In 1753, Philadelphia Postmaster Benjamin Franklin was promoted to joint deputy postmaster general for the British colonies and opened the first Canadian post office in Halifax to link the Atlantic colonies with Britain. But eventually, Franklin’s involvement with the growing revolt against the British Empire made it necessary for him to leave his post. Read the rest of this entry »
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — John Carter Cash , Larry Gatlin , Jamey Johnson , The Oak Ridge Boys, The Roys, Marty Stuart , Randy Travis and other entertainers paid tribute to Johnny Cash as he was inducted today into the Postal Service’s Music Icons Forever stamp series at the Grand Ole Opry Ryman Auditorium.
“With his gravelly baritone and spare percussive guitar, Johnny Cash had a distinctive musical sound — a blend of country, rock ‘n’ roll and folk — that he used to explore issues that many other popular musicians of his generation wouldn’t touch,” said U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors member Dennis Toner . “His songs tackled sin and redemption, good and evil, selfishness, loneliness, temptation, love, loss and death. And Johnny explored these themes with a stark realism that was very different from other popular music of that time.”
GETTYSBURG, PA — Two of the most important events of the Civil War were memorialized on Forever Stamps today at the sites where these conflicts took place — Gettysburg, PA, and Vicksburg, MS. Customers may purchase the Civil War Sesquicentennial 1863 collectible Forever Souvenir Stamp sheet at usps.com/stamps, at 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide. Read the rest of this entry »
SAN ANTONIO, May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In tribute to the legends responsible for making American music part of global popular culture, the U.S. Postal Service today proudly announces the launch of a new Music Icons stamp series with the issuance of a stamp honoring Lydia Mendoza, one of the first and greatest stars of Tejano music.
OAKS, Pa., April 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Today, the U.S. Postal Service celebrated the arrival of spring by dedicating new Vintage Seed Packets Commemorative Forever stamps. These beautiful First-Class stamps, based on photographs of seed packets from a century ago, were dedicated at the Philadelphia National Stamp Exhibition.
“Seed packet art depicts the utmost in floral perfection,” said dedicating official and Postal Service Philadelphia Metropolitan District Manager Chu Falling Star . “At the turn of the early 1900s, packets like those displayed on the stamps encouraged Americans to create the perfect floral garden. The Postal Service’s release of these stamps reminds us about the beauty flowers add to our lives and signals the arrival of spring.”
Four Elegant Forever Stamps Dedicated Today Mark the Occasion
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. Postal Service today commemorated the 500th anniversary of the naming of Florida with the issuance of a block of four colorful Forever stamps, titled “La Florida.” This bouquet of stamps evokes the beauty of the state’s lush flora. The stamp dedication ceremony was held at Flagler College in St. Augustine.
The 46-cent La Florida Forever stamps are produced in four designs. They are good for mailing 1-ounce First-Class letters anytime in the future regardless of price changes and are available for purchase at local Post Offices, online at usps.com/stamps or by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).
“From the moment Ponce de Leon arrived on these shores, Florida has been a destination for dreamers,” said U.S. Postal Service Southern Area Operations Vice President Jo Ann Feindt in dedicating the stamps. “This state occupies a special place in the American imagination, and so these stamps give people another way to share the wonders of Florida.” Read the rest of this entry »
SAN FRANCISCO — The Postal Service saluted American patriotism by issuing the 46-cent First-Class Patriotic Star stamps today.
Available in strips of 25 for consumer use and coils of 10,000 for business customers, the stamps are available at this link and by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).
“With a history dating back to the original United States flag, the 5-pointed star is literally part of the fabric of our nation,” said U.S. Postal Service Chief Marketing/Sales Officer and Executive Vice President Nagisa Manabe. “It’s often said the Postal Service also is part of the American fabric, for keeping our nation connected. It’s therefore fitting that we honor our joint heritage with the Patriotic Star First-Class stamp.” Read the rest of this entry »
USPS has initiated a new process to get stamps quickly and efficiently into the hands of large mailers.
Starting immediately, large volume mailers can purchase stamps directly from the Postal Service’s Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) and choose how quickly they wish to receive their orders.
Customers can use a 1-2 day “emergency process” designed to supply a large stamp order for pickup at a local Post Office. A second option is a 2-3 day order delivered to the mailer’s address.
Below are details on the two service options:
Mailers who wish to participate must set up automatic clearinghouse account or wire transfer money to SFS. For additional information, contact Lisa Albright (816-545-1282) or Linda Houghtaling (816-545-1235) at SFS.
During the first 90 days of this new process, USPS will evaluate its effectiveness and convenience to customers.
MIDDLEBURG, VA — Perfect for writing short personal notes and business communications, nature and animal lovers will be enamored with the new Deer Forever Stamped postcard that begins migrating from the nation’s Post Offices today.
