New U.S. Flag Forever Stamps Are Released by USPS

 

DC's Washington New U.S. Flag Forever stamps have been made available by the U.S. Postal Service. Today, Post Office outlets around the country are selling the stamp version of the timeless emblem of liberty and national pride.

 

The stamp is offered in coils of 100, 3,000, and 10,000, panes of 20, booklets of 20, and booklets of 20. As a Forever stamp, the U.S. Flag stamp will always be worth the same amount as the cost of one ounce of First-Class Mail.

 

The power and character of our country have long been represented by the American flag. President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14 to be Flag Day in 1916, and Congress formally recognized it in August 1949. The American flag is still a potent symbol today.

 

The three flags depicted on the stamp are positioned as though they were on poles and are reminiscent of the 50 flags that surround the Washington Monument. On gesso board, the design was painted with gouache. The photos were stitched together into a single composition using references from three different photographs of the same flag taken seconds apart. When viewed from a low angle, the flags' billowing motion arouses feelings of awe and respect. The illustrator and stamp designer was Laura Stutzman. The art director was Ethel Kessler.

 

The Stars and Stripes, Star-Spangled Banner, and Old Glory are just a few of the nicknames for the American flag, which has undergone numerous modifications throughout the nation's history. 

 

The 13 alternate red and white stripes on the current flag represent the 13 colonies that proclaimed their independence from Great Britain and became the first states of the United States. In a blue field are 50 white stars, one for each state in the union.