WASHINGTON — The Forever Stamp — good for mailing 1-ounce First-Class letters anytime into the future — regardless of price changes — has been well received by customers. The Postal Service is now extending this convenience to customers needing stamps for mailing items weighing more than 1-ounce as well as for postcards and bulky or odd sized envelopes which require hand sorting.

The new “additional-ounce” Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them at the time of use. Customers purchasing these Forever stamps can easily determine their use by the descriptions on the stamps:  ADDITIONAL OUNCE, POSTCARD, NON-MACHINABLE SURCHARGE, TWO OUNCE and THREE OUNCE.

Penguins Additional Ounce
This additional ounce stamp pays tribute to the majestic emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri). Largest of the penguin species, the emperor stands over 3 feet tall and can weigh more than 80 pounds. Emperor penguins dive beyond 1,500 feet — deeper than any other bird. The stamp art is a stylized drawing of a pair of emperor penguins on a cool green background. The pop of orange and yellow on the birds’ beaks and ear patches lends a regal look to the aptly named emperors. Art director Carl Herrman of Carlsbad, CA, designed the stamp, illustrated by Nancy Stahl of New York City. The words “ADDITIONAL OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 22 cents, effective May 31.

Coastal Birds Postcard
With the release of the Coastal Birds postcard stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates four eye-catching birds: the red knot (Calidris canutus), king eider (Somateria spectabilis), roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), and magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens). The stamps feature highly stylized, digital portraits of each bird. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them at the time of use. The initial price and value for these stamps is 35 cents. The Coastal Birds stamps feature the art of illustrator Tyler Lang of Portland, OR. Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, was the art director.

The word “POSTCARD” on the stamps indicates the usage value. The postcard price is effective May 31.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Non-machineable
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Eastern tiger swallowtail on its fifth butterfly stamp issuance for greeting card envelopes that require additional postage. The stamp art is a colorful, highly stylized depiction of the butterfly. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. Non-machinable items require sorting by hand. This stamp also may be used for mailing items weighing up to 2-ounces.

These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents, effective May 31. Named for the black “tiger” stripes along the upper surfaces of its wings, the Eastern tiger swallowtail is easily spotted. Abundant from southern New England to Florida and west to the Great Plains and central Texas, the Eastern tiger swallowtail is a frequent visitor to gardens, woodlands, and riverbeds. Tom Engeman of Frederick, MD, was the artist. Art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, designed the stamp.

Vintage Tulip 2-ounce
In 2015, the Postal Service issues Vintage Tulip, an all-occasion stamp available to accommodate the weight of heavy invitations for weddings and other celebrations, greeting cards, and mailings such as small gifts that require extra postage. The words “TWO OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents effective May 31. The stamp art features an elaborate floral line drawing of a tulip similar to the design of the 2015 Vintage Rose Forever stamp. Jeanne Greco designed these stamps using details from drawings originally created by naturalist artist Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717). A small, deep crimson heart on both stamps adds a dash of color to the designs and makes them a natural pair. These stamps were printed using the intaglio printing technique. Vintage Tulip and Vintage Rose are the latest additions to the popular Weddings series. Greg Breeding was the art director.

Wedding Cake 2-ounce
The Wedding Cake issuance, introduced in 2009 and sold at the two-ounce stamp price, accommodates the heavier weight of an invitation, as well as other mailings such as oversize cards or small gifts that require extra postage. The stamp art features a photograph taken by Renée Comet of Washington, DC, of a three-tiered wedding cake topped with white flowers. Pastry chef Peter Brett of Washington, DC, created and designed the cake. The words “TWO OUNCE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents effective May 31. Art director Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, designed the stamp.

Yes, I Do 2-ounce
The Weddings series’ Yes, I Do stamp, issued in 2013, accommodates the heavier weight of an invitation, as well as other mailings such as oversized cards or small gifts that require extra postage. The stamp highlights the words “Yes, I Do” nestled in a bouquet of flowers in the shape of a heart on a white background. A similarly designed companion stamp, Where Dreams Blossom — a Forever stamp first issued in 2013 — is available for response cards, save-the-date notices, thank-you notes, and other correspondence. The stamp artwork was designed by Michael Osborne of Palo Alto, CA, under the direction of Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD. The words “TWO OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents effective May 31.

Literary Arts: Flannery O’Connor 3 Ounce
The 30th stamp in the Literary Arts series honors Flannery O’Connor (1925–1964), who crafted unsettling and darkly comic stories and novels about the potential for enlightenment and grace in what seem like the worst possible moments. The color portrait on this stamp, a watercolor painting completed digitally, is based on a black-and-white photograph taken when O’Connor was a student at the Georgia State College for Women from 1942 to 1945. Surrounding O’Connor are peacock feathers, a symbol often associated with the author. The words “THREE OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The 93 cent Forever stamp will be issued June 5 in McLean, VA, at the NAPEX Stamp Show. Art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, designed the stamp with artwork by Sam Weber of Brooklyn, NY.

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

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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