Mail Art

One photographer, two poets, three presidents. One architect, two activists. Elvis, an explorer, an eclipse. And one red cardinal in a fir tree.

1. Rising of the Spirit of Independence Bicentennial stamp:  Printers and patriots are honored. 1973.
2. Killarney Cathedral, Irish architecture series,1982.
3. Carl Sandburg, poet and author, 1978.
4. World Health Day, Irish stamp, 1972. Look for the heart.
5. Europa, Erie, Flaming Sun series, circa 1970.
6. Vintage Rose:“Perfect for Mailing Wedding Invitations,” February 14, 2015.
7. Dwight David “Ike” Eisenhower (1890 –1969), American politician and soldier who served as the 34th president.
8. Thomas Paine(1737- 1809), an English American writer and pamphleteer whose “Common Sense” and other writings influenced the American Revolution, and helped pave the way for the Declaration of Independence.
9. Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), architect, Prominent Americans series.
10. Franz Kline, (1910-1962) American artist of the abstract expressionist movement. The stamp features “Mahoning,” 1998.
11. Cardinal, Birds in Winter series.
12. Hubert Humphrey (1911-1978) Great Americans series. 1991.
13. Robert Frost(1874-1963). A four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, he was one of America’s leading poets. 1974
14. Gees Bend QuiltsCreated between circa 1940 and 2001, by African-American women in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, the quilts are noted for their unexpected color combinations, bold patterns, and improvised designs. American Treasures 
15. Harry Truman (1884-1972), 33rd president of the United States, Great Americans series.
16. The ability to write: a root of democracy. The Americana series.
17. Alfred Stieglitz(1864-1946), American photographer, the Masters of American Photography series. Hands and Thimble features Georgia O’Keeffe.
18. James Cook,(1728^–1779) British explorer, navigator, cartographer, and captain in the British Royal Navy. Issued on the 200th anniversary of his arrival in Hawaii. 1978 issue.
19. Total eclipse of the sun.The Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp commemorates the August 21, 2017 eclipse; it transforms into an image of the Moon from the heat of a finger.
20. Buchanan’s no 999.William Buchanan’s No. 999 was built in 1892 for the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad.
21. Elvis, (1935–1977), In honor of the singer, guitarist, musician, and actor who became one of the first true stars of rock and roll. The stamp, part of the Music Iconsseries, features a 1955 black-and-white photograph of Presley. 2015
22. Czech Republic stamp. Hradec Králové is a city of the Czech Republic, Region of Bohemia.
23. Architecture USA, Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959),  Fallingwater, Mill Run, PA.
24. Malcolm X (1925-1965) was an African American Muslim minister, and human rights activist. Black Heritage series.
25. Vietnam Conghoa Stamp of South Vietnam. Researching.
26. Irish stamp. 1971: The Year to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. UN emblem symbolizing human equality.
27. Oil wagon: Transportation series, 1890s. 1985.

In the margins. Tomas MacCurtain (1884–1920) Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Cork, Ireland, was assassinated in his home in violence between the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Irish Republican Army.

Color lights the world. From bottom left, which is how I built this collage.

1. Utah 1896. Issued to commemorate the centennial celebration of Utah’s statehood. 1996.
2. Ritchie Valens, composer and singer, made history as music’s first Mexican-American rock star. His life was cut tragically short. In1959, at 17, he was killed in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and two others. At the time of his death, his hit song, Donna, was number two on the charts. La Bamba was rising in popularity. Legends of American Music series. 1993. His story on PBS.
3. Potter wasp, Singapore. Insect series. 1985.
4. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). Irish stamp. Birth Centenary of Mahatma Gandhi. 1969.
5. Coffee shop bird singing contest . Tourism and Culture Series. 1990.
6. American Bald Eagle. Issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Museum of Natural History.
7. Woman and flute. Chinese music. Taiwan. 1969.
8. Fort Morro Castle San Juan Puerto Rico. US stamp.
9. Elberta peach. Fruit tree series. Canada.
10. Happy Birthday, Grandma Moses. American folk artist. In 1960, her 100th birthday was celebrated.
11. Trees on a hillside. India.
12. Vietnam Cong Hoa.
13. Nevada Statehood. 1864-1964. 5 cents. 1964.
14. Post rider. Rise of the Spirit of Independence stamp series. 1973.
15. Chautauqua tent. Rural America series, 1974.
16. Ninth European Amateur Golf. Ireland. 1975.
17. Air Force One. $4.60. 2007.
18. USA nonprofit.
19. Road Harbour. British Virgin Islands. Queen Elizabeth II and Views series.
20. Chinese New Year boat float. Singapore. 1990.
21. Postman on bicycle. World Communications Year. Ireland. 1983.
22. Madonna and child Christmas stamp. Ireland. 1971. The Madonna and child statue, by Irish sculptor John Hughes, is in Loughrea Cathedral.
23. Flags of our Nation series. 2009.
24. Aurora Australis, the southern lights. 2007. Issue Highlights Role of Global Polar Research. USPS website.
25. Queen Elizabeth II. Decimal Machin series.
26. International Women’s Year. 1975.

