About This Stamp
The Post Office Department released two stamps honoring Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882), the father of "Italian Unification," on November 2, 1960. Garibaldi, an Italian patriot and revolutionary, led an invasion of Sicily in 1860 that led to the unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II.
The POD held the First Day of Issue ceremonies in the Inter-Departmental Auditorium, Washington, D.C. As with the preceding seven pairs in the Champion of Liberty series, the 4-cent stamp paid the domestic letter rate and the 8-cent stamp paid the international letter surface rate.
The 4-cent Garibaldi stamp, perforated 10 1/2 x 11, was printed on the rotary Cottrell press from 280-subject engraved plates. Each 280-subject sheet was cut into four panes of 70 stamps for distribution to post offices. Four plates were used: 26792, 26793, 26794, and 26795.
William K. Schrage of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing modeled the stamp from a contemporary photograph. Matthew D. Fenton engraved the portrait, torch, and spray of the leaves; Arthur W. Dintaman engraved the ribbon; George A. Payne engraved the lettering and numerals.