Scotts #717 US stamps

#717 1932 Arbor Day Issue

2¢ Light carmine, carmine

Printing Method: Rotary Press
Subject: Children planting a tree
Perforations: 11 x 10½
Number issued: 60,183,900
Scott #: 717
Issued: April 22nd, 1932

Value

Used
15¢ - 20¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
25¢
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
50¢ - $1

First Day Covers

A first day cover, dated April 22nd, 1932. There are covers sent from the Postmaster General to agricultural agencies on the 15th April 1932.

Plate #'s

#717 was issued with the following plate #'s

Number only
20872-77

The Story Behind the Stamp

Actual photo used for the vignette

This is the second use of living persons being depicted on stamps, despite a rule against this. The first example was nurse in the Red Cross issue (#702). Above we have the photo of the children of the former director of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, Alvin Hall, planting a tree in his garden.

The push to have this stamp issued came from the state of Nebraska whose Arbor day of the 22nd April was chosen. Prior to this each state had a different Arbor day as climatic conditions varied, New Mexico, for instance had a much earlier in the year Arbor Day of March 12th.