Good for mailing anytime in the future regardless of price changes, the postcard also is available at usps.com/stamps by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).
The 37-cent postcard (33-cent postage plus a 4-cent surcharge) is available:
U.S. Postal Service Northern Virginia District Marketing Manager Kimberley Timberlake dedicated the Forever stamped postcard at the First-Day-of-Issue ceremony that took place at the Middleburg Post Office.
“We think our customers will find these beautifully designed postcards perfect for sending quick notes to loved ones and friends,” said Timberlake.
Cathie Bleck of Cleveland Heights, OH, created the Deer Forever Stamped postcard artwork under the direction of Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD. The postcard depicts the silhouette of a gold colored white-tailed buck surrounded by gold and green cattails and grasses to capture the deer’s graceful look.
The Whitetail Deer
The whitetail deer is found in many countries around the world and is the most common species of deer in the United States. Excellent runners and swimmers, whitetails can run at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour.
In the 1800s, people on the frontier fashioned deerskins into jackets, clothing and moccasins, and even traded the skins, known as buckskin, as a form of currency. As a result, a dollar bill is known as a “buck” to this day.
Customers may view the Deer Forever Stamped postcard, as well as many of this year’s other stamps, on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter@USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase the new stamped cards at local Post Offices, at usps.com/stampsor by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should address the stamped cards to themselves or others and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
Deer Stamped Card
Postmaster
113 W. Washington Street
Middleburg, VA 20117-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the stamped cards through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark if requests are for less than 50. There is a 5-cent charge per postmark for orders exceeding 50. All orders must be postmarked by May 8.
Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp and stationery issues. These items are postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
Two philatelic products are available:
NEW YORK, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The influential works of 12 American modern artists were honored today by the United States Postal Service and the Armory Show with the dedication of the Modern Art in America, 1913 — 1931 stamps. The ceremony took place 100 years after the first Armory Show, a groundbreaking international exhibition which offered many a first look at modern art.
Richard Uluski , U.S. Postal Service vice president, Northeast Area Operations, was joined in the ceremony by Noah Horowitz , managing director, The Armory Show; Valerie Paley , vice president, Scholarly Programs and New York Historical Society and honored guest, Dorothy Vogel , The Vogel Collection.
“The Postal Service began issuing postage stamps more than 150 years ago and we understand the power in these miniature works of art to celebrate American heritage history and culture,” said Uluski. “These vivid stamps — a lasting tribute to 12 amazingly talented artists — will grace letters and packages sent to millions of households and businesses throughout the country.”
The Modern Art in America, 1913 — 1931 commemorative First-Class Mail Forever stamps are 46 cents each and are offered in panes of 12 stamps, priced at $5.52 per pane.
The masterpieces reproduced on the Modern Art in America stamps include House and Street (1931), Stuart Davis ; I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold (1928), Charles Demuth ; The Prodigal Son (1927), Aaron Douglas ; Fog Horns (1929), Arthur Dove ; Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2 (1912), Marcel Duchamp ; Painting, Number 5 (1914-15), Marsden Hartley ; Sunset, Maine Coast (1919), John Marin ; Razor (1924), Gerald Murphy ; Black Mesa Landscape, New Mexico/Out Back of Marie’s II (1930), Georgia O’Keeffe; Noire et Blanche (1926), Man Ray ; American Landscape (1930), Charles Sheeler ; and Brooklyn Bridge (1919-20), Joseph Stella . Art director Derry Noyes worked on the stamp pane with designer Margaret Bauer .To learn more about the stories behind the stamps, visit beyondtheperf.com.
Customers may purchase the Modern Art in America, 1913 – 1931 stamps at usps.com/stamps, at 800STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide. Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, via Twitter @USPSstamps or at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview.
First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase stamps at a local Post Office, The Postal Store at usps.com/stamps, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. Customers should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:
Modern Art in America 1913-1931 Stamps
Postmaster
421 Eighth Ave., Rm. 2029B
New York, NY 10199-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes by mail. There is no charge for the postmark and all orders must be postmarked by May 7, 2013.
First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com/stamps or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
Ten philatelic products are available for this stamp issue:
579606, Press Sheet with Die Cuts, $22.08. (print quantity of 2,500).
579608, Press Sheet without Die Cuts, $22.08. (print quantity of 2,500).
579610, Keepsake (Pane & Digital Color Postmark Set of 12), $24.95.
579616, First-Day Cover Set of 12, $10.80.
579618, First-Day Cover (Full Pane), $8.02.
579619, First-Day Cancelled (Full Pane), $8.02.
579621, Digital Color Postmark Set of 12, $19.32.
579630, Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95.
579631, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
579632, Stamp Deck Card w/Digital Color Postmark (random single), $1.96.
