Shelburne, VT — The U.S. Postal Service today issued the 45-cent WeatherVanes 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. All the weather vanes featured are part of Shelburne Museum’s collection: a cow, an eagle, two roosters and a centaur. Sally Anderson-Bruce of New Milford, CT, photographed the weather vanes under the art direction of Derry Noyes of Washington, DC.

“These stamps are truly beautiful reminders of an era gone by,” said U.S. Postal Service Senior Manager, Post Office Operations Shawn Patton, while dedicating the stamps at Shelburne Museum. “We hope Americans will buy and use the stamps when communicating with friends, family and other loved ones.”

Joining Patton in dedicating the stamps were Kory Rogers, Curator of Design Arts, stamp photographer Sally Andersen-Bruce and Deborah Blondin, Postmaster, Shelburne.

The Weather Vanes

• The cow weather vane was made of hammered sheet iron circa 1870 and was later found in Hardwick, VT. Its manufacturer is unknown.
• The eagle weather vane is made of sheet iron and dates from sometime in the 19th century. Its manufacturer is unknown.
• The rooster with the thick, rounded tail was made between 1875 and 1900 by Rochester Iron Works in Rochester, NH. This painted, cast iron weather vane resembles several others from the late 19th century originally found in the Boston area and now in the museum collections nationwide.
• Made of copper, the centaur weather vane was found near New Haven, CT, during the 1940s. It was made during the 19th century by a firm in Waltham, MA, first known as A.L. Jewell and Co., then Cushing and White, then L.W. Cushing and Sons.
• The rooster with the bushy tail feathers is made of carved, painted wood and is believed to have been created circa 1890 by James Lombard (1865 -1920), a farmer and woodcarver who lived in Bridgton, ME. He specialized in hens and roosters that are often identifiable by their intricately cut tail feathers.

via USPS issues weather vane stamps.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012  — The United States Postal Service today announced the joint issuance of new Forever stamps honoring two of the world’s greatest musicians, Edith Piaf and Miles Davis. The stamps will be issued with the French postal service, La Poste in June.

“We look forward to issuing these great stamps jointly with La Poste, continuing a tradition of international celebration of stamps,” said USPS Manager, Stamp Services, Stephen Kearney.

Americans may know Edith Piaf best for her cheerful song “La Vie en Rose” (“Life in Pink”), about the experience of falling in love and seeing life through rose-colored glasses; the tune is still heard on the streets of Paris today.

Piaf’s tumultuous life got off to a stormy start. Born Edith Gassion in Paris, she was abandoned by her mother and later traveled with her father, singing on the street while he performed acrobatics. The tiny singer was discovered by a nightclub owner who gave her the stage name “Piaf,” Parisian slang for sparrow. She quickly became a star, singing tragic songs about heartbreak that have been called a French equivalent of the blues. Piaf toured the U.S. ten times and sang twice at Carnegie Hall. In 1960, the ailing chanteuse discovered the defiant song that would become her anthem, “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” (“No Regrets”).

Miles Davis was at the forefront of jazz musicians for decades, setting trends and exploring musical styles from bebop through cool jazz, fusion and funk. His restless musical exploration made him a hero to many, while sometimes confounding critics and fans. Among his many influential recordings are Birth of the Cool, Kind of Blue, Sketches of Spain, and In a Silent Way. He was also a great bandleader, and many important musicians rose to prominence in his bands, including saxophonists John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter; drummers Tony Williams and Jack DeJohnette; and pianists Bill Evans, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock.

Davis’ music will long be remembered for its profound depth of feeling. By the time of his death in 1991, he had won many prizes and honors, including a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 1984, he received Denmark‘s prestigious Leonie Sonning Music Prize. In 1989, he was awarded the Grande Medaille de Vermeil by the city of Paris, which was presented to him by Jacques Chirac, then mayor and later president of France.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps using an undated, black-and-white photo of Piaf made by Studio Harcourt Paris and a black-and-white photo of Davis, from 1970, by David Gahr.

