1961 Scott #1189 – 4¢ James Naismith / Basketball Centennial – Canceled

Commemorative U.S. postage stamp issued in 1961 to honor the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. James Naismith (1861–1939), the Canadian-American physical educator who invented basketball in 1891 while teaching at a YMCA training school in Springfield, Massachusetts. The stamp features a brown-toned illustration of a hand guiding a basketball toward a hoop, symbolizing the sport’s origins and enduring legacy. Lightly mounted with stamp hinge tape, removable without damage. No gum disturbance unless noted.
Features:
- Denomination: 4 cents
- Issue Year: 1961
- Scott Catalog No. 1189
- Subject: Dr. James Naismith
- Theme: Sports innovation and youth development
- Design: Basketball and hoop with commemorative dates
- Cancel Type: Black circular and wavy line cancellation
- Fit Notes: Standard commemorative size; ideal for collectors of sports history, youth organizations, or educational milestones