New Forever Stamps Bring a Whimsical Splash of Color and Cheer; High-resolution images of the stamps are available for media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Offices across America are experiencing a blizzard of new Forever stamps today with the introduction of the Geometric Snowflakes Forever stamps.

Available in booklets of 20, the stamps can be purchased on usps.com at this link, at eBay at this link, by calling 1-800-STAMP 24 (1-800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide.

"With these four commemorative Forever stamps we're presenting today, we hope to capture the art and the science of the snowflake and preserve it forever," said U.S. Postal Service Northeast Area Operations Vice President Richard Uluski in dedicating the stamps. "These bright, cheerful stamps bring a whimsical splash to holiday cards, thank-you notes, invitations, greeting cards and any mailing that calls for a touch of warmth during the coldest months of the year."

The law of physics makes each snowflake unique and each of the four stamps depicts a different snowflake. When it snows, millions of ice crystals form unique patterns that are as stunning in their complexity as they are fleeting. Stamp designers were inspired by the different shapes. Each snowflake is drawn in one of four colors: purple, pink, green or blue. Applying light and dark shades of color enhanced the intricate geometry of each flake and added a feeling of playfulness to the stamp art.

Forever stamps are always be equal to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price. The stamps were designed by Antonio Alcalá and Leslie Badani of Alexandria, VA.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, on usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. 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:

Geometric Snowflakes Stamps
Special Events Coordinator
380 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10199-9998

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 up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by Dec. 22, 2015.

Ordering First-Day Covers

The Postal Service 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 on usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog on usps.com/shop, by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue:
680408, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80.
680410, Keepsake (set of 4), $16.95.
680416, First-Day Cover (set of 4), $3.72.
680421, Digital Color Postmark (set of 4), $6.56.
680430, Ceremony Program (random), $6.95.
680431, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
                                                                        

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom.

Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service public relations professionals should visit this link.

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A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37104

CONTACT: National Contact: Mark Saunders
         202.268.6524
         mark.r.saunders@usps.gov
         usps.com/news
         
         New York City: Connie Chirichello 
         congetta.chirichello@usps.gov
         631.524.9735

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