N2501

Great Americans

Ruth Benedict - Anthropologist and Folklorist

Collins Cover Announcement 

RUTH BENEDICT, ANTHROPOLOGIST

Forty-Six Cent Stamp

Ruth Benedict was a cultural anthropologist who studied the American Indians of the Southwest. My hand-painted cachet is very bold and eye-catching. Two human skulls set the tone as the symbols of biological origins for the early humans in this geographical area. They are placed at the center bottom of my cachet and immediately grab the viewer's attention. Above them, horizontally placed, is a primitive spear representing the hunting and warring cultures of the various tribes. Above this weapon, which acts as a border between the skulls below, is a representation of three distinctive tribal housing shelters.

Three dominant tribes of the Southwestern United States were the Apache, the Pueblo, and the Navaho. Shown are the Apache wickiup, the Pueblo adobe, and the Navaho hogan. 

For illustrative purposes I show the three very different tribal shelter units side by side in a desert setting with southwest rock formations in the background set off by a brilliant sunny golden sky. As a final touch, vertical "borders" on my cachet are the profile of an early Southwest Indian on the right and a tall saguaro cactus on the left.

Ruth Benedict's ideas and conclusions were published in her 1934 book "Patterns of Culture." She was a professor at Columbia University and in addition to her Southwest studies, she also did fieldwork among the Blackfoot tribe in Canada. The stamp issued to honor her is a bright red. When it is placed on my hand-painted cachet of earth-tone and natural colors, the contrast is wonderful and adds to the visual appeal.

A most interesting COLLINS and I know you'll enjoy it. Southwest Indian anthropologist Ruth Benedict. Item #N2501. $11.00

Winter 2023 Mail Sale 

Lot 14 N2501 — Ruth Benedict — 10-20-95

Ruth was born in New York City on June 5, 1887. She received her Ph.D. from Columbia where she taught anthropology. One of her students was Margaret Mead, beginning a lifelong friendship. Benedict became president of the American Anthropological Association. The hand painted cachet features three tribal shelters from the Southwest. Two skulls are prominent at bottom center. A spear and an early inhabitant of the area complete the cachet. It's the first time this Native American-themed cover has appeared in my mail sales.