Saturday, April 24, 2010

The 2010 Love Stamp Featuring Hallmark Cards Art



First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony


National World I Museum at Liberty Memorial


Master of Ceremonies-Susan Hiland WDAF-TV 4


Presentation of Colors-Central High School Color Guard


Official Stamp Dedication-Stephen Kearney Senior VP USPS


Remarks-David E. Hall President & CEO Hallmark Cards


Remarks-Gene Maienschein, Son of Dorothy Maienschein Design Creator


Faith Academy Music and Arts Department sing the Star Spangled Banner and Close with God Bless the USA


United States Postal Service Executives with Attendees




My brother-in law, Gene Maienshein, whose mother created the Pansy Card for Hallmark Cards as a Mother's day card in 1939



David Hall President & CEO of Hallmark Cards


with my great nieces and nephew


David Hall


President & CEO Hallmark Cards



The 2010 Pansy Love Stamp available in sheets of 20





The Audience at the Liberty Hall World War I Memorial Museum Auditorium


My sister in law Carol Maienschein sitting next to me.



Family posing in front of The 2010 Love Stamp



The Liberty Memorial World War I Museum
Pansy Card
Facts
Hallmark introduced the pansy card as a Mother’s Day card design in 1939. The price was a nickel.
The illustration on the original pansy card was created by Hallmark artist Dorothy Maienschein.
The name “pansy” may be derived from the French word “pensee,” meaning “thought.”
During Victorian times, flowers had a language all their own. People used flowers to convey all different sorts of messages — friendly or not. For instance, you could actually insult someone with a bouquet!
Though calling someone a pansy isn’t very nice, the flower itself is fairly hardy. It handles cool weather very well — but it does “wimp out” when it gets too warm.
Hallmark’s Longest-Running Greeting Card – The Pansy Card
The pansy card was introduced as a Mother's Day card in 1939, selling for a nickel. Hallmark reissued the design as a thinking-of-you card in 1941.
The pansy card remains in Hallmark’s line today and sells for 99 cents.
Since Hallmark began tracking sales in 1942, consumers have purchased almost 30 million pansy cards – more than any card in history.
The original watercolor design for the card was created by the late Dorothy Maienschein, a member of Hallmark’s design staff until her retirement in the late 1970s. The watercolor design was painted from a model of a small porcelain cart with real pansies. Although the card has been repainted, the original design has remained the same for 71 years.
The outside of the pansy card reads: To let you know I'm thinking of you. Inside, the verse continues: Pansies always stand for thoughts – at least that's what folks say. So this just comes to show my thoughts are there with you today.
In conjunction with Hallmark's centennial, the United States Postal Service (USPS) introduced its
2010 Love stamp in April, featuring an image of a white woven basket brimming with purple pansies – taken from the original Hallmark pansy card design.








Courtesy Hallmark Cards and the United States Postal Service




Would Dorothy have ever imagined the impression that her Pansy card would have to millions upon millions in the world, even after her death.

79 comments:

Trish {Pink Preppy Lilly Lover} said...

Karena that stamp is beautiful, and I was so touched by the story behind it and your connection to it. Amazing that the first card cost only $.05! I will think of you when I purchase the pansy stamps, they are just lovely. I love that Hallmark had the baskets of pansies by the podium. You have a beautiful family! Thank you for sharing!! XOXO

Privet and Holly said...

Hi Karena! Thank you for stopping by P&H for a chat over the privet. I LOVE this post! My paternal grandmother LOVED pansies and whenever I see one....whether real or on a card, piece of china, etc. I think of HER. What a wonderful honor that your family had to be associated with this new stamp. Your husband's aunt would surely have been PROUD.
Thanks for visiting and you are welcome anytime! xx P&H

M.A. the 2nd ~ Frances Russell said...

