Object Details
Description
A 25-cent stamp honoring the Commonwealth of Virginia's 200th anniversary of ratifying the US Constitution was issued on June 25, 1988, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The dedication ceremony occurred at the Capitol building.
The design features the old Capitol building in colonial Williamsburg, pictured with a horse and carriage in the foreground.
Virginia was by far the largest of the thirteen states in population, and it was home of a cluster of distinguished leaders headed by the revered George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Without Virginia's approval of the new Constitution, the acquiescence of the other states would have had little effect.
Although many Virginians took a leading part in drafting the Constitution, others such as Patrick Henry and George Mason feared the inevitability of a stronger national government. Only after the Constitution's proponents promised to seek the addition of a Bill of Rights did the Virginia Convention of 1788 vote to ratify.
The convention began considering statehood on June 2, 1788. After several weeks, James Madison's persuasive talents finally won ratification by a small margin. The delegates suggested forty amendments, of which ten formed the foundation known as the Bill of Rights. The first nine were introduced by James Madison and the tenth by Richard Henry Lee.
Designed by Pierre Mion of Lovettsville, Virginia, designed the stamps were engraved in the offset/intaglio process by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and issued in panes of fifty.
Reference:
Postal Bulletin (June 2, 1988).
mint
Credit line
Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
Date
June 25, 1988
Object number
1989.0496.10142
Type
Postage Stamps
Medium
paper; ink (multicolored); adhesive / lithography, engraving
Place
United States of America
Virginia
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Topic
Architecture
U.S. Stamps
Link to Original Record
Record ID
npm_1989.0496.10142