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#OTD in 2001, USPS issued a non-denominated, pre-sorted first-class mail postcard rate (fifteen-cent value) “Woody Wagon” stamp in Denver, Colorado. Designed by Kevin Newman of Santa Monica, California, the stamp went on sale nationwide the following day. The bodies of the earliest automobiles were entirely wood—more or less refashioned horse-drawn carriages. Wood was cheaper than most metals and manufacturers were used to working with the material. As automobiles evolved, wooden frames became increasingly impractical and unsafe and were largely replaced by steel. In the 50s and 60s, however, real wood paneling reemerged as a symbol of luxury and class. Advertised as stylish cars for wealthy buyers with an eye for the old-world and refined, woodies came in several models including sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. As the wood was replaced with materials stylized to look like wood such as vinyl, plastic, and fiberglass, certain models were marketed as practical transportation for families who found woody wagons ideal for shopping trips and vacations (although genuine “woodies” continued to thrive in California). Full circle: the modern market has even seen several interpretations of the design, some featuring real wood. Nowadays, the classic woody is a favorite at automobile shows and among siblings engaged in deep-rooted road trip traditions. © United States Postal Service. All rights reserved. #philately #USPS #woodywagon