The Frances Perkins Stamp

History

In 1980, a Frances Perkins 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. Unless otherwise stated, all the covers shown here were postmarked Apr 10, 1980 in Washington DC, have the "First day of issue" postmark, and have one 15-cent Frances Perkins stamp affixed.

The Images

In most cases, only front scans of the covers are available because the back side of the covers was unadorned. Comments about what is written on the front or back by the publisher are included below.

Colorano "Silk" Cachet

front "Frances Perkins" "First Day of Issue" "Colorano "Silk" Cachet"

Hans FDC

front "Women's Emergence into the New Day" Handpainted. Marked "171/215" on the back.

Art Craft FDC

front "Official first day of issue" "President Roosevelt signing the Social Security Bill" "Honoring Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 First Woman to Serve in a Presidential Cabinet" Addressed.

HF Hand-painted FDC

front "Frances Perkins" "First Day Cover" "Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 First Female Cabinet Member"

Gold Frances Perkins Stamp Replica

front "Frances Perkins First Woman in Presidential Cabinet"

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. "Because of her family's wealth, Frances Perkins did not have to pursue a career. But she defied convention (and her family) and rose to become the first woman ever appointed to the cabinet of a U.S. President. This stamp honors Frances Perkins who served as Franklin D. Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945.
"Generally acclaimed as one of the most remarkable women of the 20th century, Frances Perkins played a key role in instituting some of the most important social reforms of the New Deal era. The historic body of law which helped America recover from the Great Depression was in large measure the result of her tireless efforts. The Social Security Act, unemployment and old age insurance, prohibition of child labor and laws establishing minimum wages all represented principles in which Secretary Perkins deeply believed.
"Frances Perkins achieved high political office at a time when women rarely reached such prominent positions. She devoted her life to improving conditions for America's working men and women. During her earlier career, she was involved in social work and lobbying for safer factory conditions in New York State while serving as F.D.R.'s Commissioner of Industry when he was Governor of New York. Then, when Roosevelt needed a forceful ally to pull the country out of the Great Depression, he appointed Perkins Secretary of Labor. Because of her perseverence in establishing many of the New Deal programs, she earned her place as one of America's foremost social reformers."

American Commemoratives Page #125

front American Commemoratives, #125 in a series. Contains block of 4 Frances Perkins stamps. "This stamp shows Perkins in the tricorn hat which became her symbol."

Frances Perkins Commemorative Stamp Souvenir Page

front Frances Perkins Commemorative Stamp souvenir page. Postmarked Frances Perkins stamp, first day of issue postmark.

Frances Perkins Commemorative, Jo Polseno Artwork

front Frances Perkins Commemorative, artwork by Jo Polseno. Contains block of 4 Frances Perkins stamps.

back About the woman, the stamp, and the artwork.

Elite FDC

front "Frances Perkins April 10, 1882-May 14, 1965 She served as Secretary of Labor throughout entire administration of Franklin Roosevelt. She was the first woman ever to hold a cabinet seat. Social reformer of the New Deal." An Elite first day cover.

Graebner FDC

front "Frances Perkins (1880-1965) First woman Cabinet officer! Served as Secretary of Labor from 1933-45, longer than any other. Helped establish Social Security, minimum wage, unemployment benefits, and child labor reg. Labor Department building renamed the Frances Perkins building." A first day cover for the Frances Perkins stamp by Robert C. Graebner Chapter no. 17 AFDCS. "Let Freedom Ring" postmark.

Ladysmith FDC, Roosevelt FDC

front "Frances Perkins Social Worker and Political Figure - Born Boston April 10, 1882 - Educated Mount Holyoke College, University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University - Served New York Governors Alfred E. Smith and Franklin Delano Roosevelt - First woman appointed a member of a Presidential Cabinet - served Presidents Roosevelt and Truman as US Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945 - Supporter of "The New Deal" - Advocate of higher wages, unemployment insurance and fair labor standards - Member of US Civil Service Commission from 1946 to 1952 - Died New York May 14, 1965" A first day cover for the Frances Perkins stamp. Postmarked Apr 10, 1980 in Ladysmith, VA.

front Same FDC, but this one was postmarked on Apr 10, 1980 in Roosevelt NJ, an unofficial city for the first day of issue.

Ross Silver Foil FDC

front Portrait of Frances Perkins on silver foil.

back #17/500 "United States Ross Silver Foil First Day Covers"

Cheltenham Cachet FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1880-1965 First Woman Cabinet Member/Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 Appointed by: F. D. R."

back "Cover prepared by: Cheltenham Cachets 18 Ryers Ave., Cheltenham, PA 19012" Dealer comments: "blue only 3 exist"

Photo FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1880-1965" Photo of Frances Perkins with others at a "harmony" conference.

