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Philatelic News, USPS News
LOVE
LETTERS AND LOVEBIRDS STAMPED ENVELOPES COMMEMORATED BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
LOVE IS ALL AROUND US
WASHINGTON - February 14, 2001 Stamp News Release Number: 01-015. Today people
in many countries will celebrate Valentine's Day. The U.S. Postal Service marked
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 were issued today 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 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, was the dedicating
official and Lovejoy's postmaster, Rebecca Adams Spivey, a distant relative of
John Adams, served as master of ceremonies for the event. Joining Brown and
Spivey were the Honorable William Morris, mayor of Lovejoy; C. Crandle Bray,
chair, Clayton County Board of Commissioners; Evelyn Florin, principal, Lovejoy
High School; and Lisa Catalone, stamp designer.
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.
HOW TO ORDER THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARK
Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They
may purchase the new stamps at their local post office, address an envelope (to
themselves or others), and place the envelope in a larger envelope addressed to:
LOVE LETTERS COMMEMORATIVE STAMP, POSTMASTER, PO BOX 9998, LOVEJOY, GA
30250-9991.
After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service returns the
envelope through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. Requests for
first day of issue cancellations must be postmarked by March 13, 2001.
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