New Stamps Press Buffalo Connection with Abstract Art BUFFALO (wned) - Hundreds of people were on hand to witness a unique event at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery where the U.S. Postal Service officially unveiled ten new stamps, four of which feature paintings at home in Buffalo.

The newest pane of ten commemorative stamps issued by the Postal Service honor America's Abstract Expressionists.

But what made the event unique is that Buffalo was designated the official "First-Day-of-Issue" city for the stamps, which are prized by collectors.

The Postal Service held the ceremony at the Albright-Knox because the Gallery owns four of the ten paintings used to produce the stamps.

"Key works by key artists," said Gallery Director Louis Grachos. "It's a phenomenal vehicle to celebrate and educate our culture."

The stamps also happen to be printed by Williamsville based Ashton-Potter Security Printers. The ten stamps come in a variety of sizes including some of the largest ever issued by the Postal Service.

The Albright-Knox is recognized for having the world's finest collection of abstract expressionist art according to Gallery Director Louis Grachos.

But he says the event is something to be proud of because the Albright-Knox is not in realm of popular culture.

The stamp distribution "reaches such a vast audience and it really draws attention to an area of our history, our art history and cultural history which continually gets re discovered by new generations," Grachos said.

The paintings are in the Gallery's permanent collection and on display year round.



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