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Jamestown Exposition Issue

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5-cent Pocahontas single

The Jamestown Exposition, held from April 26 to December 1, 1907, at Hampton Roads (near Norfolk, Virginia) commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement. The settlement was the first permanent British colony in America following the 1587 failure of the Roanoke settlement in what is now North Carolina.

Three single-color stamps bearing the inscription “Commemorative Series 1907” were issued in conjunction with the Jamestown Exposition. The 2-cent denomination shows the landing of the English colonists in an illustration titled "Founding of Jamestown, 1607." Two of the most recognized figures associated with the settlement are depicted on the other two stamps: Captain John Smith, who promoted the settlement and is credited with its success, is portrayed on the 1-cent stamp; Pocahontas, who purportedly intervened to save the life of Captain Smith, is portrayed on the 5-cent stamp.

Encyclopedia of United States Stamps and Stamp Collecting
May 16, 2006

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1-cent John Smith single

The Simon de Passe engraving of John Smith (1580-1631) inspired the image on the 1-cent stamp of the Jamestown Exposition Issue.

The 1-cent Mayflower typically paid the one-cent card rate, but it was also commonly used with other denominations to fulfill large weight and foreign destination rates. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced 78 million of this 1-cent issue.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

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2-cent carmine Founding of Jamestown single

The 2-cent stamp of the Jamestown Exposition Issue features the only non-portrait of the set, the founding of Jamestown by the Virginia Company in 1607. The Founding of Jamestown stamp paid the first-class domestic rate, and patrons also combined it with other denominations to fulfill large weight and foreign destination rates. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced over 149 million of these stamps.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

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5-cent Pocahontas single

The image of Pocahontas used for the 5-cent stamp of the Jamestown Exposition Issue was modeled from a portrait engraved by Simon Van de Passe in 1616. The image appeared in a book published by John Smith in 1624.

This 5-cent stamp was commonly used with other denominations to fulfill large weight and foreign destination rates. Approximately 8 million of this 5-cent issue were produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued to the public.

Alexander T. Haimann, National Postal Museum

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