{"id":22687,"date":"2018-02-23T09:30:24","date_gmt":"2018-02-23T14:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=22687"},"modified":"2018-02-23T09:30:24","modified_gmt":"2018-02-23T14:30:24","slug":"usps-celebrates-dazzling-bioluminescent-life-on-forever-stamps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2018\/02\/23\/usps-celebrates-dazzling-bioluminescent-life-on-forever-stamps\/","title":{"rendered":"USPS celebrates dazzling bioluminescent life on Forever stamps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dazzling<\/p>\n

FORT PIERCE, FL \u2014 The U.S. Postal Service searched the darkness of the deep ocean realm in its quest to deliver the luminous beauty of bioluminescent life on highly-reflective Forever stamps.<\/p>\n

Available nationwide today, the\u00a0Bioluminescent Life Forever stamps<\/em><\/a>celebrate life-forms that create their own light and perform a variety of functions, including support for medical research. The stamps include glowing marine species, a firefly and a cluster of mushrooms captured on the surface.<\/p>\n

Shimmering Stamps<\/strong>
\nAlthough these stamps do not glow in the dark, they do incorporate a special effect. The stamp pane was produced using a proprietary rainbow holographic material that is highly reflective in white light. The stamps were produced using special techniques to enhance the reflective qualities of the material while maintaining the depth of color and detail of the individual images. The rainbow pattern imparts a sense of movement and light to the stamp pane.<\/p>\n

The stamps were dedicated today at the\u00a0Sunrise Theater<\/em><\/a>\u00a0in historic downtown Fort Pierce, FL.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese stamps were created so that they reflect back light to mimic the effect of bioluminescence,\u201d said U.S. Postal Service Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President\u00a0Jeffrey Williamson<\/em><\/a>.<\/em>\u00a0\u201cMuch like the magical creatures we\u2019re celebrating today, these stamps are truly dazzling. And starting today, these vibrant images will travel quickly, easily and affordably on letters and packages to millions of households and businesses throughout America \u2014 inspiring an even greater appreciation for this vital part of our natural landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joining Williamson in the dedication was\u00a0Ocean Research and Conservation Association<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(ORCA) CEO\/Senior Scientist\u00a0Edith Widder<\/em><\/a>, whose photographs appear on seven of the stamps.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are such amazing creatures,\u201d said Widder. \u201cIt\u2019s thrilling to be able to share these images and help reveal what I think is one of the most entrancing, but least known wonders of the natural world \u2014 the ability to make light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bioluminescence performs a variety of functions<\/strong>
\nFairly rare among species on land, bioluminescence reigns supreme in the darkness of the deep ocean. Fishes, squids, jellyfish, worms and many other ocean organisms make varied use of their ability to glow. Their light can lure food, attract a mate or fend off a predator. For many species, bioluminescence is security lighting. For example, the midwater jellyfish \u2014 featured on one of the stamps \u2014 sets off flashing swirling rings of light when threatened. The display alerts other predators more likely to eat the attacker than the jellyfish itself.<\/p>\n

Some species are born with bioluminescence, while others, like certain fishes and squids, have receptacles for displaying bioluminescent bacteria that they capture.<\/p>\n

Since the late 19th century, many breakthrough discoveries regarding bioluminescence have come through the study of fireflies and flickering beetles. Because these beetles exist on every continent except Antarctica, they provide scientists with the most convenient means by which to investigate the phenomenon.<\/p>\n

Fighting cancer and other diseases<\/strong>
\nMedical science has benefited tremendously from the study of luminous life-forms. Using genes that enable bioluminescence, scientists can make a cancer cell glow, enabling observation of how the disease behaves and spreads. Similar research is also vital in the fights against Alzheimer\u2019s, Parkinson\u2019s, anemia, malaria, dengue fever, HIV and many other illnesses.<\/p>\n

Through improved deep-sea exploration and advances in photography, scientists have\u00a0identified thousands of bioluminescent species. Yet\u00a0many mysteries of bioluminescence remain unsolved, and many benefits of research await discovery.<\/p>\n

\"Dazzling
\nFrom left, the first row of stamps features a deep-ocean octopus\u00a0(Stauroteuthis syrtensis)\u00a0<\/em>and a midwater jellyfish\u00a0(Atolla vanhoeffeni)<\/em>, both photographed by Edith Widder of Ft. Pierce, FL. The octopus was photographed under external lighting. On each row of stamps, the third and fourth stamps repeat the first two designs.<\/p>\n

\"Dazzling
\nThe second row of stamps begins with a deep-sea comb jelly\u00a0(Bathocyroe fosteri),\u00a0<\/em>also by Widder and lit externally, then a cluster of mushrooms\u00a0(Mycena lucentipes)\u00a0<\/em>by\u00a0Taylor F. Lockwood<\/em><\/a>\u00a0of Mount Dora, FL.<\/p>\n

\"Dazzling
\nThe third row features a firefly\u00a0(Lampyridae)\u00a0<\/em>by\u00a0Gail Shumway<\/em><\/a>\u00a0of Sarasota, FL, followed by a bamboo coral\u00a0(Keratoisis flexibilis)\u00a0<\/em>by Widder.<\/p>\n

\"Dazzling
\nWidder also photographed both fourth-row images: a marine worm\u00a0(Flota)\u00a0<\/em>and a crown jellyfish (Atolla wyvillei)<\/em>. Both are shown under external lighting.<\/p>\n

\"Dazzling
\nThe fifth and final row of stamps offers another type of marine worm\u00a0(Tomopteris),\u00a0<\/em>by\u00a0Steve Haddock<\/em><\/a>\u00a0of Moss Landing, CA, and a sea pen\u00a0(Umbellula)\u00a0<\/em>by Widder. Both marine species are shown under external lighting.<\/p>\n

Atop the pane\u2019s selvage, transected by the issuance title, \u201cBIOLUMINESCENT LIFE,\u201d is an image of a transparent deep-sea comb jelly\u00a0(Mnemiopsis leidyi)\u00a0<\/em>photographed under external lighting by Gregory G. Dimijian of Farmers Branch, TX. The firefly squid\u00a0(Watasenia scintillans)\u00a0<\/em>shines a brilliant blue, green and white display of bioluminescence from the darkness of the selvage in a photograph by\u00a0Dant\u00e9 Fenolio<\/em><\/a>\u00a0of San Antonio, TX.<\/p>\n

Designer\u00a0Derry Noyes<\/em><\/a>\u00a0of Washington, DC, designed the stamps and the stamp pane using existing photographs.<\/p>\n

Stamp ideas welcome<\/strong>
\nThe public is encouraged to submit stamp suggestions. Visit the\u00a0Citizens\u2019 Stamp Advisory Committee<\/em><\/a>website for details on the stamp selection process and instructions for submitting suggestions in writing. Due to the time required for research and approval, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed release. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject.<\/p>\n

Ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks<\/strong>
\nCustomers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at Post Office locations, at the Postal Store\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:<\/p>\n

FDOI \u2013 Bioluminescent Life Stamps
\nUSPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
\n8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
\nKansas City, MO\u00a0 64144-9900<\/p>\n

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged
\n5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by June 22, 2018.<\/p>\n

Ordering first-day covers<\/strong>
\nThe Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the\u00a0USA Philatelic\u00a0<\/em>publication and online at\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>Customers may register to receive a free\u00a0USA Philatelic\u00a0<\/em>publication online at\u00a0usps.com\/philatelic<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Philatelic products<\/strong>
\nThe following Philatelic products are available at\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n