Harry S. Truman Signed "National Capital Sesquicentennial" FDC With Bonus A.W. Barkley Sig!

A "3¢ Freedom / National Capital Sesquicentennial / 1800 * Washington * 1950" First Day Cover, signed by sitting 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) as "Harry S Truman" near the top edge. Postmarked in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 1950. Bearing a canceled stamp officially issued that day: a bright blue U.S. 3-cent stamp depicting the "Statue of Freedom" crowning the dome of the Capitol Building. Expected wear, else near fine. 6.5" x 3.75." With bonus card signed by Alben W. Barkley (1877-1956), Truman's Vice President from 1949-1953, as "Alben W. Barkley." Expected light wear, else near fine.

The United States had shuttled between eight different national capitals in four states--Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Maryland--before Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison conceived of the plan to create a new capital near the Potomac River: Washington, D.C. The first session of Congress convened in the new Capitol Building in November 1800.

The original design of the "Statue of Freedom," proposed by sculptor Thomas Crawford in 1855, featured a figure wearing a Phrygian or "liberty" cap. This design element was later changed to a Roman feathered headdress at the insistence of then Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, who felt the Phrygian cap was anti-slavery.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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