Stamp Design and the Visual Arts

Topical Reference Page

Find resources about stamp art and design on the museum's website.

nine airplane sillhouettes in stamp frames

March 15, 2005 - March 19, 2006

Exhibition

This exhibition revealed highlights from the wide-ranging Postmaster General's Collection spanning more than 150 years of US stamp-making, including not only stamps, but "behind-the-scenes" materials.

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An artist sitting at a computer working on a stamp design.

Stamps: An American Journey

"Stamps: An American Journey" tells the surprising story of the journey of stamps from an idea, to art, to issued stamp.

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Shown under an ornately carved stone arch, a young woman holds a baby on her lap as she sits on a curving gold chair.

The Art of Christmas Stamps

Exhibition

Works from the National Gallery of Art (Virtual Exhibit)
Since 1970, two general themes of Christmas stamps have been issued yearly by the U.S. Postal Service: one “traditional” and one “contemporary.” The traditional stamps tend to be based on religious artwork, while the contemporary stamps usually have a secular subject. To showcase this tradition, the National Gallery of Art and the National Postal Museum have partnered to create this virtual exhibition, which explores the art behind US Christmas stamps.

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Glorious Flight - The Art of the Remarque

Exhibition

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The Queen’s Own

April 6, 2004 - January 11, 2005

Exhibition

The National Postal Museum is pleased to present a selection of extraordinary materials from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's personal philatelic holdings. The Royal Philatelic Collection includes the world's finest and most comprehensive collection of British and Commonwealth stamps.

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Seventy five stamp art illustrations and paintings

Trailblazers and Trendsetters

November 16, 2006 - August 17, 2008

Exhibition

Art of the Stamp
This exhibition presented works of art commissioned by the US Postal Service over the last 40 years. These paintings and drawings represent the work of 42 different artists and showcase an array of techniques and styles.

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