D2303

Norman Rockwell

Freedom  of Speech

Collins CoverAnnouncement

NORMAN ROCKWELL

Freedom of Speech

From the two dollar Rockwell souvenir sheet, this is the third 50-cent stamp in the "Four Freedoms" set that I've offered. In this cachet, I draw inspiration from the stamp design itself for the simple but dramatic scene in my hand-painted cachet.

It shows a group of citizens assembled at a community meeting and one has risen to speak and be heard. All attention is focused on him as his peers listen intently to what he has to say. Grass roots democracy at work.

It was early 1941 when Franklin D. Roosevelt first spoke of the "Four Freedoms" that he envisioned for the world. They were a key element in his State of the Union address to Congress. At the time, war raged in Europe and Roosevelt was trying to win support for the Lend-Lease Plan that would ship vital materials, equipment, and supplies to Great Britain. The war grew and later that year after Pearl Harbor the U.S. became fully and totally committed. The Four Freedoms became a simple way for the public to comment and reflect on the nation's ultimate goals after victory.

In 1943 Norman Rockwell's paintings of his interpretation of the Four Freedoms appeared in the "Saturday Evening Post".

They were such a hit on the homefront that the actual paintings toured the country raising over $132 milion in war bond sales. Countless prints were put up all across the nation and the simple, direct messages of Rockwell's art inspired and encouraged everyone to win the war and secure the personal freedoms that would come with victory.

This cachet is like the message -- bold, direct, and powerful. A perfect complement to the stamp featuring Norman Rockwell's unique style and talent. Freedom of Speech. Item #D2303. 6 C.

$11.00.

Spring 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

7 D2301 to D2304 — Norman Rockwell — Four Freedoms - (set of 4 covers) — 7-1-94

During his 1941 State of the Union address to Congress and the nation, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced in his speech four essential human freedoms. He knew that the American people were wary of war, and even though Pearl Harbor was still eleven months away, this was the beginning of his efforts to solidify support against the forces'of evil. The great strength and appeal of this approach was the brevity, simplicity, clarity and optimism that was put forth. Every citizen could understand and relate. The Four Freedoms are: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. The Rockwell-like cachets are nostalgic and include: Freedom from Want — a maternity ward window with a family admiring the new infant; Freedom from Fear — a sailor home on leave contentedly enjoying the freedom from fear that is so precious to Americans; Freedom of Speech — a group of citizens assembled at a community meeting knowing all can speak freely and be heard, and Freedom of Worship — a family at the dinner table with heads bowed in prayer.