American artists known for their work in photography were honored by the Postal service with a pane of 20 commemorative stamps in a first day ceremony held at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. The museum was a perfect venue as it was hosting an exhibition of the work of Alfred Stieglitz, the subject of one of the stamps. The museum’s theater was filled with an enthusiastic crowd on hand for the ceremony.

Glen Crouch, San Diego Postmaster, was the Master of Ceremonies. Postal Clerk Sharra Kleibenstein sang the National Anthem. Listed in the program but not present was District Manger John Platt, who had to attend an area meeting. Postmaster Crouch filled in for Platt by introducing special guests, among them Sarah Adams, granddaughter of Ansel Adams, Arthur Ollman, Executive Director for the Museum of Photographic Arts, and Dr. Demo Klonis, the son of Evangelo Klonis, the subject of W. Eugene Smith’s "Frontline Soldier with Canteen, Saipan", which is depicted on one of the stamps.

Postal Governor Einar V. Dyhrkopp dedicated the stamps. "These are beautiful stamps that illustrate some of the most creative photography produced in this country", said Dyhrkopp. "The diversity of our stamp program demonstrates a wide range of talent and beauty that can be found throughout our nation. Stamps celebrate our heritage and remind all of us what American ingenuity has accomplished over the past 225 years." After the stamps were unveiled, Ollman presented a fascinating slide show of all of the stamps, giving a brief description of each photograph. "This grouping of famous photographers, while not nearly encyclopedic of the history of photography, is outstanding in its inclusions and its balancing of diverse movements in the field. It is our fervent hope that the public, in seeing these images, will be stimulated to broaden their understanding of this essential medium which has had such a profound effect on all of our lives," remarked Ollman after his slide presentation.

In introducing the next speaker, Sarah Adams, Ollman remarked how Ms. Adams had done an internship at the museum 18 years previously. "I’m thrilled to be here today, representing my grandfather Ansel Adams, one of the photographers selected for this US postage stamp series, Masters of American Photography. Some of Ansel’s greatest contributions to photography are the eloquent black and white landscape images celebrating the wildness of the vast American west as well as the furthering of the awareness and action of significant environmental issues. Ansel Adams and each of these 20 photographers have impacted history, providing a constant document of the past, which can only hope to provide inspiration for future generations," said Adams in her brief remarks.