I have to share this recent and ongoing wonderful bit of news with the RILP community.
I recently did some online research regarding artist Bernice Kochan perhaps in finding some of the original design paintings.
Well, I did not find her design paintings from any of the 1973-1977 RILP stamps she designed, but I found her! I found her
Cleveland address and that she is living at her own home at the age of 98. I sent a letter with plenty of stamps she has designed on Monday Oct. 28th, and she called me on Wednesday Oct. 30th. She sure sounds like a healthy and spry young lady. We chatted for 14 minutes and welcomed me to call her anytime as she is retired. I also just received a letter yesterday, Nov. 7th, 2024. She decorated the envelope with the stamps she designed which includes the US 6c Alabama & 6c W.C. Handy stamps and the 1969 Christmas Seal stamps. She also sent the 2 years of the Cleveland Zoo local post triangle stamps. She informed me a new children's Christmas book has just been released. She is a very interesting and accomplished woman. I asked how to pronounce her last name and she responded "Kochan like lotion".
She agreed to a telephone interview and would like suggestions of questions to ask. Please email me, or post any questions you
think readers would enjoy learning about her.
Dave Gill
RILP-PMG
Dave, that's fantastic. It's interesting that her designs on the 1973-77 stamps, except for the obligatory 1976 flags, all included wildlife, fish, birds, and butterflies. That was somewhat a departure from Dr. Frackelton's mostly photographic scene designs of the early issues. I'd like to know if the wildlife theme was her suggestion or Dr. Frackelton's direction, or perhaps both. Also, what can she say about why a new artist was chosen, other than as Wells relates in his book, there was a change in ownership of RI? It seems that continuing to have an artist, such as Bernice Kochan, who has designed USPS stamps, as the designer of RILP issues would have been meritorious and marketable for the brand.
Steve Altic.