WASHINGTON — To commemorate this Monday’s solar eclipse, the Postal Service will have Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamps available at Post Offices throughout the District of Columbia. These first-of-its-kind stamps of the solar eclipse transform into an image of the moon from the heat of a finger.

The pane of 16 Forever stamps also can be ordered online at www.usps.com/stamps or this link. 

“This is one of the most exciting stamps that the Postal Service has ever released,” said Washington, DC, Postmaster Gerald Roane. “A simple touch with your finger can replicate the extraordinary experience of a solar eclipse.”

Share your experience on Social Media
Be creative and have fun with 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 tell where you view the eclipse on Aug. 21.
• On the day of the eclipse, take a photo of the map on the back of the stamp pane with either your finger pointed to your location, or write in the name of your location and draw an arrow to it. Try to include a recognizable landmark in the photo’s background. If possible include other eclipse watchers in the background.

Thermochromic Ink
In the first U.S. stamp application of thermochromic ink, the Total Solar Eclipse 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. 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 is offering a special envelope to hold and protect the stamp pane for a nominal fee.
Art director Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA, designed the stamp.

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.

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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