The Postal Service dedicated its First Continental Congress, 1774, stamp in Philadelphia on Sept. 5, marking the 250th anniversary of a turning point in the movement for American independence.
The congress was formed to determine how to safeguard the Colonies’ rights under British rule. Fifty-six delegates from 12 Colonies participated in the congress, laying the groundwork for what would become democracy as we know it.
“Here, where the footholds of democracy were established, we dedicate this stamp with a spirit of gratitude for the freedoms that we enjoy today,” said Roman Martinez IV, USPS Board of Governors chairman, who spoke at the ceremony.
The event was held at Carpenters’ Hall, the historic meeting place that hosted the First Continental Congress.
Other speakers were Michael Norris, executive director of Carpenters’ Hall; Alyssa Constad, the hall’s assistant director; and Michael Elston, USPS Board of Governors secretary and secretary-general of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Other participants included J. Ward Larkin, a historical actor who portrayed Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was not a delegate to the First Continental Congress, although two future presidents — George Washington and John Adams — were.
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 is available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
In her remarks during the ceremony, Constad noted Carpenters’ Hall is also marking its 250th anniversary, while the Carpenters’ Company — the guild that built the hall — is turning 300.
“It is a great honor [to commemorate these milestones] with another historic and honored institution — the United States Postal Service,” she said.
