The Mary Lyon Stamp

[First Day Cover]

History

In 1987, to commemorate the sesquecentennial of MHC, a Mary Lyon stamp was issued by the US Postal service. On the first day of issue, several kinds of envelopes were stamped and postmarked with the new stamp. All covers on this page were postmarked Feb 28, 1987 in South Hadley with a "First day of issue" postmark, and have a 2-cent Mary Lyon stamp on them, unless otherwise noted.

The Images

If only a front scan of the covers are available, that means the back side of the cover was unadorned. Comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.

Official First Day of Issue
front "Official First Day of Issue" "1837-1987 150th Anniversary of Mount Holyoke College" "Mary Lyon Educator, Founder of Mount Holyoke College" Also stamped with a 20-cent flag stamp.

Honoring Educator Mary Lyon
front "Honoring Educator Mary Lyon Founder of Mount Holyoke College" "She was born in 1797 in western Massachusetts. Her efforts were a major factor in the spread of higher education for women in the United States. Although much of her life was spent in teaching and self-study, she continued her formal education throughout her career. She organized Wheaton College in 1834 and founded Mount Holyoke in 1837. She died in 1849 leaving behind a permanent institution of higher education." Stamped with a "B" (14-cent stamp), and four 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps.

Mount Holyoke College 150 years
front "Mount Holyoke College 150 years" Copyright United States Postal Service 1984. Also stamped with a 20-cent fire-pumper stamp.

Mary Lyon South Hadley, MA
front "Mary Lyon South Hadley, MA" In smaller writing above it: "First Day Cover"; in smaller writing below it: "February 28, 1987"; tiny seal in bottom left corner indecipherable, but it looks like an "87" in the center. Stamped with a 14-cent Julia Ward Howe stamp, and four 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps.

First Day of Issue Program
page 1 The cover of the program distributed at the first day of issue of the Mary Lyon Stamp. February 28, 1987 in South Hadley.
page 2 Inside the front cover of the program. Schedule of events.
page 3 Inside the back cover of the program. Two postmarked Mary Lyon stamps, and one postmarked 20c Fire Pumper stamp, and a statement of Mary Lyon's achievements.
page 4 The back cover of the program. Acknowledgements.

Mary Lyon Souvenir Page
front The souvenir page for the Mary Lyon stamp. Two postmarked Mary Lyon stamps, and one postmarked 20c Fire Pumper stamp, designer credits, design details, and a statement about Mary Lyon's life.

Mary Lyon
front A glossy enlargement of the Mary Lyon stamp.

Mary Lyon
front "Official First Day of Issue 1837-1987 150 Years Mount Holyoke College Mary Lyon Educator, Founder of Mount Holyoke College" Also stamped with a 20-cent flag stamp.

Gold Mary Lyon Stamp Replica
front "Mary Lyon Pioneer in Women's Education" Also stamped with a 20-cent flag stamp.
back "The authorized gold stamp replica preserved in this cover is produced under a non-exclusive licensing agreement with the United States Postal Service. Stamp design copyright U.S. Postal Service. Cover design copyright Postal Commemorative Society."
supplement This card was packaged with this first day cover. "This U.S. stamp honors education pioneer Mary Lyon (1797-1849) and celebrates the 150th anniversary of her greatest legacy, the founding of Mount Holyoke College. Founding the school was the crowning achievement of a career dedicated to advancing the cause of higher education for women. Mary Lyon herself had few educational advantages. Left on her own at the age of 13, she had only her incredible energy and determination to see her through. She began teaching at 17 and used her earnings to continue her own education. Unlike most teachers of her time, she believed in an open classroom where students were encouraged to express their thoughts and exchange ideas. Through the teachers she trained, Lyon had a profound impact on elementary and secondary education in the East. In the 1830s, she was maintaining a full schedule of teaching and administrative duties at a New England girls' school and also pursuing her own independent studies. Despite these demands, she drew up a detailed outline for the organization of Wheaton College, established in 1834. Using many ideas developed for Wheaton, Lyon set out to found her own women's college in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She raised $12,000 for a building to house staff and students, and devised a plan to defray room and board costs through a work-sharing program. The school, named Mount Holyoke, officially opened its doors in November 1837 with a first class of 80 young women. At the time of Mary Lyon's death 12 years later, it was a thriving institution, free of debt and endowed with $68,000 worth of gifts."

Mary Lyon
front "Mary Lyon First Day of Issue South Hadley, MIA [sic]" A hand-painted picture signed "Van." A quote by Mary Lyon above it reads: "Turn your current of feeling towards others and it will reach out in a thousand streams." Stamped with two 20-cent fire pumper stamps, and two 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps.

