Thursday, April 12, 2007 — Today the Forever stamp will go on sale in county post offices. The new postal rate increase of 41 cents doesn’t start until May 14, but the new stamps are offered now so customers can get an adequate supply before the price increase. The new stamp will be introduced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) today in Philadelphia, Pa., at the Liberty Bell.
Postmaster Leslie Frick, of Albemarle Post Office, explained that the new stamps can be purchased in any desired amount and will be good forever.
“Even if the rates go up again in a few years, say to 43 cents, you can still use the 41 cent Forever stamp on a First Class single one ounce letter piece,” she said.
The stamp will remain at the 41 cent price until the next rate increase. The stamp increases customer convenience by eliminating the “last minute rush” of purchasing stamps when stamp prices go up in the future.
More than 5 billion Forever Stamps have been printed. The job was divided among the security printing divisions of three printers.
The Forever stamp depicts our nation’s Liberty Bell, which has long been a symbol of America’s independence and freedom. More than four billion have been printed and additional amounts will be printed as needed.
According to the USPS there hasn’t been an operational rate increase at the postal service since 2002. The last increase, just last year, was mandated by legislation to meet an escrow payment.
New rates are being put into effect to cover the costs of postal business. Transportation, utilities and workers’ health-care benefits, continue to increase officials at USPS say, and a rate increase is necessary to cover these expenses.
The Forever Stamp may possibly have the longest run of any stamp and make history doing so.
Stamps can be purchased at post offices, or can be ordered from the postal service’s website: www.usps.com. They can also be ordered by calling 1-800-Stamp-24. Postal vending machines will have the stamps available on Saturday. Later this spring, convenience and grocery stores will offer stamp booklets.
