1990 Constitution Bicentennial
# 2412-15 - 1990 Constitution Bicentennial
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U.S. #2412-15
Government Branches
Constitution Bicentennial
- Get the complete set of four stamps honoring the three branches of government (separate stamps represent Senate and the House)
- Stamps issued for 200th anniversary of each branch
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Constitution Bicentennial
Value: 25¢, first-class rate
First Days of Issue:
#2412: April 4, 1989
#2413: April 6, 1989
#2414: April 16, 1989
#2415: February 2, 1990
First Day Cities: Washington, DC (#2412, 2413, 2415), Mt. Vernon, Virginia (#2414)
Quantities Issued:
#2412: 138,760,000
#2413: 137,985,000
#2414: 138,580,000
#2415: 150,545,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved
Format: Panes of 50 in sheets of 200
Perforations: 11
Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the US Constitution and each of the branches it created.
About the stamp designs:
House of Representatives (#2412): The House of Representatives Bicentennial stamp pictures the “Car of History,” an 1819 marble clock by Italian sculptor Carlo Franzoni. Also known as the Franzoni clock, it has long had a close association with the House of Representatives. Today it’s on display above the north entrance to Statuary Hall, which used to be the House chamber in the US Capitol. The clock depicts Clio, the Muse of History, standing in a winged Chariot of Time, documenting history. The chariot’s wheel is the clock face. Carlo Franzoni was one of several Italian sculptors who came to the US in 1815 to help decorate the US Capitol after it had been burned by the British in the War of 1812. He reportedly based his depiction of Clio on his niece
United States Senate (#2413): Howard Koslow based his stamp design on a wood and metal statue that sits above the vice president’s chair in the Old Senate Chamber of the US Capitol. The stamp is a closely cropped image of the gilt eagle with outstretched wings, a ribbon in its beak, and arrows in its talons. The eagle stands on a shield with the stars and stripes. It's unknown who created the sculpture or when it was installed, but it was included in Capitol Architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s plans for the Senate chamber in 1809.
Executive Branch (#2414): The Executive Branch stamp pictures a bronze statue of George Washington by John Quincy Adams Ward. Completed in 1883, it stands in the same spot where Washington stood at Federal Hall for his first inauguration. Washington’s inauguration had been featured on a stamp before (US #854).
Supreme Court (#2415): Selecting a fitting image for the Supreme Court stamp turned out be more difficult than any of the other stamps in the series. Artist Howard Koslow mocked up several stamps depicting figures from a plaster relief in the original Supreme Court chamber. He also submitted designs showing busts of early chief justices John Jay and John Marshall, at the suggestion of a sitting Supreme Court justice they’d shown the stamp designs to. Eventually, it was decided that the stamp would picture John Marshall. The likeness was based on multiple sources: a seated bronze statue by William Wetmore that sits in the Supreme Court building, an 1828 John B. Martin painting that hangs in the Supreme Court justices’ conference room, an engraving by Charles Schlecht, and a painting by Henry Inman.
First Day Cities: The First Day Ceremony for the House of Representatives stamp was held in Statuary Hall (the former House of Representatives chamber) in the US Capitol. It was issued three days after the 200th anniversary of the House of Representative’s first formal session, which took place on April 1, 1789.
The First Day Ceremony for the Senate stamp was held in the Old Senate Chamber in the US Capitol in Washington, DC. The Senate used that chamber until 1859. It was issued on the 200th anniversary of the Senate’s first formal session, which took place on April 6, 1789, in Federal Hall, New York City.
The First Day ceremony for the Executive Branch stamp was held at Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, Virginia. The ceremony marked the start of two weeks of a re-enactment journey. An actor portraying George Washington departed Mt. Vernon and spent the next two weeks making the same stops Washington had 200 years earlier, leading up to his arrival at Federal Hall on April 30. The USPS offered pictorial cancels of 18 cities along the route where he stopped.
The First Day ceremony for the Supreme Court stamp was held in the Lower Great Hall of the Supreme Court building. It was issued on the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s first session, February 2, 1790, in what was then the US capital, New York City.
About the Constitution Bicentennial Series: This series was produced in 1989 and 1990 to commemorate the 200th anniversary the Constitution as well as our three branches of government it created. However, the USPS opted to do four stamps, so both chambers of Congress could have their own stamps. Both for political considerations and because they each have their own anniversary dates.
