The issuing of commemorative stamps has a long history in the United States, going back at least 130 years. As the decades have passed, the Postal Service has created stamps celebrating all aspects of American culture, history, and nature. 2017 is no exception to this trend, with the United States Postal Service (USPS) offering a number of stamps of great cultural and historical interest. Nature lovers will be especially pleased, since July 26, 2017, will see the release of some nature inspired stamps: a set depicting typical flowers from the garden stamps and another featuring shark species common in American coastal waters.
The Wonder of Sharks Stamps
Sharks and other marine wildlife have appeared on many nations’ postal issues in the past, but this set marks the first United States set devoted entirely to sharks. Common in the United States’ many coastal areas, the sharks depicted in this set include several famous species well-known as dangerous predators. The issuance includes five different designs in panes of 20 stamps priced at the “forever” first-class postage rate.
The stamp’s images, created by artist Sam Weber under USPS art director Derry Noyes, are realistic depictions of five different shark species. Include are both predators like the mako shark, thresher shark, hammerhead, great white, and the huge but harmless whale shark. Given the current popularity of sharks on television and the renewed interest in conservation of these important species, this is likely to be a popular stamp issue among postal costumers and collectors.
Flowers from the Garden Stamps
On the gentler side of these nature inspired stamps, July 26 will also see the USPS release a stamp set depicting four images of iconic flowers well-known from American gardens. Mary-Anne Penner of the USPS says that “stamps are miniature works of art,” and this set of stamps recalls the best of classical still-life painting. The four flowers are each shown cut and carefully arranged in a pot or vase, painted in an impressionistic style by artist Elizabeth Brandon, again under the design direction of Derry Noyes.
Each stamp depicts one or more flowers in a different vase. One includes hydrangeas, roses, hypericum berries and lisianthus in a white vase, while another depicts two kinds of peonies in a transparent container. Red camellias and yellow forsythia complement a yellow pitcher on the third, while the last design includes blue hydrangeas in a complementary blue pot.
Both gardeners and nature-lovers will find something to enjoy in this set. Among the many postage stamps showing everyday objects or activities in a new and more beautiful light, this issuance is unique for its elegant combination of both nature and art.
Conclusion
These well-executed and artistic new designs continue the Postal Service’s long tradition of depicting the natural beauties of the United States through the medium of stamps. Collectors of animal and garden-themed stamps will no doubt eagerly anticipate the release of these nature inspired stamps, and ordinary customers simply looking to beautify their mail should consider a purchase as well.
The USPS continues its 2017 releases every few months, and 2018 will see an entirely new crop of stamps. Return to our site for the up-to-the-minute news on the latest stamp issues from the Postal Service.
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