On August 18, the United States Postal Service is issuing a War of 1812: USS Constitution Forever stamp. The public is invited to attend a First Day of Sale Ceremony at the Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth Street, Derby, at 10:30 a.m.
For the design of the first stamp in the series, the Postal Service selected a long-admired painting of the famed USS Constitution by Michele Felice Cornè, circa 1803.
Issac Hull, of Shelton and Derby, took command of the vessel in June 1810.
According to the USPS, “The War of 1812, sometimes called ‘the forgotten conflict,’ was a two-and-a-half year confrontation with Great Britain that brought the United States to the verge of bankruptcy and disunion. With this stamp, the Postal Service begins a series commemorating the bicentennial of a war that ultimately helped forge our national identity and gave us our national anthem, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’”
Constitution acquired the nickname “Old Ironsides” during a victorious battle with HMS Guerriere in August 1812, two months into the war. It scored another victory in December over HMS Java. These victories against the world’s mightiest navy helped sustain American morale during a time the U.S. Army was suffering major setbacks.
Click here to read a previous Valley Indy story about Hull and his legacy.
This program is being presented in collaboration with the Connecticut Cover Club, Derby Public Library, and the USPS. Please contact the Derby Historical Society for more information at 203 – 735-1908 or email info@derbyhistorical.org.
The Derby Historical Society and the Connecticut Club will each prepare envelopes bearing the new stamp — which is being issued at the Constitution Dock in Boston the same day — cancelled in Derby.
The Derby Historical Society envelope will reproduce the artwork they used for the 1947 Frigate Constitution stamp, while the Connecticut Cover Club will produce a design by Chris Calle, an internationally known stamp designer and artist.
The Derby Historical Society is a regional non-profit historical society serving the area composed of and influenced by the original Township of Derby established in 1675: Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton. Its purpose is to foster and promote study, discussion and interest in the history of this area, as well as to discover and collect any property or material that may preserve, establish and/or illustrate this history.
The Society manages three properties including the David Humpreys House, 37 Elm Street, Ansonia CT; Dr. John I. Howe House, 213 Caroline Street, Derby CT; Sarah Riggs Humpreys House (staff offices), located behind the David Humpreys House. The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is also available to support researchers, school or other program needs.
Our staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humpreys House, 37 Elm Street, Ansonia, CT. The David Humpreys House and gift shop are open year-round Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM and the third Saturday of each month, 11AM – 2PM. Cost: $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and children 8 – 16, children under 8 are free. For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org
