#646 - 2¢ Battle of Monmouth: Plate Block - Molly Pitcher overprint

At the 1778 Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, Mary "Molly" Ludwig Hays according to legend carried pitchers of water to wounded soldiers. After her husband was wounded, she took his place at the cannon during the battle. Initially refusing requests to issue a commemorative stamp, the Post Office gave in at the last minute overprinted the 2¢ Washington definitive on a press normally used for printing precanceled stamps. Collectors were initially not impressed with the simple overprint and the lack of details about the subject. Scott 646 2¢ Battle of Monmouth