10c Benjamin West stamp

An American by birth, Benjamin West spent most of his life in England. As a young man, he studied in Italy, and was deeply influenced by the art of Raphael and Titian. He moved to England in 1863, where he he was a royal history painter and co-founder of the Royal Academy. His works forecast the realism of nineteenth-century art. He influenced American artists such as Gilbert Stuart, Charles Willson Peale, and John Trumbull.

The 10-cent Benjamin West (1738-1820) commemorative stamp was first available on February 10, 1975 in Swathmore, Pennsylvania. Bradbury Thompson designed the stamp.

Bradbury Thompson designed the stamp, which was issued in sheets of fifty, with an initial printing of 140 million.

Reference: Postal Bulletin (January 9, 1975)

Scott Catalogue USA: 1553

Museum ID: 1980.2493.6007