Buzz
In today’s digital era, stamps might not dominate our thoughts, yet they hold a crucial place in postal history, cultural significance, and everyday use. A lesser-known aspect is the meticulous process of choosing the images featured on stamps. In the United States, this responsibility lies with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, a group that convenes regularly to evaluate countless stamp proposals from the public.
Although visual appeal plays a role in their decisions, strict guidelines dictate what can appear on a stamp. Despite these rules, controversies occasionally emerge. Both the U.S. and other nations have encountered criticism for stamp designs that upset specific communities, sometimes even sparking international disputes.
This compilation highlights ten instances of contentious and poorly thought-out stamp designs. These examples underscore the need for thoughtful deliberation in their creation. It’s astonishing how such a tiny adhesive tool can generate such significant uproar!
10. Civil War Generals (United States)
The Civil War stands as a pivotal chapter in American history, concluding in 1865 but leaving a legacy of enduring conflict. By the 1930s, these tensions resurfaced, this time igniting fierce debates among stamp enthusiasts.
During 1937 and 1938, the U.S. Postal Service issued a collection of ten stamps to commemorate renowned military figures. One of these stamps featured William Tecumseh Sherman, a Union general infamous for his harsh strategies during the Civil War. Sherman’s “march to the sea” left a trail of destruction across the South. While he had appeared on stamps previously without issue, the 1930s saw a shift in public sentiment.
Sherman’s inclusion on the stamp sparked outrage among Southern residents, many of whom harbored lingering resentment from the war’s devastation. With family members who had endured Sherman’s campaigns, they protested by threatening to boycott the stamp. Georgia and South Carolina even passed formal resolutions condemning it. Despite the backlash, the stamp sold well, with some Southerners purchasing it solely to symbolically “lick” Sherman.
To quell further unrest, the government issued a stamp honoring Confederate general Robert E. Lee. However, this attempt backfired when the stamp mistakenly depicted Lee, a three-star general, with only two stars on his collar. Southern military enthusiasts viewed this error as a deliberate slight against their revered leader, reigniting another Civil War stamp controversy.
9. Bernard Revel (United States)
Creating postage stamps involves a meticulous process, often requiring multiple committees to review and approve every detail before public release. However, there’s one individual who can discreetly modify the approved design: the engraver responsible for finalizing the stamp’s image before production.
In 1986, an unfortunate incident occurred when the U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp celebrating Yeshiva University’s 100th anniversary. The stamp showcased Bernard Revel, a prominent Jewish rabbi and scholar, with Kenneth Kipperman as the designer.
Kipperman, one of the few authorized stamp engravers at the time, had secretly added a Star of David to Revel’s beard a year before the stamp’s release. The symbol was nearly invisible, hidden where Revel’s mustache met his beard. The alteration remained undetected until 1987, when a stamp-collecting group alerted The Washington Post.
The post office swiftly initiated damage control. While the U.S. Postal Service acknowledged that engravers sometimes personalize their work, they emphasized that such actions are prohibited. The inclusion of religious symbolism on a federal stamp raised concerns, prompting efforts to mitigate the controversy, even though it took months to fully address the issue.
8. Stalin’s Supporters (Russia)
Time has a way of blurring the harsh realities of history. While those who endured the rule of a ruthless dictator carry painful memories, future generations may view such figures with less severity. This phenomenon is evident in Russia, particularly regarding Joseph Stalin.
By the 2000s, only a third of Russians regarded Stalin’s actions as negative. Despite the mass executions under his regime, many modern Russians appear indifferent to his crimes. This mindset explains why, in 2001, the Russian government issued a series of stamps commemorating Stalin’s loyalists. Though these men were notorious for their cruelty, decades had passed, and Russia deemed it fitting to honor them once more.
The individuals featured on the stamps were among history’s most notorious mass murderers. Sergei Puzitsky, for instance, was responsible for the deaths of half a million Cossacks, yet he was immortalized on a post-millennium stamp. Boris Mitukin, Russia’s chief stamp designer, justified the decision, stating in a BBC interview, “We’re beginning to recognize that not all aspects of our history were negative. These men were honorable and dedicated citizens, some even geniuses, who safeguarded our nation and its people.”
However, many disagreed with this perspective. A Russian woman who survived five years in a gulag expressed her outrage, calling it “a slap in the face to the millions who perished under that oppressive regime. It’s appalling that we live in a society that glorifies executioners and murderers.”
