USPS Love Ribbons Forever Stamps Goes on Sale Before Feb 14th
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the new Love Ribbons Forever Stamp is on sale today at usps.com and by phone at 800-782-6724. Stamps are arriving in Post Offices over the next few days and will be sold as soon as they are available.
“We are excited to bring this colorful new stamp to our customers in time for them to mail their Valentine’s Day greeting cards and letters,” said Stamp Services Manager, Stephen Kearney. “We will continue selling the Garden of Love stamps too.” The official dedication ceremony for Love Ribbons will be held Feb. 14 in Colorado Springs, CO. Read more
USPS honors late Pioneering Publisher John H. Johnson with Forever stamp
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Rising from poverty to the pinnacle of society, the late trailblazing entrepreneur and publisher John H. Johnson today is honored on this year’s Black Heritage Forever stamp by the Postal Service.
Johnson — the founder of Johnson Publishing Company, which publishes “Ebony” and “Jet” magazines — is the 35th honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series.
“I’m immensely proud that my father and his life’s passion are being recognized in such a high honor as the Black Heritage Stamp,” said Linda Johnson Rice. “His legacy lives on in all whom he touched and in the work we continue to do daily.”
Johnson was born in Arkansas City, AR, where schools were segregated and there were no high schools for black students. By the time of his death at age 87, he had created a business empire encompassing magazines, cosmetics, radio stations and book publishing. In 1982, he became the first black person to appear on “Forbes” magazine’s annual list of the 400 wealthiest people in America.
The John H. Johnson stamp can be bought at Post Offices nationwide, online at usps.com and by phone at 800-782-6724.
source: USPS News Link
USPS Issues Weather Vanes Stamps
Eye-Catching Architectural Treasures Add Charm to Mailing Letters
Shelburne, VT — On Friday, the U.S. Postal Service issued the 45-cent Weather Vanes First-Class Mail stamps in five designs available in pressure-sensitive adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000. The stamps are available at Post Offices nationwide, online at usps.com and by phone at 800-782-6724.
Each of the five designs features a photograph of eye-catching 19th century weather vanes made in the United States and are part of Shelburne Museum’s collection: a cow, an eagle, two roosters and a centaur. Sally Andersen-Bruce of New Milford, CT, photographed the weather vanes under the art direction of Derry Noyes of Washington, DC. Read more
USPS Celebrates Louisiana’s Bicentennial On 2012 Forever Stamp
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NEW ORLEANS — The Postal Service will salute the bicentennial of Louisiana statehood next April by issuing a First-Class Mail Forever Stamp. The stamp image, based on a photograph of renowned environmental photographer and writer C.C. Lockwood of Baton Rouge, LA, was previewed today at the Kent Plantation House in Alexandria, LA.
Lockwood’s photograph is of Flat Lake near Morgan City, LA. In the image, a setting sun casts the shadows of bald cypress trees hung with Spanish moss across the dark water. Flat Lake is in the Atchafalaya Basin, the largest contiguous river swamp in the United States. Its bayous are home to alligators, crawfish, snakes, turtles, nutria, owls and eagles.
“The historical significance of the Louisiana Statehood stamp depicts 200 years of diverse cultures, which support freedom, democracy and unity,” said Trent Nelson, Senior Manager, Postal Office Operations, Alexandria, LA, in previewing the stamp image.
Joining Nelson was Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne.
“C.C. Lockwood always provides a unique view of Louisiana’s fascinating landscape and his photograph is a fitting tribute to Louisiana’s 200 years as the Sportsman’s Paradise,” said Dardenne.
Customers may preview the Louisiana Statehood Forever Stamp as well as many of next year’s other stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, through Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for background on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
The flags of seven sovereign nations have flown over modern-day Louisiana since 1682, creating the lively history and dynamic mingling of cultures that characterize the state today. Louisiana became the 18th state in the Union April 30, 1812.
