A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing: mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.

SAN FRANCISCO — The Postal Service saluted American patriotism by issuing the 46-cent First-Class Patriotic Star stamps today.

Available in strips of 25 for consumer use and coils of 10,000 for business customers, the stamps are available at this link and by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).

“With a history dating back to the original United States flag, the 5-pointed star is literally part of the fabric of our nation,” said U.S. Postal Service Chief Marketing/Sales Officer and Executive Vice President Nagisa Manabe. “It’s often said the Postal Service also is part of the American fabric, for keeping our nation connected. It’s therefore fitting that we honor our joint heritage with the Patriotic Star First-Class stamp.”

Joining Manabe in dedicating the stamps were The Calmark Group Vice President of Postal Affairs Stephen Colella; Postal Regulatory Commission Chairman Ruth Goldway; National Postal Forum Executive Director Maureen Goodson; and, U.S. Postal Service San Francisco District Manager Rosemarie Fernandez.

“Self-adhesive stamps in coils of 10,000 for years have increased stamp affixing productively and efficiency,” said Colella. “Our clients always welcome new designs.”

“This lively and highly decorative new stamp is great for both individuals and business mailers,” added Goldway. “It reminds us of the vital role the mail and the Postal Service play in our nation’s economy and heritage.”

Created digitally by artist Nancy Stahl of New York City under the art direction of Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, the star is designed to appear as if it is crafted from striped ribbon. The design is actually two stars:  a small one inside a larger one. Both have five points, like the stars on the American flag.

In recent decades, several stamps have featured the five-pointed star. The 50-Star Runway Air Mail stamp was released in 1968 and featured a rectangular array of white stars on a red background.

In 1976, The United States celebrated its 200th birthday. In 1971, a version of the Bicentennial logo was featured on a U.S. Postage stamp. It featured a red, white, and blue star and the words “American Revolution Bicentennial 1776-1976.”

The USA Circle of Stars stamp (1981) and the Star stamp (2002) were two more issuances featuring the five-pointed star. In 2011, the Postal Service released the Patriotic Quill and Inkwell stamp. The design included five-pointed stars.

Customers may view the Patriotic Star stamp, as well as many of this year’s other stamps, on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter@USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase the new stamped cards at local Post Offices, at usps.com/stampsor by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should address the stamped cards to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:

Patriotic Star Stamp
Debbie Brady/Elisa Sloan NPF
PO Box 7838
San Francisco, CA 94120-7838

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the stamped cards through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark for fewer than 50 requests. There is a       5-cent charge per postmark for orders exceeding 50. All orders must be postmarked by May 19.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp and stationery issues. These items are 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/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO  64121-9014

Philatelic Products
There are two philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

• 789716, Patriotic Star First-Day Cover. A tribute to a quintessential national symbol, this striking first-day-cover (#6 ¾ envelope) features an affixed Patriotic Star 46-cent stamp and an official first-day-of-issue postmark. The standard four-bar postmark includes the official first-day-of-issue date and location for the stamp. The first-day cover is priced at 90 cents.
• 789721, Patriotic Star Digital Color Postmark. A celebration of American patriotism, this striking First-Day Cover (#6 ¾ envelope) features an affixed Patriotic Star 46-cent stamp and an official first-day-of-issue color postmark. Echoing the stamp design, the color postmark features the words “Patriotic Star” in a red, white and blue ribbon pattern and includes the official date and location of the stamp issuance. The digital color postmark is priced at $1.61.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at http://about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to http://about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation: 152 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With more than 31,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world's mail. If it were a private-sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 42nd in the 2012 Fortune 500. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for seven years and the fourth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.