Plant-loving philatelists might find this of interest: the U.S. Postal Service is celebrating the beauty of wild orchids with stamps of species that grow in the United States. The series is called Wild Orchids Forever. The stamp art highlights photos taken by photographer Jim Fowler while art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps.
Each stamp features a photograph of one of nine species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus and Platanthera leucophaea, with Triphora trianthophoros being illustrated a second time, shown from a different angle. The Wild Orchids stamps will be issued with 10 stamp designs in booklets of 20 and coils of 3,000 and 10,000. Within the booklet, each stamp design is featured twice.
The U.S. Postal Service also provided the following background information in its press release:
Orchids are beloved by plant experts and casual flower lovers alike for their gorgeous colors, unusual look and delicate features.
Part of the largest family of plants on Earth, orchids grow in many climates and thrive under a variety of conditions. There are more than 30,000 species of wild orchids in the world, with more than 100 species native to North America.
Many orchids native to North America are endangered or threatened, making sightings in their natural environment increasingly rare. These striking flowers are native to damp woodlands and numerous organizations across the country are working to preserve their habitats. Orchids also thrive in cultivated gardens or as houseplants.
The stamps will be issued on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. EST at the American Orchid Society Library at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, Florida. If you’re fast enough and live nearby (like, in Miami), the stamp dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.
Customers may purchase stamps through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 800-782-6724, by mail through USA Philatelicor at Post Office locations nationwide.
Definitely stamps you’ll want to add to your collection!
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