HARTFORD, WI — The U.S. Postal Service dedicated the first-of-its-kind stamps with the look — and feel — of balls used in eight popular sports. Available nationwide today, the Have Ball stamps depict balls used in baseball, basketball, football, golf, kickball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball.
A special coating applied to selected areas of the stamps during the printing process gives them a texture that mimics the feel of:
>a baseball’s stitching;
>a golf ball’s dimples;
>a tennis ball’s seams;
>a soccer ball or volleyball’s textured panels; and the different raised patterns of a football, basketball, and kickball.
The first-day-of-issuance ceremony at the 117th U.S. Open Championship in Hartford, WI, was part of the U.S. Golf Association’s Flag Day celebration. The Postal Service was part of this special tribute to those who serve or have served in the military via stamps. Nearly 1 of 7 postal employees served in the military.
“Every day across the United States, people of all ages gather on fields, diamonds, courts, and golf courses to engage in a friendly and fun competition,” said U.S. Postal Service Senior Vice President, Sales and Customer Relations Cliff Rucker. “We are honored to celebrate our nation’s passion for athletics with the Forever Have a Ball Stamps. It is my hope that whenever you affix these colorful new stamps to letters, they serve as a reminder of the connection between sports and culture.”
“We can’t think of a more fitting place to celebrate golf as one of America’s favorite recreational sports than the U.S. Open Championship,” said Murphy. “This innovative stamps collection provides a lasting symbol of how sports — like golf — can connect people and communities, create fun opportunities to promote an active lifestyle and bring out the fan in all of us. We are thrilled to reveal it to our fans today, in our country’s heartland.”
These round Forever stamps are available in panes of 16 that include two stamps of each design. Stamps artist Daniel Nyari of Long Island City, NY, and stamps designer Mike Ryan of Charlottesville, VA, worked with Art Director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA to create the stamps images.
The Have Ball stamps are being issued as Forever stamps which are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail service 1-ounce price.
Shipping:
Free standard shipping with delivery typically within 3-8 business days.
Order now to share your love of football and add a sporty touch to every letter you send!
