1940 Famous Americans-Scientists Sc 876 Reed, Yellow Fever, Bacteriologist, Anderson

This is a premium and historically significant First Day Cover (FDC) from the 1940 Famous American Scientists series. It features a striking C. Stephen Anderson cachet in black ink, showcasing the Congressional Medal presented to Dr. Reed and his team for their groundbreaking medical research. The stamp features the Telescope and Globe symbol for the Scientists category.

• Stamp Format & Issue: This cover features a Single example of the 5c Dr. Walter Reed stamp (Scott 876). The FDC bears the correct First Day of Issue cancellation from WASHINGTON, D.C., dated APR 17, 1940, the official first day for this issue.

• Cachet Artist: The distinctive design is the work of C. Stephen Anderson, a foundational figure who pioneered the illustrated FDC cachet during the 1930s. His unique pen-and-ink style established a standard for cachet collecting, making his covers for the entire Famous Americans series highly sought-after cornerstone collectibles.

• Biographical Depth: Dr. Walter Reed (1851-1902)

  • Bacteriologist and Army Surgeon: Dr. Reed was a U.S. Army physician and bacteriologist who served as head of the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission in Cuba in 1900.

  • Yellow Fever Breakthrough: His team conclusively proved that yellow fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, and not by contact with contaminated clothing or bedding (fomites). This discovery was instrumental in controlling and virtually eliminating the disease in Cuba, the Panama Canal Zone, and the U.S.

  • Legacy: Reed's work saved countless lives and made large-scale engineering projects, such as the Panama Canal, possible by drastically reducing disease-related casualties. The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was named in his honor.