Design Story:

2017 U.S. Flag Stamps

Joseph Rosenthal’s iconic photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, has been rousing American patriotism for over 70 years.  It immortalized the figures of six fearless Marines as they hoisted the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Climbing to the top of Suribachi – a Japanese fortress deemed impenetrable – was no small task.  Undaunted, First Lieutenant Harold G. Schrier volunteered.  He led a 40-man patrol up the mountain, avoiding detection while the Japanese were distracted by Allied bombardment.  When the Marines reached the summit and raised the flag, Rosenthal said he almost missed the shot while trying to find a better vantage point, “Out of the corner of my eye, I [saw] the men start the flag up.  I swung my camera and shot the scene... and when you take a picture like that, you don’t [know] you got a great shot.”  When troops below saw the flag flying, it boosted their morale and helped turn the tide of the battle.

Rosenthal’s perfectly timed photograph inspired the nation and is one of the most replicated images in U.S. history.  It was even used on a war bond poster to increase sales.  The six men, struggling against fierce winds to raise the American flag, reminded U.S. citizens what the Stars and Stripes represents:  enduring strength, unyielding character, and the hope for a better tomorrow.

2018 U.S. Flag Stamps

The Battle of Fort Sumter was a 34-hour stand-off that marked the opening of the Civil War.  The flag that flew over the fort during that battle would go on to inspire thousands of Americans as they fought their way through the long war.

During the April 1861 battle, the flag’s pole was shot down and a lone soldier braved heavy enemy fire to raise it again.  After the battle ended, the fort’s commander insisted the flag be lowered to a 100-gun salute.  During the ceremony, the guns accidentally set off a pile of rifle cartridges, killing two men and injuring five others.  The first casualties of the war were suffered while paying honor to the flag.

That battle-worn flag was taken to New York City for a Union rally attended by over 100,000 people.  The Fort Sumter flag then went on a multi-city tour through the North.  In each town, it was auctioned off to raise money for the war effort.  Whoever won the flag then donated it back to be auctioned in the next city.  The flag served as an important patriotic symbol and rallying point throughout the war.  It was returned to Fort Sumter exactly four years after the surrender as part of the celebrations of the Union’s victory.  

It was there at the start and it was there at the end – the Fort Sumter flag was a beacon of hope in battle and at home, helping the Union persevere. 

2019 U.S. Flag Stamps

A woman named Glynis Seeley once said, "You don't know what the [American] flag really means until you've been handed a folded one."  She was referring to the flag-folding ceremony completed at the funeral of a member of the armed forces.  The branch of service who performs the flag folding is the same branch the soldier was a part of.  Once folded, the flag is then presented to the next of kin or other family member of the soldier.  The presenter then recites "On behalf of the president of the United States, [the branch of service], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."

When folding an American flag, precisely 13 folds are made, with each representing a different principle.  The folds honor life, veterans, mothers and fathers, God, and more.  The flag is folded twice lengthwise, making sure the stars on the blue field remain outward.  The third fold begins a series of triangle folds ending with the remaining portion of the flag neatly tucked in.  The final shape is meant to remind us of the three-corner hat popular during the Revolutionary War and the beginning of our great country.

Our flag is more than just a symbol of our country.  It is a symbol of the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe... and free.

2022 U.S. Flag Stamps

A woman named Glynis Seeley once said, "You don't know what the [American] flag really means until you've been handed a folded one."  She was referring to the flag-folding ceremony completed at the funeral of a member of the armed forces.  The branch of service who performs the flag folding is the same branch the soldier was a part of.  Once folded, the flag is then presented to the next of kin or other family member of the soldier.  The presenter then recites "On behalf of the president of the United States, [the branch of service], and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service."

When folding an American flag, precisely 13 folds are made, with each representing a different principle.  The folds honor life, veterans, mothers and fathers, God, and more.  The flag is folded twice lengthwise, making sure the stars on the blue field remain outward.  The third fold begins a series of triangle folds ending with the remaining portion of the flag neatly tucked in.  The final shape is meant to remind us of the three-corner hat popular during the Revolutionary War and the beginning of our great country.

