Classic Pickup Stamps Available in July
In January the U.S. Postal Service announced it was issuing a new set of Forever stamps featuring cool classic pickup trucks but it didn't provide an availability date. Now we have one.
The new stamps will be released at post offices nationwide (nearly 32,000) July 15; they'll also be sold online at www.usps.gov/shop.
Along with the stamps the U.S. Postal Service is releasing a short background primer about the importance of the pickup truck to U.S. history. The researchers at PhotoAssist are responsible for compiling the information about the four featured pickups — the 1938 International Harvester D-2, 1953 Chevrolet, 1948 Ford F-1 and 1965 Ford F-100 — and it looks like they've done a pretty good job. We've included the background text below.
The classic pickup stamps should be available for about a year. For more information, call 800-782-6724.
Stamp Background
"In 2016, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates pickup trucks, the rugged and reliable work vehicles that Americans have driven for nearly a century. The stamps feature four iconic models: the 1938 International Harvester D-2, the 1948 Ford F-1, the 1953 Chevrolet and the 1965 Ford F-100.
"Artist Chris Lyons of Pittsford, N.Y., used Adobe Illustrator to create stylized renderings of the pickup trucks. Art director Antonio Alcal of Alexandria, Va., designed the stamps.
"The origin of pickup trucks can be traced back to the early 20th century, when automobiles first became popular in the U.S. They made personally hauling cargo, which once was the job of horse-drawn wagons, easier than ever. By the early 1900s, several manufacturers began producing light-duty trucks in limited numbers.
"International Harvester supplied and maintained trucks on stateside military bases during World War I. In 1917, Ford released the Model TT, which had a one-ton chassis. For 1918, Chevrolet introduced the Model 490 truck. But because drivers had to purchase their own cargo beds and bodies, these vehicles weren't considered true pickup trucks.
"The first fully factory assembled pickup truck didn't arrive until the middle of the next decade, when the 1925 Ford Model T Runabout with Pick-Up Body made its debut. A fortified version of Ford's landmark Model T, it had a base price of $281, featured a steel bed, and was powered by a modest 20-horsepower engine. Ford sold nearly 34,000 Model T pickups, helping kick-start the popularity of pickup trucks.
"Automaker Studebaker used the word 'pickup' in an advertisement in 1913, but the exact root of the term 'pickup' is unclear. By the Great Depression, it had become part of the American lexicon. U.S. federal regulations currently classify the pickup truck as a 'non-passenger automobile which has a passenger compartment and an open cargo area (bed).'
"Known for its production of agricultural equipment, International Harvester also made acclaimed light-duty trucks. In the 1930s, the company introduced its D line of pickups. With its six-cylinder engine and half-ton payload capacity, the 1938 International Harvester D-2 was a strong, sturdy pickup. The model was also visually striking. It had a distinct barrel-shaped grille and its elegant styling mirrored the look of luxury automobiles of the era.
"By the end of World War II, pickups had become ubiquitous, especially in rural America. The nation's major manufacturers soon began designing well-equipped trucks that no longer resembled the bare-bones models they once offered.
"In 1947, Chevrolet rolled out the Advance-Design Series, the first all-new post-World War II pickup truck line. The new Chevys were roomier and more powerful than ever before. Advance-Design pickups, such as the 1953 Chevrolet, featured large windshields that provided drivers with excellent visibility, a distinctive curvy grille that bulged in the middle, and a six-cylinder engine. Advance-Design trucks were America's top-selling pickups for nearly a decade.
"The same year Chevy debuted its new line, International Harvester introduced its KB-Series of trucks. During World War II thousands of soldiers drove IH trucks, and once back home, welcomed the chance to own a stylish KB-1, 2 or 3 pickup.
"Ford's F-Series also differed greatly from relatively sparse models previously available. Also known as the 'Bonus Built' line, F-Series trucks were, in the words of Ford's famous advertising campaign, 'built stronger to last longer.' Ford launched the new line with the 1948 Ford F-1. It included features like the roomy 'Million Dollar Cab,' a sharp horizontal five-bar grille, and a six- or eight-cylinder engine. Ford sold more than 300,000 trucks in the first model year of the F-Series.
"In the 1960s and 1970s, International Harvester's line of light trucks flourished. In addition to the pickup version of the popular Scout, the company offered the C-Series, including the C-110. Most IH pickups of the era were available in a number of different wheelbases, a variety of engines and with a larger 'Bonus-Load' bed. These models also offered a crew-cab option, a popular concept introduced by IH in 1957.
"For the 1965 model year, the F-Series pickup got a face-lift. The 1965 Ford F-100 had a new grille that featured 18 small rectangular openings. It also featured what Ford dubbed 'Twin-I-Beam' independent front suspension, which improved the quality of the ride, and a powerful six- or eight-cylinder engine. The F-Series is still in production today and remains the country's top-selling truck line. As of 2015, there have been 13 generations of F-Series pickups."
U.S. Postal Services images
Comments
Love all those classic pick-ups. But you have to wonder how much better either would have looked if they had employed more square wheel well technology.
Right, and if you're going to do something that simple minded why not make square wheels and tires to match. Like minded people will surely applaud such unusual engineering and buy them by the thousands.
