Deutsches Reich and Österreich Anschluss Cover - 1938

DEUTSCHES REICH AND OESTERREICH registered airmail (flugpost) cover, postmark dated 10 April 1938, documents the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany). 

This cover featured a mixed franking of both Austrian and German stamps, which was common during the brief transition period after the annexation.

- Austrian postage in the upper section contains a set of airmail stamps (Flugpost) from the 1935 pictorial series which showed aircraft flying over Austrian landscapes. At the bottom are two stamps of different colours and denominations with a vase of roses surrounded by zodiac symbols; these were designed by renowned Austrian artist Wilhelm Dachauer. Another Dachauer designed stamp from the 1926 Child Welfare series depicted a scene from the Nibelungenlied saga, specifically the legendary hero Rüdiger von Bechelaren.

- German stamps include several German "Deutsches Reich" stamps, notably the 6 Reichspfennig "Anschluss" stamp (depicting two men carrying the Nazi flag) issued specifically for the 10 April plebiscite.

- Adolf Hitler stamps featuring his profile are present, including those issued for his 49th birthday in 1938.

The stamps were cancelled with a special slogan postmark reading "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer – 10. April 1938 – Wien" ("One People, One Empire, One Leader"). This specific cancel was only used in Vienna on the day of the controversial vote to approve the annexation. Interestingly this slogan is similar to the German Reich stamp issued on the 25th Anniversary of Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign -- "Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Gott" (One Empire, One People, One God). 

The date, 10 April 1938, was the day of the national referendum where 99.7% of Austrians reportedly voted "Yes" to join the Third Reich. Such covers were often produced as patriotic souvenirs or propaganda pieces to commemorate the "reunification". 

The registration label at the bottom right indicates it was sent from the Wien 64 post office (registered number 1292). 

United States Post Office "Four Chaplains"

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 28 May 1948 issued a  3-cent postage stamp issued to honour the heroism of the "Four Chaplains" during World War II. The Four Chaplains were George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander D. Goode (Jewish Rabbi), John P. Washington (Roman Catholic Priest) and Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed Minister).

The stamp commemorated these four Army chaplains of different faiths who sacrificed their lives during the sinking of the SS Dorchester on 3 February 1943. 

When a German torpedo slammed into the USAT Dorchester, the transport ship sank in under 20 minutes, plunging its more than 900 servicemen and civilians into chaos. Amidst the panic and terror, these four Army chaplains moved calmly among the men. They offered prayers, soothed the frightened, and guided the disoriented toward lifeboats.

When the supply of life jackets ran out, the chaplains removed their own and gave them to four young soldiers. Survivors last saw them standing on the slanting deck, arms linked in prayer and singing hymns, as the ship slipped beneath the icy Atlantic waters. 

The central design featured the four chaplains above the sinking SS Dorchester. It included the inscriptions "These Immortal Chaplains..." and "Interfaith in Action" to honour their cooperation and sacrifice.

Because they did not meet the strict "under fire" requirements for the Medal of Honour at the time, Congress authorised a one-time Special Medal for Heroism (The Four Chaplains' Medal) in 1960, which was presented to their families in 1961.

Over 121 million stamps were originally printed. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing used a  Rotary Press to print these grey black stamps.

United States Post Office Centenary of Oregon Territory

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 14 August 1948, in Oregon City, Oregon, issued a 3-cent postage stamp to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Oregon Territory. 

It featured inset portraits of John McLoughlin (left) and Jason Lee (right), two pivotal figures in the early history of the Oregon region. 

The centre image depicted a covered wagon being pulled by oxen on the Oregon Trail, symbolising the westward migration. 

John McLoughlin (1784-1857) was director of the Hudson Bay Company (a British Trading firm) in the Oregon region from 1824-46. During that time, he effectively governed the region and did a great deal to encourage and aid settlers. Remembered as the father of Oregon, he eventually became a U.S. citizen.

Rev. Jason Lee (1803-45) played a key role in organising the settlement of Oregon and establishing its territorial government. Lee presided over Oregon's first territorial organisation meeting in 1841. Later, he helped to form the territory's provisional government. Unfortunately, Rev. Lee died before the Oregon Territory was formed. Lee represents Oregon in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

United States Post Office 75th Anniversary of the American Chemical Society

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 4 September  1951, in New York City, issued a violet-brown coloured 3-cent stamp celebrating the 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of the American Chemical Society (ACS), which was founded in 1876. 

The design incorporated the official emblem of the American Chemical Society. Also included in the design was an alembic (an early distilling apparatus), a hydrometer, and a modern ionisation indicator. The right side of the stamp featured the "chemical century" with industrial structures, including a catalytic cracking plant, a butadiene reactor, and a fractionating unit. 

Approximately 110–117 million stamps were released.

United States Post Office First Gubernatorial Rlection in Puerto Rico

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE issued on 27 April 1949, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a green 3-cent postage stamp was issued to commemorate the first gubernatorial election in Puerto Rico. Prior to this, the island's governors were appointed by the U.S. President. 