Karena ... how beautiful is the stamp and the image and how wonderful that your family is involved with the creation behind it. It must be so special for you all. Thank-you so much for stopping by my blog and your lovely comment... it is very appreciated! Thank-you for sharing your family's artist achievement and congratulations!
Best wishes
Frances

Tonia Lee Smith said...

Karena, thanks for stopping by. Looks like your a busy lady. Beautiful work.

Purple Flowers said...

I LOVE pansies! They have a special meaning to me. A very dear elderly friend loved pansies, so I planted them on her gravesite when she passed. Now, when I plant pansies, I always think of Isabelle.
I cannot wait to purchase these stamps!
Thank you for sharing.

Hamptontoes said...

What an interesting story! I love your connection to this post. d

Greet Lefèvre said...

Karena,
Really beautiful that stamp! What a story here! I enjoyed it !
Karena, I really want to thank you for all your nice comments on my blog! You are such a wonderful person!
A big hug,
Greet

Unknown said...

Oh, that is so cool, I JUST bought those stamps on Friday, they're gorgeous!

mermaid gallery said...

pansies have happy faces.....spreading that joy is a wonderful thing.....

Brabourne Farm said...

Hi Karena

What a gorgeous stamp - I loved reading your fabulous story about it! Thank you for your lovely comment - it's much appreciated. Leigh

Francine Gardner said...

Such a warm beautiful story. It is so wonderful that beauty is timeless.....

Sarah B said...

Hi Karena, thanks for dropping by my blog!
This is a wonderful story, the card and now the stamps are just so pretty - pansies are one of my favourite flowers :)

niartist said...

Beautiful! I love it! Such a wonderful prose, too! Thank you for stopping by Karena. :) See you soon!

Barbara von Enger said...

What a heartfelt story. The cards are so pretty too. Happy Monday to you;-)

Rose C'est La Vie said...

What a delightful enduring image of the pansy. I never knew the connection with pensée. You must be rightly proud of the family connection and to think how much pleasure that card has given over the years, wow.

The Shiny Pebble said...

Hello, dear. How fun to be connected to this lovely stamp. The whole concept was new to me. Thank you for the introduction.

Allison Shops said...

What a beautiful stamp! I think Dorothy would be very pleased. The ceremony looks like it was a wonderful tribute and honor. So glad the family could be there!

Thank you for stopping by AtticMag and for the nice comment.
Allison

Unknown said...

Wow, this is so incredibly special! I can't wait to purchase these beautiful stamps, and then I can think of you and your lovely family every time I use them!

Katherine said...

What a wonderful post and celebration. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you happiness, Katherine

Karena said...

Your comments are all so meaningful. Thank you, thank you!

Karena
Art by Karena

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Hi Karena. So kind of you to stop by my blog and leave a sweet comment. Congrats on the recent stamp tribute. I cannot think of a more deserving flower than the pansy. Here in the south they are the go-to fall/winter/early spring garden color plant. Congrats and thanks again!

72 and sunny said...

wow! that's so amazing. Very few can say that they've deserved this sort of honor.

Megan

Michelle said...

What a beautiful connection to a stunning painting! I will never look at a stamp the same way again.

Congrats!

Best,
Michelle

Laura said...

Quite an event! And quite a stamp!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

What an interesting story behind a beautiful new stamp. Thanks for sharing!

DesignTies said...

What a wonderful legacy! The pansy's are lovely and make a simply beautiful image for this stamp!!

Thanks for dropping by DesignTies and for your supportive comments about my dining room renovation :-)
Victoria

Reggie Darling said...

What a great post and marvelous story! I am going to the P.O. tomorrow and get a sheet of these beautiful stamps. I will think of you and your family each time I use them. Reggie

Angie Muresan said...

That is a beautiful stamp, Karena, deserving of the lovely tribute.

ashlina {the decorista} said...

wow. such a beautiful stamp, beautiful honor and story! thanks for sharing those words.
hope you are having a great start to your week! xo

Laura Trevey said...

The stamp is beautiful and so are all of you!!! Thanks for this post...

xoxo Laura

Marija said...