Right, and if you're going to do something that simple minded why not make square wheels and tires to match. Like minded people will surely applaud such unusual engineering and buy them by the thousands.
Posted by: Tom | Jun 24, 2016 8:20:05 AM
Hahaha! Your simple minded philosophy would mean that someone building a rat rod would not need to worry about wheel selection.
2 Fords of course. ICONIC .
Neat stamps, I like them.
You mean longest lasting at the recall department ?
Oddly the U.S Postal service has RAM ProMasters ,yet No Dodge Ram truck stamp,or Plymouth truck U.S,Fargo Canada(Fargo nameplate for Plymouth Trucks in Canada both US and Canada always had Dodge and Dodge RAM trucks)odd....Guess PUTC made the choice for stamps.
Posted by: Dr.Eric D.D.S | Jun 24, 2016 9:44:37 AM
They also have large box trucks on Ford F59 chassis and even larger box trucks on the new F650/750 chassis. So what is your point? I have even seen some carriers still driving old Ford Winston's from mail box to mail box.
Nice history lesson. Interesting to learn that Ford was the first to offer a truck with a bed from the factory... hence Ford invented the pickup truck. So surprise Ford is usually leading in sales, tech, innovation in the truck world.
International Harvester and its divisions/spin offs is a fascinating story both its rise and fall. In an era before socialist bailouts one had to answer for their business decisions and deal with economic adversity.
Do u see it....green 1948 F1...rear fender wells not fully round...OMG
In 1947, Chevrolet rolled out the Advance-Design Series, the first all-new post-World War II pickup truck line. The new Chevys were roomier and more powerful than ever before. Advance-Design pickups, such as the 1953 Chevrolet, featured large windshields that provided drivers with excellent visibility, a distinctive curvy grille that bulged in the middle, and a six-cylinder engine. Advance-Design trucks were America's top-selling pickups for nearly a decade.
Ford launched the new line with the 1948 Ford F-1
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Well, reading that article has revealed some interesting facts about who the truck leader is in design.
Since WW2, we now know who the real truck leader is in design and it continues until today. 1948 or 2015 Ford has been following GMs latest truck designs. Thank you PUTC for revealing that info. How will the FORD girls swallow all that crow. Practice I presume.
In 1947, Chevrolet rolled out the Advance-Design Series, the first all-new post-World War II pickup truck line. The new Chevys were roomier and more powerful than ever before. Advance-Design pickups, such as the 1953 Chevrolet, featured large windshields that provided drivers with excellent visibility, a distinctive curvy grille that bulged in the middle, and a six-cylinder engine. Advance-Design trucks were America's top-selling pickups for nearly a decade.
Ford launched the new line with the 1948 Ford F-1
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Well, reading that article has revealed some interesting facts about who the truck leader is in design.
Since WW2, we now know who the real truck leader is in design and it continues until today. 1948 or 2015 Ford has been following GMs latest truck designs. Thank you PUTC for revealing that info. How will the FORD girls swallow all that crow. Practice I presume.
Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Jun 24, 2016 12:57:34 PM
What are you whining about now? These are just stamps, GO AWAY!!!
how many years did it take gm to offer a V8 after Ford did?
32 years, Ford V-8 1932, Chevy 1955
@Tom,
LMFAO!
Boring.
Good to see even the post office likes Ford more than the others. Where's Dodge? I guess they don't have iconic trucks.
What are you whining about now? These are just stamps, GO AWAY!!!
Posted by: Frank | Jun 24, 2016 1:01:59 PM
Frank, seriously, you need to read more that just the title. No wonder you buy into FORD's marketing so easily. If FORD advertised they were giving away free ocean front property in Arizona with each new FORD purchased, you be first in line.
32 years, Ford V-8 1932, Chevy 1955
Posted by: Lonny Spiva | Jun 24, 2016 1:41:19 PM
Sorry FORD girls, your wrong again.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Series_D
@lonny Nice math! 1932 to 1955 is not 32years
Pro Truck he likes Fords so oddest are he's probably clueless.
Just remember Franky, Chevy was v8 first. Ford discontinued their Flat head v8 too! When will Ford stop following GM LOL!
odds*
Give me the 30's truck designs. They were rolling art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXyqyBx_2Po
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km_aDunfrJk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3hQrDWOq5s
Dodge was the first to build all steal bodies.
All these are neat trucks. IH still holds a special place for me since my granddad's last pickup was an IH and that was the truck I learned to drive on. IH made very basic no nonsense vehicles that were easy to work on and that were reliable. Pickups have evolved but what I miss is an affordable vehicle built for work. Trucks have evolved into luxury vehicles at luxury prices.
@jeffs., last I checked you still can get a tradesman.
You can also get a Silverado & F-150 with a V-6, auto, and air but not too many dealers stock them and not too many dealers stock base Rams. You can order but many dealers will not order them. To get a real base work truck that is closer to what was a work 20 to 40 years ago you have to go to a Tacoma, Frontier, and a Base Colorado/Canyon (the only trucks with a manual and with manual windows with the exception of C/C). What is considered a base truck today was considered a well optioned truck 20 to 40 years ago. You have to pick the closest thing available that meets your needs. It is what it is, but I do miss the base trucks of the past.
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