|
The honor, perhaps rightfully so, went to the nation's first First Lady, Martha Washington. Issued in November 1902, the 8-cent Martha Washington was the first U.S. stamp to feature a woman. The year before, the Post Office Department had enjoyed a successful run of the commemorative Pan-American Exposition stamps. But, at more than a decade old, all its regular-issue designs were becoming a bit dated. In an attempt to jazz up its offerings, the Postal Department commissioned new stamps for 1902, giving artists and engravers free rein to show off their intricate handiwork. In the end, only two stamps were regular issues in the Series 1902, the 8-cent Martha Washington and a 13-cent Benjamin Harrison. Mrs. Washington's stamp was introduced at a time when Americans began recognizing the importance of women's contributions to society. Although women had not yet earned the right to vote, the suffrage movement was front of mind. Legend has it that after much squabbling over which prominent woman should be the first to grace a U.S. stamp, Mrs. Washington's name evoked the least controversy. Although a groundbreaking moment for the country, the historic stamp lagged 65 years behind England's 1P Queen Victoria stamp of 1837, and came 55 years after the first U.S. postage stamp, which featured Benjamin Franklin, was issued.
|
