Impact and Influence of the United States Postal Services' use of Symbols

Impact and Influence of the United States Postal Services' use of Symbols

The United States Postal Services' (USPS) use of symbols has impacted and influenced the way that it is represented to the public. The first symbol of the USPS, the roman god Mercury, was utilized in 1782 by Ebenezer Hazard, the Postmaster General of that time period. Ebenezer used Mercury as his office seal. According to the USPS.com website, "Mercury's feet, helmet and staff had wings and he was encircled by an inscription which read, in Latin, 'Seal of the Office of the General Messenger'" (para. 5). In 1837, the USPS was given a new symbol of a man riding a horse by Amos Kendall, the Postmaster General during that time. The USPS.com website states, "Amos Kendall directed that the official seal of the Post Office Department portray a post horse in speed, with mail-bags and rider, encircled by the words 'Post Office Department, United States of America'" (para. 6). This symbol remained in affect until President Nixon took office in 1970 and turned the Post Office Department into the Postal Service. It was then that the symbol was changed to a bald eagle. The eagle still remains a part of the USPS' symbol, however, the eagle's face is white and attached to a blue background. 

Not only has the symbol of the postal service had an impact on its visual representation, but the elements of the stamp also play a big role in the use of the organization's symbols. Stamps are not only considered a form of payment in order to deliver the mail, but they also display several pieces of artwork and stories attached to them for the world to see. According to Habashi (2002), "Postage stamps have been used around the world to commemorate, in miniature, significant events and people, including those of importance in the history of metals and mineral production" (p. 10). Stamps have influenced different types of artwork that have included individuals, items and even places. Habashi (2002) states, "Postage stamps are a means of communication through which many countries have recorded important events, honored worthy individuals, and described interesting facts" (p. 11). Some of these important individuals on stamps include Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball and Mother Theresa.

References:

Habashi, Fathi. "Minerals, Metals & Materials Society." Postage stamps: A Convergence of metallurgy, art, and history 54.4 (2002): n. pag. FIU Online Library. Web. 2 Aug. 2013

USPS.com