Nearly a decade ago, our Friday Flashback honored Stevan Dohanos.
Since then, we’ve welcomed an influx of new residents. Many Westporters today have never heard of Stevan Dohanos. Here’s a look back at that story, as timely today as then.
Stevan Dohanos is best known for his 123 Saturday Evening Post covers.
But the Westport illustrator was also a noted US stamp artist. He designed several dozen — the number varies, according to who’s counting — honoring a wide range of subjects, including American presidents, NATO and the statehoods of Alaska and Hawaii.
Dohanos also created Christmas stamps. In 1989, Westport served as that year’s official “first day of issue” post office.
Dohanos’ other holiday stamps ranged from the classical, like this 1969 scene …
… to the playful, like this in 1970…
… to the religious, in 1975:
Of course, Dohanos drew holiday scenes for the Saturday Evening Post too. This cover — from December 13, 1947 — is called “Rural Post Office at Christmas.” (The sign says “Georgetown.”)
As chair of the Stamp Advisory Committee, Dohanos oversaw the art design of more than 300 stamps. He was appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, and served under 7 presidents.
Stevan Dohanos died on July 4, 1994, at his Westport home. He was 87 years old.
(Hat tip: Paul Ehrismann)
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Steve Dohanos used my twin brother and I for one of his Saturday Evening Post covers
I am one of his biggest fans!!!
I remember many of Stephen Dohanos illustrations so well. Question: Was the one with Scott and his twin brother with Miss Comer and her ballroom dancing class at the YMCA? I believe he also used Betsy Beardsley and there may have been one with the Downshifters. So many wonderful illustrations. However, I had no idea that he also designed stamps and was Chair of the Stamp Advisory Council! Thank you for the memories and putting a big smile on my face with those memories this afternoon.
My late mother remembered waiting on him as a customer at the old Paint Bucket in Sherwood Square back in the day.
Mr. D was a founding partner of Famous Artist School with my uncle, Al Parker. Between them, they probably had the covers of most of the magazines of the golden age of illustrators.