Description
- Revolutionary War
- Italian Hero
- Airmail
- Italian Physician
On October 13, 1980 the USPS and the Italian Post Office, simultaneously celebrated the 280th anniversary of the birth of Philip Mazzei, an Italian-American patriot, by each issuing a commemorative stamp honoring Philip Mazzei, "the Italian hero who exported democracy to America." Mazzei promoted American independence through his writings published in America and Europe during the 18th century. He settled in America, befriended Thomas Jefferson, acted as an agent to purchase arms for Virginia during the American Revolutionary War, and while contributing greatly to the commerce of the colonies. Mazzei was born on December 25, 1730 and died on March 19, 1816 at the age of 86.