What:

The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate dragons: The high-flying, fire-breathing creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia will be featured on 16 new Forever stamps during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony at the American Philatelic Society Stamp (APS) Show co-hosted by the American Topical Association.

Please share the news using the hashtag #DragonStamps.  This ceremony is free and open to the public.  RSVP at usps.com/dragons. (Note: Attendees must register onsite at the APS registration booth to receive a pass for access to the exhibit floor where the ceremony will be held.)

Who:

Mary-Anne Penner, director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service
Joshua Colin, vice president, Area Operations, Eastern Area,
U.S. Postal Service
Scott D. English, executive director, American Philatelic Society
Janet Klug, chair, Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

When:

Noon EDT, Thursday, Aug. 9

Where:

American Philatelic Society National Summer Convention Stamp Show
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Exhibit Hall B
400 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

Background:

Throughout history and across the globe — from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas — people have enjoyed tales of the mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they’re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings, and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.

Each of the 16 stamps showcases one of four dragons: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.

The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the issuance.