The three branches had previously been honored on stamps as part of a set honoring the 150th anniversary of the creation of the District of Columbia. That set pictured each of the buildings in which they operated. Early mockups for the Bicentennial stamps also included these buildings along with other recognizable symbols associated with the branches. The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee felt that had been done enough times already and wanted to do something else. Eventually they settled on depictions of sculptural objects relating to each branch with a matching black and gold color scheme. Stamp artist Howard Koslow visited the US Capitol and Supreme Court and spoke to experts and historians about which subjects would be best for each stamp.
History the stamp represents: On March 4, 1789, the US Congress met for the first time under the terms of the recently ratified US Constitution.
In the spring of 1787, delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island didn’t participate, as they opposed a national government) met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation. The Constitutional Convention opened on May 4.
The members of the convention ultimately drafted the new constitution based largely on the ideas of James Madison and signed it on September 17. In order for the proposed constitution to take effect, at least nine out of 13 states needed to ratify it. Five states ratified it that December, but some states, particularly Massachusetts, were unhappy with it. They felt the Constitution didn’t provide enough protection for freedom of speech, religion, the press, and the right to bear arms. In February 1788, they reached a compromise – those states would ratify the Constitution on the promise that amendments would be adopted to address their concerns. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it legally binding.
On March 4, 1789, the Confederation Congress passed the power of the government over to the new US Congress operating under the Constitution. That day, the new Congress met for the first time at Federal Hall in New York City. During that session, James Madison also introduced the first draft of the Bill of Rights for consideration. But neither the House nor the Senate had enough members present to vote, and it would be a month before they all arrived. Finally, that September they agreed on the Bill of Rights and sent it to the states for ratification, which would take two years.
After this initial March 4 meeting, Congress moved the first day of business to December 1. However, March 4 would still hold special significance – it would be the last day of Congress’ two-year sessions. It would also be the day a new president was inaugurated. But as it turned out, this created some issues. Following a November election, Congress members that may have lost an election would have to continue to serve in a long “lame duck” session. On two occasions, lame-duck House sessions elected presidents (Thomas Jefferson in 1800 and John Quincy Adams in 1824). And in 1860, lame duck president James Buchanan and a divided Congress saw seven states secede from the Union after Abraham Lincoln was elected.
Eventually, the government realized the issues with the March 4 date. In 1933, they passed the 20th Amendment. This amendment set January 3 as the first day of a new Congress and January 20 as inauguration day for the president. It also stated the previous congressional and presidential terms would end just before the new ones began.
U.S. #2412-15
Government Branches
Constitution Bicentennial
- Get the complete set of four stamps honoring the three branches of government (separate stamps represent Senate and the House)
- Stamps issued for 200th anniversary of each branch
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Constitution Bicentennial
Value: 25¢, first-class rate
First Days of Issue:
#2412: April 4, 1989
#2413: April 6, 1989
#2414: April 16, 1989
#2415: February 2, 1990
First Day Cities: Washington, DC (#2412, 2413, 2415), Mt. Vernon, Virginia (#2414)
Quantities Issued:
#2412: 138,760,000
#2413: 137,985,000
#2414: 138,580,000
#2415: 150,545,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Lithographed and engraved
Format: Panes of 50 in sheets of 200
Perforations: 11
Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the US Constitution and each of the branches it created.
About the stamp designs:
House of Representatives (#2412): The House of Representatives Bicentennial stamp pictures the “Car of History,” an 1819 marble clock by Italian sculptor Carlo Franzoni. Also known as the Franzoni clock, it has long had a close association with the House of Representatives. Today it’s on display above the north entrance to Statuary Hall, which used to be the House chamber in the US Capitol. The clock depicts Clio, the Muse of History, standing in a winged Chariot of Time, documenting history. The chariot’s wheel is the clock face. Carlo Franzoni was one of several Italian sculptors who came to the US in 1815 to help decorate the US Capitol after it had been burned by the British in the War of 1812. He reportedly based his depiction of Clio on his niece
United States Senate (#2413): Howard Koslow based his stamp design on a wood and metal statue that sits above the vice president’s chair in the Old Senate Chamber of the US Capitol. The stamp is a closely cropped image of the gilt eagle with outstretched wings, a ribbon in its beak, and arrows in its talons. The eagle stands on a shield with the stars and stripes. It's unknown who created the sculpture or when it was installed, but it was included in Capitol Architect Benjamin Henry Latrobe’s plans for the Senate chamber in 1809.
Executive Branch (#2414): The Executive Branch stamp pictures a bronze statue of George Washington by John Quincy Adams Ward. Completed in 1883, it stands in the same spot where Washington stood at Federal Hall for his first inauguration. Washington’s inauguration had been featured on a stamp before (US #854).
