U.S. #1291
30¢ John Dewey
Prominent Americans Series
Issue Date: October 21, 1968
City: Burlington, VT
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Color: Red lilac
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 30¢ denomination pictures John Dewey. Vermont, Dewey was strongly influenced by William James and Charles Darwin. He developed a unique view of education called pragmatism, which influences teaching methods to this day. He regarded intelligence as the power to face conflict and challenge.
Dewey called for constant experimentation. He opposed the traditional method of learning by memory under the authority of teachers. Dewey believed learning should be related to the interests of the students, and should include physical and moral improvement as well as intellectual.
Dewey taught at the Universities of Michigan, Minnesota, Chicago, and Columbia. His works include “Democracy and Education” (1916), “Reconstruction in Philosophy” (1920), “Experience and Nature” (1925), and “Art as Experience” (1934).