The Edith Piaf and Miles Davis stamps are being issued as Forever stamps in self-adhesive sheets of 20 (10 of each design). Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.  At the time of issuance, the Edith Piaf and Miles Davis stamps are being sold at a price of 45 cents each, or $9 per sheet.

Customers may view the Edith Piaf and Miles Davis Forever stamps, as well as many of this 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.

From USPS News Link:

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.

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2011 — In a move to raise awareness of its stamp program and to reach diverse audiences and people of all ages, the Postal Service is offering a sneak peek at some of the stamps that will be issued in 2012, beginning today through social media sites.

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.

“Stamps reflect our American culture, icons and lifestyles,” said Postal Service Executive Director of Stamp Services Stephen Kearney. “We have stamps with nearly every topic imaginable. By providing a sneak peek at next year’s stamps, we’re helping customers find stamps that they’re interested in and excited about. Social media is a great way to do that — and to make it easier for people to share the news about stamps of interest with their friends.”

Kearney said select stamps from the 2012 commemorative program will be previewed one at a time beginning today.

Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps

The first 2012 stamps to be previewed in the social media sneak peak — the Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps — celebrate the 100th anniversary of the gift of 3,020 Japanese cherry trees from the city of Tokyo to Washington, D.C. The gift honored the friendship between America and Japan, a close relationship that continues to this day.

In this unusual design, two stamps form the left and right halves of a single, panoramic view of cherry trees blooming around the Tidal Basin in the nation’s capital. In the stamp on the left, blossoming trees arch over a family on a stroll and two girls dressed in bright kimonos. The Washington Monument is seen in the background. In the stamp on the right, the Jefferson Memorial is the backdrop for sightseers under a canopy of pink blooms. Artist Paul Rogers of Pasadena, CA, worked with art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, to create the two stamp designs.

Each spring in the nation’s capital, the blossoming of the cherry trees is celebrated with a festival that includes a parade and a host of concerts, exhibitions, and events all intended to echo the spirit of Japan’s gift of friendship.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

From USPS NewsLink:

In a move to raise awareness of the stamp program and to send a message to younger and more media-diverse audiences, the Postal Service is using social media websites to preview its 2012 stamp program.

Employees who are Facebook fans or Twitter followers can begin looking at the 2012 commemorative Forever stamps later this month. Sign up as a Facebook friend at www.facebook.com/USPSStamps. And follow USPS on “Twitter@USPSstamps.”

Meanwhile, employees also can go to Beyond the Perf — the Postal Service’s website that provides background on upcoming stamp subjects — to see the preview.

“Stamps reflect our American culture, icons and lifestyles,” said Executive Director, Stamp Services, Steve Kearney. “We have stamps on almost every topic imaginable. By providing this sneak peek, we’re hoping that people will be able to find stamps they’re interested in and excited about, and then spread the news to their friends.”

The 2012 stamps will appear — one day at a time, five days per week — on the social media sites. The first sneak peek for 2012 is the Cherry Blossom Centennial Forever stamps, celebrating the friendship between America and Japan. In this unique design, two stamps form the left and right halves of a single, panoramic view of cherry trees bordering the Tidal Basin in the nation’s capital. Japan gave more than 3,000 cherry trees to the U.S. a century ago.

WASHINGTON — Acclaimed author and humorist Mark Twain is being honored by the U.S. Postal Service with the issuance of a commemorative Forever postage stamp in the city that served as the setting for two of his most famous works. A first-day-of-issue ceremony will be held June 25 at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, MO. The 27th stamp in the Literary Arts series, the Mark Twain First-Class Forever stamp will go on sale nationwide at Post Offices and online at usps.com/shop on June 25.

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Linn’s Stamp News reports in a front page story today that the US Postal Service considered using the “infamous” Statue of Liberty replica photo “for at least two different stamp designs, over a period of nearly two and a half years without realizing they were looking at a Las Vegas… replica rather than the real thing.”

