1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1900s: Ash Can Painters

US #3182h
1998 Ash Can Painters – Celebrate the Century (1900s)

• Part of the first sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Honors the painters of the Ash Can School
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 32¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: February 3, 1998
First Day City: Washington, DC
Quantity Issued: 188,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.6
Tagging: Block Tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the Ash Can School of painters and their historical and cultural significance in America.

About the stamp design: Pictures gouache and colored pencil illustration of the Ash Can painting Stag at Sharkey’s by artist Richard Waldrep. Includes the following text on the back “The painters of the Ash Can School portrayed the life and scenes around them. One of the most famous Ash Can paintings is Stag at Sharkey’s (detail) by George Bellows, at the Cleveland Museum of Art.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Washington, DC, with legendary radio and television host Larry King as master of ceremonies.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: An important art movement developed at the beginning of the 20th century in New York City with a group of American painters known as “the Eight.” Along with Robert Henri, who brought the group together in 1907, the Eight included Arthur B. Davies, William Glackens, Ernest Lawson, George Luks, Maurice Prendergast, Everett Shinn, and John Sloan. Because they painted realistic, and sometimes shabby, scenes of city life, they were given the name “Ash Can Painters.”

Their work was a reaction against the tradition of “art for art’s sake.” Although differing in artistic styles, their direct, spontaneous portrayals of real-life subjects and everyday events were revolutionary for their time.

George Bellows later joined this group of artists. He became well known for his portrayals of action and sports scenes. One of his most famous paintings, Stag at Sharkey’s was inspired by the professional prize fighting he saw at a club near his studio in New York City.

The Eight held their only exhibit together in 1908. Some members of this group also helped organize the controversial Armory Show of 1913. The works and exhibits of the Ash Can Painters made a lasting and important contribution to the acceptance of realism in American art.