In two days, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will release its latest set of Forever stamps, and this sports-themed issue will not only have an uncommon shape but also an unusual texture.
The eight-stamp “Have A Ball” series will allow mail senders to feel the texture of the balls of eight popular sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, kickball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. A special coating applied to selected areas of each of the stamps during the printing process 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 and volleyball’s textured panels; and
- the different raised patterns of a football, basketball and kickball.
Each of the eight stamps mimics the texture of various popular sports balls, including a golf ball (shown above).
FIRST DAY OF ISSUE
The first-day-of-issuance ceremony will be held June 14 at 8 a.m. CDT, during the 117th U.S. Open Championship in Hartford, Wi. The ceremony will be part of the U.S. Golf Association’s Flag Day celebration.
The “Have a Ball” stamps are being issued as Forever stamps, which are always equal in value to the current first-class mail one-ounce price. The stamps will be issued in panes of 16 stamps, including two of each design.
Stamp artist Daniel Nyari, of Long Island City, N.Y., and stamp designer Mike Ryan, of Charlottesville, Va., worked with Art Director Greg Breeding, of Charlottesville, Va., to create the stamp design.
Pre-ordering has been open at usps.com/shop since May 14, but the stamps won’t be released until this Wednesday, June 14.