Mr. Zip

Just saw this on Facebook--anyone know anything about it yet?

"Trivia time! This icon of postal history was born more than 50 years ago and appeared on countless stamp sheets until his retirement in 1986. Can you name this longtime postal mascot?"

"If you guessed that the well-known postal icon we asked about yesterday was none other than Mr. ZIP, then you were absolutely correct! Mr. ZIP made his debut at a 1962 postmasters' convention and began popping up on stamp sheets in 1964. His job was to promote the Zone Improvement Plan—the ZIP Code system—that started in July 1963. He did his job well—and if you've missed his friendly face, we'll soon be sharing a very zippy announcement..."

Maybe a Mr. Zippy stamp? He must be demanding to get off the selvage and get some real recognition.

Chad

What a coincidence chadn

I was sorting through clippings and came across this one from Linn's. The article is going in to the re-cycling bin but you put this in before I did so.

This was in the August 20, 1973 edition of Linn's Weekly

Chimo

Bujutsu

Bujutsu

That would make a great FDC if a Mr ZIP stamp DID come out. Kind of a combination of old and new. Great clip, thanks.

Here is a MR ZIP Promotional Poster, that hung in the local Post Office, promoting Zip Code in 1970. If you look closely, you will see "Mr. Zip" in Dick Tracy's talking wrist watch. I was lucky to be able to save this from the trash bin thanks to a window clerk who knew I was an avid stamp collector and I always pestered for Plate Blocks and New Issues.



The USPS also placed the Icon on corner blocks of commemorative issues of the period.




Hal

Hal, that poster is really cool...my mouth started watering, as I loved reading the Dick Tracy comics. I also have a couple singles with Mr. ZIP in the selvage, altho I'd have to do some digging. I'll post later if I can find them.

Chad

I've been waiting for an announcement about a stamp for Mr. ZIP, as he had only made the selvage of stamps ... never on a stamp itself ... yet he is primarily responsible for the USPOD getting the public convinced to adopt the use of ZIP Codes on their mail.

Here's a trivia question: How many know that the original cartoon image was not created by the USPOD, but was originally used by Chase Manhattan Bank encouraging their "bank by mail" service?

Probably Mr. Magoo.

New to me. Wasn't aware of that

Chimo

Bujutsu

wt1--

And amazingly is was inherited by the USPOD at no cost. Can't blame Mr. ZIP for their money woes now.

I hope you're right!

I must admit to having a little crush on Mr. Zip.

I've always wanted to start a Mr. Zip collection.
You can imagine my surprise when my 9 year old gave me
this for Christmas:

I would have been tickled to death. They look really good. Your 9 year old has great taste.

Think I'll go try to dig up the ones I have. Wish I had them seperated somewhere.

Found one!



I know I have more, but this was handy.

I moved this topic over to Topicals, because I'm interested to see what you all have with Mr. ZIP.

Mr. ZIP was designed by Howard B. Wilcox of the Cunningham & Walsh advertising agency.

Do they still use him?


-IBFS

Mr. ZIP is semi-retired. But here's a history about the character and 2013 does represent his 50th anniversary:

http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/po...y/mr-zip.pdf

I can understand now that he wasn't just a gimmick. For so many decades you could address a letter like...

John Doe
1234 Address Dr.
New York, NY

And that's it. It would get there. Couldn't do that forever tho, with a staggering population increase. So people had to be trained in a friendly way to use a new thing called a "Zip Code". Just like phone numbers used to be 4 digits. Now they're ten.


-IBFS