The US "Goddess of Victory and Flags" issue of 1919 (Scott #537)  is quite interesting for a number of reasons. First, it was the only US Commemorative issued to pay the 3c First Class WWI letter rate. (See my Guide The Golden Age of Postcards for an explanation of this rate.) Second, the stamp design is super crowded with political symbolism. And third, the Scott Catalogue lists a shade (537a) they price at over a thousand dollars both mint and used while the basic color is priced at less than ten dollars either way! Hmm!

Over the years I've enjoyed reading old USPO descriptions of the stamps they've issued. They are super descriptive in the old heraldry style and can help one really study a stamp's design. Here is the one I dug up for this issue:

"The stamp is of the 3-cent denomination; color, purple; design size 27/32 by 3/4 inch, the longer dimension being horizontal. The design presents a standing figure of Liberty Victorious, with a background composed of the flags of the five countries which were most actively engaged in the cause.

The figure Liberty is helmeted, the upper part of the body is encased in scale armor, and a flowing skirt falls to the feet. The right hand grasps a sword, the point of which rests on the ground at the feet of the figure; the left arm is partially extended, and the hand holds the balance scale representing Justice.

Back of the figure appears the American flag; at the left are draped the British and Belgian Flags, and at the right the Italian and French flags.

The whole design appears upon a shaded panel. Extending across the top, in a straight line of Roman capital letters, is the inscription 'U.S. Postage.' At the bottom, directly beneath the figure, in a straight line of Roman capitals, is the word 'Cents' flanked by circles containing the numeral '3' in each lower corner of the stamp."

               537  Violet                          537b  Light Reddish Violet

       537c  Red Violet                          537a  Deep Red Violet

In studying the design of the stamp I will suggest some questions you may wish to ask yourself. What is the symbolism of the flag placement? The British flag is in the foreground at the lower right hand of Liberty. Why is it's lower staff pointing directly at the point of Liberty's sword? Why is the Belgian flag behind the British flag but higher in the design? Ask the same things about the French and Italian flags. Does the pedestal upon which Liberty is standing represent the lid of the defeated Central Power's sarcophagus? And finally, why isn't the Russian flag represented? Now on to the colors!

Above are the four colors listed in Scott in ascending price order. #537 and 537b list around $3.25 used and $10.00 mint. #537c lists around $15.00 used and $75.00 mint. And #537a lists in italics at $2000.00 used and $1400.00 mint! Why is that? Honestly, I'm not sure.

Here is what I do know: The stamp exists in hundreds of shades on either side and in between the colors above. The ink used to print the stamps is light and solvent sensitive. If one were to leave a darker stamp in the direct sun for a few hours it would result in a lighter stamp. If one were to dip any of them in carbon tetrachloride for an instant it will turn a vivid reddish purple similar to the 537a. Even long immersion in water can change the stamps color!

As far as I know, no two collectors or dealers can agree on any of these shades or shade names. Therefore, if you are tempted to buy a #537a, make sure it has a cert from one of the grading services and it's off center. Scott references this at the bottom of their listing but doesn't say why. I've heard that all certified copies are off center. I've also heard that previously certified copies have been rejected when submitted again and vice versa.

Here are two used copies: The left copy is from my wife's collection. She selected it for the near perfect centering, gorgeous color and period cancellation. She paid $2.00 for it at a stamp show. It doesn't match any of the Scott listed colors. I'd call it "purple" just like the USPO described it. It's definitely the 537. The right copy was plucked from my 537 dups envelope. It's pretty close to the 537a in color and is off center. It cost me virtually nothing. It's sound but ugly. Perhaps I should sent it in for certification! What do you think?

I hope you enjoy this article as much as I did writing it! Best Regards, Dan Laymon