USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 9, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-055
AMISH QUILT STAMPS INAUGURATE NEW AMERICAN TREASURES STAMP SERIES
NAPPANEE, Ind. - The new American Treasures stamp series was introduced today when reproductions of four Amish quilts were commemorated by the U.S. Postal Service on a pane of twenty 34-cent stamps. The First Day of Issue ceremony took place in the Round Barn Theatre located at the Amish Acres Historic Farm on opening day of the 39th Annual Amish Acres Arts and Crafts Festival. More than 360 vendors from across the nation and 70,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day Festival that Sunshine Artist magazine has ranked one of the "Best Traditional Craft Shows" in the nation.
The 34-cent stamps will be available today at Amish Acres and at the Nappanee post office. Starting tomorrow, the stamps will be available at other post offices and at Postal Stores and Philatelic Centers across the country.
"The Postal Service is proud to honor a uniquely American art form and one of our country's most cherished folk treasures," said Danny Jackson, Postal Service Area Vice President and dedicating official for the event.
"The Amish quilt is one of the most expressive in American design, " he said, adding that "the quilts are distinctive in their simplicity, symmetry, deft needlework, and broad fields of deep color."
Also participating in the ceremony were the Honorable Larry Thompson, Nappanee Mayor, and Richard (Dick) Pletcher, Founder/CEO, Amish Acres. Honored guests included LaVern and Lenore Pletcher, Dick's parents and co-founders of Amish Acres; Dr. Forest Kendall, President, Ben Franklin Stamp Club; Wilma George, Docent, Amish Acres; Joy Johnson, Quilter, Amish Acres; and Alice Wallace, Postmaster, Nappanee, Indiana.
Amish quilting traditions vary from region to region, yet all are influenced by the religious and social values of Amish daily life: humility, simplicity, modesty, and serviceability.
The four quilts repeated on this pane of stamps display the saturated colors, bold geometric patterns, and central design motifs characteristic of quilts made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the first half of the 20th century. The quilts belong to the Foundation for Deep Ecology in San Francisco and are curated by The Quilt Complex in Albion, California.
Unknown Amish artisans in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania created each quilt in pieced wools. The four quilts are: Diamond in the Square, c.1920, 78" x 78"; Lone Star, c.1920, 88" x 89"; Sunshine and Shadow, c.1910, 80" x 80"; and Double Ninepatch (variation), c.1940, 79" x 79."
The 34-cent American Treasures Amish Quilt stamps were designed by stamp art director Derry Noyes, Washington, D.C., and a special pictorial cancellation was designed by local Nappanee artist Jeff Stillson.
To see the Amish Quilt stamps, and other 2001 stamps and stationery, choose "Shop" at www.usps.com and visit the Postal Store. The Collector's Corner contains the "Stamp Release Schedule" for unreleased 2001 stamps and "Index of Stamp Issues" for previous releases.
All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by sending an email to sfs@email.usps.gov, or calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. A selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store.
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Every year the Postal Service delivers more than 40% of the world's mail - more than 210 billion pieces - and adds the equivalent of a city the size of Chicago to its delivery network, expanding to accommodate an ever-growing nation. To maintain affordable universal service, the need for regulatory reform grows stronger with each passing day. The Postal Service will continue its efforts to achieve a new regulatory model that, in helping the Postal Service to succeed helps its customers as well.
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