The Postal Service will release First Continental Congress, 1774, a stamp honoring the 250th anniversary of a milestone on the path to the American Revolution.
The formation of the congress was one of the first indications that a new government — and ultimately, a new nation — was emerging. Fifty-six delegates from 12 Colonies participated in the congress, laying the groundwork for what would become democracy as we know it.
The stamp art, evocative of the American flag, is dominated by a vertical blue band bordered on either side by white stripes. Text at the top of the band reads: “12 COLONIES UNITE IN PROTEST.”
The center features the congress’s plea to King George III: “We ask but for Peace, Liberty and Safety.”
The title of the stamp — “FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, 1774” — appears at the bottom. A red stripe with 12 white stars representing the number of Colonies that participated in the Congress delineates the left side.
Antonio Alcalá served as art director, designer and typographer for the stamp, which will be available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
USPS will dedicate the stamp at Carpenters’ Hall, the Philadelphia meeting place that hosted the First Continental Congress.