From top left, from left to right.

1. Madonna and Child with Donor. The image on this 1991 29-cent stamp is from a painting by Antoniazzo Romano, a 15th-century Italian artist.  The original is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas.
2. This 1992 29-cent stamp is taken from Madonna and Child with Saints by Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini. Painted about 1490, the original is in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C
3. 1993 stamp from the painting Madonna and Child in a Landscape, by Italian painter, Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano. Painted about 1497. North Carolina Museum of Art.
4. The 1974 Christmas stamp design was taken from one of the panels of the the Pérussis Altarpiece created about 1480. It is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The artist is unknown.
5. From a painting of the Virgin and Child by Bolognese artist Elisabetta Sirani. National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. Issued 1994, 29 cents.
6. The design of the 1976 Christmas stamp is adapted from the 1776Nativity painting by John Singleton Copley. The Boston Museum of Fine Art.
7. The 1978 15-cent stamp features a terra cotta sculpture by Andrea della Robbia, Madonna and Child with Cherubim, c. 1485, National Gallery of Art.
8. Christmas 2020: The painting “Our Lady of Guápulo” was created in the 18th century by an unknown artist in Cuzco, Peru, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Lean more.
9. This 82c Irish stamp features the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth and announced to her that she would give birth to Jesus. 2008 Christmas series.
10. Duplicate of number 4.
11. 1998 32-cent stamp features the Florentine Madonna and Child. The image on the stamp is a 15th-century sculpture created by an unknown artist in Florence, Italy. The painted and gilded terra cotta statue portrays the Christ Child being held by his mother. It is in the Italian Renaissance Gallery at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
12. The 1980 15-cent Christmas stamp features a section of a stained glass window in the Washington Cathedral, Washington, DC.
13. 1993 Irish stamp, 28c. The Flight into Egypt.
14. This 1967 five-cent Madonna and Child stamp shows the “Madonna and Child with Angels “ by painter Hans Memling, which hangs in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. This 1967 elongated version shows more of the original painting than the 1966 version of the stamp did, including Mary’s garments and the panel behind her. Learn more on the Smithsonian website.
15. 1996 32-cent stamp features a detail from Paolo de Matteis’s masterwork, Adoration of the Shepherds, painted in 1712. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
16. The 1995 32-cent stamp is based on the Madonna and Child by the Florentine artist Giotto di Bondone. National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.
17. This 1973 eight-cent stamp is based on a painting by Raphael, The Small Cowper Madonna. The painting is in the National Gallery of Art in Washington. “
18. Christmas 1974, 5p. The Madonna and Child is an oil painting on wood (50×41 cm) by Giovanni Bellini, dating back to around 1510 and kept in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
19. 1971. Based on the Madonna and child statue, by Irish sculptor John Hughes, is in Loughrea Cathedral.

NOTE: In 1966, the US Postal Service issued the first Madonna and Child stamp. It was thought that the stamps would not violate the separation of church and state, because they would celebrate culture. The 1966 stamp features Madonna and Child with Angels, by Flemish painter Hans Memling. The image was used again the next year, 1967, in an elongated format, and I have one in this collection. Read more.

