the stamps, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was unable to print the multiple colors needed for each flag, so the American Bank Note Company received a special contract for this series. 

 

Additionally, a 5¢ denomination – the foreign rate for first class postage – was chosen so the stamps could be used on overseas mail.  The stamps were printed in relatively small quantities and were in high demand as soon as they were issued, with stocks across the country running out almost as soon as they were released.