The imagery features a Puerto Rican farmer holding a cogwheel, representing industry, and a ballot box, symbolising the democratic process.

C.R. Chickering designed the stamp, based on a sketch by Irene Delano from the Office of the Governor.

United States Post Office Final Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 30 May 1951 issued a 3-cent stamp through the Norfolk, VA., post office,  to commemorate the Final Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans.

The central design depicted a United Confederate Veteran as he appeared in 1951. Behind him, he was shown in his youth as a Confederate soldier. Across the top of the stamp is the wording "Final Reunion United Confederate Veterans" in whiteface Gothic. In the upper left corner of the design is an hourglass representing time, most of which has run out as indicated by the sand in the lower half. 

The stamp was printed by the rotary process, electric-eye perforated, and issued in panes of 50 stamps each. The printing of 110 million copies of this stamp was authorised.

United States Post Office Railroad Engineers of America

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE  on 29 April 1950 issued a  3-cent stamp in Jackson, Tennessee to honour the railroad engineers of America, featuring a portrait of Casey Jones. 

The stamp depicted John Luther "Casey" Jones in the center, flanked by a steam locomotive on the left and a modern diesel train on the right. 

It commemorated Jones, a famous locomotive engineer who died a hero in a train wreck in 1900.

United States Post Office "Columbus Describing Third Voyage" - 1893

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 1-2 January 1893 issued a yellow-green coloured $3 postage stamp entitled "Columbus Describing Third Voyage" to the Spanish Court. It was the first-ever $3 U.S. stamp and was part of a commemorative series celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage.

The design picture of Columbus discussing his third voyage to the New World with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1500 was  engraved by D.S. Ronaldson.

The designs for the overall series was based on vignette pictures of an engraving by Alfred Jones, Charles Skinner, and Robert Savage, based on a painting by Francisco Jover y Casanova. 

The Columbian stamps were created to promote the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, Illinois from 1 May to 30 October 1893. The exposition was a world’s fair celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

In 1893, only 27,650 were printed by American Bank Note Company, using an Engraving print  method.

United States Post Office "Golden Gate" - 1923

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE issued in 1923 a carmine-coloured 20-cent postage stamp known as the "Golden Gate". 

Despite its name, this stamp does not depict the iconic suspension bridge, as it was issued in 1923, a full decade before construction on the Golden Gate Bridge even began. Instead, the design illustrated  sailing ships in the Golden Gate strait, the narrow passage of water connecting the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.

1938 United States Presidential Series

1938 UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL SERIES postage stamps, often referred to as "Prexies". 

The set included stamps featuring portraits of every U.S. President from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge, plus Benjamin Franklin and Martha Washington.

United States Post Office California Pacific International Exposition - 1935

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 29 May 1935 issued a 3-cent purple postage stamp to commemorate the California Pacific International Exposition held in San Diego, California. 

The Exposition celebrated the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado in the Pacific Southwest. 

The image depicted the Exposition grounds in Balboa Park, looking toward San Diego with Point Loma and San Diego Bay in the background.

Over 100 million of these stamps were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing using a Rotary Press.

United States Post Office 100th anniversary of the Stephen Watts Kearny Expedition

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 16 October 1946 issued a 3-cent postage stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Stephen Watts Kearny Expedition. 

The stamp depicted General Kearny's expeditionary force arriving at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1846.

This brown-violet stamp was first released in Santa Fe, N.M. Approximately 114,684,450 stamps were printed by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing,nursing a Rotary Press.

United States Post Office 150th Anniversary U.S. Frigate Constitution

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 21 October 1947 issued a 3-cent postage stamp to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the launching of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, famously known as "Old Ironsides". 

Surrounding the ship are 16 stars, representing the 16 states in the Union in 1797, the year the ship was first launched. 

The U. S. Frigate Constitution "Old Ironsides", named for the document that established our U.S. laws, the Constitution was built in a Boston shipyard between 1794 and 1797. Its massive 204-foot long oak hull was made from trees from Massachusetts, Maine, and Georgia. The Constitution was launched on 21 October 1797.

The ship fought in battles against the Barbary pirates in 1803-4, and emerged unscathed. In the War of 1812, the Constitution fought against the British warship Guerriere. During the fighting, a sailor saw British shots bouncing off the side of the ship and exclaimed that it had sides of iron. "Old Ironsides" became the ships popular name.

Condemned as unseaworthy in 1830, the ship was brought to  public attention by Oliver Wendell Holmes poem, "Old Ironsides". The vessel was restored and placed back in service in 1833. Decommissioned in 1855, it was again rebuilt in 1877. In 1897, it was turned into a barrack ship in Boston. Then in 1931, the ship was again commissioned into active service, and it remains so to this day. The oldest warship afloat in the world, the Constitution is anchored in Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston.

This green-blue stamp was first issued in Boston, Massachusetts. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing issued approximately 131 million stamps, using a Rotary Press.