Spirit of ’76 Stamps on July 4th

This post features the bicentennial Spirit of ’76 stamps from 1976. The country celebrated the bicentennial that whole year – and actually throughout the mid-70s.

I have made the point repeatedly that stamps, like money, are political documents. Even though the United States historically has few music stamps, the 1940 stamps featuring composers was very much a political statement. The bicentennial celebrations were a big opportunity for the United States to send patriotic messages to citizens. Consequently, there were several stamps and coins issued in honor of this important anniversary. The set of stamps known as the Spirit of ’76 were among the several stamps issued for the bicentennial.

The Spirit of ’76

The stamp was based on the painting known as The Spirit of ’76 painted by Archibald MacNeal Willard. The painting is from around 1875 and was made in preparation for the country’s centennial in 1876. It was first on exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876. The painting, though, actually didn’t gain much attention at the time and was not liked by critics. However, it was reproduced on inexpensive chromolithographs that were sold to the public. These copies became very popular with the general public.

The painting – as well as the stamp – feature three musicians, two drummers and a fife player. Willard used his father as the model for the middle figure.

Side Drum and Fife

The side drum and fife became popular national symbols during the Revolutionary Period. In Europe, the instruments were signal instruments for the infantry.

In colonial America, local militias similarly used the side drum as a signal instrument in their drilling to prepare for the defense of their communities. When the Revolutionary War began, the local militias, and the local musicians, marched off to war. The drummer and fifer came to represent the average citizen-soldier who fought and defeated the most powerful army in the world. Of course, that mythology about the exceptional character and bravery of the common man lies at the core of American national mythology. It is this idea that Willard represents in the painting.

The other thing about the painting is that it features the musicians leading the flags in what is clearly the midst of battle. That would never happen in battle. Once the battle began, the musicians would assist the medics.

The Spirit of ’76 Stamps

The bicentennial postage stamps feature an unusual design, where three se-tenant stamps linked to make up a single image. The painting was first suggested as a theme for a postage stamp for the 150th anniversary in 1936. However, it had to wait a half century to make its appearance. The design is by Vincent E. Hoffman and became available on January 1, 1976 in Pasadena, CA in conjunction with the annual Rose Bowl Parade. Indeed, this famous annual parade was the first official event of the bicentennial year.