High-resolution images of the stamp are available for media use only by emailing: mark.r.saunders@usps.gov

ATLANTA — Customers can add a patriotic appearance to packages, large envelopes and other mailings when using the new $2 Patriotic Wave stamp that began billowing at the nation’s Post Offices today. The stamp was unfurled at the Southeastern Stamp Expo in Norcross, GA.

“This unique design is sure to lend a patriotic appearance to large mailings,” said U.S. Postal Service Atlanta District Manager Anne Berger who dedicated the stamp. “And that’s fitting, since the Postal Service’s stamp program has — for more than 150 years — focused attention on the events, ideals and people that make this nation great. And at a time when more Americans are sending and receiving packages, we’re confident these stamps are going to come in handy.”

Bringing a contemporary vibe to the traditional red, white and blue, $2 Patriotic Wave is one of two similarly designed stamps issued by the Postal Service in 2015. The other stamp, issued Jan. 12, is denominated at the $1 price.

The stamp features red and blue intersecting lines on a white background in an abstract pattern reminiscent of billowing flags. A portion on the lower right side of the stamp provides white space to display the dollar sign and the numeral 2. Designer Michael Dyer of Brooklyn, NY, worked with art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, to create this stamp.

Customers may purchase the stamps at usps.com/stamps, the Postal Store, at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide or visit ebay.com/stamps to shop for a wide variety of postage stamps and collectibles.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, 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 a larger envelope addressed to:

$2 Patriotic Waves Stamp
Norcross Main Office
265 Mitchell Rd.
Norcross, GA 30071-9998

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, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 31, 2015.

Ordering 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/shop or 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

Philatelic Products
There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue.

117506, Press Sheet with Die cuts, $200 (print quantity 500).
117508, Press Sheet without Die cuts, $200 (print quantity 1,000).

117510 Pane of 10 Stamps & Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $23.95.

117516, First-Day Cover, $2.44.

117521, Digital Color Postmark, $3.15.
117531, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.

Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, via Twitter @USPSstamps.

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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