A vivid rendition of Utah's Delicate Arch, a landmark in Arches National Park in the southeastern part of the state, graces the state centennial stamp.
The stamp was issued on the state's birthday, Jan. 4, by Utah Gov. Michael O. Leavitt, who noted that the arch is representative of Utah and said, "only God can make an arch."The stamp was unveiled Nov. 7 at the Utah state capitol, the first time in history that a stamp design has been unveiled by the U.S. Postal Service outside of Washington, D.C. In honor of the statehood anniversary, commemorative postmarks were created by each of the state's 29 counties.
"This stamp represents in bold, vivid colors the unequaled natural grandeur of Utah and captures in subtle ways the rugged spirit of our state," said Statehood Centennial Commission chairman Stephen M. Studdert.
McRay Magleby, creative director of BYU Publications and Graphics, designed the stamp. Having a design selected for a stamp is a first-time honor for Brother Magleby of the Lakeridge 8th Ward in Provo, Utah. He said that because of a rigorous committee selection process, "the chances are slim of having a design chosen for the final stamp."
He was told that the stamp needed to represent the entire state and must avoid anything of a political or religious nature.
"The Delicate Arch seemed to be unique to Utah," he said. "It has become the unofficial symbol of the centennial and is on license plates, milk cartons and other places."
The artist employed an unusual process to design the famous landmark. He cut bright colored paper to create the original design, then copied it by computer.
"I design posters a lot, especially for silk screen printing," he said. "Because of this I have to use a lot of flat colors. It is probably a little bit unusual."
Brother Magleby was named "Designer of the Decade" in 1986 by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. His most recent award, from HOW magazine, named him as one of the "12 most influential designers" in America.
