WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service has issued a set of three high-denomination stamps featuring an illustration of the statue that tops the U.S. Capitol dome. The $1, $2 and $5 stamps were issued in Bellefonte, PA.
                         
The stamps, designed by art director Greg Breeding, offer a modern take on vintage patriotic stamp art for use on packages, large envelopes and other mailings. The artwork is based on an engraved vignette originally created for a 1923 stamp, the $5 Head of Freedom Statue, by John Eissler (1873-1962). The stamp design is intaglio-printed, meaning the design is transferred to paper from an engraved plate. The illustration is emerald green on the $1 stamp, indigo blue on the $2 stamp and brick red on the $5 stamp.

American sculptor Thomas Crawford (1814–1857) created the allegorical Statue of Freedom during the mid-1850s. The statue wears a variation on a Roman helmet — circled by stars, topped with an eagle head, and embellished by feathered plumes.

The statue’s installation onto the new Capitol dome was completed in 1863.

Customers may purchase the Statue of Freedom stamps at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) or at Post Office facilities nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also are available at ebay.com/stamps. The $1 and $2 stamps will be sold in sheets of 10 and the $5 stamps will be sold in a sheet of four.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 120 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:

FDOI - Statue of Freedom Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO  64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by Oct. 27, 2018.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the USA Philatelic publicationat usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic publication online at usps.com/philatelic.

Philatelic Products
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are available at usps.com/shop.

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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