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FeedU.S. Postal Service to release apple stamps
Four apple varieties will be immortalized on postcards.
The U.S. Postal Service will officially release postcard stamps of four apples on January 17 in the heart of apple country. A ceremony led by the Seattle Regional District Manager of the USPS will take place at the Yakima, Washington, Post Office at noon on Thursday.
Four of America’s favorite varieties were chosen for the artwork of the stamps, according to the Postal Service. The four include the bright red Baldwin, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Northern Spy.
The Baldwin apple is thought to be native to Massachusetts, delicious when eaten in season and prized by cider makers. For generations, cooks have used the multi-colored Northern Spy apple for baked desserts. The yellow Golden Delicious is popular for cooking and was declared the official state fruit of West Virginia in 1995. Granny Smith is one of the world’s most well-known varieties.
The stamps are designed by art director Derry Noyes; apples feature the work of artist John Burgoyne.
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As an apple grower of over 40 years it is surprise to me that Baldwn and Northern Spy are among the most popular apples in the US. Do sales figures prove this or is this an attempt to placate North Eastern apple growers?
As a North Eastern apple grower let me say that we are NOT placated. Nor do we eat the crapples that come from Out West. Your envy of our superior product just drips from your post like cider from a cheese.
It seems that little care was put into this article. For example, anyone who knows how to use the internet can find info on these apples on Wikipedia, for example. For Golden Delicious, Wikipedia reads: The Golden Delicious was designated the official state fruit of West Virginia by a Senate resolution on February 20, 1955. Clay County has hosted an annual Golden Delicious Festival since 1972. The apple was discovered in WV and is one of the world's most famous apples, with it or its genes in most of the fruit that we eat today. I would never subscribe to this magazine if this is the quality of research and writing that is typical. And the hateful northwest/northeast back and forth is always fun.
According to the West Virginia Archives and History web site, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, designating the Golden Delicious as the state fruit of WV, was adopted on Feb. 20, 1995. http://www.wvculture.org/history/goldendelicious01.html
Wikipedia is not always 100 percent accurate.
For a history of the Golden Delicious apple see the Good Fruit Grower article http://www.goodfruit.com/Good-Fruit-Grower/February-15th-2011/Last-Bite-Discovering-Gold/ in our online archives.
F.Y.I. The Baldwin Apple was discovered on the Butters Farm a recently saved First Period Farmhouse (cir. 1682-1720)in Wilmington, Massachusetts. Next to the Butters Farm stand the Baldwin Apple Monument believed to be the only monument to an apple in the United States. The apple monument was built in the late 19th century to commeorate the Baldwin Apple. For further information I'm including a link www.buttersfarm.org or contact the Wilmington Historical Commission at 978-658-5475. We are, indeed, excited that "our" Baldwin Apple will be honored by the US Postal Service.