Antiques

Item Description

A collection of seven first issue U.S.P.S. stamped envelopes accompanying original programs commemorating influential American women. Circa 1990s. Near Mint Condition in Protective Wrappers. 9"h x 6"w with the exception of "Women March for Suffrage."

The 1995 32¢ Women's Suffrage stamp, also known as US FDC #2980, was issued in Washington, DC on August 26, 1995 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. The stamp's design by April Greiman of Los Angeles, California combines photographs of two important events in American history: the 1976 march for the Equal Rights Amendment and the ratification ot the 19th Amendment. The stamp also recognizes the contributions of the women's suffrage movement, which began in 1848 with a women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY. The 19th Amendment, passed by Congress in 1919 and ratified in 1920, legally guarantees American women the right to vote.

The first issue of the Bessie Coleman stamp was on April 27, 1995 in Chicago, Illinois. The 32-cent commemorative stamp is the 18th in the Black Heritage Series and the fifth to honor a woman. It depicts Coleman, also known as "Queen Bess", in her leather flight cap and goggles as a 1920s barnstormer. Coleman (1892-1926) was the first African American woman to become an aviator and to earn an international pilot's license. Inspired by stories of World War I pilots, she pursued her dream of flying despite being turned away by American flight schools at the time because she was Black and a woman.

USPS First Day of Issue Ceremony Program for the dedication of 25¢ Ida B. Wells stamp, Black Heritage series, FDOI, February 1, 1990, Chicago, Illinois. The United States Postal Service (USPS) held a First Day of Issue (FDOI) ceremony on February 1, 1990 at the Museum of Science and Technology in Chicago, Illinois to dedicate the 25-cent Ida B. Wells commemorative stamp. The stamp was the 13th in the Black Heritage Series and honored Wens, a former slave and antilynching activist who dedicated her life to educating people about racial discrimination. Wells was also an early African American Journalist and newspaper editor who reported on lynchings, women's rights, and the women's suffrage movement.

Writer Dorothy Parker was honored with a 29-cent commemorative stamp issued August 22, 1992, in West End, New Jersey. The stamp marked the tenth in the Literary Arts Series of stamps. Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) was born 'Dorothy Rothschild' on August 22, 1893, in West End, New Jersey. After working for a fashion magazine, she became drama critic of the periodical "Vanity Fair" in 1917. When her reviews for "Vanity Fair" were considered too biting and stringent by the publisher, she joined the staff of "The New Yorker." Designed by Greg Rudd, the stamps were printed in photogravure process by Stamp Venturers, Inc.

The Postal Service issued a 78-cent Alice Paul definitive stamp on August 18, 1995 in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The stamp, designed by Chris Calle of Ridgefield, Connecticut, features Alice Paul, an American woman suffrage leader who introduced the first equal rights amendment campaign.

Grace Kelly (1929-1982) is another one of America’s most beloved classic 1950’s film stars. Kelly received formal training in acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. Once she finished her training, she began to receive roles in movies and quickly became a favorite of director Alfred Hitchcock. She appeared in several of Hitchcock’s films including Rear Window, and Dial M for Murder. Two years after her 1954 Academy Award for The Country Girl, Grace Kelly ended her acting career and married Prince Rainier of Monaco. Although her professional career ended when she married, Grace Kelly remained an active and very charitable public figure, who to this day is remembered for her talent on the silver screen.

The Postal Service honored Grace Kelly by featuring her on a United States postage stamp. The stamp was designed by Czeslaw Slania and was issued in Beverly Hills, California.

Marianne Moore (1887-1972) was a satirical poet that won the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and the Bollingen Prize in 1952 for her book, Collected Poems. Moore also edited the artistic journal, The Dial, from 1925-1929. Throughout her career, Moore became one of the most respected poets of her time, and remains an influential literary figure to this day.

Item Special Note

This item will be available for pickup at the Catamount Arts Box Office (115 Eastern Avenue in St. Johnsbury)  during business hours following the Auction. Shipping is available for this item upon request and at the winning bidder's expense; contact samos@catamountarts.org to arrange.