Distinguished Americans Issue (2000-2012)

The Postal Service issued a 10-cent Joseph W. Stilwell definitive stamp in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 24, 2000. The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, and illustrated by Mark Summers of Waterdown, Ontario, went on sale nationwide August 25, 2000.

General Joseph W. "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell (1883-1946) was the senior American military commander in the China—Burma—India theater during World War II. He also served as chief of staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and as deputy supreme commander of the newly formed South East Asia Command.

In the offset/intaglio process, 100 million stamps were printed by Banknote Corporation of America, Inc.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (July 13, 2000).

The Postal Service issued a 33-cent Claude Pepper definitive stamp in Washington, DC, on September 7, 2000. The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, and illustrated by Mark Summers of Waterdown, Ontario, went on sale nationwide September 8, 2000.

The Postal Service honored Claude Pepper, a champion of rights for the elderly, on the 100th anniversary of the year of his birth. In a political career that spanned sixty years, the honorable Claude Pepper, a Democrat from Florida, served in both the US Senate (1936—1951) and the US House of Representatives (1963—1989). From 1977 to 1983, he was chairman of the House Select Committee on Aging, continuing his strong support of Social Security and Medicare programs.

Banknote Corporation of America, Inc., printed 56 million stamps in the offset/intaglio process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (July 13, 2000).

The Postal Service issued a 76-cent Hattie Caraway definitive stamp in Little Rock, Arkansas, on February 21, 2001. The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, and illustrated by Mark Summers of Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, went on sale nationwide February 22, 2001.

With this third issuance in the Distinguished Americans Series, the US Postal Service honored Hattie Wyatt Caraway (1878-1950), the first woman elected to the US Senate. Artist Mark Summers — well-known for his scratchboard technique — created this portrait for the stamp using as reference a black-and-white photograph of Senator Caraway taken on October 21, 1943. Mark Summers also created the stamp art for the first two issues in the Distinguished Americans Series — Joseph W. Stilwell (2000) and Claude Pepper (2000).

Mrs. Caraway was appointed to the Senate on November 13, 1931, a few days after the death of her husband, Senator Thaddeus Caraway. On January 12, 1932, she won a special election to fill the remaining months of his term. Subsequently elected to two six-year terms, she served in the Senate until January 1945. In 1933, Senator Caraway — a Democrat from Arkansas — became the first woman to chair a Senate committee. On October 19, 1943, in the absence that day of the vice president and the president pro tempore (the Senate's presiding officer), Senator Caraway was appointed acting president pro tempore, the first woman to preside formally over the Senate.

Senator Caraway, a strong supporter of New Deal legislation, was known for her dedication and diligence. On December 19, 1944, her last day at work in the Senate chamber, Senator Caraway was honored by her colleagues with a standing ovation. She died on December 21, 1950, in Falls Church, Virginia.

The Banknote Corporation of America, Inc., produced 100 million stamps in the offset/intaglio process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (January 25, 2001).

The Postal Service issued an 83-cent Edna Ferber definitive stamp in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 on July 29, 2002, in Appleton, Wisconsin. The stamp was designed by Mark Summers of Waterdown, Ontario, Canada. The stamp was reissued in August of 2003.

This definitive stamp is fourth in the Distinguished American series and honors Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber. Ferber's insatiable curiosity and love for American life made her one of the most popular authors of her time. Her works reached from shore to shore, painting a vivid portrait of American life in the early 20th century. Her musical version of "Show Boat," portraying life on the Mississippi River aboard a floating theatre, enjoyed a record-breaking 572 performances during its first run on Broadway.

100 million stamps were printed by the Banknote Corporation of America, Inc. in the offset/intaglio process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (June 27, 2002).

The 23-cent Wilma Rudolph definitive stamp was issued on July 14, 2004, in Sacramento, California. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona designed the stamp.