After being considered for another project, the image was finally used on a stamp intended to replace the original Liberty Bell Forever stamp. The stamp was issued on December 1 2010. In what seems in retrospect a lucky move, the stamp was issued in Washington, not New York City, and there was no first day ceremony. Linn’s reporter Bill McAllister writes that it was someone from Sunipix, a Texas stock photo agency who first discovered the error and notified the USPS. The article notes that the USPS licensed the image from another stock photo agency, Getty. The use of stock photos rather than original designs is intended as a cost saving measure, but the article says the USPS wouldn’t reveal how much it paid for the rights. Ten and a half billion of the stamps have been produced.

CRESTWOOD, KY – On May 23, the U.S. Postal Service will issue Garden of Love — ten different first-class stamps depicting a colorful mosaic of flora and fauna in a garden setting. These stamps are a continuation of the Love series, begun in 1973, and are intended for use on occasions when love and affection are expressed. This marks the first Forever® Love stamp ever issued.

A First Day of Issue dedication ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. EDT at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, 6220 Old La Grange Road, Crestwood, KY – a thriving 33-acre estate in Oldham County known for its extensive collection of unusual plants and outstanding gardens. Admission to the botanical gardens is free to the public before 1 p.m. EDT.

The dedicating official will be United States Postal Service Board of Governors Member Ellen Williams. Additional speakers will be Crestwood Mayor Dennis Deibel, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Executive Director Paul Cappiello and Kentuckiana District Manager David Dillman, U.S. Postal Service. Honored guests will be Yew Dell Botanical Gardens Board of Directors Chairman Mary Rounsavall and Crestwood Postmaster Wilburn Malone.

The Crestwood Post Office will offer a special First-Day-of-Issue cancellation beginning on May 23. The postmark will be available for 60 days. Customers should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to: Garden of Love Stamp, Postmaster, 6815 Central Ave., Crestwood, KY 40014-9998. The cancellation is also available to those on a walk-in basis. There is no charge for this special postmark.

First Day of Issue collectibles, such as lapel pins, framed art and note cards, will be available on-site the day of the unveiling. A limited edition set of commemorative envelopes, designed by Louisville, KY artist Joanne Meshew, also will be available at the event.

Garden of Love: The Artist
Award-winning illustrator José Ortega of New York City and Toronto depicts an abstract garden of bright flowers, a butterfly, a strawberry, and doves, interlaced with vines that run from one stamp to another. Each prominent element of the design is in the shape of a heart. The deep blue background is reminiscent of a brilliant summer sky. The word “Love” sits atop each stamp.

To create his design, Ortega made a digital file of his original pencil and marker drawings. Then he added color, improvising until the garden took shape. Ortega, a collector of decorative arts, says tapestries, textiles, and mosaics influenced his choice of colors and patterns.

The Garden of Love stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

Ortega’s previous projects for the U.S. Postal Service include the 2007 With Love and Kisses stamp and the Salsa stamp, one of four stamp designs that appeared as part of the 2005 Let’s Dance/Bailemos issuance.

INDIANAPOLIS — Ray Harroun, winner of the first Indianapolis 500, begins racing his Marmon “Wasp” through the nation’s mail stream today in the form of 50 million First-Class Mail Forever stamps to celebrate 100 years of racing at the iconic brickyard.

The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony took place at the Speedway as a prelude to Fast Friday, the qualification runs for the 100th Indianapolis 500.

“At the Postal Service, we understand the power of our stamps in celebrating American history and culture — in this case, the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in dedicating the stamp. “I won’t be so bold as to predict the winner of the race, but I will predict that 50 or 100 years from now the U.S. Postal Service will issue another stamp to commemorate the next milestone anniversary of this great event.”

Joining Donahoe in dedicating the stamp were Greg Ballard, Indianapolis mayor; Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president; Duane “Poncho” Carter Jr., 1974 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year; and Dave Calabro, Indianapolis Motor Speedway announcer.

“We’ve eagerly been awaiting this day since the United States Postal Service announced the commemorative stamp honoring the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 last December,” said Belskus. “It’s a great honor and an important part of our Centennial celebration that the iconic image of the Marmon ‘Wasp’ will be seen on mail sent from coast to coast.”