When the first European explorers reached present-day Louisiana during the 16th century, Native Americans were farming the land and hunting its wildlife. European settlement began after René-Robert Cavalier de La Salle sailed down the Mississippi River in 1682 and claimed the area for France, naming it Louisiana after King Louis XIV. Settlers founded New Orleans in 1718 and French ships carrying enslaved Africans began to arrive soon afterward. The Africans brought valuable skills to the struggling colony, including experience growing rice and indigo, plants that flourished in Louisiana’s semi-tropical climate and became vital crops along the Mississippi.
A group of new settlers boosted the colony in the 1760s: French-speaking families from present-day Nova Scotia, then called Acadia. After being expelled from their homes by the British, many Acadians settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns.
As its military power in the New World waned, France ceded all of Louisiana west of the Mississippi River and New Orleans to its ally, Spain, via a secret treaty in 1762. The following year, Britain took control of Louisiana east of the Mississippi. Spain returned Louisiana to France in 1800. In 1803, the land traded hands yet again. President Thomas Jefferson bought much of the present-day state as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In 1804, Congress made most of present-day Louisiana the Territory of Orleans. Statehood followed eight years later.
Much of Louisiana’s history is rooted in its unique geography. The Mississippi River flows through the state and into the Gulf of Mexico, filling portions of Louisiana with fertile alluvial soil. The climate is subtropical, with New Orleans lying on about the same latitude as Cairo, Egypt. As a result, the state includes rich agricultural land, pine-filled woods, swampy bottomland forests and marshes. In fact, about 40 percent of the marshland in the U.S. is found in Louisiana. Nearly 400 miles of its coastline borders the Gulf of Mexico.
Louisiana’s culture and people also are diverse. About a third of the state’s residents are African American, some of whom can trace their ancestors back to West Africans who brought the crops and culture of their native land to Louisiana. Another large group is descended from the French, including the Cajuns of southern Louisiana. The descendants of Africans, Native Americans and white settlers who intermarried call themselves Louisiana Creoles. The Creole language blends French and African words to arrive at new terms such as “gumbo,” a flavorful stew.
Nowhere are these diverse groups better represented than in Louisiana’s music. From a brass band leading a New Orleans jazz funeral, to Cajun fiddlers keeping time for dancers, or an accordion player launching into a Zydeco riff in the Creole tradition, Louisiana’s music is a hallmark of the state’s cultural heritage.
With its vibrant music, authentic cuisine and abundant natural areas, tourism is one of Louisiana’s leading industries. More than 20 million people visit the Pelican State each year, some to attend festivals such as Mardi Gras, a celebration brought to Louisiana by French Catholics. New Orleans has been attracting Mardi Gras revelers since its first parade took to the streets in 1837.
The Louisiana Statehood stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce letter price.
CBO Report: Cost of Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Stamp
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE
The Stamp Out Breast Cancer Act (Public Law 105-41) authorized a special postage stamp for first-class mail. The price of this stamp is 55 cents, 11 cents above the regular rate of 44 cents. The authority to issue the stamp expires on December 31, 2011. After accounting for the Postal Service’s administrative costs, amounts above the regular postal rate collected from sales of the special stamp are transferred to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to spend on breast cancer research. S. 384 would extend this program until December 31, 2015. CBO Report. Read more
Customers List Their Choices For Living Stamp Subjects
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If respondents on the Postal Service’s Facebook and Twitter accounts had their way, postage stamps would soon bear the images of Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Springsteen.
Those are the popular online suggestions — so far — for stamp subjects after the Postal Service last month announced its decision to begin honoring living people on stamps in 2012 and inviting the public to submit their ideas for individuals to honor through social media (Link, 9/26).
The idea appears to have captured the public’s imagination, judging from the amount of feedback the announcement is receiving. According to Steve Kearney, manager, Stamp Services, “likes” on the Postal Service’s Facebook page — in just one week after the announcement — jumped from slightly more than 3,000 to more than 5,900. In that time, the Postal Service’s Twitter account picked up 648 additional followers.
Entertainers are the most popular online choices for living subjects, with pop performer Lady Gaga receiving the most votes — including nearly 70 percent of the nominations from Twitter. Following her in popularity are Stephen Colbert and Oprah Winfrey.