Collins FDC

front "Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins America's First Woman Cabinet Member Washington DC" Also postmarked Apr 10, 1980 in Boston, MA, on a second Frances Perkins stamp.

Doris Gold FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1880-1965 Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 America's First Woman Cabinet Member" A first day cover by Doris Gold. Also postmarked Apr 10, 1980 in Chicago, IL, on a second Frances Perkins stamp. "The Windy City" postmark.

Gamm? FDC

front "Frances Perkins/Secretary of Labor 1933-1945/First Day of Issue/First Woman to Serve in the Cabinet of a President/Frances Perkins (1882-1965) As a popular leader in promoting labor reforms for women, she was appointed Secretary of Labor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and served throughout his terms. Under her guidance, the Children's Bureau and Women's Bureau were made to function efficiently in keeping with her goal to get more pay, more comfort and more security for the ordinary worker." Also has a 5-cent Roosevelt stamp on it. Pencil label on back says "Gamm."

Roosevelt FDC

front '32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1882-1945/"I came to Washington to work for God, F.D.R.." and millions of forgotten, plain common workingmen/Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor in the Roosevelt Administration 1933-1945. The first woman to serve as a Cabinet Member. Author of several books, including "The Roosevelt I Knew"'

Fleetwood FDC

front "Frances Perkins As the first woman Cabinet Member in the United States she served as Franklin Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor." A first day cover by M. T. Crawford.

back Fleetwood identifier. Biographical sketch of Frances Perkins.

Byron? FDC

front "Official First Day of Issue Frances Perkins 1880-1965 Secretary Labor 1933-1945" A first day cover for block of four Frances Perkins stamps.

back Pencil notation: "R. Byron"

Photo FDC

front No title; attached photo of Frances Perkins and FDR.

Art Craft FDC

front "Official first day of issue" "President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Bill" "Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins Centennial 1880-1980 America's First Woman Cabinet Member 1933-1945"

Frances Perkins FDC

front "Frances Perkins" "Honoring the first woman member of the Presidents Cabinet. Appointed to the office of Secretary of Labor in 1933, she served until 1945."

Artmaster FDC

front "Frances Perkins" "Secretary of Labor Under F.D.R." "America's First Woman Cabinet Member" "First Day of Issue"

Handpainted FDC

front "First Woman Cabinet Member Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-1945" Stamped with two 15-cent Frances Perkins stamps, and a 3-cent Labor Day stamp.

Reid FDC

front "Frances Perkins Born, 1882 - Died, 1965 American Social Worker, the first woman cabinet member in United States history, Secreatary of Labor (1933-1945) during the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt" "Designer: F. R. Putrie" Addressed to Clarence E. Reid.

back "C. E. Reid AFDCS 2717"

Gundel Handpainted FDC

front "Frances Perkins First Woman to Serve in a Presidential Cabinet as Secretary of Labor 1933-1945" "Torkel Gundel" Postmarked Apr 10, 1980 in Washington DC and Secretary, MD. Stamped with two 15-cent Frances Perkins stamps, and a 3-cent Labor Day stamp.

The Samuel Gompers Stamp Club FDC

front Simulated signature of Frances Perkins, and also "For the right Samuel Gompers" Postmarked Apr 10, 1980 in Washington DC and Secretary, MD. Stamped with two 15-cent Frances Perkins stamps, and a 3-cent Labor Day stamp.

insert In the envelope, a card that reads: "The Samuel Gompers Stamp Club is named after the founder of the American Federation of Labor, its first Legislative Chairman and President from 1881 until 1924, cigarmaker by trade, immigrant, and subject of a 1950 United States commemorative stamp (Scotts #988). The Club's members consist of active and retired workers of the AFL-CIO and its affiliated National and International Unions, State and Local Central Bodies. The Club's purpose is to promote general interest in philately and special interest in trade union topics. We are proud of the fact that United States postage stamps are produced under union conditions."

Frances Perkins FDC

front No identifying marks.

Goldstein Handpainted FDC

front "Equal Pay for Equal Work" Handpainted and signed by Goldstein.

front "Equal Pay for Equal Work" Same image, signed RLG, and unpainted.

Spectrum FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1882-1965 Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 First Woman Cabinet Member First day of issue" A Spectrum cover.

Women's History Series by NOW FDC

front Women's History Series by NOW, NY #127. A Colorano "Silk" first day cover. "Frances Perkins was the first woman Cabinet member. Her swearing in on March 4, 1933 as US Secretary of Labor was the culmination of more than 20 years in the field of labor reform." Back of envelope is stamped. "No. 630."

supplement, front A card inside the envelope gives a short biography of Frances Perkins. She witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire!

supplement, back Biography continued.