This fifth issuance in the Distinguished Americans Series honors Wilma Rudolph, a woman who overcame a childhood plagued by serious illness to become one of the nation's greatest athletes.

Artist Mark Summers created the portrait for the stamp using as a reference a photograph of Rudolph taken after she won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Summers also created the stamp art for the first four issuances in the Distinguished Americans series: Joseph W. Stilwell (2000), Claude Pepper (2000), Hattie W. Caraway (2001), and Edna Ferber (2002).

The Wilma Rudolph stamp was issued in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of twenty stamps (100 million stamps by the offset/intaglio), a PSA vending booklet of ten stamps (40,495,000 stamps by the offset), and a PSA convertible booklet of ten stamps (300 million stamps by the offset). Ashton-Potter (USA), Ltd., produced the stamps in all three formats.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (June 10, 2004).

The Postal Service issued a 63-cent Dr. Jonas Salk definitive stamp in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of twenty stamps, on March 8, 2006, in Washington, DC. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, designed the stamp.

This issue in the Distinguished Americans Series honors Dr. Jonas Salk (1914-1995), who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 for developing the first safe and effective vaccine against paralytic poliomyelitis.

Illustrator Mark Summers of Waterdown, Canada, created the portrait on the stamp. The artist also created art for previous issues in this series: Joseph W. Stilwell (2000), Claude Pepper (2000), Hattie W. Caraway (2001), Edna Ferber (2002), and Wilma Rudolph (2004).

Ashton-Potter (USA), Ltd., produced 100 million stamps in the offset/intaglio process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (February 16, 2006).

The Postal Service issued an 87-cent Dr. Albert Sabin definitive stamp on March 8, 2006, in Washington, DC. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, designed the stamp.

This issue in the Distinguished Americans Series honors virologist Albert Sabin (1906?1993), whose successful efforts to develop a polio vaccine made him one of the most esteemed scientists in the world. He received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Science (1970) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1986).

Through the early 1950s, polio outbreaks caused such panic and widespread concern that parents kept their children away from school and other public facilities. Although Sabin's vaccine came after Dr. Jonas Salk's vaccine, it was the standard treatment for years because it was easier to administer and reduced the spread of polio using a weakened live virus. The Dr. Jonas Salk definitive stamp was also issued on the same day.

Illustrator Mark Summers of Waterdown, Canada, created the portrait on the stamp. Summers also created artwork for previous issues in this series: Joseph W. Stilwell (2000), Claude Pepper (2000), Hattie W. Caraway (2001), Edna Ferber (2002), and Wilma Rudolph (2004).

The Banknote Corporation of America, Inc., printed 100 million stamps in pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) panes of twenty, using the intaglio/offset process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (February 16, 2006/ March 30, 2006).

On June 13, 2007, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service issued a 58-cent (2-ounce rate) Margaret Chase Smith definitive stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of twenty. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, designed the stamp.

This eighth issuance in the Distinguished Americans series honors Margaret Chase Smith, the first Republican woman elected to the US Senate and the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress. Artist Mark Summers of Waterdown, Canada, created the portrait on the stamps. The artwork is based on a photograph by the Harris and Ewing studio, dated 1948.

Ashton-Potter (USA), Ltd., printed 100 million stamps in the offset/intaglio process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (May 10, 2007).

On June 13, 2007, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service issued a 75-cent Harriet Beecher Stowe definitive stamp. The stamp was designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona and paid the rate for 3-ounce postage.

This ninth issuance in the Distinguished Americans Series honors Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," one of the most influential novels in American history.

Artist Mark Summers of Waterdown, Canada, based his portrait of Harriet Beecher Stowe on a circa 1855 stipple engraving by English engraver Francis Holl (1815- 1884), which in turn was based on an earlier portrait of Stowe by English painter George Richmond (1809-1896).

Sennett Security Products and Banknote Corporation of America, Inc., printed 100 million stamps in the intaglio/offset process.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (May 10, 2007).