PrintFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Community Relations 202-268-4924
May 19, 2005
Stamp News Release No. 05-027
www.usps.com
ARCHITECTURAL EXCELLENCE RECEIVES STAMPS OF APPROVAL FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE
WASHINGTON — Spectacular works of architecture in Atlanta, GA; New Canaan, CT; Chicago, IL; Exeter, NH; Los Angeles, CA; New Haven, CT; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC were immortalized today on U.S. postage stamps honoring Masterworks of Modern American Architecture. Each building is depicted through a stunning photograph on the sheet of twelve 37-cent stamps. The stamps were dedicated in Las Vegas during a special ceremony as part of The American Institute of Architects Annual Convention and Design Exposition at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
(Continues below image....)
As host to the event, Las Vegas holds the unique distinction of being the only city in the nation where the stamps will be available today. The stamps will be available at Post Offices and Philatelic Centers nationwide Friday, May 20.
"If the power of architecture is to imagine, create and transform, then its form should inspire," said Anita Bizzotto, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, U.S. Postal Service, who dedicated the stamps. "It should elevate the things of everyday life- from commerce, to learning, to living- into the realm of the extraordinary. And Masterpieces of Modern American Architecture celebrated on these postage stamps do just that."
Joining Bizzotto at the ceremony from the Postal Service were Al Iniguez, Vice President, Pacific Area Operations, and Dr. Douglas Lewis, Chairman, Postmaster General's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee. From the American Institute of Architects were Norman L. Koonce, Chief Executive Officer; Douglas L. Steidl, President; and Kate L. Schwennsen, First Vice President.
"This honor confirms the enduring power of architecture to elevate the human experience," said Steidl. "Each building in the series embodies the creativity and commitment of architects to help create better places for people to live, work and play."
The earliest of these buildings was completed in 1930, and the most recent opened in 2003. All have been widely hailed for the beauty and intelligence of their design. Stamp Art Director Derry Noyes and Designer Margaret Bauer chose breathtaking photographs to honor each building. The drawing on the selvage by Richard Meier & Partners Architects LLP is a three-dimensional view of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
With the dedication of the Masterworks of Modern Architecture stamp pane, the Postal Service continues to offer innovative First-Day Digital color postmarks. The First-Day Digital color postmark for the stamps, designed by Stamp Art Director Derry Noyes, is one of the first postmarks specifically designed to enhance the visual appeal of the stamp and cover. Cost for the First-Day Digital color postmark is $1.50 per cover and a set of 12 is available for $18.00. Note: Digital color postmarks are not available on customer-submitted covers.
The Postal Service is also offering customers a First-Day Cover with a full pane of stamps for $6.94, and a Cancellation Keepsake for $11.38.
The stamps depict the following Masterworks of Modern American Architecture:
Guggenheim Museum, New York
With its circular ramp coiling around a space topped by a glass dome, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York has one of the most exhilarating interiors in modern architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright meant to design the perfect space in which to contemplate an art collection. The Guggenheim, located on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park, opened in 1959. Photographed by the late Ezra Stoller.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
Frank Gehry combined thrilling curves with massive, unusual shapes to create the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the exciting fourth venue of the Music Center of Los Angeles County and home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The stainless steel of the bold exterior contrasts with the warmth of the Douglas Fir paneling in the main auditorium, where patrons sit on all sides of the orchestra. The hall occupies a full city block and boasts state-of-the-art acoustics; it opened in 2003, making it the newest building on this stamp pane. Photograph by Todd Eberle of New York.
Yale Art and Architecture Building, New Haven, CT
The Yale Art and Architecture Building, completed in 1963, is a solid, textured concrete structure. Large skylights illuminate the dramatic main interior space, overlooked by mezzanines and bridges. Architect Paul Rudolph intended his bold urban building "to excite and challenge the occupants." Photographed by Ezra Stoller.
Chrysler Building, New York
The Chrysler Building is frequently praised as the greatest art deco skyscraper; its distinctive peak is a symbol of the jazz age. Since its completion in 1930, it has remained one of the most recognizable elements in the Manhattan skyline. William Van Alen's design incorporated many references to Chrysler automobiles. Photographed by the late Margaret Bourke-White.
860-880 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Two identical apartment towers of steel and glass, each 26 stories tall, opened at 860-880 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago in 1951. Their pristine, spare elegance was the hallmark of architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's famous principle that "less is more." Photographed by Guido Guidi of Venice, Italy.
High Museum of Art, Atlanta
The High Museum of Art, like much of Richard Meier's architecture, features white enameled steel panels. It is composed of four quadrants, including a monumental atrium that houses the lobby and provides a ceremonial center for the Museum. Named for one of its benefactors, the High Museum opened in 1983. Photographed by Ezra Stoller.
Vanna Venturi House, Philadelphia
Architect Robert Venturi designed what he characterized as "a little house with big scale, symbolizing shelter" for his mother. The Vanna Venturi house, located in Philadelphia and finished in 1964, is symbolically centered on the chimney and hearth; the chimney splits the structure and space extends outward from the hearth. Photographed by Matt Wargo of Philadelphia.
National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
The East Building of the National Gallery of Art, known for its triangular shapes and light-filled atrium, is visually linked to the museum's original West Building in part by use of the same marble. With its rigorously geometric design by I. M. Pei, it became one of the most noted attractions in Washington, DC upon its 1978 completion. Photographed by the late Ben Spiegel.
Exeter Academy Library, Exeter, NH
The central reading room in the powerful library at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire is circled by balconies containing the stacks. Study carrels are positioned along the perimeter of the building, where small windows at eye level can be closed by sliding wooden shutters. Architect Louis I. Kahn's library for this noted prep school was completed in November, 1971. Photographed by Grant Mudford of Los Angeles.
TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, New York
Eero Saarinen initially planned to study sculpture; perhaps that's why his architecture shows a marked reliance on sculptural forms. His curving TWA terminal, completed in 1962 at what is now JFK Airport in New York, is one of the first airport buildings also considered a great monument of modern architecture. Photographed by Georg Fischer of Hamburg, Germany.
Glass House, New Canaan, CT
As Philip Johnson once observed, "purpose is not necessary to make a building beautiful." He designed his famous house of steel and glass more to be seen than to be lived in. Serene proportion, balance and overall symmetry distinguish this landmark in New Canaan, CT, one of the world's most famous houses since its completion in 1949. Photographed by Ezra Stoller.
Hancock Center, Chicago
The hundred-story, multi-use Hancock Center tower in Chicago, affectionately known as "Big John," was designed by architect Bruce Graham and engineer Fazlur Khan of the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and completed in 1970. Crisscrossing braces stacked up the side of the building-actually square steel tubes-carry most of its weight. Photographed by Ezra Stoller.
Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling 1-800-STAMP-24. A selection of stamps and other philatelic items are also available at the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop. In addition, beautifully custom-framed prints of original stamp designs are available at www.postalartgallery.com.
Since 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has represented the professional interests of America's architects. As AIA members, more than 75,000 licensed architects, allied partners and emerging professionals express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA-member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.
Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. An independent federal agency, the Postal Service makes deliveries to more than 142 million addresses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. Moreover, today's postage rates will remain stable until at least 2006. The U.S. Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 206 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves seven million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide.