George Washington quote from Farewell Address, 1796 and Mount Vernon, dated 1944
This used tinted Linen postcard is a M W M Litho card featuring a portrait of George Washington, a quote from his Farewell Address, and his home, Mount Vernon. The card is postmarked 25 January 1944 and although it was mailed it does not have a stamp. Where the stamp should be placed is a cancellation mark: “B War S Bonds and…” [Buy War Savings Bonds and Stamps]. On the reverse center line is MWM Color Litho Postcards Made Only by MWM, Aurora, Mo. Linen cards were popular from 1930 to 1945.
There is no evidence that a stamp was removed from the card. During World War II there was a shortage of postage stamps and it is possible to find some cards and letters with a cancellation mark like the one on this card but no stamp. The postage fee was probably paid at the post office at the time the card was mailed. Or, sometimes letters and cards without stamps were paid by the recipient as postage due. Soldiers could write “Free” where the stamp should be placed and not have to pay to send letters home even from overseas.
Mount Vernon is the former residence of George Washington who was the first president of the United States. A Founding Father, he was also the commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. The land for the estate was purchased by the Washington family in 1674. At the time of the purchase the property was known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation being named after the nearby creek. The original wooden house was built in a loose Palladian style around 1734 by Washington’s father, Augustine Washington. After George’s older half-brother, Lawrence Washington, inherited the property he renamed it after Vice Admiral Edward Vernon. It is located on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. George Washington leased the estate beginning in 1754 and became the sole owner in 1761. When he became the owner, he chose to keep the Vernon name. Washington expanded the house twice, once in the late 1750s and again in the 1770s. This was the home of George Washington for the rest of his life. After his death in 1799 the estate declined as it was passed down through several generations. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association took over ownership of the mansion and part of the property in 1858. In 1960 it was designated as a National Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is still owned and maintained in trust by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. It is open to the public daily.
The quote on the card: “Every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the Union of the Whole” is from Washington’s Farewell Address of 17 September 1796. It was written as a letter to friends and fellow-citizens after 20 years of public service near the end of his second term as president. This was just before he retired to his home at Mount Vernon in 1796. The first draft was written in 1792 by James Madison when Washington was thinking of retiring after one term as president. Alexander Hamilton amended the original letter in 1796 to include support for the government and the adoption of the Constitution at the conclusion of Washington’s second term.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington%27s_Farewell_Address
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Vernon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_savings_stamps_of_the_United_States
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