This is by far one of the most interesting posts I've read all week. 5 cents? So much interesting history here and such heart behind the story. I love it. I can never decide which stamps to buy...looks like my decision will be a bit easier next time :)

Marija

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE that pansy stamp!

Sarah Of Sweden said...

Beautiful story and beautiful stamp. Thank you for sharing.
And thank you for visiting my blog.

Unknown said...

Bought my beautiful new stamps today and thought of you AND they are purple! (its the little things!) ;)

urban flea said...

lovely stamp indeed! thanks so much for the comments over at urban flea, hope you enjoy my posts in the future!

xo urban flea
http://www.urbanfleadesign.net

Nichole@40daysof said...

This is so cool! What a fun family connection. I'm definitely getting those stamps. Sometimes it's so hard to find pretty ones.

studioJudith said...

Fascinating .. . I'll appreciate this stamp so much more, now that I know about the history!

Thanks for your thoughtful comment on my blog -

Judith

Marcus Design said...

Wow, what a gorgeous stamp and what an amazing story!! I love learing the history behind things. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment about my landscaping! I appreciate it! There is a giveaway up on my site, I'd love for you to check it out when you get the chance!
Nancy

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

Gracious, how lovely-the post, the comments, the card, the stamp, the pansy. the pansy is one of those flowers I immediately associate with my Gran, she loved them and her eyes were that beautiful blue in the blue pansies. Nothing is more evocative of Mother than this flower, can not wait to get a bouquet full at the p.o.
pgt

Karena said...

I have been reading all of your thoughtful comments, and can't believe how much this has resonated with everyone! It really pleases our entire family...

Karena

Whatever Dee-Dee wants said...

Loved this post! Love that stamp too :)

carissa said...

wow, this is so very special!!! i need to go buy some new stamps! : )

Blayne Macauley said...

That is so wonderful! The stamp is beautiful!!

vicki archer said...

What a gorgeous, gorgeous stamp with such a wonderful history.....I would love some if I could use them in Europe! xv

OneCraftyFox said...

Such a gorgeous stamp and just in time for spring...

Unknown said...

Wow, I can't imagine paying a nickel for a stamp! What a gorgeous design, looks like a fun event!

DesignTies said...

Wow!! What an exciting and amazing honour for your family!! And what a wonderful legacy for Dorothy :-) Her pansy design is beautiful -- I love, love, LOVE purple pansies :-)

Kelly

Anonymous said...

Karena, that stamp is gorgeous and I love your post! it's nice to meet you...thanks for coming by!

do come back anytime!

ciao bella
Creative Carmelina

Anonymous said...

I'm now following you.....

see you soon!
ciao bella
creative carmelina was here again~!

MagicMarkingsArt said...

karena - I'm so glad you stopped by and left a link to your blog. I so enjoyed reading the story behind the stamp and send out a huge congratulations to you and your lovely family.

The Red Umbrella said...

This is a beautiful stamp and also a wonderful story!

Robin said...

What a great story and a wonderful honor for your family. And thanks for stopping by my blog!

Ole Blue The Heretic said...

Wonderful

paula said...

How beautiful, the stamp and the story.

Charlotta Ward said...

How wonderful to read this and find out about your connection to this beautiful stamp.

Thank you for sharing this.

Have a lovely weekend Karena.

x Charlotta

Picture of Elegance Blog said...

Just beautiful...thank you for sharing Karena.

Sally@DivineDistractions said...

What a wonderful legacy! I know your family is very proud to be a part of the whole experience around the pansy card. It's a beautiful expression yet today!
Thanks for stopping by DivineDistractions!

Beth Niquette said...

I am VERY honored to meet you. I dearly appreciate your visit to my blog. You are an encouraging person! What you wrote means a lot, especially coming from you.

Anonymous said...

Good day Karena!
Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving such a lovely comment.

