# 4739 - 2013 $19.95 Grand Central Terminal
Express Mail
City: New York, NY
Quantity: 3,000,000
Printed By: Avery Dennison
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 10 ¾ X 10 ½
Color: multicolored
Issue Of America’s Most Artistic Stamp
Special Delivery service began on October 1, 1885, offering faster delivery for an extra cost. The original Special Delivery stamps were blue and larger than regular postage stamps so busy postal clerks could easily recognize them.
Unfortunately, the Helmet of Mercury stamp was disliked from the beginning: first by designers and engravers at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, then by postal clerks, and finally by the American public. It’s believed the BEP disliked the E7 because an arrogant outsider created it. Whitney Warren had designed New York City landmarks: Grand Central Station, the New York Yacht Club, and the Biltmore, Roosevelt, and Commodore Hotels. But the BEP didn’t think that made him a good stamp designer. Warren irritated the touchy situation by refusing to accept the BEP’s design changes (which were actually rather minor). He hired a European to engrave his original design and sent it to Washington. Needless to say, there was considerable ill will as the E7 rolled off the presses December 12, 1908.
Click here for more about Mercury (Hermes) on worldwide stamps.
Express Mail
City: New York, NY
Quantity: 3,000,000
Printed By: Avery Dennison
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 10 ¾ X 10 ½
Color: multicolored
Issue Of America’s Most Artistic Stamp
Special Delivery service began on October 1, 1885, offering faster delivery for an extra cost. The original Special Delivery stamps were blue and larger than regular postage stamps so busy postal clerks could easily recognize them.
Unfortunately, the Helmet of Mercury stamp was disliked from the beginning: first by designers and engravers at the Bureau of Engraving & Printing, then by postal clerks, and finally by the American public. It’s believed the BEP disliked the E7 because an arrogant outsider created it. Whitney Warren had designed New York City landmarks: Grand Central Station, the New York Yacht Club, and the Biltmore, Roosevelt, and Commodore Hotels. But the BEP didn’t think that made him a good stamp designer. Warren irritated the touchy situation by refusing to accept the BEP’s design changes (which were actually rather minor). He hired a European to engrave his original design and sent it to Washington. Needless to say, there was considerable ill will as the E7 rolled off the presses December 12, 1908.
Click here for more about Mercury (Hermes) on worldwide stamps.