Dear Everyone ~
In honor of Labor Day, I thought I’d share with everyone several tidbits of background about the Labor Day postage stamp issued in 1956. I’ve always been fond of this stamp, engraved in extraordinary detail in a deep, rich blue.
The design is taken from the mosaic mural, titled “Labor is Life,” at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C. (In case you are curious, that stands for American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, and, yes, the organization still exists!)
The mural was designed by artist Lumen Winter, and the stamp was designed by Victor S. McCloskey, Jr. McCloskey had studied at Corcoran Gallery School of Art, just a few blocks north of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). After completing an internship at the BEP in 1926, McCloskey joined its staff as an engraver in 1930 and then officially became a designer in 1934. He spent his entire career at the BEP, retiring in 1965.
As it happened, the First Day of Issue ceremony, on September 3, 1956, was, for the first time ever, preceded by a dedication ceremony, both of which took place in the White House Rose Garden. Doesn’t that sound civilized and lovely?
The horticulture stamp, issued in 1958, has nothing whatsoever to do with the Labor Day stamp, but I have always thought of them as somewhat of a sculpted pair, she being very elegant and he being very muscular. A stampy friend of mine has always referred to her as the Goddess of Gardening. The horticulture stamp was issued to celebrate the centennial of the birth of Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858–1954), the horticulturalist who founded the College of Agriculture at Cornell University and went on to co-found the American Society for Horticultural Science.
The stamp was designed by Denver Laredo Gillen (1914–1975), an American artist and illustrator. (Between Liberty Hyde and Denver Laredo, I can’t decide whose name is a higher tribute to Americana.)
Labor Day stamps and horticulture stamps are always included in the Extravaganza of 3¢ Vintage Postage. And, even though summer is nearly over, Summer Fruit Samplers are still in season. Don’t get in a jam by forgetting to stock up for the winter.
Extravaganza of 3¢ Vintage Postage
Wishing you a glorious unlaborious day, Bari