1936 Oregon Territory 3 Cents Stamps

These special stamps were authorized to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the opening of the Oregon Territory. The stamp size is, 84/100 by 1 44/100 inches in dimension, arranged horizontally. It is enclosed in a double-line border and is printed in purple. Within a horizontal panel with dark ground along the upper edgeof the stamp is the wording "1836 Oregon Territory 1936" in white Roman lettering. The central design is a map of the old Ore­gon Territory comprising the present States of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, together with parts of Montana and Wyoming. Marked on the map are the five places, one in each State, selected, for historical rea­sons, to have the first-day sale. There is also shown an outline of the old Oregon Trail. In the vertical space between the ends of the rectangular panel containing the central design and the outer edge of the stamp there is, at the left, a western scene depicting a mounted Indian on a rocky promontory with wigwams on either side, behind which are shown trees and mountains. In a similar position at the right is portrayed a covered wagon train of the early pioneer days emerg­ing from a pass in the mountains. The figures of the two front horses partly ex­tend over the edge of the map panel. In each lower corner is a circular panel with white edges and dark ground enclosing the large numeral "3" in white modernized Roman. In a narrow panel with dark ground along the lower edge of the stamp is the in­scription "U.S. postage" and "Three cents" in white Roman, arranged in two lines. The lower line is extended by three white stars at either end. Short white lines with curved inner ends extend from lower corners of the map to the circles containing the denomina­tion numeral. The stamp was printed by the rotary process without straight edges and was issued in sheets containing 50 stamps. These stamps were first offered for sale at the following post offices on July 14, 1936: Lewiston, Idaho; Missoula, Mont.; Astoria, Oreg.; Walla Walla, Wash.; and Daniel, Wyo.