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.