What:

Special dedication ceremony of the Transcontinental Railroad Forever stamps

Who:

Representatives of the U. S. Postal Service and the Smithsonian National Postal Museum

When:

Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 1 p.m.

Where:

Smithsonian National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20002

Background:

The U.S. Postal Service marked the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad with three distinctly designed Forever stamps first issued May 10, 2019. The stamp dedication on May 11, 2019, is being held in conjunction with the Smithsonian National Postal Museum’s Train Day, an annual event celebrating the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Admission to the event is free and the event is suitable for all ages.

Photographs of replicas of the two locomotives at the Golden Spike National Historic Site were used as visual references for the stamp artwork. Separate stamps feature the Jupiter and the No. 119 locomotives that powered the trains carrying the officers and guests of the two train companies to the Golden Spike Ceremony. Centered between them, a third stamp portrays the famous golden spike that was a prominent part of the ceremony. 

Michael J. Deas illustrated the Jupiter and No. 119 stamps using traditional, 19th-century oil painting techniques. Kevin Cantrell illustrated the stamp depicting the ceremonial golden spike and did the border treatments and typography for all three stamps. Each of the stamps and the header feature gold-foiled highlights that produce a glimmering effect. The text Jupiter, No. 119, and FOREVER USA are in Brothers font by Emigre, Inc. Brothers is a trademark of Emigre, Inc. 2019 ©Emigre.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

Transcontinental Railroad stamps are being issued as Forever stamps, sold in panes of 18. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products at the event, through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

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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