International Postage Stamp Unveiling

Date: June 22, 2009
Release #: 09-47
Contact: Jackie Skaggs, 307-739-3393

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott wishes to invite the public to a special event to mark the first day of issue and the unveiling of a new 98-cent international postage stamp that pays tribute to Grand Teton National Park. This new stamp is part of the Scenic American Landscape series. The stamp unveiling event will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, in the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at Moose, Wyoming.

This is the first time that Grand Teton National Park has been honored by being chosen to grace a postage stamp specifically highlighting the park. To help celebrate this special recognition, Grand Teton National Park International Postage Stamps and commemorative cachet envelopes will be offered for purchase. Moose Postmaster, Penny Maldonado, will also be available to cancel first day issue stamps for collection purposes.

Garry Sims, senior operating manager of the Colorado/Wyoming United States Postal Service District, will attend the special event. In addition, Philatelist Chris Lazaroff of Elkton, Maryland, president of the American First Day Cover Society and a specialist in stamp collecting, will be on hand to discuss the significance of the Grand Teton National Park International Stamp in the context of the art of stamp collecting. The stamp itself displays a photograph taken at dawn from the Snake River Overlook by Bishop, California resident, Dennis Flaherty; it exhibits an awe-inspiring view of the Teton Range that was captured by Ansel Adams in his classic 1942 black and white photograph.

Postage stamps were first issued in the United States in 1847—a little over 100 years before Grand Teton National Park was enlarged to its present-day boundaries in 1950. Stamp collecting is now a varied and widely popular hobby around the world; it provides an inexpensive and fascinating way to explore cultures, places, and history. It is estimated that over 80% of the world’s children have dabbled in stamp collecting, and adults share the same passion. In fact, the American Philatelic Society boasts over 50,000 members from 110 countries worldwide. Many beginning collectors choose a favorite subject like art, history, sports, transportation, famous people or animals as the theme of their collection and the Grand Teton National Park International Stamp unveiling offers a great way to start a new collection or enhance a current collection.

Posted by Jackie Skaggs - Public Affairs at 1:22 PM

National Park Service

U. S. Department of the Interior

Grand Teton National Park

P. O. Drawer 170

Moose, WY 83012