WHAT:

During the American Stamp Dealers Association (ASDA) Spring Stamp Show running from April 16 through April 18, 2015 at the NYC Hilton, the United States Postal Service will unveil the Water Lilies Forever Stamped Envelopes at a ceremony taking place in the exhibition ballroom.  These stamped envelopes celebrate water lilies in bloom in ponds and the Nation’s post offices.  An autograph session immediately follows the ceremony.  The USPS will offer the new stamped envelopes, stamps, framed artwork and philatelic and collectors’ items throughout the three-day event.

Additionally, during the ceremony Wade Saadi, President and CEO of NY World Show will present an exclusive sneak preview of the stamps celebrating the 2016 World Stamp Show coming to the Jacob Jarvis Center from May – June 2016. More than 250,000 people are anticipated to attend this once- every- decade international stamp extravaganza.

WHO:

Mark Reasoner, President, American Stamp Dealers Association
Wanda Santos, Marketing Manager, USPS NY District
S. Lynne Watson-Miyamoto, Professional entertainer and Customer Service Supervisor, USPS
Jim Roselle, Owner, Colorano Covers
Wade Saadi, President, World Stamp Show –NY 2016

WHEN:

Friday, April 17, 2015
12:00 noon

WHERE:

New York Hilton
1335 Avenue of the Americas
Room: Rhinelander Center
New York, NY 10019

BACKGROUND:

Each of the Water Lilies Forever  ready-to-mail #10 envelope carries pre-printed first class postage featuring one of two photographs of classic water lilies - one in colorful pink, and the second in elegant white (five of each). For a finishing touch, ten coordinating pink lily seals are also included. Simply address, seal and mail. 

Art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, selected the images taken by Alexandria, VA-based photographer Cindy Dyer at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC.  Visit this link for Dyer’s tips on garden photography.

In the dog days of summer, when many plants are looking tired from the heat and humidity, there is one group of plants that is at its absolute peak of perfection with a non-stop display of color and fragrance.  Water lily ponds are dotted with outrageous blooms of intense color and fragrance.  From the prehistoric-looking, platter-like leaves of the Victoria cruziana to the vibrant hues of the tropical water lilies, they never fail to put on a spectacular performance.

The flowers of the hardy water lily sit at or slightly above the water’s surface; the flowers of tropical water lilies, which produce more blossoms each season than the hardy variety, are held aloft on stems several inches from the surface.

Although delicate looking, the flowers are tough and hardy. They grow well in water gardens in much of the U.S. Tropical water lilies, which require water temperatures above 70 degrees, have a more limited range, but the flowers are larger and more vibrantly colored. Water lilies bloom in the U.S. from spring to fall. Many water lilies bloom only during the day, but there are several night bloomers whose flowers open in the late afternoon and close at morning's light.

Water lilies are featured often in the art of the Maya, an ancient Mesoamerican culture. Some of the most well-known paintings of French impressionist Claude Monet were of water lilies; the artist dedicated the last decades of his life to capturing the beauty of the lily pond on his estate in Giverny, France.

American Stamp Dealers Association
Stamp and stamped envelope collecting has long been one of the most popular of all collectibles. The American Stamp Dealers Association is a professional organization serving philately since 1914. The association’s membership consists of dedicated stamp dealers and collectors that stand for promoting integrity, honesty and reliability showcasing as hobby builders of philately.
American Stamp Dealers Association, Inc. members represent all segments of the philatelic marketplace both retail and wholesale.  Membership is international in scope with members coming from Europe, Asia, South America, the Pacific Rim Nations and the Middle East.  Stamp dealer members include the most respected firms and individuals in the industry.