Complaints About Flannery Stamp

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/o...to-find.html

At least it is deemed enough in the public interest that the NYT has an article about it!

Coverage in the NYT does not define the public interest.

Only a NYT writer, ever seeking to be "edgy," would suggest using the 1962 self portrait on the stamp. How preposterous.

As it is, the stamp will promote renewed interest in O'Connor's works, and thus is a success.

Any time people are discussing stamps is good! As PT Barnum said " all publicity is good publicity'.

It's difficult for the Postal Service to do things "right," and for the NYT to like people with Southern and religious backgrounds.

The design is as good as many others and better than some.

Don

That is one pretty stamp!

Q/ Will the USPS be putting Stephen Hawking's head on Superman's torso?

It's an opinion piece.

It is an opinion piece, and in my opinion, raises very valid points. On the other hand, it ignores equally valid possibilities. As an art director and designer myself, on the job I have to serve three masters: my own artistic muse; my creative director and first client; and the ultimate client, the public. In all probability, there were other options considered, possibly the very one the critic suggests. In the end, the postal service wants a stamp that will sell. It is a design meant for public consumption, most likely to a public not familiar with Flannery O'Connor's work, let alone her image or biographical details.

Agreed, Southpaw.

Something I'm enjoying very much with the revised APS's American Philatelist, is the talks with the art directors/illustrators about USPS's new stamp designs. Maybe they will feature a discussion of the design of this stamp too.

It's an attractive stamp, but I'd never have recognised it as being Flannery O'Connor! "A Stroke of Good Fortune" for her, as it were. On the other hand, there have been plenty of stamps where the subject has been made even less attractive than he or she was in real life.

From my reading, it seems to have been a 'sole source' design contract.

This is almost always a bad idea.

Q/ What happened to stamp design competitions? Not enough control for the apparatchiks?

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

I would have gone with the self portrait, it's a better representation of who she was. One thing though, USPS, get permission first!

ikeyPikey - c'mon. Stamp Design competitions?! Do you support spec work? What do you do for a living?

I don't think it is going to become a seller at all merely completing a spot for the new price increase.

Wow very cool.

Requesting an answer from anyone who is knowledgeable on Flannery's body of work. What would be one of her most recommended books, if one had time to read just one?