Our flag is more than just a symbol of our country.  It is a symbol of the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe... and free.





Specifications:

2017 U.S. Flag Stamps

Issue: American Flag Stamps

Item number: 564400

Denomination and Issue Type: First-Class Mail® Forever

Format: 100 stamps

Series: N/A

Release date and city: January 27, 2017 Norcross, Georgia 30071

Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA

Typesetting Artist: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA

Available photo: Tom Grill

Modeler: Joseph Sheeran

Manufacturing process: offset printing, microprinting

Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)

Printed in: Williamsville, NY

Printing quantity: 109,080,000 stamps

Adhesive Type: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive

Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.

Press type: Muller Martini A76

Paper Type: Non-phosphorescent Type III

Color Stamp Sides: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Cover Surface: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Stamp Orientation: Vertical

Image Area (W x H): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.54 x 21.34 mm

Overall Dimensions (W x H): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.10 x 24.89 mm

Booklet Dimensions (W x H): 2.61 x 6.125 inches / 66.29 x 155.58 mm plate

2018 U.S. Flag Stamps

Issue: American Flag 2018 Stamps

Item number: 678200

Denomination and Issue Type: First-Class Mail Forever

Format: 100 stamps

Series: N/A

Release date and city: 9 February 2018, UK Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33310

Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD

Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA

Typographer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA

Modeler: Joseph Sheeran

Manufacturing process: offset printing, microprinting

Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)

Where Printed: Williamsville, NY

Printing type: Muller A76

Number of stamps per volume: 100

Printing Quantity: 1,250,000,000 Stamp Paper

Type: Non-phosphorescent Type III, apply block label

Adhesive Type: Pressure Sensitive

Handling: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)

Stamp Orientation: Vertical

Image Area (W x H): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.54 x 21.34 mm

Stamp Dimensions (W x H): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm

Book Dimensions (W x H): 5.52 x 1.96 in / 140.21 x 49.78 mm

2019 U.S. Flag Stamps

Issue: American Flag 2019 Stamps

Item number: 682300

Denomination and Issue Type: First-Class Mail Forever

Format: 100 stamps

Series: N/A

Release date and city: January 27, 2019, Kansas City, MO 64108

Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA

Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA

Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA

Photographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA

Modeler: Joseph Sheeran

Manufacturing process: offset printing, microfilm

Printing Press: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)

Press type: Muller A76

Quantity of stamps per volume: 100 PCS

Printing Quantity: 1,500,000,000 Stamp Sheets

Type: Non-phosphorescent Type III, Block Marker

Adhesive Type: Pressure Sensitive

Processing location: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)

Stamp Orientation: Horizontal

Image Area (W x H): 0.84 x 0.73 in / 21.336 x 18.542 mm

Stamp Dimensions (W x H): 0.98 x 0.87 in / 24.892 x 22.098 mm

Overall Booklet Dimensions (W x H): 1.96 x 5.52 inches / 49.784 x 140.208 mm

Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

2022 U.S. Flag Stamps

Issue: American Flag 2022 Stamps

Item number: 121700

Denomination and Issue Type: First-Class Mail Forever

Format: 100 stamps

Series: N/A

Release date and city: January 9, 2022, Findlay, OH 45840

Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD

Designer: Laura Stutzman, Mountain Lake Park, MD

Illustrator: Laura Stutzman, Mountain Lake Park, MD

Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn

Manufacturing process: offset printing, microprinting

Printer: American Bank Note Company

Printing type:

Gallus RCS stamps per sheet: 100

Printing Quantity: 50,000,000

Paper Type: Fluorescent Marked Paper, Block Marker

Adhesive Type: Pressure Sensitive

Stamp Orientation: Vertical

Image area (wxh): 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm

Stamp Dimensions (wxh): 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm

Pane Dimensions (wxh): 5.35 x 4.93 in / 135.89 x 125.222 mm

Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black