Two Hearts Entwined in Love: Postal Service Issues New Wedding Stamps

WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Postal Service will issue the new Wedding stamps, Hearts, tomorrow. The stamps feature vines that form the shape of a heart and are sure to add an elegant touch to invitations and response cards.

The one-ounce stamp is intended for use on the RSVP envelope often enclosed with a wedding invitation; the two-ounce stamp will accommodate the normal weight of a wedding invitation with enclosures. This year, it is cheaper for couples to mail their two-ounce wedding invitation. The price has dropped to 58 cents (last year it was 63 cents).

Available nationwide tomorrow, the 41-cent stamps used for one-ounce letters are offered in a booklet of 20, while the 58-cent stamps used for two- ounce letters are offered in a pane of 20.

In creating the stamps, illustrator Nancy Stahl based her designs on memories of a wide range of intertwined objects, including silver charms and old-fashioned garden gates. The one-ounce denomination features a light purple background, while the two-ounce denomination features a light pink background.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, or at The Postal Store Web site at http://www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

  HEARTS STAMPS
  POSTMASTER
  SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS
  WASHINGTON DC 20066-9998

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by August 26, 2007.

How to Order First Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

  INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
  DEPT 6270
  US POSTAL SERVICE
  PO BOX 219014
  KANSAS CITY MO  64121-9014

  Philatelic Products
  There are 6 philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
  -- Item 570961, First Day Cover, $0.96.
  -- Item 570965, Digital Color Postmark, $1.50.
  -- Item 570999, Pane of 20 w/Digital Color Postmark, $13.10.
  -- Item 677161, First Day Cover, $0.79.
  -- Item 677165, Digital Color Postmark, $1.50.
  -- Item 677199, Booklet of 20 w/Digital Color Postmark, $9.70.

An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits 146 million homes and businesses, six days a week. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to cover its operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $73 billion and delivers nearly half the world's mail.