{"product_id":"2016-pets-celebrate-animals-forever-stamps","title":"Pets Stamps 2016 Postage Stamps","description":"\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-introduction ai-optimize-39\"\u003eThe United States Postal Service will issue its set of 20 non-denominated (47¢) forever Pets stamps on Aug. 2, with a first-day ceremony in Las Vegas, Nev.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-40\"\u003eThe 20 stamps are being issued together in a double-sided pane of 20, described as a booklet by the Postal Service. Each stamp shows a photograph of one pet: puppy, betta fish, iguana, hamster, goldfish, kitten, rabbit, tortoise, guinea pig, parrot, corn snake, mouse, hermit crab, chinchilla, gerbil, gecko, cat, horse, parakeet, and dog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-41\"\u003eThe Pets Stamps designs use existing photographs by Eric Isselee of the different animals, each with a white background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-42\"\u003eEach design also includes a word or two to describe the pet group the pictured animal represents (such as, “guinea pigs”), along with “Forever USA” and the word “pets.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-43\"\u003eThe designer for this issue is U.S. Post art director Derry Noyes, who was inspired by her lifelong love of animals, according to the Postal Service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-44\"\u003e“The goal was to capture the essence of each animal,” she said. “There’s no need for special effects. The animals speak for themselves. I love the variety of shapes, colors, textures, and facial expressions.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-45\"\u003eThe Postal Service ordered a large initial print run of 400 million Pets stamps, a sign, perhaps, that U.S. Post officials expect the Pets stamps to be popular with the stamp-buying public.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-46\"\u003eThat earlier set was so popular that the initial print run of 300 stamps was bolstered by a second printing of 91.4 million stamps announced six months after the stamps were first issued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-47\"\u003eThe new Pets stamps feature a well-rounded selection of domesticated animals, including two cats and two dogs, two birds, two fish, four reptiles, six rodents, a horse, and a hermit crab.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-48\"\u003eAnimals have always been popular with topical stamp collectors, and dogs, cats, and birds are among the favorite subjects. Pets are also popular with the American public, according to the Postal Service, with more than half of U.S. homes having at least one pet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-49\"\u003e“The most common pets are dogs and cats,” the Postal Service noted. “These furry, four-legged family members have long provided love, friendship, and sometimes protection for their owners.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-50\"\u003eThe digital color first-day postmark for the Pets issue features silhouette images of six different animals, each in a bold, solid color: horse, goldfish, snake, dog, cat, and parrot. This postmark is used on certain uncached first-day covers sold in a set of 20 by the Postal Service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ai-optimize-51\"\u003ePress sheets consisting of 160 stamps (eight panes of 20) are being offered as well. The total number of press sheets made available to collectors was not announced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"627\" data-end=\"717\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"640\" data-end=\"643\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree standard shipping with delivery typically within 3-8 business days.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"719\" data-end=\"809\"\u003eOrder now to add playful charm and animal love to your mailings or stamp collection!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Homeverr","offers":[{"title":"100 Stamps 5 Books","offer_id":45558706864185,"sku":"ST16-A3-5","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300 Stamps 15 Books","offer_id":45558706896953,"sku":"ST16-A3-15","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500 Stamps 25 Books","offer_id":45558706929721,"sku":"ST16-A3-25","price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000 Stamps 50 Books","offer_id":45558706962489,"sku":"ST16-A3-50","price":179.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5000 Stamps 250 Books","offer_id":45558706995257,"sku":"ST16-A3-250","price":850.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0772\/5095\/3273\/files\/d11.webp?v=1772524275","url":"https:\/\/homeverr.com\/products\/2016-pets-celebrate-animals-forever-stamps","provider":"Homeverr","version":"1.0","type":"link"}