Mary Lyon
front A postcard with a painted portrait of Mary Lyon by Lois Hatcher. Produced by The Maximum Card Collection. Also stamped with a 12-cent Stanley Steamer stamp.
front Divided back, stamp box, unused. #87-9 "Mary Lyon was born in Buckland, Massachusetts on February 28, 1797, and raised as a member of a traditional New England Yankee family. Light-hearted as a child, her keen mind and zeal for knowledge were evident at Ashfield and Amherst Academies where she studied. Her quest for knowledge led her to Joseph Emerson's seminary at Byfield. Thirteen years of teaching followed. During this time, Lyon became more and more impressed with the importance of establishing a seminary for women which should not be dependent "upon health or life of a particular teacher, but like our colleges, be a permanent blessing to our children and to our children's children." Her dreams came to fruition on November 8, 1837 when Mount Holyoke Seminary was opened at South Hadley, Massachusetts. Course study at the Seminary covered three years with a curriculum based on that followed at Amherst College. Lyon lived just twelve years after the founding of Mount Holyoke, yet her work inspires students even today."

Mary Lyon
front A blue envelope containing 18 Mary Lyon stamps, postmarked First Day of Issue, Feb 28, 1987 in South Hadley.

Mary Lyon
front A large card with a painting of Mary Lyon on it. Block of four Mary Lyon stamps, plus a 14c Iceboat stamp. "Mary Lyon/A distinguished and far-sighted educator, she founded Mount Holyoke Seminary for women."
back "Mary Lyon/Mary Lyon was born in Buckland, Massachusetts on February 28, 1797, and raised as a member of a traditional New England Yankee family. Light-hearted as a child, her keen mind and zeal for knowledge were evident at Ashfield and Amherst Academies where she studied. Her quest for knowledge led her to Joseph Emerson's seminary at Byfield. Thirteen years of teaching followed. During this time, Lyon became more and more impressed with the importance of establishing a seminary for women which should not be dependent "upon health or life of a particular teacher, but like our colleges, be a permanent blessing to our children and to our children's children." Her dreams came to fruition on November 8, 1837 when Mount Holyoke Seminary was opened at South Hadley, Massachusetts. Course study at the Seminary covered three years with a curriculum based on that followed at Amherst College. Lyon lived just twelve years after the founding of Mount Holyoke, yet her work inspires students even today."

150th Anniversary of Mount Holyoke College
front Artmaster FDC. "150th Anniversary of Mount Holyoke College - Mary Lyon - Founder 1797-1849 - Great Americans Series First Day of Issue". Block of four Mary Lyon stamps, plus a 14c Sinclair Lewis stamp.
back "Mary Lyon - Educator Mary Lyon was born on February 28, 1797 in rural Buckland, Massachusetts, the sixth child of Aaron and Jemima Lyon. At age 17 she began teaching summer school. In 1817 she enrolled at Sanderson Academy and spent the next few years alternating her studies with teaching. She then furthered her studies at academies in Amherst and Byfield. In 1824 she opened a school for girls in Buckland. Several years later, she joined an associate, Zilpah Grant, in attempting to establish and endow the Ipswich Female Seminary. While she was not successful in this endeavor, it was a significant learning experience which increased her resolve to found an institution of higher learning for women.
From 1834 through 1837 Lyon campaigned tirelessly for funds to establish her school, raising $12,000. In 1835 she selected a site near South Hadley, in western Massachusetts, for the school. Mount Holyoke Female Seminary was incorporated in 1836 and opened for classes on November 8, 1837 with 80 students. Mary Lyon served as the school's principal from its inception until her death on March 5, 1849.
Two features which distinguished Mount Holyoke from other women's schools of that period were rigorous admission and curriculum requirements, and a significant endowment. By 1861 Mount Holyoke had developed a four-year program. In 1893 it gained full charter as a college. Throughout the years Mount Holyoke has made every effort to attract teachers who are leaders in their fields while constantly expanding its curriculum to meet the continuing educational needs of women in every endeavor. Among the best known Mount Holyoke alumnae is Frances Perkins, who, as Secretary of Labor under FDR, was the first woman Cabinet officer.
The Mary Lyon stamp, part of the Great American Series, is being issued at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley in conjunction with the school's 150th anniversary. It was designed by Ron Adair of Richardson, Texas."

Mary Lyon
front Gill Craft FDC. "Mary Lyon/A pioneer for higher education for women, she was founder and first principal of Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. First day of issue." Block of twelve Mary Lyon stamps.

Colorano "Silk" Cachet
front "Mary Lyon" "First Day of Issue" "Colorano "Silk" Cachet" Block of four Mary Lyon stamps, plus a 14c Julia Ward Howe stamp.

