The Design District
Eames Postage Stamp
The United States Postal Service has announced their new stamps for 2008 and this summer they’ll commemorate Charles and Ray Eames with 16 stamps designed by Derry Noyes.
The husband-and-wife design team are best known for their furniture, but their breadth of work after World War II also included architecture, films and exhibits. So, if you actually still send snail mail and appreciate well designed furniture, buy a book of these. It’s pretty great the USPS is recognizing the architecture and furniture world this way.
And further if you’re a big fan of Eames, check out Hive Modern’s (NW Glisan between Park and 9th) limited edition Eames Plywood Elephant that commemorates last year’s 100th anniversary of the Eames chair.
They’re a bit steep at $1,900 apiece, but again, they prove the point that great design doesn’t have to be so serious. It was originally designed by the Eames in 1945 as a toy for children but never went into production. Now you can buy the limited edition at Hive—but if you’re serious about it, you might want to hurry since they’re only selling 1,000 of each color, natural maple and red-stained maple.
By Alicia on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 02:34PM PST
Do you know when the stamps will be available to buy? Can’t wait! Love sending festive mail.
By Rachel DeSchepper on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:27AM PST
Hi Alicia—the USPS is launching the stamps at the Eames Office in Santa Monica, Calif on June 17 (Charles’ birthday). They’ll be available at all Post Offices after that. Happy writing!
By Jane Jarrett on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 11:17AM PST
Love the stamps—everyone should by lots of them so USPS knows to produce more design stamps! Fans of the Eames may want to know, too, that they can visit The Eames House in Santa Monica by making a reservation with the Eames Foundation at http://www.eamesfoundation.org/visit_house.html. When my husband and I visited a couple of years ago, we were the only ones there and spent a lovely, sunny afternoon strolling the grounds and peaking into the house (you can’t actually go in because everything’s so fragile at this point, but the doors and windows are all open). And don’t forget Portland’s own nod to the Eames design principles, The Street of Eames tour, at http://www.streetofeames.com/
By Rachel DeSchepper on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 02:45PM PST
Hi Jane—thanks for all these great tips. Keep ‘em coming: comment here or send a note to designdistrict AT portlandspaces DOT net if anyone else has more.