Charles R. Chickering
Charles Ransom Chickering (October 7, 1891 – April 29, 1970) was best known as the freelance artist who designed some 77 postage stamps for the U.S. Post Office while working at the
Early life
Charles Ransom Chickering (aka "Chick") was born on October 7, 1891, in the
Chickering's career was temporarily put on hold when
Career as artist
Between World Wars I and II the
When World War II broke out Chickering put his talents to use contributing to the war effort. Recognized for his illustrating ability working for the Army during the first world war he was commissioned by the government and designed recruitment posters for the Navy Department. Among his most famous posters was the Uncle Sam poster of 1942. He also designing posters that promoted awareness and the need for successful civilian war production.[2]
Designing U.S. postage stamps
After the war Chickering embarked on a career designing U.S. postage stamps when he began working for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), starting his career there on February 12, 1947. During Chickering's 15-year career at the BEP he was credited for designing 66 stamp designs that were produced unaltered, into the final stamp design, such as the one used in the Opening of Japan commemorative issue of 1953, while 11 other designs were modified somewhat and incorporated into a stamp format.[7] In addition to the 77 stamps he designed Chickering is also credited as modeler for 41 U.S. issues designed by other artists and jointly as modeler for eight more.[8]
While designing postage stamps with their frequent historical themes Chickering often spent much time researching and studying historical documents, letters, paintings, statues and photographs before creating the design for a postage stamp. When he designed the Gettysburg Address issue he studied a statue created by Daniel Chester French to create the image of Lincoln on the stamp, while the credo inscribed on the stamp is taken from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address itself.[9]
Notable stamp designs
Chickering designed dozens of stamp issues most of which employed historic themes for their subjects.
- Project Mercury The Project Mercury stamp, issued on February 20, 1962, proved to be the most famous of Chickering's stamps designs. It was initially produced in quantities of 100 million stamps but because it proved to be so popular the U.S. Post Office ordered the printing of an additional 100 million.[10] Before the stamp was released to the public however the success of the space mission was still not a given and so the production of this commemorative stamp was done in secrecy. To assure that the production of this stamp remained confidential Chickering did most of his design work at his own residence, while his fellow workers at the BEP were informed that he was on a vacation.[11] The finished stamps were sent to Post offices across the country and were labeled 'Top Secret' where they finally were released to the public on February 20, 1962 at the exact hour Colonel John Glenn's historic flight returned to Earth.[10] See also: U.S. space exploration history on U.S. stamps
- Among his earlier productions is the El Paso, Texas. Chickering's design was intended to portray the old and the new historical aspects of the fort's 100-year history, a difficult task for the small amount of space. Chickering designed the stamp, C.A. Brooks engraved the vignette, and A.W. Christensen engraved the border design, the lettering and the numerals.[12][13]
- Overland mail In early 1957, the U.S. Post Office Department was under considerable political pressure to mark the anniversary of the Butterfield's overland mail lines with a commemorative stamp "honoring the centennial of the overland mail." Chickering was chosen to design the stamp.[14]
- Credo issues of 1960 Examples of co-designed stamps, these issues depict quotes made by various famous Americans such as Washington, Jefferson and Lincoln. They were designed by Frank P. Conley and illustrated (modeled) by Charles Chickering.[15][16]
Personal life
Chickering developed heart problems which ultimately claimed his life while living in Island Heights, New Jersey, on April 29, 1970. During the months leading up to his death Chickering was still designing and producing first day covers some of which were consequently released after his death. The theme for the design of his final cachet was the South Carolina Settlement stamp issued in September 12, 1970.[5]
Gallery
This is a selection of stamps designed by Chickering.
-
Lewis and Clark Expedition
issue of 1954 -
Overland Mail
issue of 1958 -
Credo Issue
issue of 1960 -
Independence Hall
Issue of 1956 -
Fort Sumter
Issue of 1961
See also
- Presidents of the United States on U.S. postage stamps (contains a number of Chickering's stamp designs)
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Clair Aubrey Huston (Postage stamp designer for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing)
- Postage stamps and postal history of the United States
- U.S. postage stamp locator
Notes
- ^ Cameras at this time were big and bulky and often not available on the battle front.
References
- ^ Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Gettysburg Address issue
- ^ a b c Lerner, 2010, p. 12.
- ^ Lerner, 2010, pp. 11–13.
- ^ "Still life artist Peto led parade to retreat", Asbury Park Press, February 8, 1981. Accessed October 10, 2017. "Charles R. Chickering was born in Smithville in Burlington County in 1891 and at an early age moved with his family to Philadelphia."
- ^ a b Lerner, 2010, p. 10.
- ^ a b Lerner, 2010, p. 11.
- ^ Lerner, 2010, pp. 12, 19.
- ^ Lerner, 2010, p. 13.
- ^ Smithsonian Libraries, essay: Seven score and six years ago…
- ^ a b Smithsonian National Postal Museum: Project Mercury
- ^ Lerner, 2010, p. 15.
- ^ Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Fort Bliss Centennial Issue
- ^ Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Fort Bliss stamp design file
- ^ Smithsonian National Postal Museum, Overland Mail issue
- ^ Smithsonioan National Stamp Museum;Credo issues of 1960-1961
- ^ Lantos, 2009, p. 51.
Bibliography
- Lerner, Mark (2010). Charles R. Chickering: Cachetmaker – Part I. American First Day Cover Society. pp. 10–20., Book
- Postal Bulletin (March 1, 1962). "Project Mercury Issue". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Stephen J, Rod (2009). "Fort Bliss Centennial Issue". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- Lantos, James (2009). Thomas Jefferson. Applewood Books. p. 56., Book
- Kloetzel, James E.; Jones, William A., eds. (2010). Scott Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and Covers. Scott Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-89487-446-8.
- "Fort Bliss Centennial Issue". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
- "Fort Bliss Centennial Issue design file". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
- Beverly; Cassie Mancer, eds. (2009). "Seven score and six years ago…". The National Postal Museum Library. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
- Steven J. Rod; Thomas Lera, eds. (2009). "Gettysburg Address issue". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
- "Overland Mail Issue". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
- Rod Juell, ed. (2008). "4-cent Washington Quotation". Smithsonian National Stamp Museum. Retrieved September 24, 2013.