PrintFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Community Relations 202-268-4924
March 1, 2006
Stamp News Release No. 06-008
www.usps.com
POSTAL SERVICE TO ISSUE NEW STAMPS, ADDING A BEAUTIFUL TOUCH TO WEDDING INVITATIONS
NEW YORK, NY- Making it easier to mail wedding invitations, the U.S. Postal Service issued the Our Wedding stamp booklet containing two beautiful new stamps. The one-ounce stamp is intended for use on the RSVP envelope often enclosed with a wedding invitation; the two-ounce stamp will accommodate the normal weight of a wedding invitation with enclosures. This unique booklet was issued at Kleinfeld, the world's most famous bridal salon, and featured a live fashion show. The stamps, available only in New York City today, will be available nationwide tomorrow, March 2. "Planning a wedding is no small task," said Delores Killette, Consumer Advocate and Vice President of Consumer Affairs for the U. S. Postal Service, who dedicated the stamp. "By simplifying stamp buying, couples can mark off one item on their checklist."
Joining Killette at the ceremony was Ronald Rothstein, co-owner of Kleinfeld; Kathleen Murray, Weddings Editor of The Knot Inc and Sylvia Weinstock, New York's premier wedding cake creator.
"For more than 65 years, Kleinfeld has been committed to the bride's every need during the selection of her wedding gown," said Rothstein. "We are thrilled to be hosting a great event with the Postal Service to celebrate the introduction of this beautiful stamp, which will be used by all brides when planning their special day."
Using Spencerian ornamental script, the stamps feature an illustration of a white dove-a time-honored symbol of peace, love and fidelity-and a heart, surrounded by calligraphic flourishes. The one-ounce denomination is set against a soft lavender background and the two-ounce denomination is set against a spring green background.
In creating the stamps, Artist Michael Osborne, of San Francisco, CA, consulted vintage etiquette and penmanship books that contain plates of calligraphic designs used to embellish correspondence, including love letters, during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by toll-free phone order at 1-800-STAMP-24. A wide selection of stamps and other philatelic items is also available at the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop. Beautifully framed prints of original stamp art for delivery straight to the home or office are available at www.postalartgallery.com.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 30 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 1-800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. They 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:
- OUR WEDDING STAMPS
POSTMASTER
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 2029B
NEW YORK, NY 10199-9998
How to Order First-Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services 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 1-800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
- INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014
The Noteworthy Bridal Set is sure to delight any bride. The Bridal Set contains our booklet, Weddiquette: The Official Guide to Mailing Your Wedding Invitations and an assortment of stationery perfectly suited for bridal correspondence. Designed to coordinate with the new Our Wedding stamps, the stationery items feature pastel strips, hearts and Michael Osborne's "love dove" motif inspired by the antique calligraphic illustration. It is packaged as a keepsake that includes the 39-cent and 60-cent stamp denominations, prestige folder, pre-stamped stationery card, stationery postcard and the cancellation keepsake.
Other philatelic products available for Our Wedding booklet of 40 stamps (Item 674800):
- 674862 - First-Day Cover - $1.40
- 568175 - Gold Series Prestige Folder (w/2 stamps) - $7.95
- 674887 - Weddiquette Book w/20 stamps - Invitation Mailing Guide - $14.95
- 674894 - Noteworthy Bridal Set, mentioned above (stationery, mailing kit) - $23.95
- 675361 - First Day Cover - $0.77
- 675387 - Thank You Cards w/20 stamps and envelopes - $14.95
- 675393 - Cancellation Keepsake (Booklet & First-Day Cover) - $8.57
- 675394 - Stationery Set w/20 stamps and envelopes - $14.95
Since 1775, the Postal Service and its predecessor, the Post Office Department, has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 144 million homes and businesses every day, six days a week and is the only service provider delivering to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $69 billion, it is the world's leading provider of mailing and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than half of the world's mail volume - some 212 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year - and serves seven and a half million customers each day at its 37,000 retail locations nationwide. Its website, usps.com, attracts more than 21 million visitors each month.