Shaker Design Stamps

2024 Shaker Design
• Issued for the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the first Shakers in the United States
• Honors the Shaker communities and their unique design principles which later impacted designs of outside communities

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 68¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: June 20, 2024
First Day City: Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 12
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged

History the stamp represents: The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (nicknamed the “Shaking Quakers” or simply “Shakers”) are a millenarian restorationist Christian group. They were founded in 1747 in England, but settled in the United States in the 1780s. Their membership peaked in the mid-19th century with up to 4,000 members living in 18 major communities spread across several states. However, due to their celibacy vows, the Shakers relied on converting new members, so their numbers continued to decrease. By 2019, only Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine was left.

Today, many abandoned Shaker communities have become museums or historical sites. They showcase the elements of Shaker culture that made them famous with the outside world – their unique design choices in architecture, furniture, music, and more. These choices were all inspired by the simple living of the Shakers and their emphasis on practicality, durability, and efficiency. In some cases, they took existing designs and altered them to suit their needs. Other times they came up with something completely new.

Despite separating themselves from the outside world, the Shakers did not keep their innovative designs to themselves. In fact, they relied on them to help financially support each community. They accomplished this by selling finished items or taking commissions from outsiders. That is also how the Shakers became known far and wide for their simple-yet-beautiful, high-quality goods. It’s also why many of these items still exist today.