1976 US 13-Cent Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets (Complete Set)

1976 US 13-Cent Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets: A Complete Collector's Guide

The 1976 American Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets are among the most visually dramatic and historically significant U.S. stamp issues of the 20th century. Released to celebrate the 200th anniversary of American independence, these four large souvenir sheets reproduced paintings from major American art institutions and introduced collectors to a format that the U.S. Postal Service had rarely used before. A complete set of all four sheets -- Scott #1686 through #1689 -- is a centerpiece of any serious American philatelic collection from the Bicentennial era.

Historical Context: America Turns 200

The United States Bicentennial celebration in 1976 was a nationwide event of enormous scale. July 4, 1976 marked exactly 200 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, and the country commemorated it with everything from Tall Ships gatherings in New York Harbor to special editions of virtually every consumer product imaginable.

The U.S. Postal Service participated with one of its most ambitious philatelic programs in decades. The Bicentennial postage stamp program ran from 1973 through 1976 and included dozens of commemorative issues. The four souvenir sheets issued in May 1976 were the crown jewel of this program.

The Four Souvenir Sheets

Each souvenir sheet reproduced a large-scale painting depicting a famous scene from the American Revolution. The sheets were dramatically oversized for U.S. stamp issues of the era, printed on heavyweight stamp paper with perforated stamps embedded within a larger printed border.

Note: While the item description refers to the "13-cent" set, all four sheets together constitute the complete Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet set. Individual denominations range from 13 cents to 31 cents.

Each sheet measures approximately 5.5" x 7.5" and was sold at face value at post offices nationwide, though most were purchased by collectors rather than used for postage.

The Paintings Depicted

The choice of source artwork was deliberate and prestigious:

"Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze (1851), held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is perhaps the most recognized painting in American history. The dramatic nighttime scene of Washington standing in a boat crossing the ice-choked Delaware River on December 25-26, 1776, has become a shorthand for American perseverance.

"The Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull (1818) is among the most-reproduced images of the founding era. The painting depicts the five-member drafting committee presenting the Declaration to John Hancock. It hangs in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. (with a version at Yale).

"The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown" also by Trumbull, depicts the formal surrender of British forces in 1781 that effectively ended the Revolutionary War.

"Washington Reviewing His Ragged Army at Valley Forge" depicts the low point of the Revolutionary War winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Specifications and Printing

The souvenir sheets were printed by the American Bank Note Company, which had a long history of producing U.S. stamps and currency. The printing technique used was a combination of engraved (intaglio) and offset lithography to reproduce the paintings' detail and color.

Values for the Complete Set

The 1976 Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets are widely available in the philatelic market, having been issued in very large quantities for collector purchase. As a result, their market value as a face-value-or-above collectible is modest:

Scott Catalog values list the complete set of four sheets at approximately $10-$18 in mint condition, reflecting their wide availability. Individual sheets that were used on first-day covers or in special configurations can carry slight premiums.

Unopened sets in original postal service packaging, or sheets with first-day cancellations from the May 29, 1976 first day of issue, can carry modest premiums over the standard set.

Why Collectors Value These Sheets

Despite their modest monetary value, the 1976 Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets are prized for several reasons:

Artistic quality: The reproduction of major American paintings on stamps at a large format was unprecedented in U.S. philately. The printing quality, particularly on the intaglio-engraved versions, is exceptional.

Historical significance: These sheets mark one of the most significant events in American civic life. As artifacts of the Bicentennial, they carry genuine historical weight.

Visual drama: The oversized format and the large-scale paintings make these among the most visually impressive U.S. stamps ever issued.

Thematic collecting: American history, Revolution-era art, and Bicentennial memorabilia collectors all prize these sheets.

Identification and Authentication

For the 1976 Bicentennial sheets, authentication concerns are minimal given their modest value and wide availability. However, for genuine first-day covers or any item priced significantly above normal market value, basic verification is sensible:

• Original sheets should measure approximately 5.5" x 7.5"

• Perforations should be clean and evenly spaced

• Colors should be vibrant; faded examples indicate improper storage

• First-day cancellations should read "Philadelphia, PA" with the May 29, 1976 date

The Bicentennial Stamp Program in Context

The 1976 souvenir sheets were the highlight of a three-year stamp program that also included:

• The 1975 "Contributors to the Cause" series

• The 1975-76 State Flags sheet of 50

• The 1976 Colonial Craftsmen series

• Various other Bicentennial commemoratives

Collectors who want to build a complete Bicentennial-era U.S. stamp collection will find the souvenir sheets the most visually rewarding element of the program. They display beautifully in standard-size philatelic albums or in custom-framed presentations.

Displaying Your Souvenir Sheets

Bicentennial souvenir sheets are among the few U.S. stamps that genuinely benefit from framing and display outside an album:

• Use UV-protective glass or acrylic to prevent color fading

• Acid-free matting protects the paper from chemical damage

• Temperature and humidity stability prevents curling

• For album storage, use stamp mounts sized for souvenir sheets rather than hinges

Many collectors frame all four sheets together as a set, creating a dramatic display of American Revolutionary history that is both philatelic and artistic.

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