US stamp design started to get serious in the 1950s. On March 21, 1957, the Post Office Department established the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. The Federal Registry described the committee’s purpose thusly:
The Stamp Advisory Committee shall advise the Post Office Department on any matters pertaining to the subject matter, design, production and issuance of postage stamps.
This group of seven men (of course) were responsible for the subject, look, and character of US postage stamps.
To learn more about any of the first 100 cards, select a number from the list below.
The United States Postal Service has been hit hard by the pandemic. Controlling elements of the Federal Government (the president and Republican Senate) do not want to provide aid to the service. So, it’s up to us. It may seem insignificant, but if we all sent just a few letters a week, we could help ensure that our daily, free mail delivery service continues. For the past (see the card number above) days, I have drawn a card each day and mailed it to someone the next day (none are sent on Sundays; two are sent on Mondays). Please consider mailing cards and letters while we still can for 55 cents (first class letter postage). If the USPS fails, you could find it costs $8 or more to send a letter. And that’s just one of the ways we will all lose if the USPS shuts down.