Long thought by many to be the most beautiful postage stamp ever produced for the United States Post Office Department (USPOD) by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), the design of the stamp has an interesting story. Listed by the Scott Catalogue as #292, "Western Cattle in Storm", the painting from which the design was copied actually depicted Scottish cattle in a Highlands snowstorm.

The original oil painting was done in the 1870's by the Scottish artist J.A. MacWhirter. He entitled this work "The Vanguard"; an apt name for the magnificent alpha bull leading the herd to shelter. He sold the painting to a Lord Blythsworth in England. Receiving many compliments on the painting from his friends, Lord Blythsworth had engraved reproductions printed to pass out as gifts. Somewhere along the line an American cattle rancher, C.B Johnson, aquired a copy. He adopted it as his trademark logo, not knowing or not caring, that Lord Blythsworth had the copyright.

The USPOD saw one of Mr. Johnson's advertising circulars and made enquiries toward it's use as a stamp design. Mr. Johnson had passed on but his wife gladly loaned the engraving to the BEP to copy. After all, what business woman wouldn't be overjoyed to have her logo reproduced on a US Exhibition stamp promoting the business she had inherited and ran.

Eventually, after the stamp was printed and distributed, the copyright infringement became known to Lord Blythsworth who was kind enough to accept just an apology from the USPOD through the British Ambassador to the United States. Head'em up! Move'm out, lassies and laddies!

Until next time, happy collecting!  Dan