PHOENIX — The U.S. Postal Service today celebrates love of all kinds with the dedication of  the Love Flourishes Forever stamp during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the CREATIVATION conference held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Love Flourishes is the latest stamp in the popular Love series, which began 45 years ago. The stamp art features a fanciful garden of colorful flowers surrounding the word “Love” written in cursive script. Hand-painted by artist Anna Bond, the flower garden includes stylized roses, peonies and dahlias in pink, coral and yellow, with pale blue-green berries and fold fronds and leaves.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with Bond’s original art. Share the news of the stamp using the hashtag #LoveStamp.

“When it comes to expressing appreciation for the people we love most, nothing matches the mail,” said Maura McDevitt, vice president, controller, U.S. Postal Service, who dedicated the stamp. “We hope the Love Flourishes stamp will help you send cards and letters to those you care about with a special touch of affection, and serve as a reminder that no matter what the season or reason, flowers, especially on a stamp, are the perfect way to send love.”

Customers may purchase the Love Flourishes Forever stamp at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also are 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 Office facilities, at The Postal Store usps.com/shop or by phone at
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 - Love Flourishes
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 March 18, 2018.

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 USA Philatelic Publication and online at usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic Publication online at usps.com/philatelic.

Philatelic Products
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
564706, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $78.40.
564710, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
564716, First-Day Cover, $0.93.
564721, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
564724, Framed Art Gold Frame, $39.95.
564730, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
564750, Framed Art Cherry, $39.95
564751, Framed Art Shadow Box, $29.95

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.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, go to usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.