Charles W. Chesnutt

DGX #172 CHARLES W. CHESNUTT

Charles W. Chesnutt was an early writer who is recognized today as one who made major changes among literary realists in exploring the color line in American life. He is the 31st honoree in the Black Heritage series of stamps. The cachet design is a portrait of Chesnutt, with his mother on the left and his father on the right. The stamp is placed so that it becomes part of the cachet design, with the pictorial Black Heritage postmark just touching the top of the stamp.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

DGX #173 MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was the author of “Cross Creek” and the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, “The Yearling” which was later made into a successful movie. The cachet design is a montage showing Rawlings, seated in her yard with her dog at her side; poster of “The Yearling”; “Cross Creek” book cover; and her home which is a historical site in Florida.

Frank Sinatra

DGX #174 FRANK SINATRA

Frank Sinatra — call him Frank, or just plain Ol’ Blue Eyes, and everyone knows who you mean. From the streets of Hoboken, NJ to one who became an icon in the world of entertainment. This cachet is a composite of three portraits of Frank: In his tradmark fedora; in his younger years; and in his role in the film “On the Town.” Foil strips were added, and gold glitter was hand-painted to each cover by hand.

2008 Duck (Northern Pintail)

Award Winning Design

DGX #175 2008 DUCK STAMP (Northern Pintail)

As its name implies, the Northern Pintail can be readily recognized by the long needle-pointed black tail feathers. The cachet design shows a pair of Northern Pintails, side by side, wih a flock of geese landing in the background. As an added touch, a real feather has been added to the male duck for a three-dimensional appearance. The shining eyes, is another technique to add realism. These covers have been postmarked Kitty Hawk, NC on the First Day of Issue of the Duck Stamp.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

DGX #176 TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

Diamonds Are Forever, and so is the song, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” which is featured on this stamp issue. The cachet design shows a baseball field with lots of fans waiting for the Seventh Inning Stretch, when they join in singing the 100 year old song.

BETTE DAVIS

DGX #177 BETTE DAVIS

This cachet is an all-over design, with rectangular illustrations surrounding the central figure, Bette Davis holding a lit cigarette. The book jacket, and two movie posters are set so that the stamp and postmark (also rectangular in shape) all become a part of the cachet design. The design has been hand-drawn and hand-painted and then mechanically reproduced. A watercolor technique is used, which washes the colors to form an abstract background tieing the different portions of the design together. The central figure has added ‘jewels’ on her dress and wrist, which have been applied to each cover by hand.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD-Ethiopia

DGX #178 CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD-Ethiopia

Continuing in our series of CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD we show Ethiopian priests carrying their colorful umbrellas in the traditional marching around the church. In the background can be seen trees, hills and the sky. The insert text with each FDC tells of traditions of how Christmas is celebrated in Ethiopia.

HANUKKAH-Rykastrasse

DGX #179 HANUKKAH-Rykestrasse

Our Hanukkah cachet designs feature Synagogue architecture. This year we pay tribute to the Rykestrasse Synagogue in Berlin, Germany. In 2007 the Grand Reopening of the Rykestrasse Synagague was dedicated to the members of the Synagogue who were murdered in the Holocaust. The Synagogue has been restored to its former opulent beauty. The cachet is an all-over design done in watercolor and metallic paints, and reproduced in full color. The design depicts worshipers in the main sanctuary. Attention to detail and perspective gives a feeling of depth to the large facility. An inset shows the red-brick building exterior. Note the black pilings in front, which keep vehicles from getting too close to the building as a security measure.