Battlefields kit book showcases design process

Philatelic Foreword by Jay Bigalke

The United States Postal Service released a collector’s set in conjunction with the Battlefields of the American Revolution forever stamps. The stamps were issued April 16.

As a collector with great interest in the production process of stamps I wanted to get the kit and share with collectors my thoughts about it.

This set includes five single-color proof panes — cyan, magenta, yellow, black, and a dark blue selvage color — offering a behind-the-scenes look at the stamp production process.

Accompanying these proofs is a 60-page book detailing artist Greg Harlin’s creative journey, from initial sketches to final illustrations. The book title is Behind the Design: Battlefields of the American Revolution.

This is where I thought the book really went above and beyond. To showcase the design process the graphic designers chose to use see-through vellum paper to print some of the preliminary rough sketches artist Greg Harlin did to create the final design.

A certificate of authenticity that is actually signed by Harlin is also part of the package.

The book cover, an open page, and the certificate of authenticity are all shown nearby.

Tucked into the back pocket of the book was a glassine that included the pane of the issued stamps and the five proof panes. If I could change one thing about the book design, it would have been making the glassine actually sized to fit the stamp panes instead of it being folded somewhat awkwardly.

The normal pane along with the five proof panes are pictured nearby.

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