Following the Presidential theme, here is a stamp profile first published in “Stamps” (August, 1935) and written by Ralph A. Kimble.

The Six Cent Value
A BRILLIANT orange was used for this stamp, the shade being fairly constant through the entire printing. As a color it is attractive and distinctive, but like all light colors of this nature, it fails to show up the design well, and it is a real tax upon eyesight to examine the details of this stamp. The original portrait was painted in 1792 by John Trumbull, when Washington was sixty years old and President of the United States. But here, as in the 1½-cent value, time was turned backwards for the betterment of artistic effect. At Trumbull’s suggestion Washington donned the old uniform he had worn at the Battle of Trenton, one of the outstanding engagements of the war. The painting in its original size shows a full-length portrait of Washington on the battlefield, standing beside his horse, but for the purposes of the stamp only the head and shoulders view was included. The original was ordered by the city council of Charleston, in the Carolina territory, but this august body disapproved of its military atmosphere and asked that Trumbull paint another portrait showing Washington as President rather than as general. This Trumbull did, retaining the original Trenton painting for himself. It eventually was given to Yale University, where it hangs today.

C. A. Huston drew the stamp design, which was then engraved by L. S. Schofield. while E. M. Hall did the frame and numerals. There were just 94,469,400 of these stamps issued, printed from two plates only, No. 20569-70. Four other plates, No. 20718-9 and 20849-80, were prepared hut never used.

The Seven Cent Value
PRINTED in a striking black, this stamp attracts unusual attention as do most stamps of that sombre hue. The shades vary from gray-black to intense black. The portrait is probably one of the least liked pictures of Washington, perhaps because it presents him with so different an aspect from those to which we are accustomed. It is the only painting of the twelve used on these stamps that was not done from life, and about this there is a curious story.

The painting was done in 1780 by John Trumbull, but it portrayed Washington as Trumbull remembered him from some years before. Trumbull was in Holland at the time, just about starving, and entirely out of funds. A wealthy banker of that country engaged Trumbull to paint a picture of Washington, and Trumbull, using his memory and certain sketches that he had with him, did this painting. Through various travels it finally returned to this country and is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. While painted in 1780, it really represents Trumbull’s memory of Washington as he appeared in 1775, or when Washington was 43 years of age. It is interesting to note that Trumbull received the magnificent stipend of $100 for painting this portrait!

The stamp design was drawn by A. R. Meissner, the portrait engraved by L. S. Schofield, and the numerals and lettering by E. H. Helmuth. The total number of stamps issued was 83,250,400. Four plates, No. 20663- 4 and 20731-2, were prepared and all were used. In point of number issued this stamp is second in scarcity.