Issue Date: July 21, 1995
City: Lahaska, PA
Quantity: 65,500,000
Printed By: Sterling Sommer for Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: 11
Color: Multicolored

 

By the late 19th century a “City Beautiful” movement was underway throughout America. Elaborate parks, malls, monuments, and public buildings were constructed in an effort to beautify the nation’s cities and towns. It was during this period that the American carousel developed into a unique artistic achievement.

 

By far, the most magnificent carousels were those created for the amusement parks and restaurants of Coney Island. Competing with a glittering panorama of games, rides, and live entertainers, the flamboyant carousels of Coney Island were designed to dazzle and delight the senses.

 

Like other well-known carvers such as Charles Carmel and Marcus Charles Illions, Solomon Stein and Harry Goldstein began carving carousel horses for William Mangels.  Impressed with the enormous success of the Coney Island carousels however, they decided to strike out on their own. In 1907 the two joined forces and formed the Artistic Caroussel Manufacturers. Often rivaling real horses in size and scale, their aggressive-looking steeds were intricately decorated, and few carvers could match the grandeur of their armored horses. Both horses on the stamp and shown on the front were carved by Stein and Goldstein.