After entertainers, political, historical and social leaders have the most nominations. Among these are presidents, first ladies, writer Maya Angelou, Bill Gates and a petition for Dr. Bill Bass. There is no clear leader in this category, though Astronaut Neil Armstrong is the second most popular choice overall for all categories.
People also have taken time to write more than 600 letters containing suggestions, and Lady Gaga was proposed in only two. Letters continue to arrive every day, and to date the most popular choices include living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Rev. Billy Graham, Bob Dylan and Bill Gates.
The Postal Service publicized its new policy through other means and received similar levels of feedback. An email sent to more than 10,000 subscribers of Beyond the Perf was opened by 5,092. Beyond the Perf has since added 83 new subscribers.
source: USPS News Link
USPS To Honor Living People On Stamps
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USPS EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR STAMP RECOGNITION
Beginning next year, the Postal Service’s stamp program will recognize acclaimed musicians, sports stars, writers, artists and other nationally-known figures on U.S. postage stamps — while they’re still alive.
USPS is ending its rule stating an individual must have been deceased for at least five years before becoming eligible to be honored with a stamp. Under the new guidelines, living or recently deceased individuals will be eligible for commemoration. Read more
Black Heritage Forever Stamp Features Legendary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan
HOUSTON — Barbara Jordan, one of America’s most respected and influential politicians, was recognized today by the U.S. Postal Service as the 34th honoree in the popular Black Heritage stamp series.
The Barbara Jordan Forever Stamp goes on sale today at Post Offices nationwide, online at usps.com and by phone at 800-782-6724.
“Throughout her lifetime, Barbara Jordan received many prestigious honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, in 1994,” said Ellis Burgoyne, chief information officer and executive vice president, Postal Service. Burgoyne spoke during a first-day-of-issue ceremony held on the campus of Texas Southern University in Houston. Read more
Postal Service 2012 Love Ribbons Forever Stamp Previewed
WASHINGTON — Love is in the air — and on the Web — as the Postal Service continues its sneak peek at some of its 2012 stamps by previewing the Love Ribbons Forever stamp today through social media outlets. Using social media to reach broader, more diverse audiences is an initiative that began Monday. Select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program will continue to be previewed one at a time.
Customers may preview the stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, through Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at www.beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for the back story on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news. Read more
Postal Service Continues Sneak Peek at 2012 Stamps
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WASHINGTON — The Postal Service continues its sneak peek at some of its 2012 stamps by previewing the Edgar Rice Burroughs Forever stamp today though social media outlets. Using social media to reach broader, more diverse audiences is an initiative that began yesterday with a preview of the Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps. Select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program will be previewed one at a time throughout the summer.
Customers may preview the stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, throughTwitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at www.beyondtheperf.com/2012-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for the back story on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
Edgar Rice Burroughs Forever stamp
“The Postal Service is proud to honor Edgar Rice Burroughs, one of the most popular and prolific authors of the early 20th century,” said Stephen Kearney, executive director, Stamp Services. “Best known for inventing the iconic character Tarzan, he wrote more than 70 books, including historical fiction and several popular series of science fiction tales. Social media is a great way to preview our stamp program while also making it easy for people to share the news about stamps of interest with their friends.”
Restless by nature, Burroughs (1875-1959) served with the U.S. Cavalry, dredged for gold, worked as a door-to-door salesman and a railroad policeman, and perfomed many other varied jobs until he published his first story, “Under the Moons of Mars,” in 1912 — and found his destiny as a writer.
This Forever stamp shows Tarzan, Burroughs’ most famous literary creation, clinging to a tree by a vine with his left hand and wielding a weapon in his right. Burroughs appears in profile in the background. Hulbert Burroughs, the author’s son, took the 1934 photograph that served as the basis for the stamp portrait of Burroughs. The depiction of Tarzan is an interpretation of the character by artist Sterling Hundley of Chesterfield, VA, under the direction of art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA.
This stamp issuance coincides with the 100th anniversary of the publication of “Under the Moons of Mars,” and his first Tarzan story, “Tarzan of the Apes,” in 1912.