U.S. #2149
1985 18¢ George Washington and Monument

• Second stamp issued for the first-class presort rate that was established in 1981
• First stamp to have First Day ceremony held at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Stamp Category:  Definitive
Value:  ...  more

U.S. #2149
1985 18¢ George Washington and Monument

• Second stamp issued for the first-class presort rate that was established in 1981
• First stamp to have First Day ceremony held at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Stamp Category:  Definitive
Value:  18¢; the first-class presort letter rate
First Day of Issue:  November 6, 1985
First Day City:  Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued:  17,500,000
Printed by:  Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method:  Photogravure
Format:  Coils of 500
Perforations:  10 vertically

Why the stamp was issued:  This new issue covered the first-class presort letter rate which was established in 1981. To qualify for this rate, a mailer had to present 500 pieces of mail at one time. The mail had to be presorted into groups of ten or more being sent to the same five-digit ZIP Code, or of fifty or more sorted according to the first three digits of the ZIP Code.  The 18¢ value also met the additional ounce rate for first-class letters mailed to Canada and Mexico.

Between April 1984 and this stamp’s November 1985 issue, there was no George Washington stamp in circulation for the first time in 142 years.  Many were upset that the Washington stamp wasn’t a standard first-class rate stamp – in fact, it was only available from the philatelic sales agency or in coils of 500 at a small number of post offices.  Additionally, the Washington Monument hadn’t appeared on a US stamp since 1960.

About the stamp design:  This was the first stamp design for artist Thomas Szumowski.  He based the image of George Washington on the famed Gilbert Stuart painting that has been featured on numerous stamps since 1851. 

Special design details:  The 18¢ Washington and Monument stamp was available with and without a precancel.  #2149 has no precancel, while #2149a has a precancel.  The non-precanceled stamps have a four-digit plate number while the precanceled stamps have a five-digit plate number – an extra plate for the printing of the precancel.  The BEP made sure that its precancels were applied in the lower portion of the stamp, so that they wouldn’t cover Washington’s face.

Precancels are stamps canceled before being sold, to make mailing faster and cheaper for customers with large amounts of mail.  Bulk mailers use precancels, then pre-sort their mail and save money.  The USPS makes these stamps available with and without precancels for two reasons.  One reason is to create another variety for stamp collectors.  The other, is so the stamps can be used as add-on postage for packages slightly overweight.

First Day City:  The First Day ceremony for this stamp was the first ever to be held at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC.

Unusual fact about this stamp:  Errors of this stamp exist imperforate, tagging omitted, and with dull or low gloss gum.

History the stamp represents:  The Washington Monument was designed by Robert Mills (1781-1855), the first professionally trained architect born in America. The Charleston, South Carolina, native designed a number of government buildings in Washington, DC, including the General Post Office and the Washington Monument.

Mills established a truly American form of architecture with highly practical, solidly constructed public buildings inspired by classic Greek revival. The hallmark of Mill’s architectural designs was an effect of great dignity and massiveness. 

Mills trained with James Hoban, architect of the White House, for approximately two years. Mills moved to Philadelphia and began his association with B. H. Latrobe, the architect of the US Capitol Building, who had a profound effect on the young man.

Mills returned to Charleston to serve as the state’s engineer and architect. In 1836, President Andrew Jackson appointed Mills to the position of architect of Washington, DC’s, public buildings. At age 29, Mills was responsible for the design and construction supervision of the Treasury Building, the Patent Office, and the US Post Office.

Also known as the Tariff Building, the General Post Office is fashioned after the Temple of Jupiter in ancient Rome. Walt Whitman considered the marble masterpiece “the noblest of Washington buildings.” Through the years, the building housed the Smithsonian’s Museum of American Art and its national Portrait Gallery as well as the Patent Office and the Tariff Commission.

Mills’ design for the Washington Monument was selected in a private nationwide competition. Construction began in 1836, was interrupted by politics and the Civil War, and finally completed in 1884. The Washington monument is the tallest piece of free-standing masonry in the world, and was the world’s tallest building until the Eiffel Tower was completed.