1975 3c Francis Parkman, Tagged, Imperforate Error

U.S. #1297a Imperf Pair Shiny Gum
3¢ Francis Parkman
Prominent Americans Series Coil

Issue Date: November 4, 1975
City: Pendleton, OR
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforation: 10 horizontally
Color: Violet

Prominent Americans Series

The Prominent Americans Series recognizes people who played important roles in U.S. history. Officials originally planned to honor 18 individuals, but later added seven others. The Prominent Americans Series began with the 4¢ Lincoln stamp, which was issued on November 10, 1965. During the course of the series, the 6¢ Eisenhower stamp was reissued with an 8¢ denomination and the 5¢ Washington was redrawn.

A number of technological changes developed during the course of producing the series, resulting in a number of varieties due to gum, luminescence, precancels and perforations plus sheet, coil and booklet formats. Additionally, seven rate changes occurred while the Prominent Americans Series was current, giving collectors who specialize in first and last day of issue covers an abundance of collecting opportunities.

The 3¢ denomination features historian Francis Parkman as its subject. Parkman (1823-1893) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and educated at Harvard, Parkman became one of America’s greatest historians. His best works include, “The Oregon Trail,” “History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac,” and “France and England in the New World.” Parkman thoroughly researched his subjects, traveling extensively on the Oregon Trail and to Europe for his material.