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  • 14c Sinclair Lewis single
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14c Sinclair Lewis single

Object Details

Description
A 14-cent stamp in the Great Americans Series commemorating the centennial of the birth of novelist Sinclair Lewis was issued on March 21, 1985, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
Lewis, who was born and raised in Sauk Centre, was perhaps best known for his many novels focusing on Middle America. In works such as "Main Street" (1920), "Babbitt" (1922), "Arrowsmith" (1925), and "Elmer Gantry" (1927), Lewis satirized the lifestyles of middle-class Americans. In 1930, he was the first American awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature.
Although he earned his reputation as a novelist, Lewis also wrote many short stories for numerous magazines including "Redbook," "Cosmopolitan," and "Saturday Evening Post" and was book editor for "Newsweek."
Since their publication, the literary works of Sinclair Lewis have delighted many readers while infuriating others, but most critics agree that he had a major impact on American literature. By skillfully weaving brash satire with exaggerated dramatic elements, Lewis secured a place on the list of all-time literary giants.
The stamp's designer, typographer, and art director was Bradbury Thompson of Riverside, Connecticut. It was printed in the intaglio process and issued in panes of 100. The engravers were Thomas Hipschen (vignette) and Stanley Scantlin (lettering and numerals).
Reference:
Postal Bulletin (February 21, 1985).
mint
Credit line
Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Date
March 21, 1985
Object number
1999.2004.172
Depicts
Sinclair Lewis, American, 1885 - 1951
Type
Postage Stamps
Medium
paper; ink (slate green); adhesive / engraving
Place
United States of America
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
Title
Scott Catalogue USA 1856
Topic
Literature
U.S. Stamps
Record ID
npm_1999.2004.172
Usage
Usage conditions apply
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm87344c6ba-e4fe-4bb8-8d52-190d40bcc4cd
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Visit »

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

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