The Love Stamp
Just in time for Mother's Day, the U.S. Postal Service has issued this year's "Love" stamp.
It features a white woven basket brimming with dark and light purple pansies and the word "Love."
It is a detail from a Hallmark card that was first issued as a Mother's Day card in 1939.
The name of the flower, pansy, comes from a French word, "pensee," which means thought, which explains the long association between pansies and remembrance.
The Postal Service began issuing the popular love stamps in 1973, and over the years these stamps have featured swans, cherubs, candy hearts, Victorian lace, modern art and the word "Love" itself.
Hallmark says that since it began tracking sales in 1942, more than 30 million cards with this pansy design have been purchased -- more than any card in history.
Just a reminder in this time of e-mail, the Post Office receives no tax dollars and relies on the sale of stamps, and other products, to fund its operations.
Comments
This is truly one of the most beautiful "LOVE" stamps that have been issued in a number of years! Hooray to Hallmark and the USPS for a wonderful design.
Posted by: Beth Rupert | April 30, 2010 8:24 AM