The Stars and Stripes received a special stamp of approval last week when five new commemorative postage stamps featuring photographs of patriotic symbolism inspired by the colors and design of the U.S. flag were issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The Old Glory prestige booklet, which contains 20 stamps featuring the five Old Glory designs, was dedicated at a first day of issue ceremony held in conjunction with the Postage Stamp Mega-Event sponsored by the American Philatelic Society (APS), American Stamp Dealers Association, Inc. (ASDA), and the Postal Service.

The Old Glory stamps highlight examples of America’s heritage, including a 19th-century hand-painted carving of a woman proudly holding aloft a sword and flag; an 1888 presidential campaign badge with a photograph of Benjamin Harrison; the top portion of a silk bookmark that was woven at the World’s Columbia Exposition in 1893; an example of 20th-century folk art featuring Uncle Sam riding a high-wheel bicycle; and a modern folding fan with a flag design. Featuring 20 stamps in five designs, this is the second prestige booklet issued by the Postal Service. The first honored, was U.S. Navy Submarines, which was issued in 2000. A prestige booklet is a stamp booklet with oversized panes, descriptive information and images commemorating a special topic. The idea for these booklets originated in Great Britain in 1969. The added information places into context and complements the subjects featured in the actual prestige booklet.

The stamps were designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Ariz. Sheaff is a design consultant to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee and has been responsible for the design or art direction of more than 200 released U.S. postage stamps. To see the Old Glory stamps, visit the Postal Service Web site at http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/welcome.htm, and open the press release announcing these stamps.