1978 American Folk Art Series Basket Design Quilts U.S. sheet

1978 American Folk Art Series Basket Design Quilts U.S. #1745-48 13¢ Issue Date: March 8, 1978 City: Charleston, WV Quantity: 41,295,000 Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing Printing Method: Photogravure Perforations: 11 Color: Multicolored This original block of four was based on a "basket" design from an American quilt made in New York City in 1875. Although the industrial revolution made it possible to mass produce inexpensive blankets, the quilt was considered to be attractive, practical, and very economical. American Folk Art Series On April 13, 1977, the USPS issued the first stamp in the American Folk Art Series. The USPS created the Folk Art Series in 1977 to honor important and lesser-known items in American art and culture. Folk Art is loosely defined as the art of the everyday, rooted in traditions that come from community and culture and expressing cultural identity by conveying shared community values and aesthetics. The second set in the series was issued on March 8, 1978, in Charleston, West Virginia at a quilt show. Each of the stamps in this block of four, pictures a basket design from a quilt made in New York City in 1875. Although the industrial revolution made it possible to mass produce inexpensive blankets, the quilt was considered to be attractive, practical, and very economical.