About This Stamp
This presorted standard stamp features an acrylic painting of the bronze statue Atlas, a striking example of art deco sculpture by Lee Lawrie (1877–1963). Installed in January 1937, Atlas stands in front of the International Building at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
According to Greek mythology, Atlas bore the heavens on his shoulders, and Lawrie’s Atlas holds an armillary sphere, an old astronomical instrument composed of interlocking rings. The armillary sphere contains the 12 signs of the zodiac and its axis points to the North Star.
The Atlas stamp is part of the American Culture series. Previous issuances in the series include Auto Tail Fin, Juke Box, and Diner.
Art Director
Carl T. Herrman
As an art director for the U.S. Postal Service® for more than 15 years, Carl T. Herrman designed more than 50 stamps and guided more than 250 stamp projects, including Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, and Comic Strip Classics. He also served as art director for five of the Celebrate the Century stamp panes. He has won more than 260 awards for design and design management, including two gold medals from the Society of Illustrators.
Herrman’s career has included positions as Director of Creative Services and adjunct professor at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, and Director of Marketing and Publications for the University of California at Irvine. He has provided consulting services for the Smithsonian Institution, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and numerous academic institutions. Herrman lives in Carlsbad,California.