A new stamp of approval
Anita Guidera reports on a unique process
150 years after his death, the Irish patriot credited with designing the flag that would later be adopted as the National Flag of Ireland, will finally receive the stamp of approval.
Thomas F. Meagher’s epic life took him from the streets of Waterford, into exile in Tasmania, onto the battlefields of the American Civil War and later to Montana where he was appointed Governor.
A gifted orator at a young age, he became leader in the new Ireland movement, planning its 1848 rebellion against British rule.
Inspired by the French flag, Meagher flew the first Irish tricolour in his native Waterford in March 1848 as a gesture and a symbol of independence, explaining that the white in the centre signified “a lasting truce between the ‘Orange’ and the ‘Green’.”
Meagher’s immense contribution to American and Irish history has been recognised in various ways throughout the years since his death.
A bronze statue depicting him astride a prancing horse, waving his sword over his head as he urges the Irish Brigade into battle, was erected in front of the Montana State Capitol in Helena in 1905. Almost 100 years later a similar statue was unveiled on Waterford City’s Mall.
There is a Meagher County and an Ancient Order of Hibernians Division named after him in Montana.
There’s a battle ship, military forts, various busts and plaques as well as a bar, a hotel suite, and even a bridge over the River Suir named in his honour.
A monument at the Antietam Battlefield was dedicated in his honour as was a cenotaph memorial in Greenwood Cemetery in New York.
Now he is to be given the honour of featuring on a formal stamp in what many consider to be the unofficial Irish honours list.
“It has been a long time coming when you consider he was in essence the creator of our flag but the thing about Thomas Francis Meagher is that he is probably the most famous Irishman that most Irish people have never heard about,” admitted Senator Mark Daly, a member of the allparty consultation group for the decade of 1916 commemorations and a long time campaigner for the recognition of Thomas F. Meagher.
The newly designed stamp features a portrait of the handsome, mustachioed Irish and American patriot in military attire, with the colours of the Irish flag, created by him, in the background.
An Post’s programme of commemorative stamps, covering a range of subjects from history and sports, to arts, science, nature and more, is planned two to three years in advance.
So with the 150th anniversary of Meagher’s death looming, the wheels for honouring him were set in motion almost three years ago when several recommendations were submitted calling for him to be honoured with a stamp.
An Post publishes around 25 new issues of stamps every year and receives over 200
We commissioned artist Charles Cullen
suggestions which are considered by an independent Philatelic Advisory Committee (PAC).
Aidan Murphy, Philatelic Manager with An Post who is responsible for the design and production of the annual Stamp Programme, said it became quickly apparent that the honour would be appropriate.
“The fact that he is credited with introducing the Irish flag for the first time in itself is significant but when we started researching him and discovering what an incredibly rich life he led over a relatively short time span, it was obvious that the time was right that he was recognised in our programme.”
The PAC puts together a complete list of recommendations, including annual subjects such as Christmas and St Patrick’s Day, which, following ratification by the Board of An Post, is forwarded to the Government for final approval.
Thomas Meagher’s name went forward in the 2017 programme of approved subjects, which was then submitted to the Stamp Design Advisory Committee, comprising of people with expertise in graphic design, fine art, typography, assign each to design houses, artists or illustrators.
The artists are briefed, given background information and the terms and conditions. Each stamp must include the price, the year of issue and the word Éire.
“In the case of Thomas Meagher we commissioned artist, Charles Cullen. We gave him the background and he came back with a wonderful illustration of Thomas Meagher and in the background is the tricolour,” explained Mr Murphy.
The artist had previously illustrated Irish nationalist, Charles Gavan Duffy for stamp marking the bicentenary of his birth.
The work was then passed onto WorkGroup Design House to put the finished design together.
The finished stamp will issue on June 29, 2017, 150 years after the mysterious death of Thomas F. Meagher in the Missouri River in 1867 at the age of 44.