What:

The U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Golf Association will dedicate the first-of-its-kind Have a Ball! Forever stamps with the look — and feel — of balls used in eight popular sports.

The first-day-of-issue ceremony at the 117th U.S. Open Championship in Hartford, WI, is part of the U.S. Golf Association’s Flag Day celebration. The Postal Service is part of this special tribute to those who serve or have served in the military. Nearly 1 of 7 postal employees served in the military.  

The stamps go on sale at Post Offices and online nationwide the day of the event throughout the country. They will also be available for purchase after the event. They can be used on cards, letters, and packages.

When:

Wednesday, June 14, 2017
8:00 a.m.

Where:

U.S. Open Golf Championship
Erin Hills Golf Course
Hartford, WI 53027

Who:

Diane Murphy, President, U.S. Golf Association
Cliff Rucker, Sales and Customer Relations Senior VP, U.S. Postal Service
Donald P. Dunbar, Major General, U.S. Army
Wisconsin National Guard
Local golf, postal and military officials and members of the community

Background:

These round Forever stamps are available in panes of 16 that include two stamps of each design. Stamp artist Daniel Nyari of Long Island City, NY, and stamp designer Mike Ryan of Charlottesville, VA, worked with Art Director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA to create the stamp images.

The new stamps are made with a special coating applied to selected areas of the stamps during the printing process that gives them a texture that mimics the feel of:

• a baseball’s stitching;
• a golf ball’s dimples;
• a tennis ball’s seams;
• a soccer ball or volleyball’s textured panels; and,
• the different raised patterns of a football, basketball and kickball.

The Have a Ball! stamps are being issued as Forever stamps which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail service 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.