What Is the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee?

Each year, the U.S. Postal Service issues new stamps featuring everything from wildlife and historical figures to beloved entertainers and national pastimes. With an essentially inexhaustible supply of potential stamp subjects, narrowing the field to the few dozen or so USPS needs for a given year’s stamp program is no simple task. Fortunately, USPS enjoys the aid of a group of dedicated experts who help do just that. They are the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, or CSAC.

Founded in 1957, CSAC advises the postmaster general (PMG) on which proposed subjects are best suited for becoming stamps. Committee members, of which there are currently 11, come from diverse backgrounds, including the arts, science, history, and beyond. As a result, CSAC has a collective expertise that enables it to fairly and knowledgeably consider every new stamp proposal before making final recommendations.

Filmmaker Peter Argentine has been a CSAC member for 12 years. As he reaches the end of his term, he has graciously taken the time to answer some questions about CSAC, the stamp selection and design processes, and his experiences as a committee member.

How does one become a member of CSAC?

Members are chosen for their expertise in history, science, arts, sports, business, design, and more. In my case, I was appointed by Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, who had read an article about my company’s work producing media on history, science, and nature for museums, visitor centers, and national parks. Some recognizable past members of CSAC include Academy Award–winner Ernest Borgnine, artist Andrew Wyeth, George Stevens (founder of the American Film Institute), James Michener, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and Joan Mondale.

What drew you to accepting CSAC membership? Have you always been interested in stamps?

When I received the invitation letter, I was surprised, as I had never heard about CSAC. Upon finding out more, I saw it as a great privilege to be on a committee choosing stamp subjects that reflect the cultural richness, history, and natural beauty of our country, as well as recognizing the great achievements of individuals in so many fields. Many millions of stamps are sold, collected, and used for postage each year, so that’s a lot of visual impressions. The images on stamps help to shape a sense of national identity for ourselves and for the world.

What role does CSAC play in the stamp selection process?

The public submits 30,000+ ideas to USPS every year. CSAC treats every proposal the same way, regardless of any professional lobbying efforts, letter-writing campaigns, petitions, or appeals to politicians. We only see the submission, not the number of letters sent on its behalf. 

Subjects move on to the next stage by a simple majority vote. It gets narrowed down further in votes and research and then gets assigned to a year — usually we are working on final selection for 3 years ahead, to give time for artwork development and legal research and clearance.

It’s a challenging task to pick individuals and subjects that reflect a balance of subject areas, individual achievement, and that are representative of our entire nation culturally and geographically.

When a year of stamps is legally clear and all design is finished, it is submitted to the postmaster general for their approval. We are an advisory committee, so it is up to the PMG to make the final decision.

What role does CSAC play in the stamp design process?

There are talented, experienced art directors who take our subject briefs and work with artists they hire to try to translate the ideas into an average stamp of 1” x 1.5” — what a challenge! We review initial concepts and provide feedback. Is it on the right track? Does it convey the idea? It goes through stages of refinement until the final review, where it is scrutinized for legibility and surprisingly detailed design tweaks. The art directors are experts in their field. We provide a fresh critical eye while also using our subject knowledge to look for things that an art director might not be aware of in terms of culture or meaning. Finally, I always like to assess it by asking myself: Would someone want to put this on an envelope?

Was there anything about the stamp selection process that surprised you when you first joined CSAC?

That it was something that people felt so passionate about! Stamp collectors and the public have a lot of strong opinions and feedback. Members of the committee are very passionate about the stamps they want to put forward from the public. It’s a very collaborative process, from the selection of subjects to the art design to the assignment of the stamp to a year...but we do have some good debates.

What has been your favorite part about being a CSAC member?

Learning so much about a wide variety of topics and collaborating with so many interesting and fun, nice people who are incredibly knowledgeable in their fields. I’m very honored and proud to have played a role in shaping the USPS stamp program over 12 years, with the associated impact those hundreds of millions of stamps represent. Really, the people I’ve met and worked with have enriched my life, and that includes all of the team who work in USPS Stamp Services.

Do you have any favorite issuances from your tenure as a CSAC member?

I have too many favorites! Being from Pittsburgh, and having worked with him, one of my favorites is the Mister Rogers stamp. It sold out quickly. And just recently, it was voted the winner by the public in the Stamp Encore contest — that shows the enduring appeal of Fred’s message of kindness and compassion. 

Heritage Breeds is a fun, beautiful stamp sheet, but it also carries a conservation and educational message. The First Day of Issue ceremony at Mount Vernon was really great, with a lot of the rare heritage breeds represented. Plus, it’s fun to send someone an envelope with a Barbados Sheep staring straight at them, even if it’s just a bill payment!

I was happy to see the issuance of Lowriders. Every aspect of the cars’ designs had to be approved, and that takes time. Lowriders celebrate cultural expression in a very positive way … and they’re very good-looking stamps.

I could list many more — so many great stories and images.

What do you consider to be your greatest contribution to the committee?

Every stamp represents the contribution of many people: the members of CSAC, art directors, researchers, attorneys, writers, and many, many other USPS employees. I’m so appreciative to have been a part of that group, and a part of that collaboration — there’s no way you can separate one individual’s contribution from the group.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about CSAC or the stamp selection process?

A lot of the topics submitted by the public are of individuals. We can recognize very few individuals in a commemorative program of 12 stamps. I’d encourage the public to send in more topics and subjects. You don’t have to write a dissertation — just a paragraph saying why you think it should be a stamp. It’s a great project for the classroom. Just remember, if there’s an anniversary involved, we’re usually working three years down the road.

And lastly, choose a stamp and send a letter to someone — it’s a meaningful and memorable way to send a message.