stamps: honoring extraordinary heroism: the service cross medals

Image from: usps.com

The Honoring Extraordinary Heroism stamps will be issued as Forever® stamps.

You can read more about the Honoring Extraordinary Heroism stamps here.

stamps: repeal of the stamp act, 1766

Image from: usps.com

This stamp commemorates the 250th anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act, British legislation that American colonists condemned as "taxation without representation."

Parliament passed the Stamp Act on March 22, 1765.

The Repeal of the Stamp Act, 1766 stamp will be issued as a Forever® stamp. 

You can read more about the Repeal of the Stamp Act, 1766 stamp here.

stamps: world stamp show 2016

Image from: usps.com

The U.S.P.S. continues a nearly century-long tradition of commemorating international philatelic exhibitions held every decade in the United States with specially designed issuances: stamps, souvenir sheets, and even covers. This year the U.S.P.S. celebrates World Stamp Show-NY 2016 with an issuance of an elegant folio presenting two panes of stamps reminiscent of classic engraved 19th-century newspaper periodical stamps and banknotes.

These stamps feature intricate patters of lines and ornamentation inspired by the U.S. Newspaper and Periodical stamps of 1865.

The World Stamp Show-NY 2016 stamps will be issued as Forever® stamps.

You can read more about the World Stamp Show-NY 2016 stamp here.

largest ball of stamps.

Image from: boystown.org

Are you making a trip to Nebraska anytime soon?

If so, stop by the Visitor Center in the Village of Boys Town in Omaha to see the Largest Ball of Stamps!

The ball of stamps has been recognized by Ripley's Believe it or Not as the largest stamp ball in the world. It contains 4,655,000 canceled stamps. 

stamps: shirley temple

Image from: usps.com

The U.S. Postal service honors Shirley Temple (1928-2014) with its 20th stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series. Shirley Temple was the world's most famous film star as a child and then went on to a distinguished career in public service and international affairs.

The stamp is a painting by artist Tim O'Brien; it is based on a 1935 image from Curly Top, one of the child star's iconic movie roles. 

Shirley Temple began dance lessons at just three years old and was soon starring in full-length movies.

The Shirley Temple stamp will be issued as a Forever® stamp.

You can read more about the Shirley Temple stamp here.

letter writing tunes.

This song has hit the spot for me today. It makes me want to curl up on the couch at home with a cup of coffee and a table full of letter writing supplies.

Do you have any songs that motivate you to write letters?

postage rates decrease.

The new stamp rates went into effect yesterday April 10, 2016!

First Class Letters: .47¢

Additional Ounce: .21¢

International First Class Letters: $1.15

Postcards: .34¢

This is only the third time in the history of the U.S. Postal Service that postage has decreased in price, so go take advantage of this savings and stock up on some stamps!