How a book, borrowed from a library decades ago, planted the seed for Emmeline Grant and the Monstrous Beesh.
If you've already read Emmeline Grant and the Monstrous Beesh, and gotten to the end and read the Acknowledgments page (most people don't, so don't feel bad if you didn't), you'll find the name: Donald Evans.
Who was he?
Donald Evans (1945–1977) was an American artist who painted miniature stamps of countries he invented. Seeing his stamps was like a seed planted in my mind to one day write a book that included fantasy creatures, plants, and a land with its own culture. (This is also called "world building.")
Above: I could not find a photograph of Donald Evans online, but here is a self-portrait, which his relative posted on a genealogy website.*
What did he do?
Evans created beautiful stamps for 42 fictional countries. He traveled and had exhibitions of his stamps. He also studied and worked as an architect, some of the time.
Above: A close-up of Evan's stamps. They were all very small, the size of real postage stamps. His eyesight was so good, he didn't need to use a magnifying glass. He used watercolors, pencils, pens, and colored inks to make his stamps, handling them with tweezers.
Above: Some of the many beautiful stamps created by Donald Evans.
When did he start?
Making stamps was a hobby Evans began in childhood and expanded on as an adult. After studying and working as an architect in New York City, he decided to travel and continue creating and exhibiting his stamps.
Sadly, this talented man died at age 32. At the time of his death, he lived in Amsterdam (the capital of Holland).
Evans' beautiful stamps are sought by collectors still today, and you can see many of them online. (see links below) His work has made a life-long impression on me.
Above: Tropidesian Pieced Quilts, 1964. Stamps by Donald Evans.
What was his life as an artist like?
Eisenhart describes this in his book about his friend, Donald Evans:
"His life was a history of work and growing success. He had show after show with dealers in many different cities in Europe and America. ...he delighted in giving his work to friends.
"He lived and worked in many places: apartments and lofts of friends and tiny rented rooms in attics and basements. The portability of his work was perfect; he could care a show, unframed, under his arm.
"He had a large collection of visual information, books and photographs from which to work. Since he traveled so much and never had a permanent place to live, he left books with friends in different cities, so that he could work from their illustrations when he came to visit." **
Evans collected books on a wide variety of subjects, such as seashells, birds and birds' eggs, planes, and old ships. These inspired his stamps. (He often left his books with friends and then when he visited, he used them for reference.)
Did Evans make stories for the stamps?
"Evans’ imaginary countries are complete with their own history, geography, currency and customs." (Tibor de Nagy) He assembled them into a collection he called Catalogue of the World.
Could Donald Evans' stamps be used to mail a letter?
No, they are one-of-a-kind works of art.
Here are some places to learn more about Donald Evans:
What's up next?
In my next blog post, I'll share info on stamps by the U.S. Post Office, other countries, and stamps made by artists that are not meant to be used on mail. Also, I'll share info on resources for stamp enthusiasts and a fun club for kids.
Until next Saturday!
Janice Phelps Williams
Author of Emmeline Grant and the Monstrous Beesh
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*https://rollwindmill.org/html/evans.html **Eisenhart, Willy. The World of Donald Evans. New York: Harlin Quist, 1980. First ed. 4to., 173 pp., col. illus., Bibliography. 29 cm. ISBN 0-8252-9658-7. A collection of color reproductions of the art stamps of Donald Evans and his biography are presented.
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