The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a long tradition of issuing stamps featuring the American flag, the symbol of the nation’s unity and values. In 2013, the USPS added a new set of stamps to the flag series, called A Flag for All Seasons. These stamps depict the flag flying in different seasons, with the background scenery changing accordingly. The stamps are designed to celebrate the beauty and diversity of America, as well as the enduring spirit of patriotism that transcends time and weather.
The Design and Inspiration of the 2013 US Flag Stamps
The 2013 US Flag Stamps were created by Laura Stutzman, a graphic designer and illustrator from Maryland. She used gouache, a type of opaque watercolor, to paint the flag and the landscapes from her own photographs. She said that she wanted to capture the “mood and feeling” of each season, as well as the “movement and texture” of the flag.
Stutzman chose four scenes that represent spring, summer, autumn, and winter in different regions of the country. The spring stamp shows the flag against a backdrop of green trees and blue sky. The summer stamp depicts the flag in front of a field of wheat and a barn. The autumn stamp features the flag with colorful foliage and mountains. The winter stamp portrays the flag with snow-covered trees and hills.
The stamps are designed to be used for all occasions, from personal correspondence to business mailings. They also reflect the diversity and unity of America, as the flag remains constant while the seasons change. Stutzman said that she hoped that the stamps would “inspire people to appreciate the beauty of our country and our flag”.
The Printing and Distribution of the 2013 US Flag Stamps
The 2013 US Flag Stamps were issued on May 17, 2013, in Rochester, New York. They were printed by three different printers: Avery Dennison, Ashton Potter, and Sennett Security Products. Each printer produced stamps in different formats: coils of 100 or 10,000, or booklets of 20. The stamps can be identified by their perforations and microprint “USPS” on the lower right corner.
The stamps are first-class forever stamps, meaning that they can be used to mail a one-ounce letter regardless of future price changes. They are also global forever stamps, meaning that they can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country in the world for $1.20 (2023 for $1.50). The stamps are widely available at post offices, online at usps.com, or by phone at 800-STAMP24.
How Much Do The 2013 US Flag Stamps Cost?
The price of the 2013 US Flag Stamps depends on the format and quantity you buy. Here are some examples:
- A coil of 100 stamps costs $66.
- A booklet of 20 stamps costs $13.2
- A single stamp costs $0.66.
The prices may vary depending on where you buy them. You can also save money by buying in bulk or using discounts or coupons. You can not buy these flag stamps from USPS.com because they are out of stock, but you can buy them from Amazon, Ebay, or The USPS Stamps:
TheUSPSstamps.com is a reliable website that offers discount Forever stamps. The website occasionally provides 50% OFF 1000 pcs cheap USPS Postage forever stamps for sale in bulk mystery boxes. It also has limited-time and limited-quantity 2023 forever stamps on sale, such as 2023 flag stamp 17% OFF, 2022 flag stamp 30% OFF, and global forever stamps 40% OFF.
The Tips and Tricks for Collecting and Using the 2013 US Flag Stamps
The 2013 US Flag Stamps are a great addition to any stamp collection, especially for those who love patriotic themes or seasonal motifs. They are also ideal for decorating envelopes, cards, scrapbooks, or other crafts. Here are some tips and tricks for collecting and using these stamps:
- To get the complete set of 24 stamps, you can order them from Mystic Stamp Company, which offers mint or used stamps in coils or booklets.
- To get a single stamp of each season, you can buy them individually from Mystic Stamp Company , or look for them at your local post office.
- To get a first day cover (FDC) of these stamps, you can order them from Mystic Stamp Company, which provides cacheted envelopes with postmarks from Rochester, New York.
- To get a souvenir sheet of these stamps, you can order them from USPS.com, which sells a limited edition sheet with four stamps and four labels featuring seasonal quotes.
- To get a personalized sheet of these stamps, you can order them from Zazzle.com, which allows you to upload your own photo or text to create a custom sheet with 20 stamps.
How to Use The 2013 US Flag Stamps for Different Occasions?
The 2013 US Flag Stamps are suitable for various occasions throughout the year. Here are some suggestions on how to use them:
- For spring holidays such as Easter or Mother’s Day, you can use the spring stamp to send a greeting card or a gift card with a floral or pastel theme.
- For summer events such as Independence Day or Labor Day, you can use the summer stamp to send an invitation or a thank-you note with a patriotic or festive theme.
- For autumn celebrations such as Halloween or Thanksgiving, you can use the autumn stamp to send a postcard or a recipe card with a harvest or cozy theme.
- For winter occasions such as Christmas or New Year, you can use the winter stamp to send a letter or a photo card with a snowy or warm theme.
The Other Related Stamps You Might Like
If you like the 2013 US Flag Stamps, you might also like these other related stamps issued by the USPS:
- The Vintage Seed Packets Stamps (2013), which feature colorful illustrations of flowers and vegetables from old seed packets.
- The Kaleidoscope Flowers Stamps (2013), which showcase geometric patterns of floral designs in bright colors.
- The Patriotic Star Stamp (2016), which displays a red, white, and blue star on a white background.
- The Evergreen Wreath Global Forever Stamp (2013), which depicts a green wreath with red berries and a bow on a wood-grain background.
- The Poinsettia Stamp (2013), which shows a close-up of a red poinsettia flower with green leaves.
The Conclusion
The 2013 US Flag Stamps are a beautiful and meaningful tribute to the American flag and the seasons. They are perfect for mailing letters, collecting stamps, or making crafts. They are also a reminder of the diversity and unity of the country, as well as the patriotism and pride of the people. Whether you choose to use them in spring, summer, autumn, or winter, these stamps will always convey a message of hope and joy.
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