Last Updated on October 1, 2016 by cassnetwork
ANOKA, MN — Let all ghosts and goblins beware. The U.S. Postal Service kicked off the 2016 Halloween celebration last week by issuing the Jack-o’-lanterns Forever Stamps at Anoka City Hall Plaza. Anoka is known as the “Halloween Capital of the World.”
The sheet of 20 stamps features four different photographs of jack-o’-lanterns. The jack-o’-lanterns were carved by Paul Montanari and photographed by Sally Andersen-Bruce. The stamps were designed by art director Derry Noyes.
“The Postal Service is proud to issue its first Halloween-themed stamps,” said U.S. Postal Service Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Joseph Corbett, who dedicated the stamps.
“It is my hope that these stamps will rekindle special memories for everyone mailing or receiving postcards, letters and packages with these stamps affixed,” Corbett said.
Brought to North America by immigrants from Ireland and Scotland, Halloween soon became a distinctively American celebration that transcended social boundaries and ethnic origin. A 2014 survey showed that nearly 67 percent of the American population celebrates Halloween in some way — and jack-o’-lanterns are always there to lend a festive glow.
In Europe, these ghoulish lanterns were originally carved out of turnips — but in North America, native pumpkins proved to be a more fitting medium. Now emblematic sights at autumn festivals and Halloween events, they grin and stare from windows and porches, ingeniously combining the eerie feel of the season with the uncanny pleasure of laughing at the darkness.
The Jack-o’-lanterns stamps are being issued as Forever stamps, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.
Halloween fans are encouraged to share the news on social media using the hashtag #HalloweenStamps.
Customers may purchase the Jack-o’-lanterns Forever stamps at usps.com/stamps, at the Postal Store usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also is available at ebay.com/stamps.
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.
SOURCE: News release from USPS