# 620-21 - Complete Set, 1925 Norse-American Issue, 2 Stamps
1925 Norse-American Issue
2¢ Sloop Restaurationen
First City: St. Paul, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Benson, MN; Northfield, MN; Algona, IA; Decorah, IA; Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 9,104,983
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforation: 11
Color: Carmine and black
5¢ Viking Ship
First City: St. Paul, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Benson, MN; Northfield, MN; Algona, IA; Decorah, IA; Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 1,900,983
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforation: 11
Color: Dark blue and black
The Norse-American Issue
One thousand years ago, 500 years before the arrival of Columbus in the New World, explorers landed on the shores of North America. These men were called Vikings and the leader of at least one expedition was an adventurous Norwegian by the name of Leif Ericson. He called the area “Vineland.”
When the stamps were released, they were in great demand, with post offices around the country receiving several calls for them daily. A second printing was suggested, but it was far too costly. It has been estimated that less than 300 post offices received the stamps, with some only getting one or two sheets each, making them even more difficult to find today.
Let’s take a look at the history behind the designs on each of these stamps…
The first Norwegian immigrants in America arrived in New York on October 9, 1825, aboard the ship Restaurationen. Upon arrival in America, the captain was arrested for carrying 52 passengers, far too many for such a small ship. President John Quincy Adams pardoned him a month later. The passengers from the ship established their first settlement at Kendall, New York.
With no known images of the actual Restaurationen, the design for the 2¢ stamp was based on a sister ship of similar design, built at the same time and place as the one honored. The stamp’s detailed frame pictures dragonheads and shields similar to those found on ancient Norse ships.
Around 1000 A.D., Leif Ericson and his crew of 35 men became the first Europeans to reach North America. They sailed a ship similar to the one shown on the 5¢ Viking ship stamp – which pictures a US flag. Critics claimed this was a mistake, as the American flag wasn’t designed until centuries later. Officials claim the design shows a replica sailed from Norway to America in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition, which did carry an American flag.
1925 Norse-American Issue
2¢ Sloop Restaurationen
First City: St. Paul, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Benson, MN; Northfield, MN; Algona, IA; Decorah, IA; Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 9,104,983
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforation: 11
Color: Carmine and black
5¢ Viking Ship
First City: St. Paul, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Benson, MN; Northfield, MN; Algona, IA; Decorah, IA; Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 1,900,983
Printing Method: Flat Plate
Perforation: 11
Color: Dark blue and black
The Norse-American Issue
One thousand years ago, 500 years before the arrival of Columbus in the New World, explorers landed on the shores of North America. These men were called Vikings and the leader of at least one expedition was an adventurous Norwegian by the name of Leif Ericson. He called the area “Vineland.”
When the stamps were released, they were in great demand, with post offices around the country receiving several calls for them daily. A second printing was suggested, but it was far too costly. It has been estimated that less than 300 post offices received the stamps, with some only getting one or two sheets each, making them even more difficult to find today.
Let’s take a look at the history behind the designs on each of these stamps…
The first Norwegian immigrants in America arrived in New York on October 9, 1825, aboard the ship Restaurationen. Upon arrival in America, the captain was arrested for carrying 52 passengers, far too many for such a small ship. President John Quincy Adams pardoned him a month later. The passengers from the ship established their first settlement at Kendall, New York.
With no known images of the actual Restaurationen, the design for the 2¢ stamp was based on a sister ship of similar design, built at the same time and place as the one honored. The stamp’s detailed frame pictures dragonheads and shields similar to those found on ancient Norse ships.
Around 1000 A.D., Leif Ericson and his crew of 35 men became the first Europeans to reach North America. They sailed a ship similar to the one shown on the 5¢ Viking ship stamp – which pictures a US flag. Critics claimed this was a mistake, as the American flag wasn’t designed until centuries later. Officials claim the design shows a replica sailed from Norway to America in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition, which did carry an American flag.