Time to get fit for the October cartoon caption contest

U.S. Stamp Notes by John M. Hotchner

With the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in the rearview mirror, and the constantly increasing publicity being given the benefits of daily exercise for all of us, let’s use the 1996 32¢ Centennial Olympic Games stamp (Scott 3087) as the October cartoon caption contest stamp.

The stamp pictures a copy of Discobolus, a Greek statue originally cast in bronze circa 450 B.C. by Myron of Eleutherae. The statue no longer exists, but copies in marble were sculpted in Roman times, and one of these is the source of this design.

This is not the first time the statue has appeared on a U.S. stamp. The first instance was on the 1932 5¢ Olympic Games issue (Scott 719) marking the Summer Olympics. The second was on a 1948 3¢ commemorative (979) honoring the American Turners, and another appearance is on the 5¢ Physical Fitness-Sokol commemorative (1262) of 1965.

The 1965 stamp is interesting. The copy of the Greek statue it depicts was cast in bronze in Florence, Italy, and given to the people of the United States by Italy in 1956. This statue now stands in the Edward J. Kelly Park in Washington, D.C., adjacent to the U.S. Department of State building at 21st Street and Virginia Avenue.

All these stamps celebrate physical fitness, and that is the primary theme for this contest, but entries can also talk about other subjects such as the Olympics, politics, philately or art.

Physical fitness is symbolized by the statue on the 1996 32¢ Centennial Olympic Games stamp, so toss your best ideas along and enter by writing down what you think the naked discus thrower might be saying.

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. It is essential that you include an email and 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 Oct. 25.

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