Renowned cartoonist Chris Ware, famous for his intricate New Yorker covers and innovative graphic novels featuring characters like Jimmy Corrigan and Rusty Brown, has embarked on a new artistic journey that brings a local Chicago touch to the world of postage stamps.
On July 23, 2023, Ware will release a colorful sheet of 20 interconnected Forever stamps, created in honor of the U.S. Postal Service’s 250th birthday. Established in July 1775 by the Second Continental Congress with Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general, the USPS is celebrated for its significant role in American history.
Each stamp showcases a meticulously designed bird’s-eye view of a postal carrier on her daily route, capturing the essence of suburban life in stunning detail.
The stamps, priced at $15.60 per sheet, tell both individual and collective stories that chronicle the four seasons of the year, moving through scenes that resonate with familiar experiences.
Ware describes his design process, likening the stamps to “little tiny New Yorker covers that have their gags,” a term that reflects cartoonist culture that seeks to imbue meaning into visual artistry.
He notes the challenge of conveying a narrative without the conventional divisions typically seen in comic strips. Instead of clear panels, the interconnected nature of the stamps was characterized by subtle transitions, intending for each one to hold deeper significance once removed from the sheet.
Among the illustrations, one stamp depicts the postal carrier joyfully waving to children enjoying a rooftop barbecue, while another captures a moment where she exchanges mail with a hard-hat-wearing worker emerging from a manhole. Other scenes portray dog walkers, parents, and a stamp collector examining his prized possessions.
The collection effectively encapsulates a vibrant community, drawing on Ware’s explorations of suburban Chicago neighborhoods like Riverside, Berwyn, and Oak Park. His artistic depiction includes architectural elements unique to these areas, such as Riverside’s iconic gas street lights.
An element of discovery, akin to an ‘I spy’ game, was integral to Ware’s artistic vision from the outset. Antonio Alcalá, a USPS art director, initially approached Ware with the idea of incorporating pieces of USPS history into the design. This concept evolved into the final artwork, allowing for observers to enjoy hidden treasures like a Post Office building, a green drop box for mail, and vintage USPS vehicles scattered throughout the stamps.
For Ware, crafting this series was not only about the visuals but also about delving into the experience of being a postal carrier. He sought to impart a sense of empathy for the routine of their daily lives, highlighting the repetitive nature of their tasks while still noting the passage of time and changing surroundings.
“I wanted to try to empathize with what it was like to be a postal carrier,” Ware explained. “You’re tracing the same path every single day. You’re seeing the same kind of people, the same events, same spaces, yet time is passing at the same time.”
Having spent years working from home, Ware reflects on how much he appreciates the arrival of mail, a moment of human connection that stands out in his daily routine. He humorously notes that the mail delivery brings excitement to his day, aside from when his wife returns home from work.
Initially, the idea of having his artwork featured on postage stamps had not crossed his mind. However, when Alcalá approached him, Ware’s first thought was of the joy it would bring his mother. “This will make my mom happy,” he recalled saying, noting how mothers generally revel in their children’s achievements.
Reflecting on the experience, Ware shared that he hasn’t given much thought to the stamps as a part of public life. Yet, he acknowledges that it has certainly made his mother proud, with her mail carrier even leaving a note of congratulations for her just last week.
As Chris Ware prepares to unveil his stamp collection, it’s clear that he’s not only created a beautiful piece of art that honors the postal service but crafted a celebration of community, connection, and the quiet stories of everyday life.
image source from：wbez
