1341, 2814 UNITED STATES (Alaska) - Alaska map

2814 Alaska map

Posted on 23.11.2014, 12.11.2016
When a massive, snow-covered terrain, known as Alaska, was purchased from Russia for $7.2 million dollars in 1867, no one imagined the great contributions this icy land would make to America. Indeed, many Americans thought the land to be barren and desolate... completely worthless. However, Alaska has since proven to be bountiful in breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich natural resources. In fact, located at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska is what is believed to be North America's largest oil reserve.

1341 The celebration of 25 years
of Alaska's statehood

In addition, Alaska's fishing waters - rich in salmon, halibut and king crab - provide some of the most plentiful harvests anywhere in America. Indeed, this frigid land proved to be such a great asset to America, that on January 3, 1959, Alaska entered the Union as the 49th state - the first new state in forty-seven years. Interestingly, Alaska is known as America's Last Frontier, because much of the land has yet to be explored or settled. It is also the largest state in the United States by area, the 3rd least populous and the least densely populated of the 50 United States.

In celebration  of the 25th anniversary of Alaska's statehood, the United States Postal Service issued the postage stamp that is featured on the proofcard 1341. In addition to honoring Alaska's statehood, the colorful postage stamp focuses on the 200th anniversary of the first permanent settlement in the state and on the 100th anniversary of the state's first civil government. A proofcard realised with the ocasion of the celebration of 25 years of Alaska's statehood. A proofcard (or proof) is an early printing of an action figure cardback.

Generally proofs are printed on slightly thinner cardstock and the bottom corners remain square. Often, proofs do not have glossy backs as they are mainly for showcasing the front image of the card. Some proofs are not printed on the back at all. There seems to be no exact science to how a proof card is made or what it can be used for. All proofs are printed on a big sheet and individually cut. Sometimes proofs are found that have not been die-cut from the sheet and have much of the white bordering around them. These were usually the result of a person hand cutting an entire sheet just to separate the individual cards.

About the stamps
On the postcard 1341
The first stamp - depicting a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the words he spoke at Gettysburg "Of the people, by the people, for the people" - is part of a set of three stamps, issued on June 10, 1960:
• the Liberty Bell ("Let Freedom Ring") (10c)
• the Statue of Liberty ("Liberty for All") (15c)
• the president Abraham Lincoln (25c) - It's on the postcard 1341

The second stamp, depicting the head of the Statue of Liberty, was issued in 1971.

The third stamp, depicting the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is part of a series of six stamps about American Folklore, designed by Leonard Everett Fisher and issued on October 12, 1974.

The fourth stamp, depicting the boxer Rocky Marciano, undefeated throughout his entire career, was issued on May 26, 1999.

The fifth stamp, depicting California Mission Bell, was issued on 1969.

The sixth stamp, which shows Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was issued in 1954.

The seventh stamp is part of the series American Architecture, issued in 1982:
• Fallingwater in Pennsylvania
• Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago
• Gropius House in Massachusetts - it's on the postcard
• Washington Dulles International Airport

The last stamp was issued on December 29, 1945  to mark the 100th anniversary of Texas statehood.

On the postcard 2814
The first two stamps are part of the definitives series American Design (2002-2007), about which I wrote here. About the last stamp, Inverted Jenny, I wrote here.

Sender 1341: dlipsey / David (postcrossing)
Sent from McLean (Virginia / United States), on 10.11.2014
Proofcard of original painting by John Swatsley
Sender 2814: Denise
Sent from Jericho (New York / United States), on 20.01.2014