Bighorn sheep stamp contest winners

U.S. Stamp Notes — By John M. Hotchner

Who would have thought that the 2017 WPA Posters stamp used as for the September cartoon caption contest stamp would draw a dozen or so highly partisan entries on both sides of the Trump divide? This forever stamp (Scott 5188) depicts a poster by J. Hirt featuring two bighorn sheep.

This reflection on the gender revolution sent by Donna Smith of Wilmington, Del., is perhaps the least incendiary: “I’m not a bighorn sheep. I know in my heart I am a Monarch butterfly.”

A more traditional theme was used by many Linn’s readers who have experienced getting lost on the way to a family social event. This group is represented by Arnold Fenske of Eldon, Mo., with, “OK Mr. Know-it-all; I told you to ask for directions!”

Another popular theme takes us back to the 2008 presidential election and the misquote based on vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s comments about being able to see Russia from an island in Alaska.

In the WPA Posters’ stamp version, Douglas Phillips of Sierra Vista, Ariz., has a sheep saying, “Maybe we should look in another direction for Russia?”

The nonphilatelic line winner for this contest, shown above, gives new meaning to the “Preserve Wild Life” message on the stamp. It was sent by Steve Kotler of San Francisco, Calif.

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The philatelic side of the contest was won by Marvin Levine of Appleton, Wis., with: “Pony Express won’t work up here. We need Bighorn Sheep Express!”

Both winners will receive a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new subscription or an extension).

Here are the best of the other runners-up:

“Just look at all those people lined up to buy the ‘O Beautiful’ stamps. What a bunch of sheep!” from David Vikan of Dickinson, N.D.

“Uh-oh — here comes the NatGeo film crew. Time to butt heads for the camera!” by Laura and Tom Tomaszek of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“Couldn’t get to sleep last night so I started counting people jumping the fence down there,” by Reid Hinson of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.

“We have to stop meeting like this!” from Harry Miller Jr. of Summit Hill, N.J.

“So … What are we wearing for ‘Burning Man’ this year?” by Steven Harvey of Wrightsville, Pa.

“Yeah … Come to think of it, I don’t see any amber waves of grain either,” by Michael Morrissey of Westerville, Ohio.

Thanks and a tip of the hat to all who entered.

The next cartoon caption contest will be announced in the Nov. 12 Linn’s.