Love Flourishes in 2018

Phoenix, AZ, Jan. 18, 2018 -- The U.S. Postal Service today celebrates love of all kinds with the dedication of  the Love Flourishes Forever stamp during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the CREATIVATION conference held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Love Flourishes is the latest stamp in the popular Love series, which began 45 years ago. The stamp art features a fanciful garden of colorful flowers surrounding the word “Love” written in cursive script. Hand-painted by artist Anna Bond, the flower garden includes stylized roses, peonies and dahlias in pink, coral and yellow, with pale blue-green berries and fold fronds and leaves.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with Bond’s original art. Share the news of the stamp using the hashtag #LoveStamp.

“When it comes to expressing appreciation for the people we love most, nothing matches the mail,” said Maura McDevitt, vice president, controller, U.S. Postal Service, who dedicated the stamp. “We hope the Love Flourishes stamp will help you send cards and letters to those you care about with a special touch of affection, and serve as a reminder that no matter what the season or reason, flowers, especially on a stamp, are the perfect way to send love.”

Customers may purchase the Love Flourishes Forever stamp at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide.

A variety of stamps and collectibles also are available at ebay.com/stamps.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks

Customers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Office facilities, at The Postal Store usps.com/shop or by phone at

800-STAMP-24. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:

FDOI - Love Flourishes
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services

8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO  64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 18, 2018.

Ordering First-Day Covers

The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the USA Philatelic Publication and online at usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic Publication online at usps.com/philatelic .

Philatelic Products

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

564706, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $78.40.

564710, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.

564716, First-Day Cover, $0.93.

564721, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.

564724, Framed Art Gold Frame, $39.95.

564730, Ceremony Program, $6.95.

564750, Framed Art Cherry, $39.95

564751, Framed Art Shadow Box, $29.95

Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps or via Twitter @USPSstamps.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d5e457c0-36c8-4c16-acee-a3a4ed736042

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/11282c56-dc4f-480a-a0d4-a7cb9834349a

Roy Betts
US Postal Service
(202) 268-3207
[email protected]

Peter Hass
US Postal Service
(602) 223-2649
[email protected]