1/4/2011 – Paul Calle, a commercial artist whose most famous work was no bigger than a postage stamp, died on Thursday in Stamford, Conn. Mr. Calle, one of the most highly regarded stamp designers in the nation, was 82. He was best known for the 10-cent stamp, commissioned by NASA and issued in 1969, commemorating the Apollo 11 moon landing that year.
– Laura Freas
Our members have recalled their personal experiences upon hearing this sad news:
It is with a heavy heart to hear of two great artists of our genre passing away so close to each other. They will be sorely missed but remembered by the works and inspiration they left for the rest of us to follow. My hat’s off to Paul Calle and Frank Hettick. With sincere condolences to each of their families.
– Walter A. Barrows – Orlando, Florida
Bob McCall and now Paul Calle-the original NASA Fine art guys are going. I met him at an exhibition in the Bruce Museum in Greenwich and he was a great guy. I’ve always loved his pencil work -thus his book The Pencil-and his paintings were exquisite as well. He will be missed.
– Pat Rawlings – Dripping Springs, Texas
I attended the opening of that exhibition, too, and took a picture of Paul standing beside one of his works. – Paul Hoffman – Ewing, New Jersey
Here’s to a great man, and great work! One of his stamps is certainly worth a whole lot more than the current going rate of 44 cents!
– Lonny Buinis – Parsippany, New Jersey
The universe must work in some mysterious ways; the funeral home is the same one that handled my dad’s arrangements in 2003 (our family was also from Stamford and I had met Calle at his studio before Apollo 11); my dad’s name was also Paul. I suspect that it has something to do with string theory or some other quantum thing.
– Rick Sternbach FIAAA – Valley Village, California
