# 5797a - 2023 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Tomie dePaolo
U.S. #5797a
2023 Tomie dePaola
(Imperforate)
- Honors famed children’s author and illustrator Tomie dePaola
- Pictures a scene from dePaola’s best-known book “Strega Nona”
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 63¢ First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue: May 5, 2023
First Day City: Manchester, New Hampshire
Quantity Issued: 22,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps. The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the literary works of Tomie dePaola, known for the wide range of topics and ideas included in his children’s books.
About the stamp design: The stamp pictures Tomie DePaola’s original artwork from the cover of “Strega Nona” (Italian for “Grandma Witch”). Children across America grew up with this book and it has become a beloved piece of culture.
First Day City: The stamp was issued at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire, home to a number of Tomie dePaola’s works as well as The Tomie dePaola Art Education Fund to help support art education.
History the stamp represents: Thomas Anthony “Tomie” dePaola (September 15, 1934 – March 30, 2020) was a beloved author and illustrator known for his children’s books. He wrote such stories as Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs (1973), Strega Nona (1975), and more.
dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, to Joseph and Florence May dePaola. He had three siblings – a brother and two sisters. dePaola was interested in art from as young as four years old and said his family was always supportive of that. He went on to study art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He taught art for a while before eventually receiving his master’s degree from California College of Arts and Crafts and doctoral equivalency from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco.
Tomie dePaola’s first book was The Wonderful Dragon of Timlin (1966). This was the start of a career lasting more than 50 years, in which he worked on over 270 books. dePaola’s books have sold nearly 25 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages. dePaola received many awards for his work, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 2011. Lin Oliver of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators said of dePaola, “His books radiate his love of life, food, family, music, art, travel, culture, and friendship… His joyful spirit and big heart spill from every page.”
U.S. #5797a
2023 Tomie dePaola
(Imperforate)
- Honors famed children’s author and illustrator Tomie dePaola
- Pictures a scene from dePaola’s best-known book “Strega Nona”
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 63¢ First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue: May 5, 2023
First Day City: Manchester, New Hampshire
Quantity Issued: 22,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps. The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the literary works of Tomie dePaola, known for the wide range of topics and ideas included in his children’s books.
About the stamp design: The stamp pictures Tomie DePaola’s original artwork from the cover of “Strega Nona” (Italian for “Grandma Witch”). Children across America grew up with this book and it has become a beloved piece of culture.
First Day City: The stamp was issued at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire, home to a number of Tomie dePaola’s works as well as The Tomie dePaola Art Education Fund to help support art education.
History the stamp represents: Thomas Anthony “Tomie” dePaola (September 15, 1934 – March 30, 2020) was a beloved author and illustrator known for his children’s books. He wrote such stories as Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs (1973), Strega Nona (1975), and more.
dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, to Joseph and Florence May dePaola. He had three siblings – a brother and two sisters. dePaola was interested in art from as young as four years old and said his family was always supportive of that. He went on to study art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He taught art for a while before eventually receiving his master’s degree from California College of Arts and Crafts and doctoral equivalency from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco.
Tomie dePaola’s first book was The Wonderful Dragon of Timlin (1966). This was the start of a career lasting more than 50 years, in which he worked on over 270 books. dePaola’s books have sold nearly 25 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages. dePaola received many awards for his work, including the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 2011. Lin Oliver of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators said of dePaola, “His books radiate his love of life, food, family, music, art, travel, culture, and friendship… His joyful spirit and big heart spill from every page.”