Still Stampin' (Darthphilatelist in Hyper Mode...): usps stamps

Showing posts with label usps stamps. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Toni Morrison

World Stamp Today:

MARCH 7, 2023

Toni Morrison (1931 - 2019), the acclaimed author who became the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, is memorialized on a Forever stamp by the United States Postal Service on March 7, 2023.

Morrison's artfully crafted novels explored the diverse voices and multifaceted experiences of African Americans.

The portrait on the stamp features Morrison smiling, and looking straight into the camera, against a yellow backdrop.

It was part of a 1997 photo shoot by Deborah Feingold for the cover of Time magazine.

“One of the goals of our stamp program is to raise awareness and celebrate the people who represent the very best of our nation,” said Pritha Mehra, USPS chief information officer and executive vice president. “It’s a privilege to represent the 650,000 men and women of the Postal Service, as we honor Toni Morrison with one more tribute — our new stamp that will be seen by millions and forever remind us of the power of her words and the ideas she brought to the world.”

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Illinois Statehood

World Stamp Today:

MARCH 5, 2018

The Illinois Statehood stamp was released by the United States Postal Service on March 5, 2018.

The stamp celebrates the 200th anniversary of Illinois statehood, and was designed by Illinois artist Michael Konetzka who also did the artwork.

French explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette were the first Europeans to visit Illinois in 1673.

After the French and Indian War, the region was ceded to Britain. During the end of the American Revolution, Illinois became a territory of the United States, and achieved statehood on December 3, 1818.

The stamp features an outline of the state map with a series of yellow beams that are meant to look like rays of a rising sun.

USPS tells the people “the yellows and blues symbolize the dawning of a new day as the state joins the Union. Stars, representing the first 20 states, grace the top of the stamp. The rising sun symbolizes the 21st star.”

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Arnold Palmer

World Stamp Today:

MARCH 4, 2020

One of the most famous golfers in the history of the sport was celebrated on a commemorative stamp issued on March 4, 2020.

The U.S. Postal Service released the Arnold Palmer Commemorative Forever stamp to honor the iconic golfer (1929–2016) who rose from humble beginnings to become a champion.

“Arnold Palmer was not only a great American, but also a great golfer. Mr. Palmer was a transformative figure in the game of golf. He made it happen with his charisma, his personality and his rivalries with other golf greats,” said Roman Martinez IV, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. “But beyond golf, Arnold was really a great man. He had great character; he was a philanthropist and a great businessman. He was the perfect role model.”

The stamp, designed by art director Antonio Alcala, features James Drake’s action photo of Palmer at the 1964 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD.

Palmer’s name appears in the top left corner and the words “Forever” and “USA” are printed along the bottom of the left edge.

Palmer is the fourth golfer to be celebrated on a U.S. stamp for his accomplishments.

Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias (1911-56) and Bobby Jones (1902-71) were each honored on 18¢ stamps issued on Sept. 22, 1981.

Jones was honored a second time on a 32¢ stamp issued in 1998 as part of the Celebrate the Century series.

Francis Ouimet (1893-1967), was featured on a 25¢ stamp issued in 1988.

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Theodor Seuss Geisel

World Stamp Today:

MARCH 2, 2004

To celebrate the 100th birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the United States Postal Service issued a 37¢ stamp on March 2, 2004.

Geisel, is one of the most famous authors of the U.S. and is known to children of all ages as Dr. Seuss.

The new stamp is the second release to honor the creator (and illustrator) of more than 40 popular children's books, including The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins (1938), Horton Hears a Who (1954), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957), Green Eggs and Ham (1960), and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (1960).

The stamp picturing the author was from an Associated Press 1987 photograph.

Stamp designer Carl Herrman added six Seuss characters from four books: the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, the Glotz (from the 1979 story Oh Say Can You Say?), and three characters from the 1965 tale I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew — the Skritz, the young fellow, and the Skrink.

The first stamp, a 33¢ issue from the Celebrate the Century series, shows one of the most famous Seuss characters, the Cat in the Hat, from the 1957 book of the same name.

A third Seuss stamp was issued in 2006 showing the fox from the 1957 story Fox in Socks. The 39¢ stamp was part of a set of eight featuring children's book animals.

Saturday, February 25, 2023

National Letter Writing Week

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 25, 1980

A set of stamps commemorating the National Letter Writing Week was issued by the United States Postal Service on February 25, 1980.

The 1980 National Letter Writing Week was from February 24 until March 1.

The USPS worked with the National Council of Teachers of English, business leaders and prominent Americans to promote the event.

Letter writing displays were set up in museums, libraries, and buildings of historical significance all over the US.

Libraries and bookstores highlighted books about letters as well as letters written by famous people.

Friday, February 24, 2023

$10 Geometric Floral Pattern

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

The United States Postal Service issues the third stamp in its current series of high-denomination definitive (regular-issue) stamps featuring geometric floral patterns.

USPS art director Antonio Alcala worked with Jill Spaeth and Nathan Hill of Spaeth Hill to create the designs for the Floral Geometry stamps.

They created earlier stamps valued at $2 and $5 issued on June 20, 2022.

The designs showcase “a series of overlapping geometric shapes that mimic the symmetry of floral patterns found in nature... the watercolor backgrounds and the glimmer of the foil-stamped designs and typography create a sophisticated look,” the Postal Service said.

The new $10 stamp features a hexagon at the center. A flower with six symmetrical petals is nested inside the hexagon.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Wild Orchids

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 21, 2020

The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the exotic beauty of Wild Orchids with 10 new stamps released on February 21, 2020.

Art director Ethel Kessler made the design while Jim Fowler did the photographs of the orchids.

Each stamp features a photograph of one of the following species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus, and Platanthera leucophaea.

