Wednesday, April 1, 2026

U.S. Post Office 200th Anniversary of Washington and Lee University

UNITED STATES POST OFFICE on 12 April 1949, in Lexington, Virginia, issued a 3-cent postage stamp to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Washington and Lee University. 

The central image featured the university's historic colonnade. It was flanked by portraits of the school's namesakes: George Washington on the left and Robert E. Lee on the right.

Historically, George Washington saved the school from financial ruin with a $20,000 endowment in 1796, whereas Robert E. Lee served as the university's president from 1865 to 1870.

The stamp was printed in ultramarine blue using a rotary press. Over 104 million copies were released.