Liberty Bell to be on forever stamp
WASHINGTON - An image of the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia icon of American freedom and independence, will adorn the Postal Service's new forever stamp.
WASHINGTON - An image of the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia icon of American freedom and independence, will adorn the Postal Service's new forever stamp.
The design of the stamp was unveiled yesterday at the National Postal Forum, a gathering of companies in the mailing industry.
The stamp, which will carry the word Forever instead of a price, will remain valid for sending a first-class letter no matter how much rates go up in the future.
It goes on sale April 12 at 41 cents - the rate to which first-class postage rises as of May 14.
The forever stamps will eliminate the annoyance of buying 1-cent and 2-cent stamps to make up the new rate when prices go up. People who want to hedge against inflation could lay in a supply of the stamps for long-term use.
When the cost of postage rises, the cost of the forever stamp also will rise, but stamps bought at the lower price will still be good.
"Who said nothing lasts forever?" Postmaster General John E. Potter said in a statement.
Potter said the Liberty Bell was selected because it is one of the nation's most prominent symbols associated with American independence.
The Liberty Bell has been depicted on postage stamps and commemorative postal covers numerous times in the past.