The $4 Stamp
"Isabella and Columbus" was the first United States stamp to bear the portrait of a woman. Queen Isabella's place on U.S. postage in that regard would not be equalled until Martha Washington was depicted on a 1902 definitive. The portrait of Columbus on the right was adapted from one by Lorenzo Lotto. Only 26,350 were printed, the least of any of the Columbians.
As with the 6-cent Columbian, a color variant exists that is awarded minor number status. While this stamp is normally described as crimson lake, the variety is considered to be rose carmine.
Read more about this topic: Columbian Issue
Famous quotes containing the word stamp:
“Preserving tradition has become a nice hobby, like stamp collecting.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)