Four Stamps

Abstract

The portraits of four geniuses on US stamps. Great American scientists, three of them born and bred there the fourth being a native of Hungary. Two theoretical physicists, a biologist and a mathematician. The stamp collection does not enable one to learn any of these disciplines and the US Post Office certainly did not believe that, in return for 37 cents, American correspondents will be trained to become scientific geniuses. A stamp collection, however, is generally held to be an effective means of learning; it is good not only as a source of revenue but also in the education of the man of the street. As far as intellectual effort is concerned, a stamp collection is almost on a par with crossword puzzles. The display of eminent persons’ portraits is not only the expression of reverence, but it also holds them up as examples. Not as far as their scientific contribution is concerned, this would obviously be absurd, but regarding their personal and human traits.