A number of miniature sheets showing ships have been issued by various United States philatelic societies. In 1939 the John R. Manta, New Bedford's last whaler, appeared on a sheet from the "Whaling City Philatelic Society" during the national philatelic week, November 12-18 of that year. The same New Bedford stamp club had issued a sheet the previous year on the occasion of the societys sixth anniversary, showing the famous Whaler Charles W. Morgan.
A schooner, the John R. Manta was built at Essex, Mass., in 1904.0f 98 tons, she had dimensions 101.8ft x 24.9ft. x 10.2ft. and was first registered at the whaling city of New Bedford in 1925, with Antone J. Mandley as master. She sailed that year for a six months cruise to the Cape Hatteras grounds but the voyage was not profitable and proved to be the last expedition from New Bedford on which whales were caught.
Re-registered at the same whaling centre in 1927, she sailed on another whaling voyage on June 22 under Capt. Joseph F. Edwards. She returned however on July 16 owing to her poor condition and was then sold to a group of individuals in Providence, R.I. From there she sailed to the Cape Verde Islands as a packet vessel and continued on this route until 1934. She was lost on an outbound voyage with her passengers and crew numbering in all 32. None was ever seen again.
Label. Sea Breezes 11/57