U2206

Silent Screen Stars

Zasu Pitts

Collins Cover Announcement 

STARS OF THE SILENT SCREEN

ZASU PITTS

Al Hirschfeld, famous New York artist, has spent the last seven decades documenting the entertainment world through his caricatures. He has concentrated on Hollywood and Broadway stars and his very distinctive artistic style done over such a long period of time has resulted in his highly acclaimed status. When the stamps in this issue were first announced and seen in the philatelic press, many collectors (myself included) did not care for them. Over time, however, as I've worked on this project, my opinion of them grew and now I must confess that I really like them as they are used for this particular series of stamps.

They are different and apart from the usual artistic formats. I certainly would not like a steady diet of them but for honoring stars of the Silent Screen, they somehow seem just right. Especialy since they were designed by someone who has been using this technique for such a long period of time.

Zasu Pitts was discovered by Mary Pickford and began her movie career as an extra. Her unusual first name was the result of her mother wanting to name her after her aunts -- Eliza and Susan. So...with the last two letters of Aunt Eliza and the first two of Aunt Susan, a unique name was created. And a star was born.

She had the lead roles in both comedies and dramatic films during the Silent Era. Once talkies came on the scene, however, her voice made her a natural for comedic roles.

"Greed" and "The Wedding March" were two of her more famous films. Audiences filled the theaters to laugh at the antics of the star with the funny name -- Zasu.

As a cachetmaker I like to look back on my hand-painted COLLINS FDCs after they are completed. I try to be objective in terms of both quality and equally important in terms of variety. I strive to make my covers "different" so as to give your collection a blend of artistic styles and techniques.

It's now time to draw the curtain for the final time on this Silent Screen set. I believe that my cachets, encircled by the "custom border" and serving as a contrast to Hirschfeld's caricature stamps will establish themselves in the hobby as "the" set to own for this issue. Time will tell. But for now the music fades and the screen goes blank. Long ago audiences experienced their escapes to the fantasies of the Silent Screen. Rudi. Clara. Lon. The Keystone Cops. Harold. Theda. John. Buster. Zasu. And the forlorn, funny little tramp with the cane. Thanks, Charlie. Stars of the Silent Screen. "The End". Zasu Pitts. Item #U2206. $10.75.