TULSA — With the release of the Winter Berries Forever stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates four of winter’s small yet vibrant offerings: the winterberry (Ilex verticillata), the juniper berry (Juniperus communis), the beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana), and the soapberry (Sapindus saponaria).
“I can’t think of a better place for the United States Postal Service to unveil a collection of stamps to celebrate one of nature’s unique and colorful wonderments,” said Steven Phelps, acting vice president of Pricing and Costing, U.S. Postal Service. “Although much of nature’s bold imagery gets muted by winter’s cold temperatures and snowfall, the four colorful berries we highlight on our new stamps are sure to help brighten the season.”
The stamp art features highly detailed botanical portraits of each plant that highlight their berries’ bold colors and rich textures. Artist Steve Buchanan worked with Art Director Antonio Alcalá to create these four new stamps.
Barbara Sturdivant, chair of Tulsa Botanic Garden Board of Directors, and Todd Lasseigne, president and CEO of Tulsa Botanic Garden, joined Phelps in the ceremony, along with Raymond Red Corn, assistant principal chief of Osage Nation.
The Winter Berries booklet of 20 stamps is being issued as Forever stamps, meaning they will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
