Collecting Waterfowl Stamps
Signed by Artist, Designer or Engraver
Another popular method of collecting is a stamp bearing the signature of the artist, designer or engraver. All three are involved in the stamp production process. In the first step, the chosen or contest winning artist draws a series of sketches which ultimately lead to “original” artwork that is submitted directly to the stamp designer or in the case of a contest, to the selection committee. Ultimately, the original artwork is redrawn by the stamp designer who may or may not crop the image and add the lettering. During the classic period of stamp production, the next step would be for one to three different engravers to reproduce the finished design on a metal plate. Some collectors seek the signatures of all the people involved – from artist to engraver (see Figure 33 through 38).
Figure 33. 1934-35 top plate number single signed by the artist Jay N “Ding” Darling.
Figure 34. Form 3333 with 1934-35 federal waterfowl stamp affixed signed “… Alias Ding”
Figure 35. 1939-40 federal waterfowl stamp signed by the engraver, Earl H. Magnant.
Figure 36. 1941-42 top plate number block signed by the designer, Victor S. McCloskey Jr.
Figure 37. 1944-45 federal waterfowl stamp signed by the designer and the artist.
The signatures of others related to the waterfowl stamp program are also collectible. Shown below are examples signed by Harold Ickes, Secretary of the interior and Director of the WPA under Franklin Roosevelt (see Figures 39 and 40).
Figure 39. Pair of 1940-41 federal waterfowl stamps signed by Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior.
Figure 40. Block of four with plate number 1945-46 federal waterfowl stamps signed by Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior.