If you are a stamp collector, a bird lover, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful designs, you may have heard of the songbirds in snow stamps. These are a series of four stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 2016, featuring the golden-crowned kinglet, the cedar waxwing, the northern cardinal, and the red-breasted nuthatch. Each stamp depicts a bird perched on a snow-covered branch, against a wintery backdrop.
But do you know the story behind these stamps? Who designed them, and what inspired them? How can you use them, and where can you buy them? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, and show you why these stamps are more than just pretty pictures.
The Design Concept and Process of Songbirds in Snow Stamps
The songbirds in snow stamps were designed by Robert Giusti, a freelance illustrator who has created more than 100 stamps for the U.S. Postal Service since 1980. Giusti is known for his realistic and detailed paintings of animals and plants, especially birds.
Giusti said he was approached by art director Derry Noyes in 2014 to work on a project involving songbirds. He said he was given a list of possible birds to choose from, and he selected four that he thought would look good on stamps and represent different regions of the country.
He said he wanted to create a contrast between the colorful birds and the white snow, and to capture the mood of winter. He said he used acrylic paints on canvas board to create the original artworks, which are about 10 inches by 7 inches each.
He said he spent about two weeks on each painting, working from photographs and sketches as references. He said he paid attention to the anatomy, plumage, and behavior of each bird, as well as the lighting, shadows, and textures of the snow and branches.
He said he was very pleased with how the stamps turned out, and that he received positive feedback from bird enthusiasts and stamp collectors alike.
You can see some images of his artworks below:
The Meaning and Symbolism of Songbirds in Snow Stamps
The songbirds in snow stamps are not only beautiful, but also meaningful and symbolic. They celebrate the diversity and resilience of nature, and the joy and hope that birds bring to people in the depth of winter.
According to the Postal Service’s press release, “The sight of birds sitting on a snowy tree branch and the sound of their songs and calls bring joy in the depth of winter. Though many birds migrate to warmer climes before the snow falls, some hardy birds have ways to cope with the cold and to find food year-round.”
The four birds featured on the stamps are among these hardy birds that can survive harsh winters. They have different adaptations and strategies to deal with low temperatures and scarce food sources.
- The golden-crowned kinglet is one of the smallest birds in North America, weighing only about 5 grams. It has a bright yellow stripe on its head that gives it its name. It feeds mainly on insects and spiders that it finds on coniferous trees. It can lower its body temperature at night to conserve energy.
- The cedar waxwing is a sleek bird with a crest, a black mask, and yellow tips on its tail feathers. It gets its name from its fondness for cedar berries, but it also eats other fruits and insects. It often travels in flocks and shares food with other waxwings.
- The northern cardinal is one of the most recognizable and popular birds in North America. It has a brilliant red plumage, a black mask, and a crest. The male sings loudly to defend his territory and attract a mate. The female also sings, sometimes duetting with the male. They feed on seeds, fruits, insects, and sometimes feeders.
- The red-breasted nuthatch is a small bird with a black cap, a white stripe over its eye, and a rusty-red breast. It has a long bill that it uses to pry open seeds and nuts. It can climb up and down tree trunks and branches with ease. It caches food for later use, especially in winter.
These four birds represent different aspects of winter: beauty, grace, warmth, and resourcefulness. They also symbolize different regions of the country: the golden-crowned kinglet is found mainly in northern states; the cedar waxwing is widespread across North America; the northern cardinal is common in eastern and central states; and the red-breasted nuthatch is found mostly in western and northern states.
How to Use Songbirds in Snow Forever Stamps
The songbirds in snow stamps are forever stamps, which means they can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any address in the United States, regardless of the current postage rate. They are also valid for international mail, as long as the postage value is equivalent to the destination country’s rate.
The songbirds in snow stamps are ideal for sending holiday greetings, winter-themed invitations, thank-you notes, or any other correspondence that you want to make more special and personal. They can also be used to decorate scrapbooks, albums, journals, or other crafts.
Here are some tips on how to use the songbirds in snow stamps effectively and creatively:
- Match the stamp with the envelope color. For example, use a white envelope for the golden-crowned kinglet stamp, a yellow envelope for the cedar waxwing stamp, a red envelope for the northern cardinal stamp, and a brown envelope for the red-breasted nuthatch stamp. This will create a harmonious and eye-catching contrast.
- Coordinate the stamp with the card design. For example, use a card that has a similar theme, color scheme, or image as the stamp. This will create a cohesive and appealing look.
- Add some embellishments to the envelope. For example, use stickers, ribbons, glitter, or washi tape to enhance the appearance of the envelope. You can also draw or write something related to the stamp, such as a snowflake, a branch, or a quote. This will make the envelope more fun and festive.
- Write a personal message that connects with the stamp. For example, use a pun, a joke, a compliment, or a wish that relates to the bird or winter. This will make the message more memorable and meaningful.
Where to Buy Songbirds in Snow Stamps
If you are interested in buying songbirds in snow stamps or other stamps from the Postal Service, you have several options to choose from:
- Online Official: You can order stamps online from USPS.com, which is the official online store of the Postal Service. You can browse by category, theme, format, or price. You can also buy other products such as envelopes, cards, boxes, collectibles, and gifts.
- Online Store: You can buy discount forever stamps for sale cheap in bulk from The USPS Stamps, which is reliable online shop sells authentic USPS postage stamps from 15% – 55%OFF.
- Phone: You can call 1-800-STAMP24 (1-800-782-6724) to order stamps by phone. You can pay by credit card or check. You can also request a free catalog by calling this number.
- Mail: You can order stamps by mail using an order form that you can get from your local Post Office or download from USPS. You can pay by check or money order.
- Post Office: You can buy stamps at your local Post Office or other authorized locations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, or ATMs. You can pay by cash, credit card, debit card, or check.
The Conclusion
The songbirds in snow stamps are more than just postage stamps. They are artworks that capture the beauty and spirit of winter and nature. They are symbols that reflect the diversity and resilience of life. They are tools that enable us to communicate and connect with others.
Whether you are a stamp collector, a bird lover, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful designs, you may want to get yourself some songbirds in snow stamps and use them for your next mailing or project. You may find that they add some joy and warmth to your winter days.
Read More
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 discount forever stamps on sale
Pingback: Forever Stamps Sale 2023: How Kelly Saved $4060 a Year💰🇺🇸