USPS Adds to 2019 Stamp Program

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[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Updates to the 2019 Stamp Program
Tennis Champion Maureen Connolly Brinker, Artist Ellsworth Kelly and Transcontinental Railroad Among the New Additions

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today revealed five additional subjects to the 2019 Stamp Program. More details on dates and locations for the first-day-of-issue ceremonies are coming.

Star Ribbon
The Postal Service issues Star Ribbon, a stamp designed to meet the needs of business mailers. The artwork features a digital illustration of a star made of red, white and blue ribbon. The white space in the middle of the ribbon creates a second smaller star. The tri-colored ribbon, folded into a patriotic symbol, is intended to evoke the connectedness of the American people. The stamp will be sold in coils of 10,000 and in panes of 20. Greg Breeding was the art director. Aaron Draplin designed the stamp and created the artwork.

“Little Mo”
This issuance honors extraordinary tennis champion Maureen Connolly Brinker (1934–1969). The stamp art features an oil-on-linen painting of the tennis star by Gregory Manchess. Based on a black-and-white photograph taken in 1952, the portrait is a colorful interpretation of Connolly hitting a low volley. Nicknamed “Little Mo,” the 5-foot-4-inch dynamo used powerful groundstrokes to become the first woman to win all four major tennis tournaments in a calendar year. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Ellsworth KellyThis issuance honors artist Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015). Kelly pioneered a distinctive style of abstraction based on real elements reduced to their essential forms. His artworks include paintings, sculpture and works on paper. The 20 stamps on the pane feature 10 pieces, each represented twice: Yellow White (1961), Colors for a Large Wall (1951), Blue Red Rocker (1963), Spectrum I (1953), South Ferry (1956), Blue Green (1962), Orange Red Relief (for Delphine Seyrig) (1990), Meschers (1951), Red Blue (1964) and Gaza (1956). A detail from Blue Yellow Red III (1971) appears in the selvage. Derry Noyes served as art director and designer for this issuance.

Transcontinental RailroadThree new stamps in a pane of 18 mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, a massive engineering feat that reduced travel time across the country from as many as six months to about one week and made the American West an integral part of the nation. Two different stamps feature the Jupiter and the No. 119 locomotives that powered the trains carrying the officers and guests of two train companies to the “Golden Spike Ceremony,” held when the two rail lines were joined at Promontory Summit in Utah. A third stamp portrays the famous golden spike that was a prominent part of the ceremony. Art director Greg Breeding designed the issuance. Michael J. Deas painted the Jupiter and No. 119 stamps. Kevin Cantrell illustrated the stamp depicting the ceremonial golden spike and did the border treatments and typography for all three stamps.

Military Working Dogs
The Postal Service honors the nation’s brave and loyal military working dogs with this new booklet of 20 stamps. Each block of four stamps features one stamp of each of the following breeds — German shepherd, Labrador retriever, Belgian Malinois and Dutch shepherd — that commonly serve in America’s armed forces. The background of each stamp features a detail of a white star. A star appears in the center of each block. The stylized digital illustrations are in red, white, blue and gold to represent the American flag and patriotism. The art was created by DKNG Studios. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps

13 thoughts on “USPS Adds to 2019 Stamp Program”

  1. Oh great,,, more crappy art work stamps ,,,, what a waste of paper ,ink and expense to pay for pringing,,, Can’t the USPS find some Real people to honor !!!

  2. I guess the USPS going to great links to avoid copyrighted photos and using not very good illustrations for the Dogs and Little Mo.

    Why no stamps of just colors like “blue”. “green”. etc. and we can have the Classic Color Icons.

      • Well, actually, any of the definitive Forever stamps could be deemed “unnecessary” (such as flags, butterflies, etc.) unless you’re trying to prevent the varieties that creep in during reprintings. Of course, many stamp collectors love those varieties. No, I was thinking of the Ellsworth Kelly issue.

  4. The “Military Working Dogs” is such a worthy subject but the design is a huge letdown. And I was hoping for a Transcontinental Railroad anniversary issue but, while the design idea is sound, the execution is awful.

    In fact, the only one of these designs that is pleasing to my eye is the Ellsworth Kelly set and I HATE abstract art!

    I like previous comment about a “Color Icons” set. At least I could use those to teach students (kindergarten) something….

  6. The Transcontinental Railroad is so anticlimactic. So much could have been do to show the real accomplishment of of this historic event . Don’t get me wrong the 3 stamps are nice (certainly best than the military dog stamps) but I was hopping for a greater narrative of challenge.

  7. My thoughts exactly; the US Mint has done its bit to celebrate the first moon landing by producing only the second curved commemorative coin in its existence. How much longer before hearing the USPS will also recognize the 50th anniversary of this historic achievement with a stamp or stamps issue? Having done so for the 20th and 25th years surely they will do one for 50 – won’t they?

  8. I’m so surprised that so many collectors are in hysterics about no moon landing stamp, yet. EVERY year they release issues throughout the year. Why would this year be any different? Also, the USPS is nearly known for surprise issues of substantial topics (the railroad one that just got announced). I think the best thing to do is relax and wait – I’d be stunned if they didn’t issue one. I think they are just building suspense like they ALWAYS do. Relax.

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