‘In 2001, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative Thanksgiving stamp. Designed by the artist Margaret Cusack in a style resembling traditional folk-art needlework, it depicted a cornucopia overflowing with fruits and vegetables, under the phrase “We Give Thanks.”‘ — www.history.com
I’m sure that many stamp collectors know of this stamp and maybe some of them have it in their stamp collection.
I took the liberty of finding out more about this stamp that was the first of it’s kind for Thanksgiving. Going to http://www.djmcadam.com/thanksgiving-postage-stamp.html I found information that came from a press release given by the U.S. Postal Service at the time of the stamps appearance. It was a presidentially appointed Postal Service Board of Governors member, Einar Dyhrkopp who dedicated the stamp, stating, “The Thanksgiving stamp provides a meaningful way for Americans to honor the tradition of being thankful for the many blessings we have as American citizens.”
The stamp was originally taken from Margaret Cusack’s quilted needlework of the spectacular art. It consisted of old and new fabrics. Cusack was honored for her art by the Society of Illustrators, “Print” magazine and the Art Directors Club. This was Cusack’s first project for the Postal Service.
Margaret was known for her “realism in stitchery and fabric.” Not only was she an illustrator but a well known lecturer. Her lecture “Illustrating the Fabric of Life” begins at her early influences as a young artist and ends with her more innovative current work. Spanning thirty-one years of her career creating stitched artwork.
A new stamp for this year will be issued. Titled “Thansgiving Day Parade”. “This year, the U.S. Postal Service joins the parade with the issuance of four stamps featuring iconic scenes of a Thanksgiving Day parade: A lively marching band led by a flamboyant drum major, large colorful balloons shaped like favorite animals and characters, a lasso-twirling cowboy and, of course, delighted spectators gathered on the sidewalk to watch. The stamps were designed by artist Paul Rogers of Pasadena, CA.”
For those interested in the technical details of the stamp as it was in 2001, I have provided the information from the www.usps.com website:
Issue: Thanksgiving
Item Number: 551000
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Special
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Holiday Celebrations
Issue Date & City: October 19, 2001, Dallas, TX 75260
Illustrator: Margaret Cusack, Brooklyn, NY
Designer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Engraver: N/A
Art Director: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Typographer: Margaret Cusack, Brooklyn, NY
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprinting, “USPS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Stevens, Vari-size Security Press
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 69 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 453 (Tan)
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.05 x 0.77 in./26.67 x 19.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.19 x 0.91 in./30.23 x 23./11 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 5.95 x 5.46 in./151.13 x 138.68 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: © 1999 USPS • Plate Block (9 positions) • Price • Plate Numbers • Barcodes
Catalog Item Number(s): 551020 Block of 4 – $1.36
551030 Block of 10 – $3.40
551040 Full Pane of 20 – $6.80
551061 First Day Cover – $0.55
