An interesting printing variety, termed the "candle flame" variety, exists in this stamp. In this variety, the right ornamental ball at the base of the numeral "1" extends upward, leaving a white streak which looks like a flame. This streak can be found on either the right or left numeral "1" or both. Since it varies from stamp to stamp, it is identified as a printing variety and does not merit its own type or Scott number.

This stamp shows Columbus coming ashore at Guanahani (San Salvador) in the West Indies. He claimed the land in the name of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. And so certain was Columbus that he was in India, he called the natives 'Indians.'

This issue was intended to contrast sharply with the previous issue, to emphasize the great progress made during the past century. It illustrates the three-towered Federal Building in Chicago.

The first Vice-President, John Adams, went on to become our second President. During his term, the capital moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. He and Mrs. Adams were the first to live in the White House, which was partially complete when they moved in.

Although Thomas Jefferson is best known for writing the Declaration of Independence, he was also instrumental in establishing the Bill of Rights. Upon seeing the first draft of the Constitution, he objected to the lack of a bill of rights and wrote to James Madison, urging one. As a result, Madison introduced the first ten amendments to the Constitution - The Bill of Rights.

At age 68, William Henry Harrison was the oldest man elected as President. He also served the shortest term - one month. On the day he was inaugurated, he caught a cold, and died thirty days later.

The last of the National Defense series, the "torch of enlightenment" was also based on a drawing by President Roosevelt.

Like the "Win the War" commemorative, this stamp was issued as a form of propaganda to try to raise support for U.S. involvement in World War II.

One of the best known American judges, Oliver Wendell Holmes served as a member of the Supreme Court for 30 years. Known as the "Great Dissenter," he insisted laws be viewed in light of a changing society, rather than as old formulas to be adhered to.

First explored by Hernando de Soto of Spain, Alabama's first permanent settlement was made by the French at Ft. Louis. In 1817, the Alabama Territory was created. Two years later, Alabama became the 22nd state to join the Union.

Founded in 1919, the American Legion is an organization of war veterans that acts to help support honorably discharged veterans and their families.

On December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida. The goal of the mission was to put astronauts in orbit around the moon, and advance toward the eventual goal of landing on the moon.

A dual purpose issue, this stamp marks the 200th anniversary of the settlement of California as well as the bicentennial of the city of San Diego.

The design on the eighth Christmas issue from the U.S. is taken from a painting entitled "Winter Sunday in Norway, Maine." Painted by an unknown artist, it now belongs to the New York Historical Association in Cooperstown, NY.

This stamp commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Dartmouth College Case. In 1816, the legislature of New Hampshire changed Dartmouth College's charter in an attempt to make the institution public. Daniel Webster argued successfully that the change violated the contract clause of the U.S. Constitution.

As the 34th President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower fought to control the spread of Communism, worked to integrate public schools, and was responsible for the creation of NASA.

Issued to coincide with Senior Citizens' Month, this stamp honors Anna Mary Robertson Moses ("Grandmas Moses"), who began painting at age 77. The stamp's design is a painting completed in 1951, when "Grandma" was 91

Organized by Edgar F. Allen, whose son had been injured and later died as a result of a car accident. The Easter Seal Society has become a powerful spokesman for the physically challenged. This issue honors the 50th anniversary of the organization.

This issue commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first intercollegiate football game. Rutgers University defeated Princeton University by a score of 6-4.

In 1869, John Wesley Powell became the first white man to explore the Green and Colorado Rivers when he made the perilous journey along a 1,000 mile stretch of the Grand Canyon.

In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team. The players' salaries ranged from $800 to $1,400 a year.

Issued on the 150th anniversary of the founding of Memphis, Tennessee, this issue salutes famous composer, musician, and the man whom many consider the "inventor of the blues," W.C. Handy.

This issue honors the memory of this American artist, whose paintings are so lifelike he was once charged with counterfeiting.

Issued as part of a series honoring America's rural life, this stamp marks the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Scottish Black Angus cattle to the United States.

In recognition of the Christmas season, this stamp features the masterpiece, "The Small Cowper Madonna," by Raphael. Today, the painting hangs in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Unlike the 1964 Homemakers stamp, which was designed to represent needlepoint (#1252), this issue was actually designed in needlepoint. It took the designer just ten days to create this work of art.