June cartoon caption contest goes to dizzying heights

U.S. Stamp Notes by John M. Hotchner

If being 1,000 feet in the air while riveting a girder of the Empire State Building is not your idea of a neat way to spend your workday, you are not alone. That is the scene shown on one of the forever (46¢) stamps (Scott 4801h) in the 2013 Building A Nation pane of 12 (4801).

“Nerves of steel” takes on new meaning when I consider having to do that as a career.

The Riveters on Empire State Building stamp will be the cartoon contest stamp for June. The design is based on a photograph taken by Lewis Hine, probably in 1930.

The site for the Empire State Building was acquired in 1928, and construction of the 102-story icon began on March 17, 1930. It was completed just over a year later. Topping out at 1,452 feet, it was the tallest building in the world at that time.

There would be a certain pride in being a worker on this project, and I honor that, but death and serious injury were a constant threat.

Among the five workers who died during construction, one fell down an elevator shaft and another fell from scaffolding. While each death was a tragedy, the number was low considering that there were 3,400 workers on the project.

So, put yourself under the hard hat halfway to heaven, and tell me what you might be thinking or saying as you consider your situation, the risk, going home to your stamp collection, big city politics, or anything else that comes to mind.

There will be two prizes given to the winners: one for the best philatelic line and one for the best nonphilatelic line.

Put your entry (or entries) on a postcard if possible and send it to me, John Hotchner, Cartoon Contest, Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125; or email it to jmhstamp@verizon.net. If you send an email, it is essential that you include your postal mailing address.

For each winner, the prize will be a 13-week subscription to Linn’s (a new subscription or an extension). Entries must reach me no later than June 28.

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