National Postal Museum Receives Donation of Original Artwork (Carl T. Herrman)

Carl T. Herrman, a former art director for the U.S. Postal Service, has donated his collection of original artwork and production material used in the creation of U.S. postage stamps that he designed or directed between 1992 and 2008.

The material complements the Postmaster General’s Collection, a one-of-a-kind philatelic resource with unusual, rare and unique holdings, on long-term loan from the U.S. Postal Service. The donation includes dozens of pieces of original artwork not found in the Postmaster General’s Collection and hundreds of art director’s working proofs.

A finding guide with a complete listing of stamps represented in the donated collection is available on the museum’s website at finding-guides.

As an art director for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 15 years, Herrman designed more than 50 stamps and directed more than 400 stamp issues. His work includes famous stamp issues such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Comic Strip Classics, DC Comic Super Heroes, Marvel Comic Super Heroes and Celebrate the Century.

Sporting stamps were one of Herrman’s specialties, including the popular issues for World Cup ’94, Legendary Football Coaches, Extreme Sports, Beijing Olympics and the legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Classic American cars were also among Herrman’s most popular projects, including the Woody Wagon, Fifties Sporty Cars, Fins & Chrome and Muscle Cars series.

“Carl’s influence on recent U.S. stamp design is enormous,” said museum curator of philately Daniel A. Piazza. “The National Postal Museum is proud to receive his important collection and will make it available to the public through exhibition and research.”

“Designing stamps is probably the best art director job in the United States,” said Herrman. “We create the calling cards for our country with designs that celebrate American culture, history and achievements.”

The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., in the Old City Post Office Building across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the museum’s Web site at postalmuseum.si.edu.

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