US #5623
2021 Erie Harbor Lighthouse – Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses – American Lighthouses Series
- One of five stamps picturing the last lighthouse illustrations made by renowned stamp artist Howard Koslow for the USPS
- Part of the popular Lighthouses stamp series
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Mid-Atlantic Lighthous... more
US #5623
2021 Erie Harbor Lighthouse – Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses – American Lighthouses Series
- One of five stamps picturing the last lighthouse illustrations made by renowned stamp artist Howard Koslow for the USPS
- Part of the popular Lighthouses stamp series
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses
Series: American Lighthouses
Value: 55¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: August 6, 2021
First Day City: Highlands, New Jersey
Quantity Issued: 40,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, block tag
Why the stamp was issued: To celebrate the beauty and history of Erie Harbor lighthouse in the state of Pennsylvania.
About the stamp designs: Pictures an illustration by Howard Koslow of Erie Harbor lighthouse in New Jersey.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony took place at the Twin Lights Historic Site in Highlands, New Jersey.
About the Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses set: Includes five stamp designs picturing illustrations by Howard Koslow of a different Mid-Atlantic lighthouse: Thomas Point Shoal, Maryland; Montauk Point, New York; Harbor of Refuge, Delaware; Navesink, New Jersey; and Erie Harbor Pierhead, Pennsylvania. Koslow was also the artist for past issues of the Lighthouse series. The mid-Atlantic lighthouses were the last illustrations he created for the Postal Service.
About the American Lighthouses Series: The American Lighthouses Series began in 1990, with each stamp design picturing artwork created by Howard Koslow for the USPS. Each set has represented a different geographic region of the United States. This series honors the historic importance and beauty of our nation’s lighthouses as well as the value of preserving them for generations to come.
The following regions were represented in the years indicated below:
1990 – Washington state, North Carolina, Maine, Florida, and New Jersey (US #2470-74)
1995 – Great Lakes (US #2969-73)
2003 – Southeastern (US #3787-91)
2007 – Pacific Coast (US #4146-50)
2009 – Gulf Coast (US #4409-4795)
2013 – New England (US #4791-95)
2021 – Mid-Atlantic (US #5621-25)
History the stamp represents: The black-and-white striped Preque Isle North Pierhead Light (also called the Erie Harbor Pierhead Light) has been a mainstay on Lake Erie since 1857. It was originally 26.5 feet tall with an open lower portion.
The Erie Harbor Pierhead Light was first built behind the pier. However, in 1882, the iron tower was moved to the outer point of the pier and a fog bell was added. The light was also changed from fixed white to fixed red after the tower was moved. In 1891, the pier was elongated 450 feet, and an additional 470 feet in 1900. The Erie Harbor Pierhead Light had to be moved after each addition.
Electricity was added to the lighthouse in 1923, with power reaching the light station through a submarine cable. In addition to the main light, there were two others in the nearby vicinity to further help mariners navigate the harbor. These were known as Erie No. 1 and Erie No. 2 Lights.
Erie Harbor Pierhead Light was moved for the last time in 1940 and equipped with its modern-day heavy steel plates. When the United States Coast Guard took over operation of the light in the late 20th century, they switched the fixed red beacon to an automated flashing red light. The lighthouse continues to keep mariners safe to this day.
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