U.S. #2192
75¢ Wendell Willkie
Great Americans Series
Issue Date: February 16, 1992
City: Bloomington, IN
Quantity: 161,080,000
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Engraved
Perforations: 11
Color: Deep magenta
In 1940, Wendell Willkie challenged FDR for the presidency. Although he began his law career as a Democrat and was active in Democratic politics, he strongly disagreed with President Roosevelt's New Deal policies. Critical of government restrictions on businesses, he accepted the Republican presidential nomination. Wendell is pictured on the 75¢ Great Americans stamp.
Issued between 1980 and 1999, the Great Americans definitive series features 63 designs, making it the larges set of face different Regular Issue stamps issued in the 20th century. One stamp honors a couple (Lila and Dewitt Wallace) while the remaining 62 commemorate individuals.
The series is characterized by a standard definitive size, simple design and monochromatic colors. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced most of the stamps, but some were printed by private firms. Several stamps saw multiple printings. The result is many different varieties, with tagging being the key to understanding them.