Weather Vanes 2012 Postage Stamps

 

These stamps feature photographs of five eye-catching weather vanes made in the United States during the 19th century. All five weather vanes — a cow, an eagle, two roosters, and a centaur — belong to the collection of the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont.

Prior to the invention of the barometer in the 17th century, weather vanes were indispensable instruments for observing and predicting the weather. Before 1850, American weather vanes were largely the work of individual craftsmen or skilled amateurs. However, during the second half of the 19th century, factories around Boston and New York City began mass-producing them, ushering in what collectors now consider the "golden age" of American weather vanes. Today, weather vanes from this period are not only valuable collectibles, but also intriguing examples of American folk art.

Art director Derry Noyes designed the Weather Vanes stamps, which feature photographs taken by Sally Andersen-Bruce.

These stamps will be issued in a First-Class Mail large roll format.