Date: August 14, 2008

A new postage stamp featuring the unsurpassed beauty of Yosemite National Park was unveiled today in a ceremony in Yosemite Valley. This 42 cent stamp, which is part of the American Treasures series, features "Valley of the Yosemite" by Albert Bierstadt. This is the third time in the last two years Yosemite has been featured on a postage stamp.

Yosemite National Park Postmaster Bill Carroll and Yosemite Superintendent Mike Tollefson unveiled the new stamp in front of the United States Post Office in Yosemite Valley. The event was attended by numerous park visitors, employees, and park and postal employees from the surrounding communities.

"We are honored to be captured on yet another postal stamp featuring the beauty of Yosemite National Park. The fact that the stamp will be utilized in post offices around the country makes it even more an honor," said Postmaster Carroll.

Bierstadt is known for his paintings of majestic mountain ranges and dramatic rock formations. His paintings romanticized rugged landscapes, capturing the beauty and spectacle of numerous iconic locations, including several of Yosemite National Park.

Available at the event were several cachets for sale to commemorate this new postal stamp.

"Yosemite National Park is an icon throughout the world. The fact that people will be mailing letters with a small caption of Yosemite’s beauty on them is very exciting," remarked Superintendent Tollefson.

"First Day of Sale" postmarks and pictorial cancellations are available through the mail for thirty days. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and mail it to:

Pictorial Postmarks
United States Post Office
Yosemite, CA 95389