Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2002
Stamp Release #02-074
2003 Commemorative Stamp Program Celebrates 'Year Of Firsts'
CARLSBAD, Calif. - The 100th anniversary of the first controlled, powered airplane flight, the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice and the first national wildlife refuge are among the historic subjects that will be honored on new commemorative stamps in 2003, the U.S. Postal Service announced today.
"The U.S. commemorative stamp program is a window into our nation's soul, and it gives all Americans an opportunity to share in the pioneering spirit and great pride that is a hallmark of our country," said Catherine Caggiano, executive director of Stamp Services for the Postal Service, who unveiled the 2003 stamp designs at LEGOLAND California Theme Park.
Joining Caggiano at the unveiling ceremony were Bill Haviluk, president and general manager of LEGOLAND California; John Platt, district manager for the Postal Service's San Diego District; and Carl T. Herrman, one of several art directors responsible for the development of the artwork for the 2003 stamp designs.
The "Year of Firsts" begins in January with the issuance of the 11th stamp in the Lunar New Year series, followed by stamps honoring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and novelist Zora Neale Hurston.
February offers a behind-the-scenes look at the American movie industry with 10 stamps highlighting crafts critical to the success of motion pictures.
In March, Ohio, commonly known as the Buckeye State, is saluted with a stamp marking its bicentennial. Also expected to be issued in March is a stamp commemorating the creation of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and the beginning of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
A special tribute to "Old Glory" debuts in April with the issuance of the second prestige booklet in U.S. history. This booklet will contain five stamp designs illustrating patriotic ephemera inspired by the colors and design of the U.S. flag. A stamp paying tribute to Cesar E. Chavez, the influential civil rights and farm labor leader, and single stamps celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first controlled, powered airplane flight and the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase are also expected in April.
Actress Audrey Hepburn receives top billing in May with the issuance of the ninth stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series.
In June, five charming southeastern lighthouses represent the third installment in a series of stamps depicting the silent sentries of the U.S. shoreline and the Great Lakes.
The educational and unique Nature of America series continues in July with the fifth in the series, this time promoting appreciation for the Arctic tundra with 10 stamps hidden in an autumn landscape painting. The Korean War Veterans Memorial will also be commemorated on a stamp issued in July.
August brings the debut of the third set of stamps in the American Treasures series, featuring four paintings by artist Mary Cassatt. Also, scoring stamps of approval in August are four early football heroes: Bronko Nagurski, Ernie Nevers, Walter Camp and Red Grange.
Roy Acuff, often known as the King of Country Music, returns to center stage in September on a new stamp featuring a photo of him with his fiddle.
Commemorative stamps depicting five lifelike reptiles and amphibians help kick off National Stamp Collecting Month in October. And in mid October, the 2003 program comes to a close with a block of four festive designs featuring two Santas and two reindeer titled Holiday Music Makers.
The month of issuance listed for each 2003 commemorative stamp is tentative and is subject to change.
To see the 2003 U.S. commemorative stamp program, visit the Postal Service's Web site at www.usps.com, select "News and Events" then "Philatelic News," and open the online version of this news release.
Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available toll free by calling 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available in the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.
2003 U.S. Commemorative Stamp Program
Lunar New Year: Year of the Ram
To commemorate the Year of the Ram, which begins Feb. 1, 2003, stamp designer Clarence Lee created an intricate paper-cut design of a ram, the eighth of twelve animals associated with the Chinese lunar calendar. The Chinese characters - drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun - translate into English as "Year of the Ram." The greeting "Happy New Year!" is in English.
Black Heritage: Thurgood Marshall
This 26th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Thurgood Marshall, who was a civil rights lawyer for many years before becoming the first African American to serve as solicitor general of the United States. He was also the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice.
Literary Arts: Zora Neale Hurston
This 19th stamp in the Literary Arts series honors novelist, folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston for her artistry and her celebration of black culture. She was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a flowering of African-American literature, music and the visual and performing arts that took place primarily in the 1920s and early 1930s. Hurston is considered one of America's most original and accomplished writers.
American Filmmaking: Behind the Scenes
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary celebration of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the issuance of these stamps honors American filmmakers - all of those multitalented, highly skilled men and women who work behind the scenes to create movie magic. The stamp pane consists of 10 stamps arranged to resemble two strips of film, with five stamps on each strip. Text on the back of each stamp describes the responsibilities, skills and talents of people involved in one particular area of filmmaking. The areas are Art Direction, Costume Design, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Makeup, Music, Screenwriting, Sound and Special Effects. Producing is represented by a photo on the stamp pane's selvage.
