Recalling pleasant things and taking the time to dwell on them.
Iowa, U.S. Presidents, & U.S. Postage Stamps.
On November 21, 1959, presidential hopeful – Senator John F. Kennedy – visited Iowa City – taking in the Notre Dame – Iowa football game at Iowa Stadium.
Kennedy flew into Iowa City late Friday night, November 20, 1959, hoping to firm up his position as front-runner for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 1960. Arriving in the wee hours of the morning, JFK caught a few hours of sleep at the Jefferson Hotel, and on Saturday morning, had a breakfast meeting with a number of Democratic leaders before heading over to a large public gathering at the ISU Memorial Union with speculative vice presidential candidate – Iowa Governor Herchel C. Loveless.Kennedy – both a wise political candidate and a good Catholic, when asked about the Notre Dame-Iowa matchup, quipped, “I’m cheering for Iowa, but praying for Notre Dame,” His prayers worked this time, as the Irish edged the Hawkeyes 20-19.Although Governor Loveless didn’t make the 1960 Democratic ticket, Kennedy did secure the nomination on his way to eventually winning the presidency. Four years (and one day) later – November 22, 1963 – John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, leading Iowa and Notre Dame to suspend their 1963 football game – a first in Hawkeye football history.(L-0102) When I was 12 years old (1963) John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. During the Kennedy presidency I wrote to the White House asking for a photo of JFK – this 5 x 7 picture card is what I received. (C-0202)U.S. #1246 1964 5¢ John F. Kennedy Memorial First Day of Issue: May 29, 1964 City: Boston, MA, also includes U.S. #558 6¢ James Garfield & #559 7¢ William McKinley – 1922-1925 Regular Issue Series, and U.S. #1036 1954 4¢ Lincoln – Liberty Series When John F. Kennedy was assassinated on the streets of Dallas on November 22, 1963, every American went into a state of shock. Much like 9/11, everyone who was alive in the 1960’s remembers where they were when they heard the news. Sadly, four sitting U.S. Presidents have been murdered: Abraham Lincoln (1865), James A. Garfield (1881), William McKinley (1901), and John F. Kennedy (1963). This interesting 1964 First Day Cover depicts those four assassinated presidents.
Old Stone Capitol Remembers – Abraham, Martin, & John. Since it’s inception in 1841, the Old Stone Capitol has been a gathering place for Iowa Citians. Revisit three iconic moments in American history: Lincoln (1865), Kennedy (1963), and King (1968) via photographs taken by iconic Iowa City photographers, Issac Wetherby and Fred Kent. Click here to read more.
(C-0150)U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa.
August 10, 1965 – Hoover Stamp Day. August 10, 1965 marked the 91st birthday of Herbert Hoover. Over 22,000 people ascended on West Branch to celebrate Stamp Day, the first day of issue for the Hoover commemorative stamp. For this 14-year old stamp collector from Mt. Pleasant, it was a thrill of a lifetime. Click here to read more.
(S-0044)U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa.(S-0068)U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa.(C-0151) U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa.(L-0089)U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover Display Card First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa.
(C-0286)U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa. Washington Stamp Exchange in August of 1965 – placing seven other US postage stamps with the Hoover commemorative – all with themes from Herbert Hoover’s life (see above letter). U.S. #774 1935 3¢ Dedication of Boulder Dam, U.S. #942 1946 3¢ Iowa Statehood Centennial, U.S. #1012 1952 3¢ Engineering Centennial, U.S. #1079 1956 3¢ King Salmon Wildlife Conservation, U.S. #1163 1960 4¢ Boys’ Clubs of America, U.S. #12081963 5¢ 50-Star Flag & White House, U.S. #12311963 5¢ Food for Peace.
