About This Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service marked the 250th anniversary of President James Madison’s birth with the issuance of this commemorative stamp in 2001. Artist John Thompson of Waterloo, Iowa, used the scratchboard technique to render the portrait of Madison and the illustration of Montpelier that appears in the background. The stamp art also includes James Madison’s signature. Microtype on the stamp reads "James Madison 1751–1836."
John Thompson’s previous projects for the U.S. Postal Service include the President James K. Polk stamp (1995) and the Pacific 97 commemorative stamps (1997).
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.