Ohio Statehood
This stamp commemorates the bicentennial of Ohio's statehood. Comprised of land ceded to the United States after the Revolutionary War, the Northwest Territory included present-day Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. In 1787 Congress enacted a plan to organize and govern this large area. The following year its first permanent settlement was established in Marietta, OH. On Feb. 19, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson approved Ohio's constitution, and on March 1, 1803, Ohio became the first state carved from the territory and the 17th admitted to the Union.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
This stamp commemorates the centennial of the creation of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, which also marks the beginning of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Pelican Island is located in the Indian River Lagoon on the east coast of central Florida.
Old Glory Prestige Booklet
This 24-page booklet consists of 20 stamps of five stamp designs featuring photographs of patriotic ephemera inspired by the colors and design of the U.S. flag. From postcards and advertisements to guitar straps, playing cards and children's puzzles, the red, white and blue of the Stars and Stripes have graced virtually every aspect of American culture ever since the nation's first official flag was authorized in 1777.
Cesar E. Chavez
This stamp honors civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez, who is best known as the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW). He was a tireless advocate for nonviolent social change who dedicated his life to working in service of others. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy called him "one of the heroic figures of our time."
First Flight
This souvenir sheet consisting of 10 stamps of one design commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first controlled, powered, sustained flight in a heavier-than-air flying machine. At Kill Devil Hills on Dec. 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright successfully tested a flyer with a four-cylinder engine. During the first flight the craft was only airborne for an estimated 12 seconds and traveled only 120 feet, but three even more successful flights followed later that day, the remarkable prelude to a century that would see the world forever changed by air travel.
Louisiana Purchase
This stamp commemorates the bicentennial of what is often referred to as the greatest real estate deal in history. The 1803 Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States. "With the stroke of a pen," our country became one of the largest in the world and the heartland of the continent was opened to American exploration and settlement.
Legends of Hollywood: Audrey Hepburn
This ninth stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series honors Audrey Hepburn, an actress remembered for her elegance and grace. Hepburn appeared in nearly 30 movies, often starring in romantic comedies but venturing into several dramatic roles as well. During the late 1980s and early 1990s she was particularly well known as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.
Southeastern Lighthouses
This set of five stamp designs continues a popular informal series of lighthouse stamps by artist Howard Koslow. Spanning the coast of the United States from Virginia to southern Florida, these five structures - Old Cape Henry, Cape Lookout, Morris Island, Tybee Island and Hillsboro Inlet - typify the beauty and colorful history of the nation's lighthouses.
Nature of America: Arctic Tundra
This stamp pane consisting of 10 designs in a landscape scene is the fifth in an educational series promoting appreciation of North America's major plant and animal communities. Coldest of the North American ecosystems, the arctic tundra is a vast treeless region stretching across northern Alaska and Canada. The previous issuances in the Nature of America series were Sonoran Desert (1999), Pacific Coast Rain Forest (2000), Great Plains Prairie (2001) and Longleaf Pine Forest (2002).
Korean War Veterans Memorial
This stamp honors the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which recognizes the sacrifices of those who served during that conflict. The year 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of the armistice that ended the hostilities. The memorial was authorized by law in 1986. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the memorial was dedicated by President Bill Clinton and Kim Young Sam, president of South Korea, on July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the armistice.
American Treasures: Mary Cassatt
The artwork of Mary Cassatt was chosen for this third issuance in the American Treasures series. Known especially for her figure studies and engaging portrayals of mothers and children, Mary Cassatt was the only American ever invited to exhibit with the French Impressionists. The four works of art appearing on the stamps are: "Young Mother" (1888), "Children Playing on the Beach" (1884), "On a Balcony" (1878/79) and "Child in a Straw Hat" (circa 1886).
Early Football Heroes
This stamp pane commemorates four great figures from the early days of football: Walter Camp, Ernie Nevers, Red Grange and Bronko Nagurski. All four players are enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Nevers, Nagurski and Grange are also enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Camp is known as "the father of American football."
Roy Acuff
This stamp honors Roy Acuff, often called the King of Country Music. As one of country music's first true superstars, Acuff helped turn the Grand Ole Opry into the nation's foremost country music institution, and his role in the music publishing business helped make Nashville, TN, the country music capital of America.
Reptiles and Amphibians
This pane of twenty stamps of five designs features two amphibians and three reptiles native to the United States: the blue-spotted salamander, the ornate chorus frog, the reticulate collared lizard, the ornate box turtle and the scarlet kingsnake. These stamps will help kick off National Stamp Collecting Month in October.
Holiday Music Makers
This block of four stamps features whimsical Santas and fanciful reindeer. Playing horns, panpipes and a drum, these lighthearted, colorful music makers are reminders of the joys of the season.
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Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 137 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $65 billion, it is the world's leading provider of postal services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 207 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves 7 million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide.
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2003 Stamp Program Poster
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