FREE: 1904 10¢ Map of Louisiana Purchase - US Scott # 327

The listing, 1904 10¢ Map of Louisiana Purchase - US Scott # 327 has ended.

U.S. #327
1904 10¢ Louisiana Territory
Louisiana Purchase Commemorative

Issue Date: April 30, 1904
Quantity issued: 4,011,200
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Method: Flat plate
Watermark: Double line USPS
Perforation: 12
Color: Red brown

The 1904 Louisiana Purchase commemoratives honor the 100th anniversary of the historic event. Promoters of a proposed exposition marking the purchase lobbied for a Congressional bill to subsidize the exposition. President William McKinley signed the bill, prompting the Post Office Department to consider commemorative stamps and the authorization of cancelling slogans to advertise the event. Five commemorative stamps were issued in denominations ranging from 1¢ to 10¢.

The 10¢ stamp illustrates a map of the U.S. with the Louisiana Territory superimposed. It makes obvious what a significant and dramatic step the Louisiana Purchase was. Some felt the Constitution was not explicit in authorizing such territorial acquisitions and claimed the purchase to be “unconstitutional.” Thomas Jefferson felt that since such actions were not expressly forbidden in the Constitution, they must be allowed.