August cartoon caption contest winner fancies Lincoln as letter carrier

U.S. Stamp Notes by John M. Hotchner

Surprisingly, there were only 15 entries in the August cartoon caption contest featuring the 2009 42¢ Lincoln as Politician stamp (Scott 4382) from the set of four (Scott 4380-4383) commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

Several entries were quite serious, perhaps reflective of the times in the midst of an unusual presidential campaign.

Some entries were stridently partisan, and thus not appropriate for presentation here. Of those that are more moderate, Clyde Holt of Ketchum, Idaho, gives a bit of context with, “I laugh when today’s candidates claim America faces divisions as never before.”

The entry from Fred Zinkann of Montgomery, Ill., is more pointed but without specifying which side could be the object of his ire, “Folks, try not to join the dark side of this farce, and its malice towards all and charity towards none.”

Michael Wright of Keaau, Hawaii, wins the philatelic part of the contest with the clever line shown nearby.

On the nonphilatelic side of the contest, Roger Cichorz of Boulder, Colo., takes a swipe at Lincoln’s rhetorical flourish at the start of the Gettysburg Address with: “Abe, just tell these folks 87 years ago instead of four score and seven ….” While rhetorical flourishes were in vogue in the 1860s, they are not now.

Both winners will receive a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new subscription or an extension).

Here are the best of the other runners-up:

“I promise that if I am elected, more books and articles will be written about me than just about any other American, and justifiably so,” by Harold Forbes of Castleton, Vt.

“And if elected, I promise no more Forever stamps! All stamps will be denominated, engraved, printed in a single color in sheets of 50 or 100, with one plate number per sheet, perforated with holes, and with water-activated gum!” from Merlin Dorfman of Livermore, Calif.

“The Postmaster General just told me I can’t deliver my Gettysburg Address without a ZIP code, whatever that is.” sent by Warren Rooney of Bakersfield, Calif.

“Four score and seven years ago I lost my Scott #20 1¢ Franklin, with a green cancel. Has anyone seen it?” from Madison Hahn of Overland Park, Kansas.

Thanks and a tip of the hat to all who entered. The next contest will be announced in the Oct. 14 issue of Linn’s.

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