LOUISVILLE, KY — The U.S. Postal Service is again offering limited edition commemorative envelopes with special postmarks to celebrate the running of the 137th Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

Each envelope highlights a scene from last year’s races along with official Kentucky Oaks and Derby logos. The Oaks envelope features a Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp and postmark with a breast cancer ribbon to mark the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Parade. The Derby envelope features a Celebrate commemorative stamp and a postmark displaying a fleur-de-lis.

This year’s commemorative envelopes were designed by Maureen Smith, a visual communications major at the University of Delaware. Smith said the “classic, timeless spirit of the races” is what inspired her designs. “I wanted them to be full of energy and excitement, yet also sophisticated,” she said.

The Oaks envelope will be available on Friday, May 6 and the Derby envelope on Saturday, May 7 at the temporary postal station in the Grandstand at Churchill Downs. Cost: $6 each.

‘These collectible envelopes and special cancellations have become a must-have for collectors,” said Louisville Postmaster Richard Curtsinger. “And in support of Pink Out, we’ve made our Breast Cancer stamp part of the Oaks commemorative envelope.”

“At the Postal Service, we understand the power our stamps have in increasing awareness of important health issues,” he added. “With stamps like this one, we are showing that the Postal Service does more than just deliver the mail – the real power of the Postal Service is our ability to connect people.”

Postal clerks will also apply a special pictorial postmark to souvenir programs, or any other item, with First-Class postage affixed.

Special postmarks will be available for 30 days beginning May 6 (Oaks) and May 7 (Derby). Customers should place stamped, addressed envelopes inside a larger envelope and mail them to: KENTUCKY DERBY STATION, P.O. Box 31998, LOUISVILLE, KY 40231-9998. Please specify which cancellation you are requesting.

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