CZ117 – 1934 3¢ Goethals

George Washington Goethals served as Chief of Engineers in the Volunteer Army, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel during the Spanish-American War. He was later placed in charge of the Muscle Shoals canal construction on the Tennessee River and also built canals near Chattanooga, Tennessee, and at Colbert Shoals, Alabama.  On March 4, 1907, Goethals was appointed by President Roosevelt to be Chairman and Chief Engineer of the Isthmian Canal Commission (I.C.C.).  He served in that position until completion of Canal construction in 1914.  Goethals then served as Governor of the Panama Canal until his resignation January 17, 1917.

Canal Zone Stamps Chronicle America’s Rise as a World Power

If you’ve never collected Canal Zone stamps before, now’s the time to start.  These intriguing stamps are historic links to our nation’s past.  With Mystic as your collecting partner, it’s easy to own stamps documenting this remarkable American engineering feat!

The U.S. Canal Zone postal service began in June of 1904 – when the United States started construction of the Panama Canal.  Stamps issued for use in the Canal Zone, which extends for five miles on either side of the 50 miles of the canal’s length, reflect U.S. administration of that area.

Stamps from Panama were used before the overprinting of U.S. stamps.  Some were overprints of Colombia stamps (Panama won its independence from Colombia in 1903).  After 1924 only U.S. overprints or Canal Zone stamps were valid for postage.

In 1928 the first permanent issue Canal Zone stamps were placed on sale.  The following year, the first Canal Zone Airmail stamp was issued and in 1941, a series of Officials were produced.  On October 25, 1978, the last Canal Zone stamp was issued.