In 2001, the U.S. Postal service began a tradition of honoring American artists with their annual issuance of American Treasures commemorative stamps. As reported in USA Philatelic: Beyond the Perf, Issue 18, the main purpose of the American Treasures series is to "...give joy from something beautiful on an envelope.”
USPS American Treasures Series
Beginning with the Amish Quilts stamps in 2001, the American Treasures series features an eclectic collection of American art including paintings, textiles, and even a leaded Favrile-glass window.
Three separate issues in the American Treasures series have depicted textiles - the 2001 Amish Quilts stamps, the 2005 New Mexico Rio Grande Blankets stamps, and the 2006 Quilts of Gee's Bend stamps. The USPS press release for the four Rio Grande Blanket stamps states the designs are photographs of blankets from several museum collections. The 10 Quilts of Gee’s Bend stamp designs are photographs chosen by art director Derry Noyes from quilts created between 1940 and 2001.
John James Audubon is featured on the 2002 issue. The Audubon stamp features a reprint from his book, Birds of America, which is considered one of the finest ornithological books ever printed. The stamp design depicts two male Louisiana Tanagers in spring plumage and two Scarlet Tanagers.
In 2003, Mary Cassatt's works were celebrated with a four-stamp issuance. The four works of art appearing on the Mary Cassatt stamps are Young Mother, 1888; Children Playing on the Beach, 1884; On a Balcony, 1878/79; and Child in a Straw Hat, circa 1886.
The 2004 American Treasures stamp features a painting by Martin Johnson Heade entitled Giant Magnolias on a Blue Velvet Cloth, while the 2007 stamp features Magnolias and Irises, a leaded Favrile-glass window designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The 2008, 2010, and 2011 issues showcase art by Albert Bierstadt, Winslow Homer, and Edward Hopper, respectively. Hopper's The Last Leg was originally intended as the 2009 American Treasures issue, but the stamp was canceled due to economic reasons. The long-awaited Edward Hopper stamp will now appear as the 2011 issue.
United States Stamps in the American Treasures Series
As of 12 August, 2010, there are 27 stamps in the USPS American Treasures commemorative stamps series. The 27 stamps were released as part of nine different issues in the American Treasures series. In 2011, the Edward Hopper stamp will represent the tenth issue and 28th stamp in the series.
The current list of American Treasures stamp subjects can be found below. For those interested in postage stamp collecting, the Scott catalog number is found beside each stamp (or set of stamps).
- Amish Quilts (2001, Scott #3524, 3525, 3526, and 3527)
- John James Audubon - Scarlet and Louisiana Tanagers, 1864 (2002, Scott #3650)
- Mary Cassatt- four paintings (2003, Scott #3804, 3805, 3806, 3807)
- Martin Johnson Heade - Giant Magnolias on a Blue Velvet Cloth, circa 1890 (2004, Scott #3872)
- Rio Grande blankets (2005, Scott #3926, 3927, 3928, 3929)
- Gee's Bend, Alabama quilts (2006, Scott #4089, 4090, 4091, 4092, 4093, 4094, 4095, 4096, 4097, 4098)
- Louis Comfort Tiffany - Magnolias and Irises, circa 1908 (2007, Scott #4165)
- Albert Bierstadt - Valley of the Yosemite, 1864 (2008, Scott #4346)
- Winslow Homer - Boys in a Pasture, 1874 (2010, Scott #TBD)
- Edward Hopper - The Long Leg, 1935 (2011, Scott #TBD)
The image on the Louis Comfort Tiffany stamp is courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Anonymous Gift, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Frank, 1981 (1981.159) Photograph ©1981 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