Supreme Court (#2415): Selecting a fitting image for the Supreme Court stamp turned out be more difficult than any of the other stamps in the series. Artist Howard Koslow mocked up several stamps depicting figures from a plaster relief in the original Supreme Court chamber. He also submitted designs showing busts of early chief justices John Jay and John Marshall, at the suggestion of a sitting Supreme Court justice they’d shown the stamp designs to. Eventually, it was decided that the stamp would picture John Marshall. The likeness was based on multiple sources: a seated bronze statue by William Wetmore that sits in the Supreme Court building, an 1828 John B. Martin painting that hangs in the Supreme Court justices’ conference room, an engraving by Charles Schlecht, and a painting by Henry Inman.
First Day Cities: The First Day Ceremony for the House of Representatives stamp was held in Statuary Hall (the former House of Representatives chamber) in the US Capitol. It was issued three days after the 200th anniversary of the House of Representative’s first formal session, which took place on April 1, 1789.
The First Day Ceremony for the Senate stamp was held in the Old Senate Chamber in the US Capitol in Washington, DC. The Senate used that chamber until 1859. It was issued on the 200th anniversary of the Senate’s first formal session, which took place on April 6, 1789, in Federal Hall, New York City.
The First Day ceremony for the Executive Branch stamp was held at Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, Virginia. The ceremony marked the start of two weeks of a re-enactment journey. An actor portraying George Washington departed Mt. Vernon and spent the next two weeks making the same stops Washington had 200 years earlier, leading up to his arrival at Federal Hall on April 30. The USPS offered pictorial cancels of 18 cities along the route where he stopped.
The First Day ceremony for the Supreme Court stamp was held in the Lower Great Hall of the Supreme Court building. It was issued on the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s first session, February 2, 1790, in what was then the US capital, New York City.
About the Constitution Bicentennial Series: This series was produced in 1989 and 1990 to commemorate the 200th anniversary the Constitution as well as our three branches of government it created. However, the USPS opted to do four stamps, so both chambers of Congress could have their own stamps. Both for political considerations and because they each have their own anniversary dates.
The three branches had previously been honored on stamps as part of a set honoring the 150th anniversary of the creation of the District of Columbia. That set pictured each of the buildings in which they operated. Early mockups for the Bicentennial stamps also included these buildings along with other recognizable symbols associated with the branches. The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee felt that had been done enough times already and wanted to do something else. Eventually they settled on depictions of sculptural objects relating to each branch with a matching black and gold color scheme. Stamp artist Howard Koslow visited the US Capitol and Supreme Court and spoke to experts and historians about which subjects would be best for each stamp.
History the stamp represents: On March 4, 1789, the US Congress met for the first time under the terms of the recently ratified US Constitution.
In the spring of 1787, delegates from 12 of the 13 states (Rhode Island didn’t participate, as they opposed a national government) met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to amend the Articles of Confederation. The Constitutional Convention opened on May 4.
The members of the convention ultimately drafted the new constitution based largely on the ideas of James Madison and signed it on September 17. In order for the proposed constitution to take effect, at least nine out of 13 states needed to ratify it. Five states ratified it that December, but some states, particularly Massachusetts, were unhappy with it. They felt the Constitution didn’t provide enough protection for freedom of speech, religion, the press, and the right to bear arms. In February 1788, they reached a compromise – those states would ratify the Constitution on the promise that amendments would be adopted to address their concerns. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, making it legally binding.
On March 4, 1789, the Confederation Congress passed the power of the government over to the new US Congress operating under the Constitution. That day, the new Congress met for the first time at Federal Hall in New York City. During that session, James Madison also introduced the first draft of the Bill of Rights for consideration. But neither the House nor the Senate had enough members present to vote, and it would be a month before they all arrived. Finally, that September they agreed on the Bill of Rights and sent it to the states for ratification, which would take two years.
After this initial March 4 meeting, Congress moved the first day of business to December 1. However, March 4 would still hold special significance – it would be the last day of Congress’ two-year sessions. It would also be the day a new president was inaugurated. But as it turned out, this created some issues. Following a November election, Congress members that may have lost an election would have to continue to serve in a long “lame duck” session. On two occasions, lame-duck House sessions elected presidents (Thomas Jefferson in 1800 and John Quincy Adams in 1824). And in 1860, lame duck president James Buchanan and a divided Congress saw seven states secede from the Union after Abraham Lincoln was elected.
Eventually, the government realized the issues with the March 4 date. In 1933, they passed the 20th Amendment. This amendment set January 3 as the first day of a new Congress and January 20 as inauguration day for the president. It also stated the previous congressional and presidential terms would end just before the new ones began.