The start of the New Year is always exciting for a lot of different reasons, and even though here in the US our first class stamp price is set to raise by a penny (effective January 22nd), we seem to be getting a lot more options to choose from. This month alone offers 15 new releases! Check out the January stamps and let me know which ones you'll be buying!
Spectrum Eagle, Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
In June of 1782 Congress declared the Bald Eagle as America's national symbol. The Eagle is not only native to North America but serves as an icon in many Native American cultures, myths and legends. As of 2007, June 20th has been marked as "American Eagle Day" to celebrate the birds recovery in population. The eagle is no longer an endangered or threatened species.
New Mexico Statehood, Release Date: January 6th
Celebrating 100 years of New Mexico becoming the nation's 47th state. New Mexico's long and rich history includes settlement by the Navajo and Pueblo Tribes, being a Spanish and Mexican territory, and then finally being ceded to the US in 1848 after the US-Mexican War.
Aloha Shirts, Release Date: January 19th
"Aloha" is used as a blessing or greeting in Hawaii! These shirts which often depict bright, bold colors and images of Hawaiian life are widely considered business attire in the state due to climate making "professional dress" a bit uncomfortable. Some say we get the term "casual Friday" from these type of shirts
Glacier National Park Montana, Release Date: January 19th
Named for glaciers that formed it's landscape over 10,000 years ago, Montana's Glacier Park was established in May of 1910. The stamp depicts Logan's Pass which is the highest part on it's "Going-to-the-sun" Road.
Wedding Cake, Release Date: January 20th
First introduced in 2009, this years Wedding Cake stamp release features a 3-tier cake with white flowers and their green stems adorning the top.
Weather Vanes, Release Date: January 20th
A showcase of five 19th century weather vanes belonging to the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. During the latter half of the century factories in major cities began mass production the weather instruments, today making them a piece of history and a pieces of collectible American Folk Art.
Baltimore Checkpoint, Release Date: January 20th
The official insect of Maryland gets showcased on a stamp this year! The second stamp to feature a butterfly is named after George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, who helped found the colony of Maryland. The black and orange coloring resembles the colorings and paters of the Calvert family coat of arms
Birds Of Prey, Release Date: January 20th
This stamp series showcases 5 of the most voracious birds of prey (also called raptors) which live and thrive on every Continent except Antarctica.
Dogs at Work, Release Date, January 20th
A set of four reminding us just how helpful man's best friend is in our lives! From dogs assisting blind persons to police dogs trained to detect guns or explosives, these stamps shed light on just how keen the sense of smell and natural instincts of these animals can be. It is estimated that some 10,000 dogs are used in the US and Canada alone to assist those with sight issues.
Lancaster County Pennsylvania, Release Date: January 20th
Breath taking rural views and large Amish population give this area a traditional old world charm for the people who live there and the tourists who flock every year.
Sailboat Stamped Card, Release Date, January 22nd
Add some scenic beauty to your outgoing mail with this stamped card. The sailboat adds a bit of flair and adventure to any sea side view!
Lunar New Year, Release Date: January 23rd
The fifth in the lunar new year serious, The Year of the Dragon stamp (beings on Jan 23 and ends on Feb 9 2013) goes hand in hand with the bright and exciting festivals that mark the new year celebration. Many cultures gather at this time for parades, showcasing dancers, music, and the dragon. Lanterns are often hung for good luck and traditional food such as the kumquat are eaten and shared.
Bonsai, Release Date: January 23rd
Japanese for "plant in a pot" this stamp release brings several kinds of bonsai plants front and center. Though it is not known when the first bonsai plant was created, it is widely believed by historians that the practice was brought from china to Japan by monks more than a century ago. in 1976, the National Arboretum began in 1976 when the Nippon Bonsai Association in Tokyo, Japan, presented the people of the United States with 53 plants as part of the U.S. bicentennial commemoration
Purple Martin Stamped Envelope, Release Date: January 23rd
This pre-stamped envelope shows off the beauty of the Martin as he is perched on a branch. Native Americans were the first to build "houses" for these insect eating flyer's by hanging hollow gourds for them to nest in. In the Eastern US, the Purple Martin lives almost exclusively in bird houses set up in back yards.
John H. Johnson, Release Date: January 31st
The publisher of Ebony and Jet Magazines, Johnson built a media empire which catered to and portrayed African America's in a positive manner when such a thing was unheard of, played a major role in the civil rights movement ; his unrelenting determination sparked when he was unable to buy a lot for building in down town Chicago, Johnson hired a white lawyer and won his case. Mr. Johnson became the first black man to construct a major building in Chicago's Loop (where Johnson Publishing still stands).
This information and more can be found at Beyond the Perf. Thank you to the USPS for the pictures and info!
