Keith wrote:

<< If there is any one else who would prefer I not post a scan of the stamp
from one of their letterboxes please let me know and I will not. >>

I really hate to rain on anyone's parade, especially since Keith has created
such a nice Webpage, but I feel it deserves to be pointed out that this is
probably not the best way to handle such matters. In fact, it is most likely
a blatent copyright violation.

It is my understanding that any hand-carved rubber stamp image technically
belongs to the maker of the stamp. Finding a letterbox does not give one the
right to publish the stamp's image without first obtaining the express
permission of the original artist.

It is up to the artist to decide whether or not to publish a stamp image...
and if they decide to allow it to be published, they should have exclusive
control over WHERE it is published.

I doubt that posting a general notice asking people to speak up if they
object to their image being used is really sufficient. As an analogy, what
if I were to publish a notice in the LA Times asking authors to let me know
if they object to having me plagiarize their works? I don't think I would
legally be able to get away with reprinting a Stephen King novel just because
he failed to respond to my notice. Whether it's a book, an oil painting, or
a rubber stamp image, one must legally obtain specific permission from its
creator before re-publishing it in printed form or on a Webpage.

I'm not trying to single Keith out for a scolding... I just want to help
avoid future problems. For the record, I would prefer that none of my stamp
images be published anywhere besides my own Webspace.

-- Der Mad Stamper
P52 F20 X7