UNITED STATES POST OFFICE between 1943 to 1944 issued 13 stamps known as "The Overrun Countries" series, which paid tribute to the countries overrun and occupied by the Axis powers during World War II.
The countries honoured were Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Austria, Denmark, and Korea. The stamps were issued in that sequence at various dates in 1943, except the Korea stamp, which was issued 2 November 1944.
The countries honoured were Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Austria, Denmark, and Korea. The stamps were issued in that sequence at various dates in 1943, except the Korea stamp, which was issued 2 November 1944.
All of these stamps were 5-cent in denomination, 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension, arranged horizontally, and issued in sheets of 50 stamps each.
The central subjects, which were surface printed, reproduced in natural colours the flags of the respective countries with the name of the country underneath. Rays of light extended from behind the central subjects to the outer frames. The main frames of the stamps, steel engraved, were printed in purple and depicted on the left the phoenix, a mythological bird symbolising the renewal of life, and on the right, in a corresponding position, a kneeling female figure portraying the breaking of the shackles of oppression and enforced servitude. Both figures were supported by pedestals on which, in oval-shaped panels with dark ground, the numeral 5 is indicated in white. These pedestals rest on a panel, in which appeared the word "Cents" in white-faced Roman. Immediately back of the wording the panel was of a darker shade fading out at each end. Across the top of the stamps were the words "United States Postage" in white-faced Gothic, within a ruled panel with ornamental scroll ends.
The concept for the stamps was mooted by President Franklin Roosevelt, an avid stamp collector himself.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Treasury Department, contracted with the American Bank Note Co., New York, N.Y., for printing of these stamps to take advantage of their special multicolour printing equipment.
The central subjects, which were surface printed, reproduced in natural colours the flags of the respective countries with the name of the country underneath. Rays of light extended from behind the central subjects to the outer frames. The main frames of the stamps, steel engraved, were printed in purple and depicted on the left the phoenix, a mythological bird symbolising the renewal of life, and on the right, in a corresponding position, a kneeling female figure portraying the breaking of the shackles of oppression and enforced servitude. Both figures were supported by pedestals on which, in oval-shaped panels with dark ground, the numeral 5 is indicated in white. These pedestals rest on a panel, in which appeared the word "Cents" in white-faced Roman. Immediately back of the wording the panel was of a darker shade fading out at each end. Across the top of the stamps were the words "United States Postage" in white-faced Gothic, within a ruled panel with ornamental scroll ends.
The concept for the stamps was mooted by President Franklin Roosevelt, an avid stamp collector himself.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Treasury Department, contracted with the American Bank Note Co., New York, N.Y., for printing of these stamps to take advantage of their special multicolour printing equipment.
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