A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov

U.S. Flag Stamp Issued

WASHINGTON — The Postal Service issued a new 44-cent U.S. Flag stamp today at the NAPEX Stamp Show in McLean, VA. All 600 million stamps, issued in booklets of 10, are available nationwide today.

This stamp image depicts a detail of an American flag that was photographed by Rick Barrentine of Duluth, GA, under the direction of Art Director Terrance W. McCaffrey of Rosslyn, VA. The detail, showing a softly folded flag, features most prominently the starry blue field, with red-and-white stripes occupying the remaining space.

The American flag has regularly appeared on definitive stamps intended for mail use, and recent commemoratives have displayed the flag as well. The Stars and Stripes pane (2000), for example, highlighted the evolution of American flags over time, and the Old Glory prestige booklet (2003) featured a wide range of ephemera and folk art that incorporated American flag motifs.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at www.usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP-24 or by visiting their local Post Office. 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:

U.S. Flag Stamp
Postmaster
McLean, VA 22101-9998

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 Aug. 6, 2009.

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 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products
There is one philatelic product available for this stamp issue:
• 679361, First-Day Cover (Booklet of 10), 82 cents

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.