U.S. #841
2¢ Adams
1939 Presidential Series
Rotary Coil
Issue Date: January 20, 1939
First City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 4,387,151,000 (total of both coil types)
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Rotary Press
Perforation: 10 vertically
Color: Rose carmine
The first Vice-President, John Adams, went on to become our second President. During his term, the capital moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. He and Mrs. Adams were the first to live in the White House, which was partially complete when they moved in.
The 1938 Presidential Series was printed on rotary press and perforated 11 x 10.5. In 1939, the 1¢ to 10¢ denominations were issued as coil stamps with a 10 gauge perforations vertically. The 1¢ to 3¢ denominations were also issued with horizontal perforations.
The Prexies
Known affectionately as the “Prexies,” the 1938 Presidential series is a favorite among stamp collectors.
The series was issued in response to public clamoring for a new Regular Issue series. The series that was current at the time had been in use for more than a decade. President Franklin D. Roosevelt agreed, and a contest was staged. The public was asked to submit original designs for a new series picturing all deceased U.S. Presidents. Over 1,100 sketches were submitted, many from veteran stamp collectors. Elaine Rawlinson, who had little knowledge of stamps, won the contest and collected the $500 prize. Rawlinson was the first stamp designer since the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began producing U.S. stamps who was not a government employee.
First Continental Congress
US #1543-46 were issued for the 200th anniversary of the congress.
On September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It marked the first time the colonies gathered together to resist English oppression.
In 1774, the British Parliament passed a series of laws that the American Colonies called the Intolerable Acts. Their purpose was to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and prevent uprisings in other areas.
 US #841 – John Adams was a representative for Massachusetts. |
 US #1046 – Jay was a representative from New York. |
The laws, including the closing of Boston’s harbor and removal of the state’s government, were part of a continuing effort by Great Britain to increase its control over the colonies. The citizens resented the laws imposed on them without their consent.
US #1543-46 – Classic First Day Cover
Colonists felt the rules were a threat to their rights and called for the First Continental Congress to discuss the situation. Each colony voted on who to send to represent them. In the end, representatives from 12 colonies participated. However, in Georgia, the loyalists outvoted the supporters of the congress, so that colony didn’t participate.
US #1543-46 – Fleetwood First Day Cover
The congress opened on September 5, 1774, in Philadelphia’s Carpenter Hall. It marked the first time the colonies gathered together to resist English oppression. In the opening days of the Congress, it became apparent that the delegates had different ideas of why they were there. Some believed they were there to create policies that would force Parliament to end the Intolerable Acts. Others wanted to establish the rights and liberties of the colonies and end the abuses of the Parliament. Some denied the Parliament’s authority and some wanted to create an entirely new government separate from Great Britain.
US #1543-46 – Colorano Silk Cachet First Day Cover
By the time the Congress ended on October 26, the delegates reached a compromise. They passed the Continental Association and the Declaration of Resolves. These formed an agreement to boycott British goods beginning in December. They would also block exports to England in September 1775 if the Intolerable Acts weren’t repealed. The Congress also made plans for the Second Congress the following year if the issues weren’t resolved.
 US #101 – Washington was a Virginia representative |
 US #1052 – Patrick Henry also represented Virginia. |
Rather than providing relief, the king declared the colonists “rebels” and called for the arrest of the “traitors” who made up the Congress. Within a year, the first battles of the American Revolution would take place.