US Stamps
Mr. ZIP marginal markings and more
U.S. Stamp Notes by John M. Hotchner
For almost 33 years the cartoon caption contests (the first one appeared in the Dec. 8, 1986, issue of Linn’s) have used postage stamp designs as the centerpiece for readers to supply their own lines. But for November, I am featuring a post office hero who has not made it onto a postage stamp: Mr. ZIP.
The face of the promotional campaign when the Zone Improvement Plan was introduced in 1963, Mr. ZIP was born from the need to capture the public’s attention. Gaining acceptance in changing the way letters were to be addressed and reversing decades of ingrained practice were seen as major challenges.
Mr. ZIP is now 56 years old, but he maintains his youthful good looks.
Although he never appeared on a postage stamp, he did appear in the margins of panes of United States stamps for many years after his introduction with the objective of reminding mailers to use the five-digit ZIP code.
Figure 1 shows three examples of Mr. ZIP marginal markings on the 1964 5¢ Sam Houston stamp (Scott 1242), the 1973 8¢ Drummer stamp from the American Bicentennial issue highlighting communications in Colonial times (1479), and the 1974 10¢ Legend of Sleepy Hollow stamp (Scott 1548).
He also was depicted on booklet covers in 1963 and 1964. Figure 2 shows an example.
An original essay for the image of Mr. ZIP is shown in Figure 3 as an “early rough” by artist Howard Wilcox, the son of a letter carrier and a staff member of the Madison Avenue advertising agency Cunningham and Walsh Inc., a Madison Avenue ad firm, in New York City.
Note that the name Mr. ZIP had not yet been christened. On the essay he is called “Mr. P.O. Zone,” not as catchy as Mr. ZIP.
Ultimately Mr. ZIP came to represent one of the most successful change programs in U.S. Post Office Department history.
Although he is fading from memory, the U.S. Postal Service brings him back now and then. His latest return to glory is on a T-shirt advertised in the latest issue (Vol. 24 Fall) of USA Philatelic, a quarterly bulletin of new stamps and products subtitled “The Official Source for Stamp Enthusiasts.” Figure 4 shows the T-shirt, which is also is available from the online postal store.
ATM receipt giveaway
I am renewing my previous offer of an example of the automatic teller machine receipt showing the U.S. Flag and Chalkboard stamp. An example is shown in Figure 5.
Steve Schumann was able to obtain a roll of these receipts and was kind enough to send it to me, knowing that many Linn’s readers would like to have an example for their collection to go along with the actual 1999 33¢ Flag and Chalkboard ATM stamp (Scott 3283).
There is no cost, other than sending an addressed envelope franked with 55¢ in postage to John Hotchner, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125. However, it may be a few weeks before the receipts are sent out.
Cartoon contest
For the November cartoon caption contest, I am using the Mr. ZIP marginal marking from the aforementioned 1973 8¢ Bicentennial stamp.
Put yourself in Mr. ZIP’s uniform and tell me what you think he might be saying or thinking, about the ZIP code program, his contribution to postal operations, the current state of the Postal Service, philately, or whatever else you would like to address.
There will be two prizes given to the winners: one for the best philatelic line and one for the best nonphilatelic line. The important thing is to use your sense of humor because entries with a humorous twist have the best chance of winning a prize.
Put your entry (or entries) on a postcard if possible and send it to me, John Hotchner, Cartoon Contest, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125; or email it to jmhstamp@verizon.net. If you send an email, it is essential that you include your postal mailing address.
For each winner, the prize will be a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new subscription or an extension). Entries must reach me no later than Nov. 22.
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