(P-0155) U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover First Day of Issue Date: August 10, 1965 City: West Branch, Iowa Postmarked Sept 12, 1970in Omaha, NE.(C-0157) Herbert Hoover Day – 100th Anniversary – 1874 – 1974. U.S. #1519 1973 10¢ 50-star & 13-star Flags Coil Stamp First Day of Issue: December 8, 1973. City: San Francisco, CA Postmarked on August 10, 1974 in West Branch, Iowa. (S-0045) (S-0046)U.S. #2219c 1986 22¢ Herbert Hoover from AMERIPEX 86 Presidential Series – Souvenir Sheets (US #2216-#2219) First Day of Issue Date: May 22, 1986 City: Chicago, Illinois.(C-0152)U.S. #2219c 1986 22¢ Herbert Hoover from AMERIPEX 86 Presidential Series – First Day of Issue Date: May 22, 1986 City: Chicago, Illinois.(C-0153)U.S. #2219c 1986 22¢ Herbert Hoover from AMERIPEX 86 Presidential Series – First Day of Issue Date: May 22, 1986 City: Chicago, Illinois w/U.S. #1269 5¢ Herbert Hoover.(C-0154) U.S. #2219c 1986 22¢ Herbert Hoover from AMERIPEX 86 Presidential Series – First Day of Issue Date: May 22, 1986 City: Chicago, Illinois Postmarked August 10, 1986 in West Branch.(C-0155)U.S. #3930 37¢ Presidential Libraries First Day of Issue: August 4, 2005 City: West Branch, Iowa & Various Presidential Libraries across USA This First Day Cover includes U.S. #1269 – 5¢ Herbert Hoover.On January 1, 1932 the U.S. Post Office Department issued a set of 12 beautiful stamps and an embossed envelope honoring the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. Here’s an interesting factoid: Since the first stamps issued in 1847, George Washington has appeared on more U.S. postage stamps than any other U.S. citizen. Actually, did you know that George has been pictured on more stamps than all other presidents combined? Happy Birthday, Mr. President.(L-0093) U.S. #704-717 on #U525 – 1932 George Washington Bicentennial Series First Day of Issue: January 1, 1932 City: Washington DC – Here’s a rare First Day Cover with the entire set of Washington stamps (12) on #U525 Mt. Vernon embossed envelope.(C-0216)U.S. #930-933 – 1945-46 Franklin Roosevelt Memorial Set After guiding America out of the Depression and through most of World War II, Franklin Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, just 11 weeks into his fourth term and less than a month before Germany’s surrender. To honor Roosevelt, an avid stamp collector, the Post Office issued four stamps in the months following Roosevelt’s death to honor his service to America:
U.S. #930 – 1¢ FDR and Hyde Park First Day of Issue: July 26, 1945City: Washington DC.This stamp commemorates Franklin Roosevelt and the place of his birth, Hyde Park, NY. He lived at Hyde Park until enrolling in preparatory school at the age of 14.
U.S. #931 – 2¢ FDR and Little White HouseFirst Day of Issue:August 24, 1945 City: Washington DC. This stamp commemorates the time President Roosevelt spent at the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia. As therapy following an attack of polio, Franklin Roosevelt swam in the warm mineral pools of Warm Springs, Georgia. In an effort to help polio victims afford treatment, Roosevelt bought the land surrounding the springs and established The Warm Springs Foundation.
U.S. #932 – 3¢ FDR and White HouseFirst Day of Issue:June 27, 1945 City: Washington DC. During his time at the White House, Roosevelt successfully led America through both the Great Depression and World War II. He also became America’s only four-term president.
U.S. #933 – 5¢ FDR and Four FreedomsFirst Day of Issue:January 30, 1946 City: Washington DC. This stamp commemorates Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech that he delivered to Congress on January 6, 1941. The four freedoms are the freedom of speech and expression, the freedom to worship God in one’s own way, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. He concluded his speech stating that, “Our strength is our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory.”
Two Iowa City Presidential Whistlestops – 1948 & 1952. The Presidential races of 1948 and 1952 brought the campaigns of President Harry S. Truman (1948) and General Dwight D. Eisenhower (1952) right to the front door of Iowa City. Read these first-hand accounts of two unforgettable Whistlestops that drew huge crowds to the CRI&P Railroad Depot on Wright Street. Click here to read the full story.
