James A. Farley was appointed postmaster general March 4, 1933, by Pres. Franklin Roosevelt. A little more than a month after his appointment, he was present at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing when production began on the 3¢ Newburgh Peace issue (Scott 727). In Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Stamps of the United States 1933-45, author Brian C. Baur wrote, "The presses were then stopped temporarily, and the first panes of 100 stamps were turned over to the postmaster general, who stated that the president had asked him to purchase a pane for him."

Farley made it a habit to similarly purchase sheets of new issue stamps for the president as well as for other government officials and even his own children.

What stamp collectors were dismayed to learn was that the sheets Farley bought were imperforate, ungummed varieties. Collectors considered such items spectacular rarities, and were incensed that government officials were given these imperforate sheets as gifts.

Altogether 20 stamp issues had been created in this fashion. When collector outrage grew, the president informed Farley that he should "discontinue the issuance of any stamp or stamps except in the precise condition in which the issue is placed on sale at post offices."

To appease collectors, the Bureau printed collector versions of these same 20 stamps in imperforate, ungummed condition, and they were placed on sale March 15, 1935. The Post Office Department was swamped with requests for these special printings, and the 20 stamps, now cataloged as Scott 752-71, have come to be known forever as "Farley's Follies."

NOTE: In 1940 the P.O. Department offered to and did gum full sheets of Nos. 756-765 and 769-770 sent in by owners. No other Special Printings were accepted for gumming.