WASHINGTON - People in many countries will celebrate Valentine's Day on Feb. 14. The U.S. Postal Service will mark this occasion with the issuance of new commemorative postage stamps and stamped envelopes celebrating the cherished tradition of love letters.
The Love Letters stamps and Lovebirds stamped envelopes will be issued on Feb. 14 at a ceremony at the Lovejoy High School, 1587 McDonough Road, Lovejoy, Ga. at 9:30 a.m. (EST). The stamps and envelopes will be available nationwide on Feb. 15.
The Love Letters stamps are intended for use on wedding announcements, invitations, and RSVPs, as well as other expressions of affection. The romantic designs are offered in both one- and two-ounce rates (34-cent and 55-cent). The latter is commonly used for wedding invitations, which can weigh up to two ounces.
"U.S. postage stamps are a reflection of the American experience," said Catherine Caggiano, Executive Director, Stamp Services. "For more than 150 years stamps have helped the Postal Service facilitate communications both uniformly and universally, and their bold, often inspiring subjects and designs continue to bring history to life."
William J. Brown, vice president, Southeast Area Operations will be the dedicating official and Lovejoy's postmaster, Rebecca Spivey, will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Joining Brown and Spivey will be the Honorable William Morris, mayor of Lovejoy; C. Crandle Bray, chair, Clayton County Board of Commissioners; and Evelyn Florin, principal, Lovejoy High School.
The 34-cent Love Letters stamp design depicts a red rose superimposed on the script of a handwritten letter. Written by John Adams to Abigail Smith on April 20, 1763, during their courtship, the letter underscores the enduring nature of profound sentiment expressed in writing. The stamp design features an excerpt from the following passage:
"I am at Braintree but I wish I was at Weymouth! What strange Revolutions take Place in our Breasts, and what curious Vicissitudes in every Part of human Life. This summer I shall like Weymouth better than Braintree but something prompts me to believe I shall like Braintree next Winter better than Weymouth. Writers who procure Reputation by flattering human Nature, tell us that Mankind grows wiser and wiser: whether they lie, or speak the Truth, I know I like it, better and better. – I would feign make an original, an Exemplar, of this Letter but fear I have not an original Genius."
The 55-cent Love Letters stamp has a similar design, but it features a pink rose superimposed on a handwritten letter from Smith to Adams on Aug. 11, 1763. Adams – who was President of the United States from 1797 to 1801 – and Abigail Smith were married in 1764. They were married for 54 years. Excerpts from the following passage in the letter appear on the stamp:
"If I was sure your absence to day [sic] was occasioned, by what it generally is, either to wait upon Company, or promote some good work, I freely confess my Mind would be much more at ease than at present it is. Yet this uneasiness does not arise from any apprehension of Slight or neglect, but a fear least you are indisposed, for that you said should be your only hindrance.
Humanity obliges us to be affected with the distresses and Miserys [sic] of our fellow creatures. Friendship is a band yet stronger, which causes us to [fee]l with greater tenderness the afflictions of our Friends."
With its depiction of two birds as mirror images within a single heart, the Lovebirds First-Class stamped envelope embodies the intimacy of true love.
The Love Letters stamps were designed by Lisa Catalone and feature photographs by Renée Comet. Catalone and Comet are both from Washington, D.C. Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Md., served as the art director. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Ariz., was the art director for the Lovebirds stamped envelope, which features a line drawing by the late Robert Brangwynne of Boston, Mass.
To see the 2001 stamps, visit the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com and click on the button marked "2001 Stamp Program Unveiling." All current stamps and other philatelic items are available toll-free at 1 800 STAMP-24. A selection of stamps and stamp products is also available in the new Postal Store at www.usps.com.