USPS Kwanzaa 2013 Forever Postage Stamps - Sheet of 20 - Scott 4845

The Postal Service issued a Kwanzaa (Forever priced at First-Class mail rate) stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 585000). This new stamp design from the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the annual non-religious holiday of Kwanzaa, which takes place over seven days from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa derives its name from the phrase “first fruits” in Swahili, a widely spoken African language. Cre­ated in 1966, the holiday honors African-American family, community, and culture. The stamp art features a stylized depiction of a man, woman, and child dressed in tradi­tional, African-inspired clothing joined together in a unifying embrace. The seven candles, known as the mishumaa saba, are a centerpiece of the Kwanzaa table. An open book symbolizes the holiday’s emphasis on knowledge and cultural history. The bold colors in the stamp art repre­sent the colors of the Kwanzaa flag – green for growth, red for blood, and black for the African people. Artist R. Gre­gory Christie worked with art director Antonio Alcalá, who designed the stamp. Working with a primarily green color palette and touches of brown, artist Nancy Stahl captured the essence of each animal with enough important defining features to make each recognizable. Art director William J. Gicker designed the stamps. This listing is for ONE booklet of 20 stamps.

• Brand new single-sided sheet of 20 self-stick Forever stamps
• Issued in 2013 but valid forever for one-ounce postage
• Forever stamps will also be equal to the one-ounce first class rate