7. Burhan Wani (Pakistan)
The longstanding rivalry between India and Pakistan has been marked by tension and conflict for decades. While there have been occasional efforts to ease hostilities, the two nations have largely remained adversaries. One significant attempt at reconciliation took place in 2018.
That year, Imran Khan assumed the role of Pakistan’s prime minister and promptly expressed his desire to mend ties with India. However, a scheduled meeting between the foreign ministers of both nations was suddenly called off by India. Among the reasons for this cancellation was a Pakistani stamp honoring martyrs who had died in the Kashmir conflict.
Shortly before Khan’s rise to power, Pakistan released a series of stamps to mark “Kashmir Martyr’s Day,” paying tribute to fallen fighters, including Burhan Wani. These stamps, however, sparked controversy. India, which also claims sovereignty over Kashmir, viewed those commemorated on the stamps as terrorists, further escalating tensions.
The stamps deepened the divide between the two countries, shattering hopes for peace. India denounced Wani and the other fighters as terrorists and criticized the stamp. Pakistan, on the other hand, defended its stance and continued to use the stamp in its postal system. The incident left the already fragile relationship between the two nations even more strained.
6. The Brontosaurus (United States)
Did you have a favorite dinosaur as a child? If it happened to be the brontosaurus, you might be surprised to learn it doesn’t actually exist. Paleontologists have “discovered” this massive, long-necked dinosaur twice. Initially, it was named the apatosaurus. Later, a new group of scientists “rediscovered” it and dubbed it the brontosaurus. Despite the correction, the second name became a staple in popular culture.
Experts, however, were troubled by the duplication. Once they confirmed that both sets of fossils belonged to the same dinosaur, they reverted to the original name, apatosaurus. While this settled the scientific debate, the general public remained unaware of the change. Most people continued to refer to it as the brontosaurus, despite efforts by experts to correct the misconception.
Even the U.S. Postal Service joined in on the confusion. In 1989, they released a stamp featuring the brontosaurus, despite the name being scientifically outdated. Paleontologists urged the Postal Service to correct the error, but officials recognized that the public was more familiar with the incorrect name. As a result, the brontosaurus stamp was issued as planned.
This decision infuriated scientists. The head of paleontology at the Smithsonian Museum criticized the Postal Service, stating that their choice to use “brontosaurus” despite being informed of its inaccuracy “indicates a disregard for the precision of their stamps and a preference for ‘cartoon’ names over scientific ones.” Strong words indeed!
5. The Crimean Bridge (Ukraine)
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been characterized by moments of intense resistance and courageous defiance. Contrary to early 2022 predictions that Kyiv would swiftly fall to Russian forces, Ukrainian troops have demonstrated extraordinary resolve. A striking example of this was when a small unit of soldiers on an island defiantly refused to surrender to a Russian warship.
Their response to the ship’s crew—telling them to “go f*** yourself”—became a rallying cry for Ukrainian resistance. Although the soldiers were eventually captured, the incident was hailed as a powerful symbol of Ukraine’s unyielding spirit. This act of bravery was later immortalized on a postage stamp, though it wasn’t the most contentious stamp to emerge from the war.
That distinction belongs to the stamp released after the destruction of the Crimean Bridge. Constructed by Russia following its 2014 annexation of Crimea, the bridge stood as a stark symbol of Russian occupation. In October 2022, on Vladimir Putin’s birthday, an explosion severely damaged the bridge. While Ukraine did not claim responsibility, the timing and symbolism were unmistakable. The Ukrainian government wasted no time capitalizing on the event.
Within hours of the explosion, Ukraine issued a stamp depicting two figures standing defiantly on the edge of the shattered bridge. The swift release of the stamp raised eyebrows, especially given Ukraine’s denial of involvement in the attack. Nevertheless, it served as a bold and poignant statement, encapsulating the fierce tensions of the ongoing conflict.
4. Richard Nixon (United States)
Assessing the legacies of past U.S. presidents often sparks debate, but Richard Nixon’s presidency is universally regarded as one of the most turbulent. Notably, he remains the only president to resign from office, a decision precipitated by his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
The scandal fueled widespread public outrage and demands for his impeachment. By the time he left office, Nixon was, at best, a divisive figure—and at worst, deeply unpopular. Despite this, it’s customary for former presidents to be commemorated on postage stamps after their deaths. When Nixon passed away in 1994, this tradition was upheld, though not without significant opposition.
