WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today issued the Celebrating African American History and Culture commemorative Forever stamp as a special tribute to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony.

The stamp art is based on a photograph by Alan Karchmer. Text in the upper left corner of the stamp reads “National Museum of African American History and Culture.” Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp.

“The Postal Service is honored to issue a new commemorative Forever stamp acknowledging the important role African American history plays in American history,” said Deputy Postmaster General and Chief Government Relations Officer Ronald A. Stroman. “The National Museum of African American History and Culture is an American treasure that serves as a repository for the history of suffering, struggle and triumph of African Americans.”

Stroman was joined to dedicate the stamp by Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director, National Museum of African American History and Culture; David M. Rubenstein, chair, Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents; and Gerald A. Roane, postmaster, Washington, DC.

“I am humbled that the museum was chosen for this special stamp,” said Lonnie G. Bunch III. “It is fitting that the image on the stamp is the building itself, as this building, by its very design, stands as tribute to the African American experience.”

Background
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed nearly 3 million visitors since opening in September 2016. Created by an act of Congress, the NMAAHC is the only national museum devoted exclusively to African American life, art, history and culture. The museum is a site of remembrance and reflection, with collections that represent all regions of the United States and acknowledge the cultural links of African Americans to the black experience around the world. The museum is also a place of celebration, with performances, outreach initiatives and educational workshops all serving as an ongoing invitation to the public to explore and enjoy African American history —while demonstrating the centrality of that history to our nation’s past, present and future. The museum occupies a five-acre site on the National Mall in Washington, DC, where its resemblance to the crown-like capital at the top of a Yoruban column is meant to convey faith, resilience and hope.

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view video of the first-day-of-issue ceremony at facebook.com/USPS. The public is asked to share the news on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtags #NMAAHC and #APeoplesJourney.

Customers may purchase the Celebrating African American History and Culture Forever stamp at usps.com/stamps, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Office locations nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also is available at ebay.com/stamps.

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 local Post Offices, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop or by calling
800-STAMP-24. 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 – Celebrating African American History and Culture
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 Dec. 13, 2017.

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
The following philatelic products are available for this stamp issue:
474206, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $88.20.
474210, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
474216, First-Day Cover, 93 cents.
474221, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
474224, Framed Art, $29.95.
474230, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
474233, Panel, $10.95.

Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps or via Twitter @USPSstamps.

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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