Colonial FDC

front "Madam Secretary Frances Perkins America's First Woman Cabinet Member First Day of Issue" A Colonial Cachet.

Handpainted FDC

front "Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-1945" Bubbles around her head proclaim "WWII", "social work", "NIRA", "labor" and "President Roosevelt."

Lorstan FDC

front "Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 First woman member of the President's Cabinet."

Tudor House FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1882-1965" with a seal of the Department of Labor on it.

Barlen FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1882-1965 First Female Cabinet Officer Secretary of Labor 1933-1945 First day of Issue."

Western Heritage Association FDC

front "Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-1945"

Geri Peltin FDC

front "Great Picture Covers - 20 / A Member of FDR's Cabinet / Frances Perkins" Initials GP in the cuff of the design. The dealer identified the artist as Geri Peltin.

WN FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1882-1965" Very similar to a Colorano silk. Dealer had identified this as "WN."

Bazaar FDC

front "Madam Secretary Frances Perkins First Woman Cabinet Member / Secretary of Labor / President Roosevelt's Cabinet 1933-1945" #352 Bazaar.

Carollton FDC

front An illustration of the Lucy Stone stamp, issued August 13, 1968. "Early feminist and anti slavery crusader Lucy Stone (1818-1893) was the wife of Henry Blackwell, but never adopted her husband's name. Since then women who made the same unconventional choice have been known as "Lucy Stoners." Probably the best known Lucy Stoner of the 20th century was Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor throughout the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, and the wife of Professor Paul Caldwell Wilson." Identifier: "Carollton CI"

Powoll FDC

front An attractive watercolor signed Powoll, I think.

Unidentified FDC

front "In a successful democracy there must be a certain minimum unity of purpose and some contribution from the citizens as a whole to the idea and practice of the general welfare. Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-1945"

Nova FDC

front "Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor the first woman to serve as a cabinet member, was appointed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933. In the depression of the 1930's she fought for higher wages to raise purchasing power and unemployment insurance. Her ideas were thought to have greatly influenced the social reform legislation of the 'New Deal.'" Identifiers: "Nova" and "JWM"

Ellis FDC

front "Frances Perkins" A watercolored image of Frances Perkins carrying a banner that says "Higher Wages" on it.

Unidentified FDC

front "Frances Perkins First Woman Cabinet Officer 1933-1945" A portrait with the Department of Labor seal behind her.

Cover Craft FDC

front "Honoring Frances Perkins First woman member of a presidential cabinet." Identifier: "CCCachets" which the dealer noted is Cover Craft.

Gill Craft FDC

front "First Woman Cabinet Member Frances Perkins Labor's Voice - Safe Conditions - Reasonable Hours / First Day of Issue" Identifier: "Gill Craft"

RJT Fulton FDC

front "Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor First Day Cover" Identifier: "RJT Fulton, N. York" #53

Aristocrat FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1880-1965 First Woman Cabinet Member United States Government / Frances Perkis, Secretary of Labor appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, headed, during her lifetime, many other forces devoted to the welfare and safety of wage earners in this country. Born in boston, she prepared for her profession at Mt. Holyoke College and the Universities of Chicago, Pennsylvania and Columbia. The report of the President's Committee on Economic Security, led by Secretary Perkins, laid the basis for the Social Security Act. First day of Issue Aristocrat Cachets"

Marg FDC

front "Madame Secretary Frances Perkins First Day of Issue / President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act - 1935" Identifier: "Marg"

Andrews FDC

front A portrait of Frances Perkins.

back #175 out of 1100 "Andrews Cachet is a Non-Exclusive Licensee of the United States Postal Service. Stamp Design Copyright United States Postal Service 1979."

William Smith FDC

front A portrait of Frances Perkins, signed William Smith.

back A biography of Frances Perkins inside a "Postmasters of America" envelope.

Kribbs FDC

front "Frances Perkins 1882-1965 First Woman Cabinet Member Secretary of Labor 1933-1945" Handpainted.

back "Kribbs' Kover Jekyll Island Georgia 14/25"

DRC FDC

front "Frances Perkins Department of Labor First Woman Cabinet Member First Day of Issue" Signed illegibly, initialed DRC.

back "DRC Cachets 1007 Baltimore Waterloo, IA 50702" Signed, numbered 123/143.

Jim Riggs Comic FDC

front "How many times do I have to tell you that I can't help you with the housework. I'm Secretary of Labor!!" Signed Jim Riggs.

back "Jim Riggs Comic Cachet FDC's 30 Lanesboro St. Binghamton, NY 13903 American First Day Cover Society"