The results are in! It was a close call, but cute and cuddly for a cause squeezed past the grand finale of the Nature of America series to take the title of Readers’ Pick for 2010. Here are your top five:
winnerAnimal Rescue: adopt a shelter pet
“These cats and dogs show real character. The designer did a great job bringing that out!”— Patrick Scroggin
“Because the stamps are beautiful, and they bring awareness to the needs of shelter animals. Of course, the dogs and cats were just so charming, too. I love every stamp issue. This one, though, grabbed my heart.”— Janet Kalmadge
Nature of America: Hawaiian Rain Forest
“It seems that every time I look at the Hawaiian Rain Forest stamp sheet I find something new. From the tiny mushroom below the Jewel Orchid to the spider and flies below the ’Apapane.” — Jamie Carusone
“I have always enjoyed the artwork of the Nature of America series. I will miss it.”— Dorothy Scott Fielder
Sunday Funnies
“The Sunday Funnies stamps were vivid, expressive, and paid real homage to the cartoonists who created these beloved characters. Each stamp in the collection summed up the nature of each strip perfectly. They are real little works of art celebrating an American tradition!”— Allegra
Abstract Expressionists
“I just love the many choices of paintings that were included. I have very modern design taste and it was so refreshing to see modern design rather than the more traditional design choices usually available for stamps. Please continue to offer more modern design stamps, and thank you for offering this one.”— Rachael Irwin
Cowboys of the Silver Screen
“These stamps brought back memories of loving cowboys when I was young! Rogers, Autry, Mix and Hart were very worthy heroes for any kid growing up years ago. Great collection of stamps!”— Larry W. Coleman
Thanks to the many people who voted in this year’s poll and to those of you who took the time to tell us why you love the stamps you do. Not all the stamps of 2010 could make it into the top five, but here’s what you had to say about some of the others:
Negro Leagues Baseball
“Baseball is my favorite sport and this stamp offered not only a great design, but also an opportunity to learn more about an integral part of American history.”— Bao Huy Duong
Katharine Hepburn
“Love the series … love the stamp. Black and white is very classy looking on white envelopes! Loved the old and new actress pictures and information on the sheet. Classy lady and a classy stamp.”— Postmaster Kaye Kielbasa
Distinguished Sailors
“As a retired Navy veteran, this stamp block struck a personal chord with me. I love the way the USPS continues to commemorate our military heroes, past and present; fair winds and following seas to you!”— Greg Roberts
Mother Teresa
“Her life is exemplary, representing the best of love and service to the humankind. Beyond the issue of faith, which was controversial, I applaud the Postal Service for honoring her, her life, and her service, an example to us all.”— Kyle Canerday
Julia de Burgos
“Because it honors one of the best poets from Puerto Rico and is a proud addition to my stamp collection on Hispanic American subjects.”— Millie Gonzalez
Abstract Expressionists:
The Liver Is the Cock’s Comb, 1944 by Arshile Gorky. © 2009 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Romanesque Façade, 1949 by Adolph Gottlieb. © Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation/VAGA, New York, NY
Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 34, 1953-54 by Robert Motherwell. © Dedalus Foundation/VAGA, New York, NY
The Golden Wall, 1961 by Hans Hofmann. © 2009 The Renate, Hans & Maria Hofmann Trust/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Asheville, 1948 by Willem de Kooning. © 2009 The Willem de Kooning Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
La Grande Vallée 0, 1983 by Joan Mitchell. Private Collection. © Estate of Joan Mitchell. Courtesy Joan Mitchell Foundation and Edward Tyler Nahem.
Achilles, 1952 by Barnett Newman. © 2009 The Barnett Newman Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Convergence, 1952 by Jackson Pollock. © 2009 Pollock-Krasner Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Orange and Yellow, 1956 by Mark Rothko. © 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
1948-C, 1948 by Clyfford Still. © Clyfford Still Estate
Cowboys of the Silver Screen:
Roy Rogers © RR.Fam.Ent.Corp./RR Estate
Original Art © Autry Qualified Interest Trust and The Autry Foundation.
Sunday Funnies:
Archie characters TM & © 2009 Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
Garfield © Paws. All Rights Reserved.
Calvin and Hobbes © 2010 Universal Press Syndicate
Beetle Bailey © 2010 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
Dennis the Menace © 2010 Hank Ketchum Enterprises, Inc.
