400PCS/$79.99First-Class Forever stamps U.S. Flag 2017-2022 Stamps
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