Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Press release from the U.S. Postal Service, Postal Service Issues March on Washington Stamp – USPS.com:
Postal Service Issues March on Washington Stamp
Rep. John Lewis, Gabrielle Union and Thousands of Americans Help Unveil the 1963 March on Washington Stamp Artwork with a Virtual Stamp Mosaic
August 23, 2013
WASHINGTON — Equality has a stamp of its own
today as the U.S. Postal Service introduces the 1963 March on Washington
limited-edition Forever stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of
the historic milestone. For the first time, the Postal Service unveiled
the stamp artwork with the help of people across the country. Throughout
this month, individuals added their photo to the March on Washington
stamp on the U.S. Postal Service’s Stamps Facebook page to help reveal a
small piece of the stamp.
During today’s First-Day-of-Issuance ceremony at the Newseum in
Washington, DC, actress Gabrielle Union added her Twitter profile photo
to the mosaic to reveal the final piece of the 1963 March on Washington
stamp.
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), the last surviving speaker at the March,
joined The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The
Leadership Conference Education Fund President and CEO Wade Henderson;
U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams, Jr.; Deputy Postmaster General
Ronald A. Stroman and Union to officially dedicate the stamp and
underscore the importance of this historic event.
“It is so appropriate and so fitting for the United States Postal
Service to issue this Forever stamp on the eve of the 50th anniversary
of the March on Washington,” said Lewis. “The march was one of the
turning points in the on-going struggle for civil rights and social
justice in America. In the years to come, when individuals use this
stamp, they will be reminded of the distance we have come and the
progress we have made as a nation. And they will be reminded of the
civic duty of every American to stand up for what is right in our
democracy.”
“It’s an honor to be here in remembrance of the 50th anniversary of
the 1963 March on Washington and dedicate a stamp that commemorates what
Dr. King described as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the
history of our nation,” said Stroman. “The U.S. Postal Service takes
pride in being able to recognize historic events by issuing these
limited-edition stamps commemorating the ‘Best of America.’”
Fifty years ago, on Aug. 28, 1963, nearly a quarter of a million
people came together in Washington, DC, to participate in the March on
Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It was then that Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., delivered his powerful “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps
of the Lincoln Memorial, a defining moment of the American Civil Rights
Movement.
The 1963 March on Washington stamp is the last of three stamps issued
this year as part of a civil rights series commemorating courage,
strength and equality in America. The first Forever stamp marked the
150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation in January, while the
second Forever stamp honored Rosa Parks on the 100th anniversary of her
birth in February.
An inspiring word appears in large type in the selvage of each civil
rights stamp pane: “Freedom” on the Emancipation Proclamation stamp
sheet. “Courage” on the Rosa Parks stamp sheet and “Equality on the 1963
March on Washington stamp sheet.
Under the art direction of Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, stamp
artist Gregory Manchess of New York City, depicts marchers against the
background of the Washington Monument. Placards calling for equal rights
and jobs for all — two principal themes of the march — are prominently
displayed. Using broad strokes and painting with oils on gessoed
illustration board, Manchess conveys an impressionistic effect of the
historic occasion.
* * *
First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have
60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may
purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store website
at usps.com/shop, or by
calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their
choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them
in larger envelopes addressed to:
March on Washington Stamp
Special Cancellations
P.O. Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282
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. For more than 50, the
price is 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by Oct. 23, 2013.
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, online at usps.com/shopor by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
* * *
For the best selection of stamps and related collectible products, please visit the official Postal Service Store on eBay at ebay.com/stamps.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and
relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its
operations.