5¢ William McKinley

Date of issue: April 30, 1904

The subject of the 5¢ Louisiana Purchase Exposition stamp has arguably the weakest link to the event of any of the individuals honored in the 1904 commemorative series. William McKinley did sign a bill which committed the U.S. to hosting the 1904 World’s Fair, but it was more likely that the late President’s assassination in 1901 and the desire for a stamp to honor him led to his inclusion.¹

The blue stamp includes the dates of McKinley’s birth (1843) and death.² It paid the basic international rate, and therefore saw a good deal of use on mail bound for overseas destinations.³

Next: 10¢ Map of Louisiana Purchase stamp

References

1. American President: William McKinley. Miller Center. Accessed 12 July 2011.
2. 1904 U.S. Postage Stamps. 1847usa.com. Accessed 12 July 2011.
3. Haimann, Alexander T. 5-cent McKinley. Arago: People, Postage & the Post. 26 Jan. 2007. Accessed 12 July 2011.

Published 2018-06-21