U.S. #1894
1981 20¢ Flag Over Supreme Court

• One of three 1981 definitives with the same design, issued in sheets
• Pictures the US flag waving over the Supreme Court
• Contemplation of Justice statue appear in front of courthouse 

Stamp Category:  Definitive
Set:  1981 Flags
Value:  20¢; first-class rate
First Day of Issue:  December 17, 1981
First Day City:  Washington, DC
Printed by:  Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Printing Method:  Engraved
Format:  Panes of 100 in sheets of 460
Perforations:  11
Color:  Black, dark blue, & red

Why the stamp was issued:  To pay the 20¢ first-class mail rate.  The stamp was issued in sheet (#1894), coil (#1895), and booklet (#1896) formats.

About the stamp design:  Dean Ellis designed the Flag Over Supreme Court stamp.  It pictures the American flag waving over the court with the Contemplation of Justice statue in the foreground. 

First Day City:  The First Day ceremony for this stamp was held in Washington, DC, where the Supreme Court is located. 

Unusual fact about this stamp:  Errors exist with the blue omitted from the flag (#1894c) and the black omitted (#1894d), which leaves just the flag on the stamp.  Errors have also been found imperforate (#1894a).  

About US Flag Stamps:  The American flag first appeared as a smaller element of a US stamp on the 1869 Eagle and Shield Pictorial (US #121).  A handful of stamps in the coming years included the flag in much the same way.  Then, on July 4, 1957, the US Post Office issued its first stamp with the American flag as the central element (US #1094).  It was also the first stamp printed by the Giori press, which allowed the design to be printed in its natural colors in one step.

Upon hearing the news, some collectors and citizens were outraged.  Because the stamps would be canceled, they saw it as disrespectful.  They flooded the post office with angry letters citing American legal code that prohibited the reproduction of “the national emblem for disloyal or commercial purposes.”  Conversely, many people were also happy about the stamp, praising its beautiful colors and patriotic design.  The Post Office stated the stamp was meant to be a reminder of America’s heritage and hard-won liberty.

The stamp proved popular and was followed by two more commemoratives featuring updated 49- and 50-star flags in 1959 and 1960, respectively.  Then in 1963, the Post Office started a new tradition.  Nearly every year since, there’s been at least one definitive picturing the US flag.  For many years, it was the flag “over” something such as a national landmark.  Over time, the USPS has grown creative to find new ways to celebrate the American flag every year with a different design.

History the stamp represents:  The powers and responsibilities of the Supreme Court are established in the U.S. Constitution. It is the highest court in the judicial branch of the federal government. The Supreme Court is the only court established by the Constitution. It has narrow original jurisdiction that is largely limited to cases involving ambassadors, public ministers, and states. Following the landmark 1803 Marbury v. Madison decision, the majority of its caseload involves appeals.

Congress determines the number of justices that sit on the court. The number of justices began at six and grew as the nation expanded geographically. The President of the United States appoints justices, who are not required to have any specific qualifications. Each nominee must be confirmed by Congress.

To allow justices to make their decisions without political influence or fear of reprisal, each justice “shall hold their Offices during good Behavior,” and may only be removed from the bench by impeachment.

The Supreme Court had a limited function for its first few decades, and the justices often rode the circuit to hear cases. President John Adams appointed John Marshall to the Supreme Court in 1801. In 1803, the Supreme Court heard the case of Marbury v. Madison, which found that a Congressional Act was unconstitutional. The Marshall Court declared any act that was “repugnant” to the Constitution to be illegal. The finding firmly established the concept of “judicial review,” and made the Supreme Court an influential branch of the federal government.

Due to the power the court wields, Presidents are often eager to appoint justices that reflect their political ideology. To date, Jimmy Carter is the only President to serve a full term without the opportunity to appoint a member to the Supreme Court.