Orchids are loved by both plant experts and casual flower lovers for their beautiful colors, unusual look and delicate features.

Monday, February 20, 2023

Project Mercury

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 20, 1962

The "Project Mercury" postage stamp was issued on February 20, 1962.

The stamps feature the “Friendship 7” space capsule flown by Col. John Glenn in the first successful orbit of the Earth.

The stamp was designed by Charles R. Chickering. Richard M. Bower did the picture engraving while Howard F. Sharpless made the letter engraving.

On Feb. 20, 1962, Col. John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth successfully.

While his capsule was being pulled from the water, the 4¢ Project Mercury stamps went on sale at post offices across the United States.

If Glenn’s mission had ended in a catastrophic failure, the stamps would have been destroyed and never released.

The Project Mercury stamp was cloaked in secrecy from the time it was conceived.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Let's Celebrate!

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 14, 2020

The U.S. Postal Service released on February 14, 2020, the Let’s Celebrate! stamp for any joyous occasion.

The stamp, designed by art director Antonio Alcala presents an array of 55 colorful circles in different sizes arranged in a random pattern.

The letters in “celebrate,” cast in a dark green hue, appear inside several brightly colored circles.

The Postal Service describes the Let’s Celebrate! stamps as appropriate for any joyous event. “Whether celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, a new job or retirement, this stamp will help mark the occasion.”

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Chien-Shiung Wu

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 11, 2021

The U.S. Postal Service issued on February 11, 2021 a Forever stamp to honor Professor Emerita Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997), one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century.

She was an advocate for women in science and made enormous contributions to the physical sciences, altering modern physical theory forever.

The stamp designed by art director Ethel Kessler shows a detailed portrait of Wu wearing a black-and-white high-collared traditional Chinese gown known as qipao. Kam Mak did the original art.

Friday, February 10, 2023

President Ronald Reagan Forever Stamp

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 11, 2011

The U.S. Postal Service released on February 10, 2011 a "forever stamp" to commemorate the centennial of the birth of former president Ronald Reagan.

The stamp design shows Reagan at his Santa Barbara-area ranch.

This is the third Ronald Reagan stamp, the first was released after his death in 2004 and was later reissued.

Reagan, the 40th president of the United States was one of the most influential presidents.

“Ronald Wilson Reagan was one of a kind,” said James C. Miller, III, a member of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service. “And it is right that we celebrate his life and legacy with constant reminders attached to millions of letters arriving at homes all across America.”

Reagan was an accomplished actor who appeared in more than 50 Hollywood films prior to his joining the world of politics as a leader.

Endowed with charisma and oratorical skills, he is credited with bolstering the conservative movement in America, moving it from the margins to the mainstream of politics and government.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

2018 U.S. Flag Issue

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 09, 2018

On February 9, 2018, a new U.S. Flag stamp was released by the United States Postal Service.

The stamp shows a digital illustration of a 50-star flag folded twice. T

The non denominated (50¢) forever stamp came in four varieties (two formats).

Kit Hinrichs did the digital illustration that showed a flag with crisp folds with a contemporary look, and to give a sense of depth, a shadow on the small visible portion of the back was added. Ethel Kessler was the stamp's art director.

U.S. stamps have featured the American flag in vivid red, white, and blue for more than 50 years.

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Richard Allen Stamp

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 02, 2016

USPS celebrated Black History Month with an issue on February 2, 2016, honoring Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The stamp is the 39th in the Black Heritage Series and coincided with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, which is one of the most important institutions in African American life, and Allen’s election and consecration as A.M.E.’s first bishop.

Postal Service Vice President, Area Operations — Eastern Area, Joshua D. Colin, dedicated the stamp and mentioned that "Richard Allen was a man of boundless stature, courage and determination. The Postal Service is pleased to dedicate this special commemorative Forever stamp in his honor."

The stamp art is a portrait of Bishop Richard Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church” from the Library Company of Philadelphia collection.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Butterfly Garden Flowers Stamps

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 01, 2022

The Butterfly Garden Flowers stamps were released by USPS on February 1, 2022.

These non-profit stamps featured the Cosmos and Scabiosas, two flowers that butterflies love.

Art director Antonio Alcalá did the design with the original art from Rigel Stuhmiller.

Scabiosas are known as pincushion flowers because they look like a pincushion loaded with needles.

Cosmos, also called the Mexican aster, grow on a sprawling plant that produces a profusion of blossoms.

These plants help provide a beautiful haven for butterflies and gardeners as well.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

USPS' Love 2023 Forever Stamps

World Stamp Today:

JANUARY 19, 2023

The United States Postal Service issues the new Love 2023 Forever stamps on January 19, 2023. The stamps honor America's love for canine and feline pets.

Shown on the stamps are a cute cat and dog resting their paws on a big heart. The word “LOVE” is featured in all caps behind each animal.

The designs were painted with oils on wood panel, then scanned and edited digitally. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps with original art by Chris Buzelli.

Cats and dogs are two of America’s favorite pets. Connecting with pets has benefits and they provide companionship and love.

Interacting with a cuddly kitten or a playful puppy can reduce loneliness and raise spirits. They also help lower blood pressure, improved heart health and lowered stress.

The School Bus

The United States Postal Service issued on January 05, 2023 the School Bus stamp.

Meanwhile, here's a diorama I made featuring the school bus.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Edgar Allan Poe Stamp From USPS

World Stamp Today:

JANUARY 16, 2009

The Edgar Allan Poe commemorative stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service on January 16, 2009.

The stamp designed by Carl T. Herrman from Carlsbad, California celebrates the 200th birth anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe, one of America’s most extraordinary poets and fiction writers.

He and his works have been praised the world over. English Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson, mentioned Poe as “the literary glory of America.” British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle called him “the supreme original short story writer of all time.”