A Graphic Designer’s Stamp Collection

Posted inDesign Inspiration
Thumbnail for A Graphic Designer’s Stamp Collection

Mail makes the world go round—and stamps make the mail make the world go round.

Over the years, Steven Heller and other PRINT writers have documented a vast array of stamps from a vast array of sources—legendary designers at home and abroad, contemporary practitioners and art directors (such as the brilliant Antonio Alcalá), and designers whose names are lost to time but whose work remains sublime.

With the USPS under attack, we’re taking a look at the design forces that move the mail—starting with Dana Tanamachi’s new stamp, featuring art direction by Greg Breeding.

View this post on Instagram

Time to make your mail ✨SHINE✨. My new ‘Thank You’ stamp with the @uspostalservice is available for pre-order at USPS.com/stamps—and it officially releases next Friday! It comes in a set of four jewel tone colors, And YES, that is gold foil!⁠⠀ -⁠⠀ I’ve been sitting on this for over five years, y’all. I designed this stamp back in 2015 and wondered if it would ever see the light of day. But, I wouldn’t change a thing. Who ever imagined that buying postage in 2020 would become a form of activism? We need to do our part to save the USPS now. So, I’m gonna need you to pre-order this baby IN BULK, k? ⁠⠀ -⁠⠀ FYI, The USPS receives no tax dollars for operating expenses. It relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations. Head to USPS.com/stamps to preorder. And buy some for a friend! And while you’re at it, pick up some gorgeous @ruthasawaofficial stamps, too. It’s a hell of a month (philatelically speaking) for female Japanese-American artists!⁠🙌🏽 -⁠⠀ Art Direction: Greg Breeding⁠⠀ Animation: @olegmasnyy

A post shared by Dana Tanamachi (@dana_tanamachi) on

Lance Wyman's work for the 1968 Olympics

Lance Wyman's work for the 1968 Olympics

Jason Polan proposed stamp designs by Kelli Anderson

Jason Polan proposed stamp designs by Kelli Anderson

Jason Polan proposed stamp designs by Kelli Anderson

Jason Polan proposed stamp designs by Kelli Anderson

Jason Polan proposed stamp designs by Kelli Anderson

Korea, 1975

1999

Nigeria, 1963

The Heads of State, in collaboration with Antonio Alcalá

The Heads of State, in collaboration with Antonio Alcalá

Gail Anderson, with art direction by Antonio Alcalá

2011, art direction by Derry Noyes

Design by Antonio Alcalá; photography by Cade Martin

Antonio Alcalá

Antonio Alcalá

Circa 1930s

People's Republic of China, 1970s

Milton Glaser, 1993

Max Bill, 1974

Seymour Chwast, 1987

Herbert Bayer

Neville Brody, 1992

Louise Fili, 2013

Michael Doret

Illustration by James McMullan; art direction/design by Ethel Kessler

Illustration by James McMullan; art direction/design by Ethel Kessler