2022 U.S. Flag Forever Stamps
The U.S. Postal Service continues its tradition of celebrating the U.S. flag with this stamp in coils of 100. Reminiscent of the 50 flags encircling the Washington Monument, these three U.S. flags are shown as if on poles arranged in a circular formation. The flags, shown from a low-angle perspective, billowing in the wind, evoke a sense of reverence and honor.
The American flag has long symbolized the strength and spirit of our nation. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day, which Congress officially designated in August 1949. Today, the American flag remains a powerful symbol. The American flag has many nicknames, including the “Stars and Stripes,” the “Star Spangled Banner,” and “Old Glory,” and has seen many variations during the history of the United States. The current flag has 13 alternating red and white stripes, symbolizing the 13 British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and became the first states in the country. Fifty white stars, one for each state in the Union, lie in a field of blue.
Laura Stutzman was the stamp designer and illustrator. Ethel Kessler was the art director. The U.S. Flags stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.
Made in the USA.
- One of 6 stamps in the 2022 US Flag set, each with small details that make them stand out from each other
Stamp Category: Definitive
Set: 2022 US Flag
Value: First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: January 9, 2022
First Day City: Findlay, Ohio
Quantity Issued: 15,000,000 OR 100,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint (“USPS” above lower connector on flagpole at left)
Format: Coils of 3,000 OR 10,000 (stamps not adjacent on coil roll with backing paper taller than stamp)
Perforations: Serpentine die cut 10¾ vert.
Tagging: Phosphor tagged paper, overall
Why the stamp was issued: To continue the great tradition of picturing the American flag on US postage stamps.
About the stamp design: Pictures artwork by stamp designer and illustrator Laura Stutzman.
Special design details: Stutzman used three different photographs of the same flag taken moments apart as a reference and combined them all into a single image.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Findlay, Ohio, also known as “Flag City, USA.”
About the 2022 US Flag set: Consists of six different stamps picturing the American flag, each with small details that set them apart.
History the stamp represents: A woman named Glynis Seeley once said, “You don’t know what the [American] flag really means until you’ve been handed a folded one.” She was referring to the flag-folding ceremony completed at the funeral of a member of the armed forces. The branch of service who performs the flag folding is the same branch the soldier was a part of. Once folded, the flag is then presented to the next of kin or other family member of the soldier. The presenter then recites “On behalf of the president of the United States, [the branch of service], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
When folding an American flag, precisely 13 folds are made, with each representing a different principle. The folds honor life, veterans, mothers and fathers, God, and more. The flag is folded twice lengthwise, making sure the stars on the blue field remain outward. The third fold begins a series of triangle folds ending with the remaining portion of the flag neatly tucked in. The final shape is meant to remind us of the three-corner hat popular during the Revolutionary War and the beginning of our great country.
Our flag is more than just a symbol of our country. It is a symbol of the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe… and free.
