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Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2002
Stamp Release #02-080
Four Whimsical Snowmen Figurines Featured On U.S. Postage Stamps
HOUGHTON, Mich. - The charming images of four Snowmen were captured today on new 37-cent First-Class Snowmen commemorative stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service.The first day of issue ceremony was held today at the Memorial Union Building, Michigan Technological University, Houghton.
The Holiday Snowmen stamps are available today at the Houghton Post Office and at post offices nationwide starting tomorrow.
The 37-cent stamps are available in a self-adhesive pane of 20, a double-sided booklet of 20 and a folded vending booklet of 20. A fourth format, called "Tape Stamps" or linerless coil stamps, will have limited distribution in coils of 100 at larger post offices and Postal Stores. A new, reusable dispenser for the Tape Stamps is also available.
"Regardless of age, we all have warm memories of the holidays. As a way of communicating with the special people in our lives during the holiday season, we rely on the tradition of sending holiday cards. The cards may carry seasonal messages inside, but the season's greetings really begin on the outside of the envelope," said Catherine Caggiano, Executive Director of Stamp Services for the Postal Service.
"I hope these stamps will serve as reminders of the spirit of goodwill we all share during the most joyous of seasons," added Caggiano.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies for the event was Murry E. Weatherall, U. S. Postal Service, District Manager, Lakeland District. Joining Weatherall were Dale Tahtinen, Vice President for Governmental Relations and Secretary of the Board of Control Michigan Technological University; U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI); U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI); and Danny Jackson, U. S. Postal Service, Vice President, Area Operations Great Lakes Area. Special guests included Sally Andersen-Bruce, Photographer and Houghton Postmaster Oscar Niemela.
Popular in folklore, literature and song, snowmen have come to symbolize the joy and magic of the holiday season and often evoke fond childhood memories of playing in the snow.
The Snowmen stamps, issued as part of the Holiday series, feature photographs of four whimsical snowmen figurines. The snowmen were created from a variety of materials ranging in size from four to nine inches high and from two to six inches wide.
The stamps were designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C., and photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce, New Milford, Conn. Tommy Simpson of Washington, Conn., made both the Styrofoam snowman wearing a top hat and the combed-wool snowman with the cork pipe. Judy Gunn-Irish of Arlington, Wash., made the hand-painted, cut-pine snowman in the red plaid scarf. Delton Products Corp., in Norcross, Ga., made the rosy-cheeked snowman in the blue and white checked scarf.
To see the Holiday stamps, visit the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com and locate the online version of this press release by clicking on "News and Events" then "Philatelic News."
Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available toll free by calling 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available in the Postal Store at usps.com.
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Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 137 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver 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 $65 billion, it is the world's leading provider of postal services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 207 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves 7 million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide.
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