The First 500

On May 30, 1911, approximately 80,000 spectators gathered at the Speedway to witness the first running of the Indianapolis 500. Driving a Marmon “Wasp” he designed, Ray Harroun beat 39 other drivers to win with a time of 6 hours, 42 minutes and 8 seconds. A century later, the Indy 500 has become an American cultural phenomenon rich in ceremony and tradition and is hailed as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

The car was built by the Indianapolis-based Marmon Motor Car Company and included one of Harroun’s own inventions, the rearview mirror. Today, it is a prime attraction at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

The Indianapolis 500 Forever Stamp is always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:

Indianapolis 500 Stamp

Postmaster

125 West South Street

Indianapolis, IN 46206-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by July 20, 2011.

Ordering 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. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

Information Fulfillment

Dept. 6270

U.S. Postal Service

PO Box 219014

Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Ordering the stamp and related products

In addition to the stamps, there are seven philatelic products available for this stamp issue. Many of these items will be on sale at the race. Customers can order all stamps and products online at www.usps.com/shop, by calling 1-800 STAMP-24, or by using the mail-in order form in the USA Philatelic Catalog. Customers can subscribe to the catalog at www.beyondtheperf.com, www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 1-800 STAMP-24.

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On May 5, 2011, aboard the USS Midway permanently docked in San Diego harbor, Ron Stroman, Deputy Postmaster General of the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the “Purple Heart with Ribbon” forever stamp, assisted by Clayton Jones, National Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and RADM Mac McLaughlin, CEO of the USS Midway Museum.

In his remarks, Mr. Stroman noted that “with the issuance of this stamp, the Postal Service, along with the rest of our nation, can pay tribute to those whose sacrifices have given all of us, a country that is truly the ‘land of the free and the home of the brave.” In his remarks, Commander Jones said, “Because the Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action, this stamp has special meaning. Until now, the only ‘forever’ stamp has been the Liberty Bell stamp, which is the symbol of our nation’s freedom. The significance of the Purple Heart forever stamp is that it now honors the symbol of the cost of our nation’s freedom. The Purple Heart Medal on every recipient’s chest is a reminder that the bill for freedom is paid in full.”

On August 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War, General George Washington created America’s first badge of distinction for meritorious action on the battlefield. The award was distinctive because it was available to the common soldier at a time when normally only officers were eligible for military decorations. The decoration consisted of a heart made of purple cloth, and was known as the Badge of Merit. General Washington wrote, "The road to glory in a patriot army, is thus open to all." Although the Badge of Merit fell into disuse after the Revolutionary War, it was reinstated by General Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, on February 22, 1932 to mark the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth. The redesigned “Purple Heart Medal” consists of a heart shaped gold medal, suspended from a purple and white ribbon. In the center of the medal is a profile bust of George Washington mounted on a purple heart, beneath the Washington family coat of arms. On the reverse of the medal are the words “For Military Merit.”

The first Purple Heart stamp was issued in 2003. Since that time, each time the price of a first class letter changed, a letter writing campaign had to be mounted to ensure that a Purple Heart stamp would continue to be available to the public. Today, following a 12-year successful campaign by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and other veterans organizations to create a “forever” stamp, the new Purple Heart postage stamp will continue in circulation indefinitely, and supporters will no longer need to advocate for a new issue each time the price of stamps increases. Past National Commander Boyd Barclay, who started the campaign for a Purple Heart forever stamp in 1999, stood proudly beside current National Commander Clayton Jones and the entire MOPH leadership team on the deck of the USS Midway today to help mark the ‘first day of issue’ of the stamp.

The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America’s military history. Most importantly, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Through the VAVS program, MOPH volunteers provide assistance to hospitalized veterans at VA sites and State Veterans Homes.

via Military Order of the Purple Heart Salutes the United States Postal Service on the First Day of Issue of the Purple Heart Forever Stamp | Business Wire.