BEATRICE, NE — Only hours before totality, 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 21, the Postal Service will hold a special dedication and unveiling of a huge replica of the Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever Stamp on the Heritage Center Stage at the Total Solar Eclipse event at Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice, where crowds in excess of 20,000 are expected to gather to watch the Total Solar Eclipse.
The stamp will be dedicated and unveiled by USPS Central Plains District Manager Rick Pivovar, Homestead National Monument of America Superintendent Mark Engler, and other dignitaries. The one-of-a-kind Forever Stamp transforms the solar eclipse image into the Moon from the heat of a finger. Once cooled, the image reverts back to the eclipse.
“With the release of these amazing stamps using thermochromic ink, we’ve provided an opportunity for people to experience their own personal solar eclipse every time they touch the stamps,” said Pivovar.
A temporary Post Office, staffed by Beatrice Postal Clerks, will be established at the event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will sell Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever Stamp sheets, protective sleeves, and a limited number of Total Eclipse of the Sun Framed Prints, which sell for $39.95 and feature images of a Solar Eclipse, a dedication plaque from the First Day of Issue event in Laramie WY, and a block of four Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever Stamps.
A Special Postmark (see artwork above) commemorating the Total Solar Eclipse will also be available at the temporary Post Office. Any item bearing current First-Class postage stamps will be postmarked at no charge.
“We encourage everyone to buy a sheet of the Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever Stamps and receive the Special Postmark,” said Beatrice Postmaster Richard Traylor. “The Special Postmark when combined with the Stamp will make for a great collectible.”
A dozen Nebraska Post Offices are offering Special Postmarks on Aug. 21 in commemoration of the Total Solar Eclipse. See list of locations at end of release.
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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 protective sleeve to hold and protect the stamp pane for 25 cents. The back of the stamp pane provides a map of the August 21 eclipse path and times it may appear in some locations.
A total eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Moon completely blocks the visible solar disk from view, casting a shadow on Earth. Fortunately, the Beatrice, NE area is in the 70-mile-wide shadow path of the eclipse, known as the “Path of Totality,” which will traverse the country diagonally, appearing first in Oregon (mid-morning local time) and exiting some 2,500 miles east and 90 minutes later off the coast of South Carolina (mid-afternoon local time) passing through portions of 14 states.
The stamp image is a photograph taken by retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak of Portal, AZ, who is considered by many to be the world’s leading authority on total solar eclipses with 27 under his belt. The photograph shows a total solar eclipse seen from Jalu, Libya, on March 29, 2006.
“A total eclipse of the Sun is simply the most beautiful, stunning and awe-inspiring astronomical event you can see with the naked eye — but you’ve got to be in the 70-mile-wide path of totality,” said Espenak.
“The Postal Service printed 60 million of these stamps and once they’re sold, that’s it,” said Traylor. “We’re not going to produce any more.”
The Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever Stamp was issued June 20, 2017. The stamps are sold in panes of 16 Forever Stamps and are available now at Post Offices nationwide and online at usps.com/shop.
Nebraska Post Offices offering Special Postmarks on Aug. 21 commemorating Total Solar Eclipse:
Beatrice – Temporary Post Office at Homestead National Monument of America from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gering – Temporary Post Office at Five Rocks Amphitheatre from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Scottsbluff – Temporary Post Office at Landers Soccer Complex from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seward – Temporary Post Office at Junto Event Center from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Crete Post Office, 1242 Linden Ave.
Gibbon Post Office, 29 Labarre St.
Hyannis Post Office, 116 S. Main Ave.
Mullen Post Office, 106 NE 1st St.
Nebraska City Post Office, 508 Central Ave.
Ravenna Post Office, 401 Milan Ave.
Stapleton Post Office, 302 Main St.
Wilber Post Office, 224 W. 3rd St.
Some Kansas Post Offices Offering Special Postmarks on Aug. 21 commemorating Total Solar Eclipse:
Holton – Temporary Post Office at Banner Creek Science Center, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Marion Post Office, 423 E Main St.
Peabody Post Office, 105 W. 2nd St.
The Solar Eclipse Special Postmarks are also available for 30 days by mail. Customers wishing to obtain a postmark by mail must affix First-Class postage to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to:
Solar Eclipse Postmark
(City) Post Office
Address
City, State, ZIP Code
Requests must be postmarked by Sept. 20, 2017.
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