The catalogue for
1974 exhibition 'Artists' Stamps and Stamp Images' states "The word stamp as
used for the exhibit refers to what might be termed the pseudo-postage
stamp; that is, an alternative stamp opposed to the normal government
publications designed for use in the official or governmental postal services
of the world." The purpose of that initial exhibit was to examine the use of
the postage stamp format as a tool of the artist. Two years of research
(1972-74) gathered work from 35 artists and 7 artists' groups in 9 countries.
As the title implied there was a division of work within the exhibit. and that
division continues today.
Stamp Images
comprised both images of single stamps and images of stamp sheets; i. e. ,
containing multiple stamp images. These works included watercolours, acrylics,
serigraphs (signed & numbered by the artist), rubber stamped stamp images,
postcards, collages, and posters, etc. All these works 'illustrated' the
general 'feel' of postage stamps. Perforations (in most cases) were
illustrated, not actual; in some cases embossed, in others drawn. In most, if
not all cases, the paper was not gummed.
Stamps included
gummed & ungummed perforated and imperforate pseudo postage stamps, photo
stamps, poster stamps, and stickers.
What determined the
division (for the purposes of cataloging) was whether or not the object could
actually replace a 'postage stamp' on an envelope or postcard and have the
same 'look and feel' of a postage stamp.
Research began anew
in 1988 at the invitation of the Davidson Galleries in Seattle, to re-examine
the field with the goal of presenting an exhibition in December of '89. Again
the idea was not to invite artists to make new work, but to submit work
already completed. (As a curator, I have always been more interested in what
artists do of their own accord, than in what they will do at someone else's
request.) The research resulted in two databases, one close to 1000 names and
another of the data submitted by 80 artists on their past and current
production. These databases are being continually updated. Many of the names
were from the database started by Michael Bidner in 1982, when he coined the
term 'Artistamp'. I had sent Michael a copy of the 1974 catalogue and he
adopted my 'pseudo postage stamp' definition for his term. He was all
inclusive in what he considered an artistamp (with the exception of artist's
rubber stamp prints); i. e. "adhesive stamps, stationary items and stamp
images issued as prints, drawings, paintings, etc." Michael used the term in a
generic sense - to be all inclusive. I use the term in a specific sense, to be
exclusive.
My rational for
clarifying the term 'Artistamp' is my understanding that a drawing is a
drawing, whether it is of a building or pseudo postage stamp. An Artistamp is
an Artistamp because it is not a drawing, not a painting, not a collage, etc.
It is a pseudo postage stamp. It is not a poster stamp, it is not a
photo-stamp and it is not a postage stamp and it is not a stamp image. It
seems to me that Artistamps may be considered 'Cinderellas' in philatelic
circles but that is not my area of expertise, and I leave that determination
to others more appropriate. My concern is with the art world; i. e., curators
and art collectors whom I would like to hear using the term Artistamp as a
viable fine art term identifying an easily recognized format for art work.
Jas. W. Felter, Curator, Artists' Stamps and Stamp Images
INTRODUCTION 
Jas' Writings ...
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