Set of 3: Official Mail Patriotic Series

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Official Mail USA Official Mail USA 29 Penalty for private use Penaly forvate use $300 SEATILEO 24 1991 98109 hydn NA WA PATTLE Official Mail USA 24 1991 19 98109 Penalty for private use $30 QRIC Lydon ** Official Mail USA WA 24 1991 23 98109 Penalty for private use $300 Lydon

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OFFICIAL MAIL PRIME RATE First Day of Issue: May 24, 1991 First Issue Location: Seattle, Washington Washington, D.C., is a city where the highest aspirations of man are paid loving tribute in etched sandstone and marble. The impressive Capitol Building is a national treasury of spectacular architecture with exquisitely de- tailed pediments, arches, doors and porticos serving as monuments to the ideals which made this country great. During the early-to-mid 1800s, sculptor Luigi Persico executed a sandstone masterpiece which graced the east central pediment of the Senate wing. Based on a sugges- tion by President John Quincy Adams, Persico sculpted a tympanum which he entitled “Genius of America." The central figure of America grasps a shield inscribed “USA” in her right hand and points to the figure of Justice with her left. Proudly poised with head held high, Justice holds her scales aloft and and trails with her left hand a scroll inscribed “Constitution, 17 September 1787." The figure of Hope completes the sculpture. The prime rate stamp featured on this Maximum Card is for official use only and is part of the 1991 rate change. No. 91-29 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Tom Lydon OFFICIAL MAIL POSTCARD RATE First Day of Issue: May 24, 1991 First Issue Location: Seattle, Washington The year was 1791 and the United States was only a few years old when French engineer Pierre-Charles L'Enfant completed his layout plans for the capital city of the young nation. The Washington, D.C., of today is among the most beautiful cities in the world, with the U.S. Capitol as its . central point. The building is a work of art in its own right. A fine example is the Apotheosis of Democracy, a sculp- ture on the east front of the House Pediment. This Maxi- mum Card artwork is based upon a portion of the colossal sculpture and depicts Peace Protecting Genius. Peace stands before an olive tree, her right arm symbolically protecting Genius, who rests at her feet and holds the torch of Immortality. The sculpture was completed in 1916 by Paul Wayland Bartlett. Significantly, the Official Mail Postal Card stamp on this Maximum Card can be used only for official government business, such as might be mailed from Washington, D.C. The stamp is part of the 1991 postal rate increase at the Postal Card rate. No. 91-30 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Tom Lydon HOPE First Day of Issue: May 24, 1991 First Issue Location: Seattle, Washington Americans have always been optimists. Men of vision and confidence built the country in the early years and similar men continue to improve upon the original. The “hope" for a better day is what drives Americans toward success. On the East Pediment of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Hope herself stands nine feet high, symbolizing the quality that made the United States great. Part of a sculpted mural which includes Justice and America, Hope is the anchor of all that motivates Ameri- cans. Appropriately, Hope leans on an anchor. The overall theme of the sculpted mural is that America cultivates justice, but strives for success. Hope was carved from sandstone by Luigi Persico in 1825-28. For almost a century and a half, the sculpture withstood the elements, but rain and wind took their toll on the easily- eroded sandstone. In 1959, the sculptures were repro- duced in pure Georgia White marble and today stand for all to see. Fittingly, the official mail sheet stamp on this Maximum Card is for government use No. 91-31 ©1991 The Maximum Card Collection A division of Unicover Corporation Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 ® Original painting for the Maximum Card by Tom Lydon