BIOGRAPHY: Richard M Bower

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Richard M Bower (1917-1999) was a picture engraver at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). He enjoyed his artistic education at the Corcoran Gallery School of Art in Washington DC, before starting to work in 1943 at the BEP as a pantograph operator.

After a few years at the BEP, Bower became Carl T Arlt’s apprentice, so he could specialise in the art of engraving. Only a year in his apprenticeship, Bower was appointed as picture engraver. His first stamp engraving was issued in 1948, when the ‘Centenary of Wisconsin Statehood’ stamp was the first of five stamps issued that year by Bower’s hand.

Bower’s name as a picture engraver was a regular feature during the next fifteen or so years. Besides the many commemoratives he engraved, Bower also contributed some ten values to the 1954 Liberty issue definitive set. Among those are some fine portraits of various US Presidents. Bower was also responsible for the engravings of many duck stamps, in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

In 1964, Bower retired from his job as picture engraver but he stayed on at the BEP for eight more years, in a supervisory position. He retired from the company in 1972.

You will find Richard M Bower's database HERE.