Photographer’s Images of Route 66 Launched on USPS Stamps

A photographer who has pushed Route 66 over 40 instances has had eight of his images printed on United States Postal Service (USPS) stamps.

David Schwartz’s images seize important elements of the long-lasting street, displaying motels, roadside diners, and fuel stations. The eight stamps signify the eight states the street traverses via: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

The stamps commemorate 100 years of Route 66, which was established on November 11, 1926. The legendary freeway initially stretched about 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. It perpetually modified how Americans journey and have become an emblem of freedom and journey.

Art director for Postage Stamp Design at USPS, Greg Breeding, says the scope of the challenge was “daunting” at first, however discovering Schwartz, a Route 66 photographer with over 20 years of photographing the street, the method turned a lot smoother.

“Not only is David a seasoned expert of Route 66, but he also happens to be a very fine photographer,” Breeding says. “I personally liked what some call the ‘editorial’ feel of his work. That is, it does not appear commercial or slick but has almost a photojournalistic quality.”

Schwartz got interested within the street after listening to Depeche Mode’s cowl of the tune Route 66. He says he used to take heed to it and dream of the adventures it held. He made his first journey in 2004 and has since pushed it 40 extra instances.

“Only once did I make the full trip from Chicago to Los Angeles in one go,” Schwartz says. “As a photographer, I found it’s far more meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable to focus on smaller sections — allowing for deeper dives into the towns, people, and landscapes along the way.”

“I pay close attention to light, especially at sunrise or sunset, because it can completely transform a scene,” he provides. “I’m drawn to how places change over time — what’s still standing, what’s faded, and what’s been brought back to life.”

As Route 66 celebrates its one centesimal anniversary, Schwartz notes it’s a lot greater than merely a street.

“Route 66 is a thread that weaves together American history, culture, and identity,” Schwartz says. “It tells the story of how people moved, adapted, and built communities. Driving it today connects you to that story in a real, tangible way.”

Having his work featured on stamps is a dream come true for Schwartz, and he hopes they are going to encourage others to hunt their very own adventures on the street. “The thought that someone might see one of these images and feel that same spark I felt years ago — that’s everything to me,” he provides.

Image credit: USPS