Meet the Artist

Name: Richard Sheaff
Location: Vermont

Number of Stamps he designed: 504

How or Why did you first begin designing stamps: It’s kind of that age old adage, because I was in a certain place at a certain time. 25 years ago, while working as a graphic designer, someone recommended I go see a speaker to connected to the art directors for stamps during that time period. While there I befriended, Howard Payne, a stamp designer at that time. He recommended me for a job and that’s when I started full time. That was in 1983.

What is the first stamp that you designed:
Ameripex 86, for the International Stamp Show in Chicago, Illinois. It wasn’t the first  stamp I designed, but the first of
them to actually be released. It shows the presidents of the United States.

What is your favorite stamp that you designed:
Since I’ve designed 500 stamps I can’t name a favorite one. I like each one for different reasons, whether it is historical, the person or the art work.

Why design stamps:
Collected stamps as a child and the interest lingered. I no longer collect stamps but I do enjoy collecting early American paper, including vintage envelopes.

Other stamps designed by Richard: