# 3185d - 1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1930s: Eleanor Roosevelt

US #3185d
1998 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt – Celebrate the Century (1930s)

• Part of the fourth sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Honors Eleanor Roosevelt
• 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: September 10, 1998
First Day City: Cleveland, Ohio
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 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her countless accomplishments both before, during, and after her husband’s time as president.

About the stamp design: Pictures an illustration of Eleanor Roosevelt receiving flowers from a young girl. Artwork by Paul Calle Includes the following text on the back “Eleanor Roosevelt was an extremely vocal, active, and influential First Lady. During press conferences for women reporters and in her syndicated column, she championed the rights of women, youths, minorities, and the disadvantaged.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the foot of Cleveland, Ohio’s Terminal Tower Building at Tower City Center. When it first opened in June 1930, the 52-story building was among the tallest buildings in the world and was the tallest west of New York City for 40 years.

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: Through her work on behalf of women, children, the poor, and minorities, Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) is recognized as a humanitarian, diplomat, and one of the most active first ladies in American history.

Eleanor, the niece of former President Theodore Roosevelt, was born to a wealthy family. In 1904, she married Franklin D. Roosevelt, her distant cousin. When he was crippled by polio in 1921, Eleanor began to work politically on his behalf. Throughout her husband’s terms as governor of New York, and later as president, Mrs. Roosevelt spoke and wrote about the hardships people faced each day.

While first lady, Mrs. Roosevelt traveled the country on lecture tours, gave 350 press conferences for women reporters only, and wrote newspaper columns and magazine articles. She also worked with the young and underprivileged.

In 1945, President Harry Truman appointed Mrs. Roosevelt to the United Nations, where she helped create the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. In 1961, she became the leader of the Commission on the Status of Women. Mrs. Roosevelt remained an active political advisor until her death.