The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced more stamps slated for release this year.
This follows previous announcements made in September and November of last year regarding the postal service’s 2017 stamp program.
“The new year is shaping up to be exceptional as the Postal Service continues to produce stamps that celebrate the people, events and cultural milestones that are unique to the history of our great nation,” said Mary-Anne Penner, U.S. Postal Service Director of Stamp Services. “We are very excited to showcase these miniature works of art to help continue telling America’s story as we add to the lineup of 2017 stamps announced earlier.”
OSCAR DE LA RENTA
Known across the U.S. for dressing the nation’s first ladies and celebrities, Óscar Arístides Renta Fiallo (known professionally as Oscar de la Renta) was one of the world’s leading fashion designers for more than half a century.
This pane of 11 stamps features an evocative black-and-white portrait of the couturier and 10 details from several of his most exquisite gowns. De la Renta’s innovative designs and close attention to detail are said to have elevated American style and brought international attention to New York as a world leader in fashion.
De la Renta died in October 2014, at his home in Kent, Conn. He was 82 years old.
This stamped card depicts a Chilean blue crocus (Tecophilaea cyanocrocus).
AZULILLO
Later this year, the USPS will also issue a new stamped card featuring an illustration of a Chilean blue crocus (Tecophilaea cyanocrocus) from pre-existing artwork by illustrator and designer Dugald Stermer (1936-2011).
Stermer’s penciled calligraphy under the flower indicates one of its common names, “azulillo”—loosely translated from Spanish, it means “little blue thing”—with its botanical name above. The Chilean blue crocus is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones seven to nine. It generally flowers in February or March in North America. The card was designed by art director Ethel Kessler.
LILI’UOKALANI GARDENS
This U.S. Priority Mail stamp will be issued to mark the 100th anniversary of Lili’uokalani Gardens in Hawaii.
This Priority Mail stamp is being issued to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Lili‘uokalani Gardens in Hilo, Hawaii.
Built on land donated by Queen Lili‘uokalani (1838-1917), the last Hawaiian monarch to govern the islands, the gardens were dedicated in 1917 and named in her honour.
Hilo’s Lili‘uokalani Gardens are Japanese in style with influences of Hawaiian remains of lava flows, plantings of tropical trees and flowers, and a view of the Mauna Kea volcano—Hawaii’s highest point. The stamp art features one of the gardens’ most iconic structures, the red wooden shelter on a stone bridge spanning a portion of the pond. The bridge is surrounded by three stone lanterns and lush tropical plants. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.
This U.S. Priority Mail Express stamp depicts St. Louis’ Gateway Arch.
GATEWAY ARCH
The USPS will also celebrate the Gateway Arch, in St. Louis, Miss., with a new Priority Mail Express stamp.
The Gateway Arch was built as a memorial to U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and the 19th-century traders and pioneers for whom St. Louis was the gateway to the West. The stamp art depicts the majestic stainless-steel arch at sunset in its setting on the banks of the Mississippi River. Towering above the city’s skyline, the Gateway Arch is reflected in the rippling water below, where a barge passes by. Designed by art director Greg Breeding, the stamp features a digital illustration created by Dan Cosgrove.
PATRIOTIC NONPROFIT
This non-denominated ‘Patriotic Nonprofit’ stamp will also be issued by USPS in 2017.
Rounding out the latest grouping of stamps to be announced by USPS is this “Patriotic Nonprofit,” a new non-denominated, “nonprofit-price” stamp that showcases the letters “USA” in blue alongside a bright red star on a white background with a blue border.
Intended for bulk mailings by authorized non-profit organizations, this stamp will be issued in coils of 10,000. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the 2017 Patriotic Nonprofit stamp using the 2016 USA stamp art he designed with Leslie Badani.