In 1957, during the height of the Cold War, the Post Office Department of the USA issued a single, oversized 8-cent stamp commemorating Ramon Magsaysay (1907-1957), the deceased president of the Philippines. The stamp honouring this
Champion of Liberty became the forerunner of a series of nine sets of two stamps each, issued from 1958 through 1961, known as the
Champion of Liberty Series. All the stamps honoured men who fought for freedom in their homelands.
After Ramon Magsaysay’s single commemorative stamp was issued, the rest of the series had two stamps printed for each subject – one in a single colour, and one with three colours. The pairs were also of different denominations. The single colour stamps covered the domestic rate, while the multicoloured stamps paid the international rate, to “carry the message of freedom around the world.”
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| Gandhi, Apostle of Non-Violence |
I'm ashamed to say I've only heard of two of these men - Bolivar and Garibaldi.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting series and each one is slightly different in design.
But, really, those whiskers on Lajos Kossuth do him no favours!!
Whiskers from another time, I guess :)
DeleteAn interesting series of stamps both in design and the choices of men.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy.
DeleteI was not familiar with this series of stamps at all - thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteGiven current events, maybe we need a new series of stamps titled Champions of Justice.
DeleteI guess these are old to be popular right now, but probably they were on their time.
DeleteChampions of Justice will be a good series.
I was not aware of this series at all either. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteThere must have been lots and lots of this series printed as I still see them used on postage here from time to time 60 years later!
ReplyDeleteI think all of these were sent by you. It's a very interesting series. Thanks!
DeleteI was surprised to see that I had heard of all but two of the champions depicted although I was not aware of this series of stamps. I guess Champions of Justice would be controversial.
ReplyDeleteAll people depicting stamp has its controversy :|
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