USPS Press Release:
Rosa Parks Forever Stamp on Sale Nationwide Today
Second in New Set of Civil Rights Stamps Commemorates Historic Acts of Freedom, Courage, Equality
DEARBORN, MI — On what would have been her 100th birthday, the U.S. Postal Service today issued the Rosa Parks Forever Stamp during the National Day of Courage celebration at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
The Rosa Parks Forever Stamp goes on sale today at Post Offices nationwide, and can be purchased online at usps.com/stamps or by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).
“Rosa Parks was the epitome of courage. Her single act of defiance changed a nation. Today, her legacy lives on for generations as we bestow upon her one of America’s highest honors,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ronald A. Stroman. “Her quiet strength helped to change a nation. Let this stamp be a symbol of her courage and determination. And, let it remind us to never forget the indignities of days gone by — and to never stop fighting for the aspirations of generations yet unborn.”
Joining Stroman to dedicate the stamp were Patricia Mooradian, president, The Henry Ford Museum; Carolyn House Stewart, international president, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and the Spain School of Excellence Concert Choir. Honored guests were Sen. Carl Levin, Reps. John Conyers and Gary Peters, civil rights activist Julian Bond, and Elaine Eason Steele, co-founder, Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development.
The National Day of Courage was established to encourage every American to take a stand and commit themselves to do something courageous just as Parks did Dec. 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, AL, city bus. That singular act of courage helped spark the civil rights movement and a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality.
Earlier in the day, a special ceremony was held to preview the Rosa Parks stamp at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. In 1987, Parks co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development in Detroit to inspire young people to behave in a socially responsible way.
Customers may view the Rosa Parks Forever Stamp and preview other stamps to be issued in 2013 at www.usps.com/stamps and on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
How to Order First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at a local Post Office or by calling 800-782-6724. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:
Rosa Parks Stamp
Postmaster
1401 W. Fort Street
Detroit, MI 48233-9998
Rosa Parks Stamp
Postmaster
3800 Greenfield Road
Dearborn, MI 48120-9998
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by
April 4, 2013.
How to Order First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic Catalog, online at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
There are 10 philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
470406 Press Sheet with Die Cuts, $92.00 (print quantity of 2,500)
470408 Press Sheet without Die Cuts, $92.00 (print quantity of 2,500)
470410 Keepsake (Pane & Digital Color Postmark Set), $10.95
470416 First-Day Cover (Detroit), 90 cents
470417 First-Day Cover (Dearborn) 90 cents
470421 Digital Color Postmark (Detroit), $1.61
470422 Digital Color Postmark (Dearborn), $1.61
470430 Ceremony Program, $6.95
470431 Stamp Deck Card, 95 cents
470432 Stamp Deck Card w/Digital Color Postmark, $1.96