# 3183m - 1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1910s: Jack Dempsey Wins Title
US #3183m
1998 Jack Dempsey Wins Title 1919 – Celebrate the Century (1910s)
• Part of the second sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Honors heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey
• 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: February 3, 1998
First Day City: Washington, DC
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 Jack Dempsey and his world heavyweight boxing championship in 1919.
About the stamp design: Pictures an oil painting of Jack Dempsey by artist Dennis Lyall. Includes the following text on the back “Known as the Manassa Mauler because he was from Manassa, Colorado, Jack Dempsey won the world heavyweight boxing championship in 1919 and held it for seven years.”
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Washington, DC, with legendary radio and television host Larry King as master of ceremonies.
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: Jack Dempsey (1895-1983) was one of the most popular heavyweight boxing champions of all time. A fearsome puncher, Dempsey knocked out 25 of his opponents in the very first round – the most in the history of boxing. His aggressive style earned him the nickname the “Manassa Mauler.” From 1914 to 1940, he had 84 bouts, and 51 of his 62 victories were by knockout.
Born in Manassa, Colorado, Dempsey began fighting professionally at the age of 14. Five years later he knocked out Jess Willard to win the heavyweight title. In 1926, he lost his title to Gene Tunney. Their second fight, held in Chicago, lives in boxing history as the “long count” fight.
Dempsey knocked Tunney down in the seventh round, but failed to go to his neutral corner. As a result, the referee delayed starting the count over Tunney. Due to this delay, Tunney was able to rise at the count of nine, but the actual count would have been 14! Tunney went on to win the 10-round fight by decision.
During World War II, Dempsey served as a lieutenant commander in the US Coast Guard. Later, he became a successful restauranteur in New York City. He discussed his boxing career in his autobiography, Dempsey, published in 1977.
US #3183m
1998 Jack Dempsey Wins Title 1919 – Celebrate the Century (1910s)
• Part of the second sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Honors heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey
• 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: February 3, 1998
First Day City: Washington, DC
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 Jack Dempsey and his world heavyweight boxing championship in 1919.
About the stamp design: Pictures an oil painting of Jack Dempsey by artist Dennis Lyall. Includes the following text on the back “Known as the Manassa Mauler because he was from Manassa, Colorado, Jack Dempsey won the world heavyweight boxing championship in 1919 and held it for seven years.”
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Washington, DC, with legendary radio and television host Larry King as master of ceremonies.
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: Jack Dempsey (1895-1983) was one of the most popular heavyweight boxing champions of all time. A fearsome puncher, Dempsey knocked out 25 of his opponents in the very first round – the most in the history of boxing. His aggressive style earned him the nickname the “Manassa Mauler.” From 1914 to 1940, he had 84 bouts, and 51 of his 62 victories were by knockout.
Born in Manassa, Colorado, Dempsey began fighting professionally at the age of 14. Five years later he knocked out Jess Willard to win the heavyweight title. In 1926, he lost his title to Gene Tunney. Their second fight, held in Chicago, lives in boxing history as the “long count” fight.
Dempsey knocked Tunney down in the seventh round, but failed to go to his neutral corner. As a result, the referee delayed starting the count over Tunney. Due to this delay, Tunney was able to rise at the count of nine, but the actual count would have been 14! Tunney went on to win the 10-round fight by decision.
During World War II, Dempsey served as a lieutenant commander in the US Coast Guard. Later, he became a successful restauranteur in New York City. He discussed his boxing career in his autobiography, Dempsey, published in 1977.