Despite the controversies that marred his presidency, the U.S. Postal Service chose to honor Nixon with a stamp in the mid-1990s. This decision drew criticism from various quarters, including both ordinary citizens and political figures. The chairman of the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee, for example, penned a letter to the Postal Service expressing his dismay over the move.
Critics argued that Nixon, having deceived both the American public and Congress, was unworthy of such an honor. Despite the outcry, the Postal Service went ahead with the stamp’s release. In response, some Americans took creative measures to protest, altering envelopes to make it appear as though Nixon’s image on the stamp was behind bars.
3. Beating Alcoholism (United States)
Governments issuing stamps likely aren’t embedding hidden messages in their designs. Similarly, companies buying stamps in bulk aren’t aiming to convey secret signals to employees or recipients. Their primary goal is efficient mail delivery, with the stamp’s design being a secondary consideration. However, certain stamp choices have sparked strange and unintended controversies.
Consider the 1981 alcoholism stamp as an example. That year, the U.S. Postal Service introduced a stamp bearing the message: “Alcoholism: You can beat it!” The stamp’s purpose was commendable, as alcoholism was a rarely discussed issue at the time. The aim was to raise awareness and encourage healthier lifestyles.
The stamp was part of a broader initiative, supported by a nationwide advertising campaign to foster dialogue about alcoholism. However, the Postal Service didn’t foresee the confusion it would cause. By the time nearly 100 million stamps were printed, it was too late to address the unintended consequences. The reason for its failure was both surprising and ironic.
By 1985, the Postal Service acknowledged their misstep after the stamp failed to sell. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, employee James Van Loozen explained, “People believed using the stamp on a letter implied the recipient had a drinking problem. It’s a reminder to be cautious about stamp designs.” Indeed, the Postal Service learned a valuable lesson—hopefully for good!
2. Where’s the Cigarette? (United States)
In earlier generations, smoking was far more common and socially acceptable in America than it is today. It was typical to see famous celebrities casually smoking cigarettes, a sight that has become rare in recent decades. Over the past thirty years, attitudes have shifted dramatically, and the U.S. Postal Service found itself embroiled in controversy twice during this transition.
The first incident occurred in 1994 when blues guitarist Robert Johnson was featured on a stamp. However, the image used was altered: the cigarette he famously held was removed. This decision sparked outrage, with critics arguing that the absence of the cigarette distorted the context of Johnson’s iconic pose. The Postal Service defended the change, stating they didn’t want the stamp to appear as an endorsement of smoking.
Remarkably, a similar controversy arose five years later. In 1999, the USPS released a stamp honoring artist Jackson Pollack, but it omitted a key element: his ever-present cigarette. Pollack was known for smoking while painting, and images of him rarely showed him without a cigarette. It was an integral part of his identity.
The decision to exclude the cigarette from the stamp drew criticism from Pollack’s fans and art historians alike. The stamp’s designer even revealed that the Postal Service had instructed them to remove the cigarette. As the illustrator told the Baltimore Sun, this choice left art enthusiasts dissatisfied, as they felt it misrepresented Pollack’s persona and legacy.
1. Marie Stopes (United Kingdom)
In 2008, the Royal Mail in the United Kingdom released a series of stamps celebrating six influential women, aiming to address the historical imbalance of male-dominated stamp designs. Among the honorees was Marie Stopes, a trailblazer in family planning. She authored the first widely accessible book on the subject in 1918 and established the first free clinic providing abortion and family planning services in 1921.
Despite her contributions, Stopes was also a prominent supporter of eugenics and the idea of a superior race. This aspect of her legacy sparked significant controversy and backlash when the stamp was announced. Critics included both opponents of her reproductive rights advocacy and feminist groups.
In 2008, the charity founded by Stopes downplayed the negative reactions, emphasizing her undeniable achievements. However, by 2020, the organization acknowledged the problematic aspects of her legacy and rebranded as MSI Reproductive Choices.
This shift reflected a broader societal reckoning with issues of race and bias over the previous decade. While the stamp was issued in 2008 despite the controversy, the charity’s name change in 2020 suggests that Stopes is unlikely to be honored by the Royal Mail again.
