Grand Rapids MI — The ‘Total Solar Eclipse’ forever stamp went on sale June 20th at Post Offices across the nation as a precursor to the August 21st eclipse. The stamp is being touted as a first-of-its-kind stamp that transforms an image of a total eclipse to the Moon from the heat of a finger. Available nationwide among Post Offices, the Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamp also is available at usps.com/shop. The first-day-of-issue ceremony took place June 20 at the University of Wyoming.

Tens of millions of people in the United States hope to view this rare event, which has not been seen on the U.S. mainland since 1979. The eclipse will travel a narrow path across the entire country for the first time since 1918. The path will run west to east from Oregon to South Carolina and will include portions of 14 states. 

The public is asked to share the news on social media using the hashtag #EclipseStamps

Thermochromic Ink
The stamp image is a photograph taken by astrophysicist Fred Espenak, aka Mr. Eclipse, of Portal, AZ.

In the first U.S. stamp application of thermochromic ink, the Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamps will reveal a second image. Using the body heat of your thumb or fingers and rubbing the eclipse image will reveal an underlying image of the Moon (Espenak also took the photograph of the Full Moon). The image reverts back to the eclipse once it cools. 

Thermochromic inks are vulnerable to UV light and should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible to preserve this special effect. To help ensure longevity, the Postal Service will be offering a special protective sleeve to hold and protect the stamp pane for a nominal fee.

A total eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Moon completely blocks the visible solar disk from view, casting a shadow on Earth. The 70-mile-wide shadow path of the eclipse, known as the “path of totality,” will traverse the country diagonally, appearing first in Oregon (mid-morning local time) and exiting some 2,500 miles east and 90 minutes later off the coast of South Carolina (mid-afternoon local time). 

A total solar eclipse provides us with the only chance to see the Sun’s corona — its extended outer atmosphere — without specialized instruments. During the total phase of an eclipse the corona appears as a gossamer white halo around the black disk of the Moon, resembling the petals of a flower reaching out into space.

Art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, designed the stamp.

Share your experience on Social Media
The public is invited to be creative and have fun sharing the stamps on social media using the hashtag #EclipseStamps.  

• Take photos of friends, family and children holding the stamps next to their faces while wearing solar eclipse safety glasses.
• Take before and after photos of the stamp pane with a group of friends or children placing their thumbs on the black disc of the eclipse to reveal the moon. It’s a great way to get kids into stamp collecting.
• Share past eclipse stories and plans of where you’ll be Aug. 21.
• On the day of the eclipse, take a photo of the map on the back of the stamp pane with your finger pointed to your location. Try to include a recognizable landmark in the photo’s background. If possible include other eclipse watchers.

The Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, which is always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

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 usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Total Eclipse of the Sun Stamp
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 the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by Aug. 20, 2017.

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, online at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free issue of USA Philatelic at usps.com/philatelic, by calling 800-782-6724, or by writing to:

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

Philatelic Products
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 475306, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $62.72.
• 475310, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $9.95.
• 475316, First-Day Cover, 93-cents.
• 475321, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
• 475329, Protective Sleeve, 25-cents.
• 475330, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 475333, American Commemorative Collectible Panel, $10.95.

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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