USA 1938 General Issues $1 Black & Purple "Woodrow Wilson", flat plate printings, perforations 11, SG828a.
A very fine unmounted mint with full original gum vertical pair, imperforate horizontally.
A scarce imperforate printing error from this most desirable stamp issue.
The US Presidential series of stamps, known to collectors as "the Prexies" were printed for the first time in 1938. This included 32 definitive or regular stamps featuring US Presidents in chronological order of their terms in office, from George Washington through to Calvin Coolidge. This was the first time all the deceased Presidents were represented in a set of postage stamps.
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.
The classic designs and historical significance of the Prexies have long been of huge appeal to American stamp collectors.
The idea for the series came from the famous stamp collecting President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt was once quoted as saying "I owe my life to my hobbies - especially stamp collecting."
During his time in the White House (1933 to 1945) President Roosevelt personally approved each of the more than 200 stamp issued. Bearing in mind during this time America struggled through the Great Depression and World War II, it demonstrate how Roosevelt used his passion for stamps as a welcome distraction and means of relaxation.
Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States from March 4, 1913 to March 4, 1921. As president, Wilson changed the nation's economic policies and led the United States into World War I in 1917. He was the leading architect of the League of Nations, and his progressive stance on foreign policy came to be known as Wilsonianism.
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