1. The Virgin Mary with the Infant Christ, artist unknown c. 1900, private collection. U.K. 2005.
2. The Virgin and Child, painting by Simon Bening (c. 1483 – 1561), Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. Ireland. 2009.
3. Madonna and the Infant Jesus. From a Mughal painting from India c. 1625. In the collection of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, India. U.K. 2005.
4. Madonna and Child, painting by Antoniazzo Romano (c. 1430 – c. 1510), Houston Museum of Fine Arts. U.S. 1991.
5. Adoration of the Shepherds, Ireland. 2007.
6. The Magi. Ireland. 2007.
7. The Black Madonna and Child was painted by an unknown Haitian artist. U.K. 2005.
8. Nativity. Ireland. 2006.
9. The Holy Family in a manger, Ireland, 2004.
10. Madonna and child in a manger, Ireland, 2003.
11. Angel playing Trumpet. Hark the Herald Angles series. U.K. 2007.
12. Madonna and Child from a painting by William Dyce, 1827. U.K. 2008.
13. Madonna and child in a manger, Ireland, 2003.
14. Madonna and Child, based on a painting by Marianne Stokes (1855–1927), Wolverhampton Art Gallery, England. UK 2005.
15. Baby Jesus in a manger. Christmas series. Ireland 2008.
16. Holy family in manger, Ireland, 2005.
17. Flight into Egypt. Ireland, circa 2008
18. Madonna and Child from a painting by Bachiacca (1494–1557), Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY City. US, 2018.
19. Virgin and Child. A painting by Elisabetta Sirani. National Museum of Women in the Arts. This was the first year the traditional Christmas stamp featured work by a woman artist. U.S. 1994.

1. Father Christmas on Snowy Roof, U.K. 2004.
2. Adoration of the Shepherds, Ireland. 2007.
3. Nativity, Ireland, 2005.
4. An elderly gentleman helps a young girl with her letters in one of six different scenes in the series Red Mailboxes.K. 2018.
5. Canada. 2007.
6. Madonna and Child from a painting by William Dyce, 1827. U.K. 2008.
7. U.K. 2006.
8. Father Christmas battles windy weather from the Father Christmasgoing about his work series by Raymond Briggs. 2004.
9. The Virgin and Child, painting by Simon Bening(c. 1483 – 1561), Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. Ireland. 2009.
10. The Black Madonna and Child was painted by an unknown Haitian artist. U.K. 2005.
11. Red Mailboxes.K. 2018.
12. Santa in chimney. Issued in Oct. 1991 in Santa, Idaho. U.S. 1991.
13. Cherub taken from the Sistine Madonna by Raphael, Old Masters Picture Gallery, Dresden, Germany. U.S. 1995.

1. Robins skating on a bird bath, U.K. 2001.
2. An elderly gentleman helps a young girl with her letters in one of six different scenes in the series Red Mailboxes.K. 2018.
3. Madonna and Child, from a painting by Marianne Stokes (1855–1927), Wolverhampton Art Gallery, England. U.K. 2005.
4. Nativity, Ireland. 2006.
5. Silent Night, Christmas Carols series, U.S. 2017.
6. Carol singers, artwork by Liz Rackard, Ireland. 2017.
7. Cherub taken from the Sistine Madonna by Raphael, Old Masters Picture Gallery, Dresden, Germany. U.S. 1995.
8. Jingle Bells, Christmas Carols series, U.S. 2017.
9. Nativity, Ireland, 2005.
10. The Virgin Mary with the Infant Christ, artist unknown c. 1900, private collection. U.K. 2005.
11. Snowman, Christmas series, U.K. 2006.
12. Father Christmas on Chimney, U.K. 2006.
13. Northern cardinal, Winter Scenes series, U.S. 2020.
14. Father Christmas on Snowy Roof, U.K. 2004.
15. Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Christmas Carols series, U.S., 2017. (partial)

Hope is the thing with feathers, Emily Dickinson. Stamps from my personal collection.

Love is in the mail: hearts, flowers, chocolate, cupid, two swans, and one bunny.

