Scotts #852 US stamps

#852 1939 3¢ Golden Gate Exposition

3¢ Bright Purple

Subject: Tower of the Sun
Golden Gate International Exposition, San Francisco
Perforations: 10½ x 11
Number issued: 114,439,600
Scott #: 852
Issued: February 18th, 1939

Value for pairs

Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
25¢
Used and MH
5¢

First Day Cover

A first day cover, dated February 18th, 1939

Plate #'s

#852 was issued with the following plate #'s

Numbers
22289-92

The Inspiration for the Design

The Exposition closed forever on September 29, 1940. Originally scheduled to become the new San Francisco airport after the Exposition, Treasure Island was taken over by the U.S. Navy in support of the war effort. San Francisco was given land on the San Mateo County mudflats, where the airport still stands, as compensation for losing the Treasure Island facility. Some Exposition statuary and art was saved, others destroyed. A few artifacts remain scattered around the city and the country, but for the most part, the glory of the Exposition was abandoned for the practical requirements of war.