Collins FDC
front "Mary Lyon Mount Holyoke College" "First Day of Issue Feb. 28, 1987 South Hadley, MA" Handpainted by Collins. Stamped with eleven 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps.

Fleetwood FDC
front "Mary Lyon/A distinguished and far-sighted educator, she founded Mount Holyoke Seminary for women." Block of four Mary Lyon stamps, plus a 14c Iceboat stamp.
back Same biographical information as the commemorative piece above.

Goldberg Hand-painted FDC
front "Mary Lyon, Founder of Mount Holyoke College." Hand painted by Bernard Goldberg, #16/108. Stamped with eleven 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps.

Kribbs Hand-painted FDC
front "Mary Lyon, Educator (1797-1849)." Hand painted by Kripps Kover. Postmarked Feb 28, 1987 in Lyons, GA. Stamped with four 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps, and a 14-cent Julia Ward Howe stamp.
back "Kribbs' Kover Jekyll Island Georgia." #30/40.

Reid FDC
front "Great American Series Commemorating the 190th anniversary of the birth of Mary Lyon American Teacher Born February 28, 1797 Died March 5, 1849 Founder of Mount Holyoke College and organizer of Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Stamp designed by Ron Adair." Stamped with seven 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps, and an 8-cent Henry Knox stamp. Addressed to Clarence Reid.

Mangus Hand-painted FDC
front "Mary Lyon First Day of Issue South Hadley, Mass." Portrait is signed "Don Mangus ACE #16". Also stamped with a 20-cent flag stamp.
back "Mary Lyon Great Americans Series" "Property of J. Byrne AFDCS #14034" "Don Mangus Ace-16 PO Box 1277 Covington KY 41012" #10/23

Karoline's Hand-painted FDC
front "My Name Is Mary Lyon I Am Your Teacher." Stamped with four 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps, and a 14-cent Julia Ward Howe stamp.
back "Karoline's Cachets 336 Lime Hollow Rd. Verona, PA 15147" #17/25.

Reid FDC
front "1797-1819 Great American Series Commemorating the 190th anniversary of the birth of Mary Lyon American Teacher Born February 28, 1797 Died March 5, 1849 Founder of Mount Holyoke College and organizer of Wheaton College in Massachusetts." Attributed to Clarence Reid by the dealer, who also labelled this as a "4" x 5" flat coat favor card cachet in blue and black, unaddressed, up to 20 produced."

DRC Hand-painted FDC
front"Mary Lyon Founder of Mt. Holyoke College." "Great American Women" Also stamped with a 1-cent Margaret Mitchell stamp, a 17-cent Belva Ann Lockwood stamp, and a 40-cent Lillian M. Gilbreth stamp.
back "DRC Cachets 1007 Baltimore Waterloo, IA 50702" #39/50

Bert FDC
front Stamped with four 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps, and a 14-cent Sinclair Lewis stamp. Addressed to Joanne E. Bert.
back Return address for Adam K. Bert, Commonwealth Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15522

Tudor House FDC
front Stamped with two 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps, and an 18-cent Washington presorted stamp.

Brookman Handpainted FDC
front "Mary Lyon Educator" "Great Americans Series" "Brookman Limited Edition" Also stamped with a 22-cent flag stamp.

Gamm FDC
front Stamped with 2 Mary Lyon stamps, and an 18c flag stamp. Great American Series. "Born in Buckland, Mass. this future educator displayed her quickness of mind and passion for learning by her mastery of the English grammar in four days and of the Latin in three. After attending Ashfield and Amherst academies she began teaching, realizing the importance of establishing a seminary for women similar to the colleges now attended by men. Facing indifference and antagonism, she raised the money by 1837 to open Mount Holyoke Seminary at South Hadley, Mass., where 'the buildings and grounds, the library and apparatus, were pledge to the cause of female education.'"

USPS Postcard
front Biographical information.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Published by the US Postal Service in 1999.

Great Americans Series FDC
front "Mary Lyon 1797-1849 American Educator, Advocate for Womens Rights, Founder of Mount Holyoke College, Mass." Stamped with one 2-cent Mary Lyon stamp, and a 22-cent flag stamp.
back "Be All You Can Be. Great Americans Series" #7 of 44.

Kribbs FDC
front "Mary Lyon, Educator 1797-1849" Stamped four 2-cent Mary Lyon stamps, and a 14-cent Julia Ward Howe stamp.
back "Kribbs' Kover Jekyll Island Georgia" #9 of 40.

Sesquicentennial FDC
front "Mount Holyoke College 150 years" Stamped with a Mary Lyon 2c stamp, and a Fire Pumper 20c stamp.