SYD KRONISH | Stamps Commemorative honors Dr. Seuss

The "Cat in The Hat" is back -- and the Grinch is not far behind.
All hail Dr. Seuss.
Memories of a colorful group of cartoon characters come to the fore with the issuance of a new 37-cent commemorative stamp celebrating the life work of the popular Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ted Geisel, known affectionately as Dr. Seuss.
The stamp will be released March 2, 2004, in La Jolla, Calif., as part of the "Seussentenial: A Century of Imagination," a yearlong celebration honoring his life and legacy on what would have been his 100th birthday.
The new stamp features a color photo of Geisel taken in Dallas in 1987. Geisel is seen surrounded by his illustrations of six characters from his many books. From left to right: The Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, the Glotz, the Skritz, the Skrink and the anonymous "young fellow."
Geisel was born March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Mass. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1925, he studied literature at Oxford University, but left without a degree upon deciding he did not want to be a college professor. Geisel returned to Springfield in 1927 to begin his new career as an artist and writer.
For the kids
It was not long before he was recognized as the creator of a new kind of book that appealed to a child's imagination and sense of humor. The Seuss books typically feature a story in verse with zany humor and illustrated with drawings of colorful creatures.
He moved to New York City in the late 1920s and joined the staff of the humor magazine Judge where he first used the pen name Dr. Seuss. In 1936, Geisel wrote the first of his 44 books for children titled "And to Think That I Saw it First on Mulberry Street."
Subsequent books by Dr. Seuss introduced characters who became part of American popular culture. Included are Horton the Elephant and the Grinch in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." But many consider "The Cat in the Hat" (1957) his most innovative.
His final book, the best seller "Oh, the Places You'll Go" (1990), offered encouragement to young people as they set out on the journey of life.
Geisel died Sept., 24, 1991, in La Jolla.
More information on the Dr. Seuss stamp will be reported here when it becomes available.
You can call the U.S. Postal service toll-free at (800) STAMP-24 about first-day covers. Also ask for a free catalog.
A selection of stamps and other philatelic items are also available at the online Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.