NEW YORK — The U.S. Postal Service today dedicated a Forever stamp souvenir sheet commemorating the 250th anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766. The Stamp Act was British legislation that proved historic in galvanizing and uniting the American colonies, setting them on a path toward independence.

The stamp ceremony was held at the World Stamp Show— NY 2016 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, which continues through June 4. The United States plays host to a sanctioned international stamp show only once every 10 years.

“To me, the stamp represents what’s great about America and Americans,” said U.S. Postal Service Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Mike Elston. “ “Whether born here or only just recently arrived, we share in common a passionate love of liberty and freedom, and the willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes — even ‘our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor’ — to defend our liberties and our freedom,’” he said, referring to the last line in the Declaration of Independence.”

These new stamps have been printed – and will be sold – only as complete souvenir sheets of 10 stamps, priced at $4.70 (10 X $0.47).

The Stamp Act, enacted in 1765, required payment of a tax on a wide array of paper materials, such as newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, licenses, mortgages, contracts and bills of sale. A stamp would be embossed on these papers to indicate payment.

The commemorative stamp art depicts a crowd gathered around a “liberty tree” to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act. “Liberty trees” could be found in a number of cities throughout the colonies, and were popular gathering spots for community meetings, political discussions, celebrations and more.

The selvage area on the left side of the souvenir sheet displays a proof print of a one-penny revenue stamp, and includes a famous slogan from the era: “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Verso text appears on the back of the pane. The stamp was illustrated by noted historical painter Greg Harlin of Annapolis, MD. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp and the pane.

Leveraging Technology
The U.S. Postal Service is introducing four new products tailored to stamp collectors at the World Stamp Show – NY 2016, including:

• The peel and stick Classics Forever Stamps that will be dedicated Wed., June 1, will be the first water soluble First-Class Forever stamps. Desirable to those who collect stamps from delivered mail, the stamps can be removed from envelopes undamaged — simply using water.  
• World Stamp Show Souvenir Portfolio, a coffee-table book featuring each of the eight stamp issues released during the show will include 3-D, augmented reality. The first pane of the book includes a pane of the August 2015 World Stamp Show stamps. Collectors are encouraged to expand the book with World Stamp Show—NY 2016 pane and other stamps issued at the show.
• 2015 eGuide to U.S. Stamps, a fully digital version of the latest Postal Service Guide to Stamps, includes all of the content in the beautifully re-designed printed edition. It features high-resolution stamp art with comprehensive search capabilities and pinch and zoom viewing options. The eGuide is available for download from the Apple Store and Google Play.
• USPS StampApp, the only official cloud-based U.S. stamp collecting app that includes an entire stamp reference library along with user-generated content for stamp collectors to upload their own stamp collection.

At the World Stamp Show – NY 2016, the U.S. Postal Service will hold an official stamp dedication almost every day of the show, to introduce a total of eight new stamp subjects.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at World Stamp Show, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop or 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 envelopes addressed to:

Repeal of the Stamp Act Stamp
Special Events Coordinator
380 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10199-9998

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 July 29, 2016.

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 quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com/shop or by calling 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
There are nine philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

• 586706, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $56.40.
• 586710, Keepsake, $11.95.
• 586716, First-Day Cover, $0.91.
• 586718, First Day Cover, Full Pane, $7.20.
• 586719, Cancelled Full Pane, $7.20.
• 586721, Digital Color Postmark, $1.62.
• 586724, Framed Art, $39.95.
• 586730, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
• 586733, Panel, $17.95.

These stamps and many of this year’s other stamps may be seen on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, via Twitter @USPSstamps or on https://www.usps.com/stamps/, the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

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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