I am so looking forward to the pansy stamps arrival! We are long overdue for a graceful and elegant piece of art to grace our correspondences. I am thrilled to have met someone who is acquainted to the birth of such a blessed change! :) If only we did not have to pay so much for them!!

Wishing you a joyful and luminous weekend!

Tammie Lee said...

This is a wonderful post, event and celebration of sweet sweet art. I used these stamps on birthday cards last week. After I put them on I smiled and thought how perfect, like a beautiful final touch.

Thank you for your visit to my blog, I am so glad you found me so that I could find you.

Blondie's Journal said...

Such a lovely event and how nice that you have this connection with the original artist! I will look forward to purchasing these beautiful stamps.

Thanks you so much for popping over to my blog today. How nice of you!

xoxo
Jane

Anne Lorys said...

Hi Karena!
What a wonderful story!

Thank you so much for the visit, so nice to see you. :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!
Anne

Kendall said...

Hi! What a very cool ceremony. That's great that you were a part of it.
I appreciate the blog visit. Stop by any time!
Kendall

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Karena what a magnificent occasion and great honor for the family. I use to own a Hallmark store in the 70's with my first husband and very likely stocked & ordered that lovely..lovely card. What a talented woman Dorothy was and I hope she is smiling in heaven on such an achievement. Thanks for showing all of us this special day. I must go purchase some Pansy stamps!!

debra@dustjacket said...

That is just so wonderful. The work itself and the story. It really is so heartwarming to read. What an honor.

Welcome over at DJ's, so lovely of you to come by and comment. Laura was so generous in her post.

xxx DJ

serena at the urban farmhouse said...

What a beautiful blog and story. I will make sure to look for that stamp at the Post Office next week. So glad to have found your blog - just wonderful.

Serena

Nancy @ Live love laugh said...

Thank you for stopping by and on the return visit I see this exciting post! How wonderful for your family to be honored in this way! The pansy card is lovely and I always ask for the "pretty" stamps that are featured at the post office. I will certainly ask for this one in particular. I love to use them on greeting card and leave the bell and flag for bills!Thanks for sharing this!
~Nancy

Wunderkammer said...

Hello Karena, thank for visit my Blog. I´m lucky that i have find your Blog too, very intresting thank you regards jürgen

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Karena,
What a wonderful story and what an incredible honor for you and your family. Dorothy did indeed do a beautiful job, and a lesson that we never how we will touch people.
Wishing you a good week,
Mimi

Acanthus and Acorn said...

I am trying to catch up on all the blogs...so very glad I did not miss this!

What a fantastic story and great read! Talent is plentiful in your family circle.

The stamp is just so wonderful!

Hels said...

I realise the Liberty Memorial was not the core of your post, but I am fascinated nonetheless.

I am lecturing on WW1 art and architecture, and now plan to include the Kansas City monument. For the architecture, of course, but also because it is apparently
the only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the objects, history and personal experiences of WW1.

You never know where you will find great bloggy stuff :)

Pinecone Camp said...

What a beautiful story. I wish I could get those stamps here in Canada.
By the way, I think your work is stunning.

Pauline Wiles said...

I think there's a design lesson here perhaps, that even apparently everyday items can look stunning when enlarged to super-size.

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. How exciting for your family, a lovely story. It's amazing how art can be carried through generations. I will definitely look for the stamps.

jonny said...

Hi Karina So nice to meet you. I love pansys and cant wait to paint them one day - so this was such a treat to read your story and what an amazing story!. Her work art is beautiful and the event to honor it looked so exciting for your family, the photos are wonderful. Now I have to get some stamps and put in a little frame.Sincerely, Jonny

"Create Beauty" said...

I bought 2 sheets of those stamps because I love them so, not having any idea of the story behind them.
Thank you for sharing this!
~ Violet

hi-d said...

So cool hearing the history behind all of that. Thanks for stopping by my blog recently! Have a great weekend - what's left of it. :)

Marie a la Mode said...

Wow! That stamp is beautiful!

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