WPA Posters Stamps Issued March 7
at FDR Library & Museum
On March 7
was absorbed into
the USPS issued
World War II proits booklet of 20
grams.
Forever stamps
WPA artists
featuring 10 WPA
greatly advanced
Posters designs.
silkscreen-printThe First
ing, an economiDay of Issue Cercal medium, also
emony was held
employing woodat the Franklin D.
block and lithoRoosevelt Presigraphic processdential Library
es. At the height
and Museum in
of the Federal Art
Hyde Park, N.Y.
Program, cities
One of the
in 18 states had
featured speakers
Poster Project ofat the Ceremofices, printing two
ny was David B.
million posters of
Roosevelt, grandapproximately
son of Franklin
35,000 designs.
Left, historian Anthony Musso and Megan Brennan, right, David Roosevelt
and Eleanor RoosPosters were disevelt, who stated,
played in public
“These stamps commemospaces and municipal buildrate the work of my grandings to encourage domestic
father’s most ambitious
travel, education, health,
New Deal program and the
conservation and other civic
artwork generated from
ideals, while stimulating
the WPA artists. Much of
morale and the economy.
the artwork adorned pubDecades of obscurity follic buildings built by WPA
“Air Mail” by painter Daniel Rhodes is a nearly 12-foot long lowed the posters’ disapemployees. Perfect examples
pearance from the American
include the post offices in work in oil on canvas. Installed in 1941, it is still on display in scene but appreciation of the
Poughkeepsie, Hyde Park the Piggott, Arkansas, Post Office. Source: Wikipedia.
posters’ distinctive style and
and Rhinebeck, to name only a few
artistic influence has grown since their re-discovery.
in the Hudson Valley, and many
Background on Poster Designs
others around the nation.”
Many records about the Poster Division are long lost.
Also participating was USPS
Known poster office locations and publication dates are as
Postmaster General Megan J. Brenfollows:
nan, who dedicated the stamps and
“Hiking,” Chicago, 1939.
stated, “It is undeniable that Frank“Field Day,” Chicago, 1939.
lin Delano Roosevelt understood
“Discover Puerto Rico, U.S.A.,” New York City, ca. 1936–40.
the importance of visual design and
“City of New York Municipal Airports,” New York City, ca.
how it could communicate power1936–37.
ful messages of optimism, hope
“Visit
the Zoo,” Pennsylvania, ca. 1936–41.
From the 1930s Celeand perseverance. It is also fitting
“Work With Care,” Philadelphia, ca. 1936–37.
that these WPA posters are being brate the Century sheet, “The National Parks Preserve Wild Life,” New York City, ca.
memorialized on postage stamps, Sc. 3185e, commemo1936–39.
because President Roosevelt had rated the New Deal
“Work Pays America! Prosperity,” New York City, ca. 1936–41.
a lifelong fascination with stamps
“See America Welcome to Montana,” New York City, ca.
as artwork.”
1936–39.
The posters were created by Depression-era artists em- “The United States’ First Foreign Trade Zone,” New York
ployed by the Poster Division of the WPA Federal Art Project.
City, 1937.
The poster designs originally were created to support the civicThe posters featured on these stamps are from the Prints
minded ideals of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress, which
Formed in 1935 as the Works Progress Administration houses the largest collection of WPA posters.
— renamed Work Projects Administration in 1939 — the WPA
To view many of the WPA New Deal Posters and Murals
provided millions of jobs during the Great Depression. Lasting that can still be found throughout the United States, go to
until 1943, the WPA’s Federal Art Program’s Poster Division https://livingnewdeal.org.
8
U.S. Stamp News
April 2017