To obtain high-resolution images of the stamps for media use only, email mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Postal Service issued the Red, White and Blue Forever Stamps here today at the WESTPEX Stamp Showin the San Francisco suburb of Burlingame.  

Designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD, each of the four stamps features a modern interpretation of a flying flag complete with six red and white wavy stripes and a handful of five-pointed stars. The designs were inspired by popular 20th-century American patriotic items such as pins and flags.

Available in coils of 10,000, customers may purchase the stamps at usps.com/stamps, at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) or at Post Offices nationwide and on eBay at ebay.com/stamps.

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 local Post Offices, at usps.com/stampsor 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 larger envelopes addressed to:

Red, White and Blue
Retail Manager
220 Park Road
Burlingame, CA  94010

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, there is a 5-cent charge per postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 24, 2014.

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-STAMP-24 (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
Two philatelic products are available:

776516, First-Day Cover set of 4, $3.72

776521, Digital Color Postmark set of 4, $6.56

Customers may view many of this year’s other stamps on Facebook facebook.com/USPSStamps, Twitter @USPSstamps, Pinterest pinterest.com/uspsstamps, Instagram instagram.com/uspostalservice or on uspsstamps.com, the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

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