Single Stamp

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the enduring legacy of Western wear with four fun new Forever® stamps. Inspired by the clothing and gear used by working ranchers and reimagined in fun and fanciful ways, the garments and accessories of the West compromise a unique American fashion style. This single stamp features one of four designs illustrating iconic Western wear staples --- a cowboy hat, a cowboy boot with a spur, a Western shirt, and a belt buckle featuring a longhorn head. A stippling technique, creating images using small dots of color, was used to give the illustrations a worn and gritty feel. Each image is framed by elements common to the American West and iconography of the region, including cacti, snakes, roses, and stars. The history of Western wear in the United States begins with the original cowboys. In the 16th century, the Spanish arrived in Mexico, bringing horse and cattle and eventually establishing ranches, which spread into what is now Texas, Arizona, and California by the early 1700s. The vaqueros who herded the cattle wore utilitarian garments that protected them from dangerous weather conditions and environmental hazards. From cowboy boots to broad-brimmed hats to shirts with double-fabric yokes, such articles became associated with the wardrobe of the American cowboy and cowgirl. For more than a century, the mystique of the cowboy --- popularized by Wild West shows and rodeos, dime novels, Western films, and country and western music singers --- has influenced American fashion, evolving with the fads and styles of the time. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps with original art by Ryan Feerer. The Western Wear stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps. These Forever® stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price. Made in the USA.

A colorful African Daisy graces a new global stamp from the U.S> Postal Service. This round Global Stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Clas Mail International® service is available. As with all Global stamps, this stamp will have a postage equivalent to the price of the single-piece First-Class Mail International first-ounce machinable letter in effect at the time of use. The stamp art is a photograph of an orange African Daisy. The photo was shot from above and shows the detail of the central disk formed by the tiny tubular florets surrounded by petal-like ray florets. Native to southern Africa, Osteospermum --- called the African Daisy --- is widely available in the U.S. nurseries and makes a gorgeous addition to any garden. The flowers open in the morning sun, with blooms in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, yellow, orange, and white. Some of the flowers have smooth flat petals like a typical daisy, while others have petals that each radiate out into a shape like a spoon. Where summers are cooler, African Daisies bloom abundantly from spring to fall frost. In climate with hot, humid summers, the flowers bloom well in the spring to early summer, but they decline rapidly in high summer heat. Some varieties rebloom in fall when cooler temperatures return. The bright blossoms attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Greg Breeding designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Cindy Dyer. William Gicker was the art director. Made in the USA.

"Let's go sailing!" The U.S. Postal Service celebrates a favorite outdoor activity with two colorful postcard stamps. Illustrator Libby VanderPloeg grew up in Grand Haven, MI, a little harbor town on Lake Michigan, so sailboats were always dotting her views as a kid. With these memories in mind, she created two colorful, abstract images that capture the essence of sailing, one of America's favorite pastimes. A sailing adventure is one of the true joys of the summer months. Breezes ruffle your hair as your boat glides through the waves -- the smells of sea spray and sunscreen linger on your skin. You feel a joyful sensation as the wind tugs the boat toward the horizon. Sailing offers a fun way to spend time with family and friends in a peaceful place. So, find a boat, pack a picnic, choose a destination, and set sail toward the next harbor! Antonio Alcala art directed the project. Sailboats is a single stamp. The word "POSTCARD" on the stamps indicates their usage value. Like Forever® stamps, these stamps will always be valid for the rate printed on them. Made in the USA. Single stamp.