Art: New Expressionists

 

 

 

 

Art and is incredible works are no stranger to stamps. Nations have often used it as a method to promote their artists and tourist destinations.

Fiction and Legends on Postage Stamps

One of my first collectable stamps was the Headless Horseman stamp blazing across my album page in bright orange against deep blue. I thought it strange until I realize they are actually promoting the writer Washington Irving----or were they?

At times, legends and monsters can make such a dramatic impact on the public imagination that it compels the postal authorities to include them on postage stamps. The Maldives include a picture representation of the legendary Scottish sea monster: The Loch Ness Monster.

The mountainous country of Bhutan is famous for mountain trekkers, dedicated hikers and a population so steeped in the Yeti (i.e. Abominable Snowman) tradition that nearly to a person they believe it is out there. Bhutan literature actually mentions the Yeti (i.e. missing link) nearly 1500 years old in ancient religious texts and histories.

The emerging Southeastern nation of Laos cling to the enduring legend of the Thunderbird which modern hunters are still seeking in the strong belief it is a genetic leftover from the dinosaur age.


The cynical among us often say these legendary depictions are merely the result of commercializing stamps for collectors in order to make profits for said producing countries. Yeah, so what. Many of these same countries snap photos of their beautiful shells, flowers and exotic animals and also reap financial rewards. Remember stamps can be art, news, politics, history, geography,--so why not plain fun.

October: Autumn Leaves and Halloween

Autumn is my favorite season. Always has been. Always will be. It even shades my art tastes and I like the browns and oranges in paintings. Strangely, there haven't been many Halloween stamps issued throughout the world. I was only able to locate five. Maybe we should petition for more. Ha.

Growing up Halloween was my favorite holiday--more so than Thanksgiving or Christmas. I couldn't wait to get out of school and into that costume, Batman, Frankenstein's Monster, Casper the Friend Ghost, etc. I grew up in the city and selling egg insurance 1 week in advance raised the funds necessary to buy the more expensive costume I craved--plus more. Every year I would have to clean a few windows but mostly it was profitable and fun.

Now I live in the suburbs and look back at the rows of orange leaves flooding the sidewalks to my grammar school with fond memories. I miss those days but I missed more the fact that my parents were rarely able to make the Halloween trek through the neighborhood. One or both often had to work late. I was usually assigned a neighborhood parent and went trick-or-treating with their kids.

Sometimes I felt my father was doing extra stamp collecting activities, such as field trips, with me to make up for those absences. All of this is going through my mind now that I have children and Halloween is fast approaching. I'm reliving those times with them and still thinking how I can improve being the best father I can possibly be.

When they grow up I won't worry if they miss those lovely autumn leaves, I just don't want them to miss me not being around. That is the best holiday gift any father can give his children.

Monthly Report: KNS Reaches Out and Grows

We are concluding our second successful month of providing parents, mentors and organizations the stamps and information necessary to launch their kids into the Hobby of Kings: stamp collecting. A big thanks again to

Lt. Col. Don from The Stamp Collecting Roundup http://stampcollectingroundup.blogspot.com/

and Alex at The Stamp Collectors Corner http://www.stampcenter.com/blog/blogger.html

Yesterday KNS sent out its 50th starter-kit as well as outfitting an entire elementary classroom for stamp instruction and an entire troupe of 12 Boy Scouts. We also donated stamps to Stamps for the Wounded and Canadian Guide Dogs. KNS is considering an exciting proposal to assist a children's hospital ward.

KNS will continue to creatively reach out and meet the needs of individuals, parents, mentors and organizations that seek to interest children in stamp collecting. We have received a number of suggestions which serve to remind us of how many people surf and watch the Net these days. While I sincerely thank and have thanked each one for their wonderful idea I ask that you consider KNS cannot be everything to everyone nor do we ever intend to make that a goal.

I like the simple niche we always knew was present: parents, mentors and organizations in need of a basic boost to inspire them to get kids interested in stamp collecting, divert their attention from the technologically-confusing world, and bring them back to a place where art, history, science, geography and saving things of value is no longer a "geek phenomena" mocked on sitcoms and radio shows.

I would like to also thank everyone for the kind comments and compliments. My family and I are very pleased that our vision of assisting parents to help their children with stamp collecting is taking place right before our very eyes. And last, these starter-kits are really free. We do not solicit donations of any kind from anyone. If you want to donate used stamps, cut from envelopes, please send them to the organizations I listed on the site. They need and welcome such help.