1. Love in an Envelope. This stamp was issued for Valentine’s Day 1992. USA, 29 cents.
2. Whimsical cosmos in valentine colors. Butterfly Garden Flowers series, nonprofit. Issued Feb. 1, 2022.
3. Skywriting in a blue sky. 2017, USA.
4. Pincushion flowers, scabiosas, are loved by pollinators. Butterfly Garden Flowers series, nonprofit. Issued Feb. 1, 2022.
5. Snowman in a blue scarf adds color to winter. Issued in 2016, it features paper-cut sculpture. U.K.
6. “Heart Rising” was first self-adhesive US Love series stamp. 1994, 29 cents.
7. A whimsical stamp sets sail with a red balloon. Ireland. 2007.
8. Quilled heart. Quilling is an art form where thin, colorful strips of paper are curled, crimped, bent, and glued to form intricate designs.  2016, USA.
9. Mute swans. The first love stamp to not feature the word love. An elegant but invasive species, it is said to mate for life. 1997, USA.
10. Red rose, the valentine flower. 1993, USA, 29 cents.
11. Love flourishes. Peonies and dahliassurround a big cursive love. USA.
12. Wildflowers of Ireland, © 2004, Ireland 48c.
13. Cupid 1995.
14. Same as number 1
15. The Chocolate Kiss turns 100. 2007. USA, 39 cents.
16. Mother love: Elephant with calf and red flowers. USA. 2022.
17. Garden Bouquet 2004. USA, 37 cents.
18. Brush rabbit, perfect for the lunar new year of 2023, the year of the rabbit. A non-denominated additional-ounce stamp issued in 2021, is shows a small species of cottontail rabbit which ranges from Oregon to Mexico.
19. Made of hearts, 2020, USA. Artwork features horizontal lines of red and pink hearts on a white background. In the center, hearts replace pink hearts in a formation that creates one large red heart. USPS info.
20. Let’s Celebrate, USA, 60 cents, 2020. A bright burst of confetti during the first dark days of the pandemic.
21. Partial: 3 cent. USA.
22. “50-Star Runway” air mail stamp. USA, 1968, 10¢.

Postal cancellation markings propelled these stamps across the nation and around the world.

From upper left:

1. 50 wildflower stamps were issued in 1992.* All flowers are native to the US. By Alaska watercolor artist Karen Mallary. U.S. 29 cents
2. Botanical print by artist Maria Merian. This stamp was issued for Women’s History Month in 1997. S. 32 cents
3. Botanical print by artist Maria Merian, 1997. U.S. 32 cents
4. Turks Cap Lily, 1992 Wildflower series. U.S. 29 cents
5. Sweet White Violet, 1992 Wildflower series U.S. 29 cents
6. Red tulip, 1991. U.S. 29 cents.
7. Jack-in-the-pulpit, 1992 Wildflower series. U.S. 29 cents
8. Wild Flax, 1992 Wildflower series. U.S. 29 cents
9. Lilac, 1993, Garden Flower series: TV commercials announced these stamps. “The flowers are in bloom at your post office.  Buy them while they last!” and “Pick up a bunch.”  U.S. 29 cents
10. Round-lobed Hepatica, 1992 Wildflower series. U.S. 29 cents
11. African Violet, 1993, U.S. 20 cents
12. Bougainvillea, Bermuda , 1970. 10 cents
13. Pink Rose, June 2, 1995. S. 32 cents
14. Flax, one of the Herbs series of stamps issued 2011. U.S. 29 cents
15. Bear Berry, 1992 Wildflower series. U.S. 29 cents
16. Pacific Dogwood, Series features five native flowering trees. U.S. 32 cents
17. Rufous Hummingbird, Part of the Hummingbird series issued in 1992. Artwork by Chuck Ripper. S, 29 cents
18. Royal Poinciana, Tropical Flowers” series illustrated by botanical artist Steve Buchanan. 1999. S. 33 cents
19. Chinese Hibiscus, Tropical Flowers, 1999. U.S. 33 cents
20. Poppy, Islamic Republic of Iran, unk. possibly 1980, 1000 rts.
21. American Holly, issued for Christmas 1997. U.S. 32 cents
22. Mississippi Magnolia, issued to commemorate the state’s centennial, features the state flower. S. 1967, 5 cents
23. Broad-billed Hummingbird, 1992, Hummingbird series, U.S. 29 cents
24. Red Poppy, Georgia O’Keefe. Designed by Margaret Bauer, it features O’Keeffe’s painting. It was issued in 1996 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. S. 32 cents
25. Hyacinth, Garden Flowers series, 1993. U.S. 29 cents

* The 1992 Wildflowers Series is the 5^th most popular stamp issued by the U.S. Post Office, following Elvis, 1993, Wonders of America, 2006, Marvel Super Heroes, 2007, and Star Wars, 2007.