2017 U.S. Flag Forever Stamps
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service dedicated a new U.S. Flag stamp today at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Norcross, GA, continuing the organization’s tradition of celebrating patriotism through stamps that feature one of our nation’s most recognizable symbols. The stamp features a detail from a photograph of the billowing Stars and Stripes.
A traditional take on an old favorite, the new U.S. Flag stamp adds a touch of majesty and patriotic grace to First-Class Mail correspondence,” said Jeffrey C. Williamson, the Postal Service’s chief human resources officer and executive vice president, who dedicated the stamp. “The elegant yet simple design of the stamp conveys the quiet dignity of Old Glory waving in the wind and calls to mind the values of liberty and justice the American flag represents.”
Williamson was joined at the stamp dedication by retired Brig. Gen. Mitchell Zais , president, American Philatelic Society; Mary-Anne Penner, director of Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service; Edwin L. Jackson, senior public service associate emeritus, University of Georgia; and Beatrix Clark, philatelist.
The words “USA” and “FOREVER” are printed on the bottom of the design. Terrence W. McCaffrey was the art director of the project and Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, designed the stamp with an existing photograph of the flag taken by Tom Grill of New York City.
The U.S. Flag stamp is being issued in self-adhesive booklets of 10 and 20 stamps, a coil of 100 stamps and an automated teller machine (ATM) sheetlet of 18 stamps. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price. The public is asked to share the news of the stamp using the hashtag #USFlagStamps.
The credit line “© Tom Grill/Corbis” should appear in profile text associated with the stamp.
Climbing to the top of Suribachi – a Japanese fortress deemed impenetrable – was no small task. Undaunted, First Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier volunteered. He led a 40-man patrol up the mountain, avoiding detection while the Japanese were distracted by Allied bombardment. When the Marines reached the summit and raised the flag, Rosenthal said he almost missed the shot while trying to find a better vantage point, “Out of the corner of my eye, I [saw] the men start the flag up. I swung my camera and shot the scene... and when you take a picture like that, you don’t [know] you got a great shot.” When troops below saw the flag flying, it boosted their morale and helped turn the tide of the battle.
Rosenthal’s perfectly timed photograph inspired the nation and is one of the most replicated images in U.S. history. It was even used on a war bond poster to increase sales. The six men, struggling against fierce winds to raise the American flag, reminded U.S. citizens what the Stars and Stripes represents: enduring strength, unyielding character, and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Method: Offset, Microprint
Self-Adhesive
