No. 1097 U. S. Postage Stamp Plate Block 1957 3c Lafayette Bicentenary

Issue Date: September 6, 1957. Featured on U.S. #1097, the Marquis de Lafayette (Gilbert du Motier) was a young French noble who came to America to help with the Colonies’ struggle for freedom. The image on the stamp is a portrait painted by Joseph Desire Court. It shows the ornamental sword that the U.S. government presented to Lafayette in thanks for his help. U.S. #1097 commemorates Lafayette’s 200th birth anniversary.