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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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