1 yyy) et me . BannerIssue: Old Glory Postage Stamps (NAPSA)—From postcards to guitar straps, from playing cards to children’s puzzles, the red, white, and blue of the Stars and Stripes have graced virtually every aspect i i i i i i i il of American culture since the nation’sfirst official flag was authorized in 1777. Recently, the Stars and Stripes received recognition as the U.S. Postal Service has issued five new commemorative postage stamps fea- turing photographs of patriotic symbolism inspired by the colors and design of the U.S. flag. The “Old Glory” prestige booklet {features 20 stamps in five designs. It contains delightful examples of Amer- ica’s heritage, including: a 19th-century hand-painted carving of a woman proudly holding aloft a sword and flag; an 1888 presidential campaign badge with a photograph of Benjamin Harrison; the top portion of a silk bookmark that was woven at the World’s Columbia Exposition in 1893; an example of 20th-century folk art featuring Uncle Sam riding a highwheel bicycle; and a modern folding fan with a flag design. Old Glory is the second prestige booklet issued by the Postal Service. The first was U.S. Navy Submarines, issued in 2000. A prestige booklet is a stamp book- let with oversized panes, descrip- A new prestige booklet highlights the stamp issues honoring the Stars and Stripes. tive information and images commemorating a special topic. The idea for these booklets originated in Great Britain in 1969. Preliminary results show that customers enjoy the added information that places into context and comple- ments the subjects featured in the actual prestige booklet. The stamps were designed and art directed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Ariz. Sheaff has been a design consultant to the Postal Service and in that capacity has been responsible for the design or art direction of more than 200 U.S. postage stamps. Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available to those who call 1-800- STAMP-24. In addition, a selec- tion of stamps and otherphilatelic items are available at the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.
