January 21, 2015
High-resolution images of the stamps are available for media use only by emailing: [email protected] or [email protected]
RICHMOND, VA — The Postal Service will dedicate this year’s Love stamps in Richmond, the capital of the state with the slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers.” The first-day-of-issuance ceremony for the limited edition Love: Forever Hearts stamps will be held Thursday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The event is free and open to the public.
“Although the Greeks first associated the heart with feelings of love and romance, heart symbols can be traced back to pictograms from before the last Ice Age,” said U.S. Postal Service Capital Metro Area Vice President Kristin Seaver. “Today, the heart is everywhere. It can be found in religious art, pop culture, greeting cards and so much more, but the meaning remains the same — love — the universal language of the heart. Our Forever Hearts stamps reminds people of the power of everlasting love. In that spirit, we hope the stamp will help you send all of your cards and letters to those you care about with a special touch of love and cheer.
Moreover, there is nothing like the feeling of receiving a love letter in the mail or a valentine from that special someone. But remember, these stamps can be used year-round because love never goes out of season or style.”
Scheduled to join Seaver in the dedication will be Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McClenny; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Director Alex Nyerges; and Forever Hearts Art Director, Antonio Antonio Alcalá of Alexandria, VA.
Combining artistic vision with a symbol of undying affection, the 2015 Forever Hearts stamps depict the ancient association between eternal love and the heart. Lacy lettering in the shape of a heart spells out the word “Forever” on two stamps. One design features red lettering on a white background; the other is reversed, with white lettering on a field of red.
Artist Jessica Hische created the lettering that forms the heart, first drawing her design by hand and then finishing the stamp art digitally.
Read more at usps.com