US Stamp That Most Depicts Americana

The "US Classic Stamp Mint and Used board" is running a contest to select the Pre 1940 US stamp that most depicts Americana.

We have four finalists and now we need everyone's help in selecting the winner. Please vote for the stamp you feel best represents what America is all about. The winner of this contest will receive a very nice prize.

To view all entries and the prize please follow this link.
https://goscf.com/t/18721

Finalist #1

I_Love_Stamps
U.S. Scott #121
The colors Red, white & blue, the flags for which we fought and died for and our symbol of freedom, the Bald Eagle (which would have been a wild turkey if Ben Franklin had his way)

Finalist #2

Russ
Scott 290 theHardships of Emigration.
Where so many countries found their strength in what was the same, the United State found it strength in what was different. This country was built on the backs of the emigrants that sacraficed everything for the chance of a better life. The mixing of these cultures added a richness that is rarely seen in the world.


Finalist #3

nitrolures
nitrolures
Scott 291
As many worldly important people that are immortilized in US classic stamps I have to follow suit with the Trans Mississippi series depicting the true values of the US. As Russ stated how the country was built on the backs of immigrants searching for the American dream. A vast part of that dream and that which provided the US much of its original wealth was the Gold rush. At a time when all you needed was that dream and a pan to wash along a river bank, the prospectors found not just gold but the determination to prevail.

Finalist #4

Jamesw
SC#717
I always thought the USA was described as the land of opportunity. And this meant possibilities and looking to the future, rather than the past.
What better stamp to represent this than this pretty little Arbor Day stamp from 1932? The planting of trees signifies new growth and hope for the future. And the children of course are our future, no matter what country you are from.

Looks like there was a bug, I hope it is now corrected.
Ron

Finalist number 1 for me, everything about that stamp screams U.S.A.!

Finalist 2 would be my second choice because of the whole covered wagon thing, but the third one reminds me of Juan Valdez, the coffee guy and the fourth is weird because it looks like they are planting a dead tree and their clothes aren't exactly what I would call an American original.

Trees are best planted in Spring, which is why the tree in the design on the Arbor Day stamp does not have any leaves on it yet.

I just had a thought reading the Seal's post up above. I think the term 'Americana' mentioned there, and the phrase 'represents what America is all about' actually point to two different things. Americana, as defined by our friends at Wikipedia relates to American patriotism and nostalgia, specifically artifacts related to history, geography, folklore etc. The first three entries certainly speak to that.
The fourth entry (proposed by you know who ) I think answers more the question of 'what America is all about', which is actually broader than strictly Americana. Certainly there are other answers to that sentence too, but this is what we have. (And certainly mine is a very Canadian answer to the problem)
I'm not retracting my entry or anything, I'm just sayin'...
Perhaps 'Mom and apple pie' as someone mentioned, might have been a better solution after all.

But it is what it is, so Vote On! I say.

Oh, and trees are happily planted in the fall as well. I just like the kid's argyle socks.

Over 110 views of this topic, but only 10 votes?

I agree we need more votes.

The reason I voted for Russ's choice is that America has always endured hardship, but along with the hardships comes this sense of great optimism, that, whatever we are struggling with now, things will get better.

We only have a couple days of voting left. so please help us out and vote.

Well!!!
I guess we have a winner. Again I sincerely wish to thank everyone that has taken part in this contest and I wish everyone could have won.

SO………. Russ congratulations, I hope you can give this stamp a new and happy home.
Ron

Ron, Stamp received, I wanted to express my gratitude Thank you.

I also want to thank everyone for their participation by there submissions and/or voting.

All of the finalist were very deserving with great submissions that all illustrated the true spirit of the U.S. I want to make sure that all receive something so I will sent the other finalists a little gift.

How this works is I Love Stamps will get first choice, Jamesw second choice and nitrolures what is left.

Just post what you want and email your address and I will send it out.


Scott 330 used



GB 8 gutter pairs and 1947 Exhibition cindys


Scott 214 used

Edit: typo

Message sent to Russ. Thank you VERY much for your generosity! Well #330 I really need. I really like that 214 also. I'd be thrilled with anything really. Again thank you.

I have also sent a message to Russ, but now I'll thank him publicly. A very generous offer, and much appreciated.
If ILS is taking the #330, I will happily accept the #214. As much as I'm tempted by those cinderellas, I don't collect GB so the gutter pairs would be wasted on me.
Thanks again Russ, and congratulations.

Sometimes its nice to be last-- Thanks Russ for the great offer and Glad you won the original giveaway. Yours was first posted and definatly was the best choice. Thanks again for all you do and share here on SCF!

Congrats James & Nitro!