During World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt conceived of a stamp series featuring the flags of countries conquered by German and Japanese forces. Reproducing the flags in accurate colors required multicolor stamp printing presses, which the Bureau of Engraving and Printing did not then possess. The American Bank Note Company of New York City was contracted to print the series of thirteen stamps in 1943-44. This is one example from a series of proofs that were prepared so postal officials could approve the stamps’ designs.
125 Years of the National Philatelic Collection
Overrun Countries Die Proofs
5c Flag of Austria approved large die proof. Gift of Charles and Tracy Shreve, 2008
5c Flag of Poland approved large die proof. Gift of Charles and Tracy Shreve, 2008
