-By Vince Johnson
To a lot of people, the name “Tiffany” brings to mind images of stained glass art at a price never mentioned aloud in the presence of anyone having significant stature in the Social Register. It is therefore interesting to note that the United States Postal Service has recently honored Louis Comfort Tiffany by putting his name and one of his masterpieces on a First Class postage stamp currently priced at forty-one cents.
There is something about this tribute that deserves some exploratory rambling. How do we explain that a man whose name is synonymous with artwork of such extraordinary artistry should be “honored” by the USPS? George Washington appeared on the 3¢ stamp in 1870. Thomas Jefferson was on the 5¢ stamp issued in 1856. Jefferson’sp stamp was issued without perforations and had to be cut with scissors from a sheet. I’ve heard that lobbyists representing folks who make scissors were against perforating stamps, but this is probably just a rumor. It really doesn’t matter. The manufacturers of perforating machines have a much stronger lobby, and people still need scissors to cut out billions of Cents Off coupons anyway. Speaking of coupons, did you realize over 80% of all coupons redeemed in the United States are sent to Mexico to be re-counted? That’s reality folks!
In recent times, the USPS has used several different themes and personalities for their postage stamps. These include antique motorcycles, cartoon monsters, Air Force One, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Superman, Batman, James Stewart, Alpine Tundra, and Vintage Mahogany Speedboats.
Back to Tiffany. I am keenly disappointed that the USPS would have the audacity to bring the Tiffany image down to the level of Batman and Vintage Mahogany Speedboats. The Tiffany name is of a standard far beyond the extraordinary including such notables as Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and James Stewart. Rolls Royce would come close, but not nearly close enough to matter!
You’ve heard of those upper crust credit cards. The “Gold Card” and the “Platinum Card.” Next thing you know we’ll see the “Diamond Card.” Once that one gets publicized someone will suggest the “Tiffany Card.” At last, the rambling is over and we are now at the purpose of this issue. As you know, this publication goes to all three coasts and several exclusive addresses between. This means REALITY FACTOR is a document of public record.
And for the record: I like the Tiffany name. It is probably the classiest name ever created in the history of the world. I also like their jewelry as well as their lamps. And, when Tiffany’s comes out with the most exclusive credit card in the history of financial excellence, those who are really in-the-know, will have to come to terms with the fact that you heard it here first.
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Vince Johnson welcomes comments. Please send them to,Vince Johnson(vjadtrak@wvi.com)
See Vince in the new book Americans on Politics. Policy, and Pop-Culture.