Polio Place

The Department issued this 3-cent stamp on January 15, 1957, through the Washington, DC, post office, to honor those who helped fight polio.

Designed by Charles R. Chickering, the stamp features the figures of a woman, a boy, a girl, and an emblem. These symbolize the achievement by the American people and the medical and scientific professions in bringing forth an effective vaccine to prevent paralytic polio. The children represent the youth who benefited most from the historic medical achievement. The Caduceus emblem, symbol of the medical profession and the US Medical Corps, is held in the woman's hand. The wording "Honoring Those Who Helped Fight Polio," arranged in two lines, forms an arc above the figures.

The stamp was issued in panes of fifty stamps each. The printing of 120 million stamps was authorized.

Postal Bulletin (December 27, 1956)