2023 US Railroad Stations Stamps
2023 Historic Railroad Stations (Imperforate)
- Celebrates the historic rail stations that helped shape American travel and commerce
- The first rail stations began appearing in the early 1830s
- Each station pictured continues to play an important role in it’s community
Category of Stamp: Commemorative
Value: First-Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: March 9, 2023
First Day City(s): Cincinnati, OH
Quantity Issued (if known): 30,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps. The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method/Format: Offset, Flexographic, Panes of 20 Self-Adhesive stamps
Reason the stamp was issued: Train stations have long been gateways to exciting journeys, business travel and even mail transportation at one time. The Postal Service celebrates the history, nostalgia and romance of train travel with its Railroad Stations Forever stamps.
About the stamp design: Digital illustrations, typography, and overall design by Down the Street Designs. Down the Street is a creative studio based in Los Angeles that specializes in illustration and animation. Art Direction by Derry Noyes.
Special design details: The designs for each station in the set were illustrated digitally, combining rich color with digital textures that amplify the architecture of the stations.
About the printing process: Flexographic Printing refers to a high-speed printing process capable of speeds up to 2000 linear feet per minute. A flexible plate is wrapped around a rotating cylinder for each color in the process, and the raised areas of the plate are inked.
First Day City: The first-day ceremony was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Cincinnati Union Terminal. It’s awe-inspiring art deco style of architecture is featured on a stamp in the set. Train service to Union Station ended in 1972, but it was later renovated in 1990 as the Cincinnati Museum Center. Amtrack went on to restore passenger rail service there in 1991.
About the Historic Railroad Stations set: There are 5 different railroad stations depicted in the set: the Tamaqua Station in Pennsylvania; the Point of Rocks Station in Maryland; Main Street Station in Virginia; Santa Fe Station in California; and Union Terminal in Ohio. All stations pictured, except for the Tamaqua, PA station are currently in use for passenger service. And, all five stations are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
History the stamp represents: In the 1800s and 1900s, railroads emerged as a transformative force in the United States. They fueled economic expansion and industrialization, connecting cities, towns, and rural areas. Railroads efficiently transported goods and raw materials, stimulating industries and boosting the nation's prosperity. Beyond economics, railroads united the country, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and ideas. They created a national market and forged a sense of American identity.
The western frontier experienced profound transformation due to railroads. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 opened up vast territories for settlement and resource extraction. Pioneers and fortune seekers flocked to the West, drawn by the promise of opportunity. Railroads revolutionized transportation and travel, shortening journey times from months to days. They enabled tourism and cultural exchange, bringing diverse communities closer together.
And so, the railroads weaved their way into the nation's narrative, leaving a permanent mark on its history. They propelled economic growth, fueled territorial expansion, and forged a sense of unity among diverse communities. Their significance extended far beyond the tracks they laid, resonating in the hearts and minds of a nation forever transformed. As the wheels rolled on, carrying the hopes and dreams of a nation, the railroads etched their story into the tapestry of the United States...
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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