Smokers On Stamps?

The power of advertising and marketing.

When I was growing up it was so cool and hip and classy to smoke for some reason and I worked myself up to more than 2 packs (50+) a day without even realizing I was smoking that much.

I tried to quit many times and finally succeeded about 8 years ago. I know I wouldn't be alive today if I hadn't quit then. And the world does smell and taste a lot better mostly, except for being around smokers.

Here is a postcard of Audrey Hepburn with her cigarette holder and then a Stamps.com personal stamp by Bidstart where the cigarette holder is still there but hidden away somewhat in the shadows.

In reply to the post on stamps picturing smokers, it's probably universally true that past custom was to portray celebrities (say Churchill or FDR) with their cigar or cigarette as part of a personal trademark. That was, of course, before smoking became not only a personal vice but a social one as well. What politician today would flaunt his or her tobacco addiction publicly, realizing the loss of image and votes it would bring about? I think this change will affect future postage-stamp portrayals worldwide, if it hasn't done so already. Thanks for pointing out this trend and your own success in kicking the smoking habit. Best regards, Lyn Shepard

You're welcome from me and everybody else also.

I was just looking at Ausdrey on the postcard and realised the way she was happy and smiling and had diamonds on and a cute kitten (and the kitten is smiling too) and both are looking to the right of the picture where the tobacco is located. Amazing how little things can influence you.

Now look a the Bidstart stamp and the girl is looking straight at you, saying You are important, not the tobacco or anything else. What a difference.

What? Bidstart girl has a cigarette? I...I...hadn't noticed.

You were looking at here coffee cup were you?

Oh, and Audrey is slim and in shape too so all that adds to the allure of whatever she and the kitten are so entranced by.

US President Barack Obama doesn't flaunt his smoking, but he doesn't try to hide it, either. He leaves that up to his staff and media :)

Grats to all who quit. I, too, quit just 4 months ago after too many years. It was my first (and only) attempt and I haven't felt this good in years :)

Due to pressure of office,
we shall forgive his habit...

There must be more stamps with tobacco on them! I am thinking stamps with native people puffing away... will have to take a look...

PUZZLER: Think of the savings now that you are smoke free. Roughly $7.50 a pack, two packs a day... that is about $15 a day. $15 x 365 days = $5,475 a year saved!

:-)

I know but at the time all I thought was I needed my smokes. Terrible, I know.

You're not kidding Rod. He did that thing with his fingers all the time!

Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it.

Here is an image of a stamp depicting the cartoon-strip characters Poeten og Lillemor (translated into English as "The Poet and the Little Mother"), by Danish cartoonist Jørgen Mogensen (1922-2004), engraved by Arne Kühlmann, and issued by Denmark on October 8, 1992, Scott No. 971, Facit No. 1069.

- nethryk

Here are images of a couple more "smoker stamps" featuring cartoon characters from Denmark, designed by Danish graphic artist Austin Grandjean (1930-2006), engraved by Czeslaw Slania, and issued on September 23, 1982 as a set celebrating the birth centenary of Danish artist, author and cartoonist Robert Storm Petersen, known by his pen name, "Storm P," (1882-1949), Scott Nos. 728 & 729, Facit Nos. 790 & 791.

- nethryk

De tre små mænd og nummermanden ("The three little Men and the Number Man"), about three little men pulling mad pranks leading to success or failure, all accompanied by an even smaller man who delivers the numbers of the strip, which ran from 1913 to 1923.


Peter og Ping ("Peter and Ping"), about a man and his talking penguin, which ran from 1922 to 1949.

Wow, nice registration on that little guy hanging from the signature. Notice he's red, but his arm is blue. That's quality printing.