# 3183c - 1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1910s: George Washington Carver

US #3183c
1998 George Washington Carver – Celebrate the Century (1910s)

• Part of the second sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Honors George Washington Carver
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 32¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: February 3, 1998
First Day City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 188,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.6
Tagging: Block Tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate George Washington Carver and the impact his accomplishments had on US history and culture.

About the stamp design: Pictures an oil painting of George Washington Carver by artist Dennis Lyall. Includes the following text on the back “Botanist George Washington Carver improved the economy of the south by demonstrating the commercial possibilities of peanuts and sweet potatoes. His ‘Moveable School’ educated impoverished farmers.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Washington, DC, with legendary radio and television host Larry King as master of ceremonies.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: George Washington Carver was born in 1864. His parents were slaves working for the Carvers on a small farm in Missouri. When he lost both of his parents, the Carvers raised him as their own son. By the age of 11, he was supporting himself and pursuing an education.

Carver earned a master’s degree from Iowa State Agricultural College. After that, he joined the faculty at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He taught classes, ran an agricultural experiment station, and began to focus his research on soil conservation and crop production.

Carver’s research was inspired by a desire to help poor Southern farmers, especially black sharecroppers. He promoted methods of alternating soybean and peanut crops with cotton to improve the fertility of the soil. He also developed a variety of uses for these crops to make them more appealing. In 1914, he began to focus his research on peanuts. George Washington Carver has been called the “Peanut Man,” and indeed, he made over 300 products from peanuts, including ink and soap.

Carver also worked to promote the interests of Black Americans and to improve race relations. He earned awards for his contributions to science but had other successes as well. His work inspired the achievement of Black Americans and enriched the lives of poor farmers.