Durbin Dedicates Lincoln Commemorative Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), who rose from humble, frontier origins to become a prominent lawyer and politician and ultimately President of the United States. The four First-Class commemorative 42-cent stamps, available nationwide today, were dedicated at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, IL, by Postmaster General John Potter and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL).

"From modest Midwestern roots, Abraham Lincoln rose to the presidency through his intelligence, integrity and commitment to the nation that he loved," said Durbin. "He is a true American hero whose enormous courage and strength of character during some of our nation's most tumultuous times have been sources of inspiration for generations of Americans. As we approach the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth, these postage stamps will play an important role in this year long tribute to his life and legacy."

Joining Potter and Durbin in dedicating the stamps were Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Representative Aaron Schock (R-IL); Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin, Illinois State Historian Thomas Schwartz, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Director Jan Grimes and U.S. Postal Service Great Lakes Area Operations Vice President Jo Ann Feindt.

"When Americans are asked to pick our greatest president, two names are always at the top of the list: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln," explained Potter. "In Washington, DC, that opinion is carved in stone. The Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the United States Capitol stand out in single file along the National Mall. They are enduring symbols of the power of the people and of the two leaders who first protected that power and then perfected it. Abraham Lincoln's greatest desire was to earn the respect and esteem of his fellow man. In fact, he has earned the esteem of all mankind. Now it is our privilege to show our respect."

The stamp art was created by Mark Summers under the direction of art director Richard Sheaff. Summers is noted for his scratchboard technique, a style distinguished by a dense network of lines etched with exquisite precision. Each stamp features a different aspect of Lincoln's life.

Rail-Splitter
The stamp showing Lincoln as a rail-splitter includes the earliest-known photograph of Lincoln, dated 1846, by N. H. Shepherd, and depicts Lincoln as a youth splitting a log for a rail fence on what was then the American frontier. When he was a candidate for president in 1860, the Republican Party used the image of Lincoln as a "rail-splitter" to enhance his appeal to the working man.

Lawyer
The stamp featuring Lincoln as a lawyer includes a photograph of Lincoln, dated May 7, 1858, by Abraham Byers, and shows Lincoln in a courtroom in Illinois, the state where he was a practicing attorney for nearly 25 years.

Politician
The stamp of Lincoln as a politician includes a Mathew Brady photograph of Lincoln dated Feb. 27, 1860, and shows Lincoln debating Stephen A. Douglas during their 1858 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat from Illinois.

President
The stamp featuring Lincoln as president includes an Alexander Gardner photograph of Lincoln, dated Nov. 8, 1863, and depicts Lincoln conferring with generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman toward the end of the Civil War. The depiction is based on "The Peacemakers" (1868), a painting by George P. A. Healy.

National Postal Museum Lincoln Stamps Exhibit
The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, maintains the world's largest collection of stamp images online through its Arago website http://www.arago.si.edu/. Since 1866, 74 stamps have been issued in Lincoln's honor, including these stamps to honor his 200th birthday.

From the Post Office Department's 1775 inception, postage was based on distance and the number of pages mailed. Prepayment of postage was not required. In 1847 stamps were introduced — the five-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp ($1.33 in 2008 dollars), good for mailing ½ ounce letters up to 300 miles, and the 10-cent George Washington stamp for mailing ½ ounce letters beyond 300 miles ($2.66 in 2008 dollars).

In 1866 the Post Office Department issued what is considered to be the nation's first commemorative stamp — the 15-cent Lincoln. It was the first stamp of that denomination issued by the United States and Lincoln was the first person pictured on a postage stamp since stamps were first issued in 1847. The 15-cent Lincoln stamp denomination ($2.25 in 2008 dollars) paid the single-weight rate to France, or in combination with other denominations, greater weight and foreign destination rates. After Jan. 1, 1869, it could have paid the registered mail fee. More than 2.1 million Lincoln stamps were printed by the National Bank Note Company. A stamp commemorating the Lincoln Memorial has also been issued. To see all of the Lincoln stamps visit the National Postal Museum's Arago website: http://www.arago.si.edu/index.asp?con=5&cmd=2&c=&chk=10&ct=&d_all=&d_end=2009&d_start=1861&f=1&l=&lf=3&o=&pg=1&q=Lincoln&r=&s=&set=&start=1&t=42

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation,
146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products
and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail. To learn about the history of the Postal Service visit the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum: www.postalmuseum.si.edu.

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