The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) searched the darkness of the deep ocean realm in its quest to deliver the luminous beauty of bioluminescent life on newly issued, highly-reflective Forever stamps.
Available nationwide on Feb. 22, the Bioluminescent Life Forever stamps celebrate life-forms that create their own light and perform a variety of functions, including support for medical research. The stamps include glowing marine species, a firefly and a cluster of mushrooms captured on the surface.
Although these stamps do not glow in the dark, they do incorporate a special effect. The stamp pane was produced using a proprietary rainbow holographic material that is highly reflective in white light. The stamps were produced using special techniques to enhance the reflective qualities of the material while maintaining the depth of colour and detail of the individual images. The rainbow pattern imparts a sense of movement and light to the stamp pane.
The stamps were dedicated last month at the Sunrise Theater in historic downtown Fort Pierce, Fla.
“These stamps were created so that they reflect back light to mimic the effect of bioluminescence,” said USPS Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President Jeffrey Williamson. “Much like the magical creatures we’re celebrating today, these stamps are truly dazzling. And starting today, these vibrant images will travel quickly, easily and affordably on letters and packages to millions of households and businesses throughout America—inspiring an even greater appreciation for this vital part of our natural landscape.”
Joining Williamson in the dedication was Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA) CEO/Senior Scientist Edith Widder, whose photographs appear on seven of the stamps.
“These are such amazing creatures,” said Widder. “It’s thrilling to be able to share these images and help reveal what I think is one of the most entrancing, but least known wonders of the natural world—the ability to make light.”
VARIETY OF FUNCTIONS
Fairly rare among species on land, bioluminescence reigns supreme in the darkness of the deep ocean.
Fishes, squids, jellyfish, worms and many other ocean organisms make varied use of their ability to glow. Their light can lure food, attract a mate or fend off a predator. For many species, bioluminescence is security lighting. For example, the midwater jellyfish—featured on one of the stamps—sets off flashing swirling rings of light when threatened. The display alerts other predators more likely to eat the attacker than the jellyfish itself.
Some species are born with bioluminescence while others, like certain fishes and squids, have receptacles for displaying bioluminescent bacteria that they capture.
Since the late 19th century, many breakthrough discoveries regarding bioluminescence have come through the study of fireflies and flickering beetles. Because these beetles exist on every continent except Antarctica, they provide scientists with the most convenient means by which to investigate the phenomenon.
FIGHTING CANCER, OTHER DISEASES
Medical science has benefited tremendously from the study of luminous life-forms. Using genes that enable bioluminescence, scientists can make a cancer cell glow, enabling observation of how the disease behaves and spreads. Similar research is also vital in the fights against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, anemia, malaria, dengue fever, HIV and many other illnesses.
Through improved deep-sea exploration and advances in photography, scientists have identified thousands of bioluminescent species. Yet many mysteries of bioluminescence remain unsolved, and many benefits of research await discovery.
THE STAMPS
The first row of stamps features a deep-ocean octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis) and a midwater jellyfish (Atolla vanhoeffeni), both photographed by Widder. The octopus was photographed under external lighting. On each row of stamps, the third and fourth stamps repeat the first two designs.
The second row of stamps begins with a deep-sea comb jelly (Bathocyroe fosteri), also by Widder and lit externally, then a cluster of mushrooms (Mycena lucentipes) by Taylor F. Lockwood, of Mount Dora, Fla.
The third row features a firefly (Lampyridae) by Gail Shumway, of Sarasota, Fla., followed by a bamboo coral (Keratoisis flexibilis) by Widder.
Widder also photographed both fourth-row images: a marine worm (Flota) and a crown jellyfish (Atolla wyvillei). Both are shown under external lighting.
The fifth and final row of stamps offers another type of marine worm (Tomopteris) by Steve Haddock, of Moss Landing, Calif., and a sea pen (Umbellula) by Widder. Both marine species are shown under external lighting.
Atop the pane’s selvage, transected by the issuance title, “BIOLUMINESCENT LIFE,” is an image of a transparent deep-sea comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi) photographed under external lighting by Gregory G. Dimijian, of Farmers Branch, Tx. The firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans) shines a brilliant blue, green and white display of bioluminescence from the darkness of the selvage in a photograph by Danté Fenolio, of San Antonio, Tx.
Designer Derry Noyes, of Washington, D.C., designed the stamps and the stamp pane using existing photographs.